Call of Freedom

Chapter Eight

One month is already gone since Deanna decided to chase her dreams and demand her freedom. A lot have changed since then. More weapons are being built daily, people have found their skills and of course it's now, more than any other time, that they are willing to fight. Strolling in the mud, drops of rain hit her face and she blinks them away. The dawn's weak sun rays enlighten the whole Arena, where people are training meticulously. Some of them on shooting, others on wrestling and so on.

Two women's groans and sharp breaths fill the air. Their bodies two black shadows inside the fog. In the background, only silence. They can't risk making any loud noise inside the forest. Last week, when two of the trainees were building their bows, a patrolman saw them. It was an hour filled with agony and fear when eventually they brought the enemy back in the Area. He had a bruised eye, but he kept breathing, his heart beating normally and the other eye observing everything. Only four words came out of his mouth: 'Master will ruin you.'

Deanna was meant to do the killing. In the empty warehouse, the patrolman chained to the ground and her with a sword in hand. But her hand couldn't move. Her whole body paralyzed with inability. In his eye she saw a pure man born in the wrong time and place, his brain puffed with crazy ideologies and morals. Was he the one to blame? Do you judge him for holding the weapon or the Master who urged him to take it in first place?

Errol helped his daughter by leading her out of the warehouse and taking the sword in his hand. He came out a few minutes later, the blade showered with warm blood and Area21 residents believe one more like.

Deanna lifts up a pile of leaves and branches. There awaits a hole that fits just perfectly the heaviest person on the Area and a ladder balanced on its side. Her eyes comp the deserted land around her, coated with stones that once constructed their houses. No one is there anymore. Only flies buzzing around and rats squealing like an alarm of end approaching.

Below ground level, however, everything glitters with life. Candles manage to illuminate the oblong halls, trainees and trainers walk around, all crammed together. The only sounds down there are their soft whispers, planning carefully where to go and when. Some of them have dedicated their spare time into unfold the mysteries of the forest, even the places where Deanna hasn't been yet. She keeps walking forward to the leader's room. The people split to two groups to make the way for her. Their heads lower, the whispers hovering around create sentences like:

"She's leaving."

"All alone?"

"We're alone now."

A few feet in front of the door, stands the group she has grown to adore most. They don't speak, their eyes aren't looking at the ground but right inside her soul. They radiate vibes of courage and certainty despite the tears nestled inside of them. Deanna nods at them. Only this silent group knows the plan, their responsibilities from now on and the dangers. Elmer opens the door for her as Santana remains back, holding tightly Zion's shoulder.

The first thing she catches with her eyes is Errol lighting up some candles. The door closes behind her and only then does her father speak.

"You came for your goodbyes?"

"We both knew this moment would come." She takes a few steps closer to him and help him light the candles.

Letting out a sigh, he lets the match slip from his hands, its flame battling to stay alive to no result. Deanna stays motionless at the sight of her father suffering in silence. "Of course."

"Dad we will see each other again." The lie rolls in her tongue, her eyes immediately falling to her stained shoes.

"What if we don't meet again? What if this is our last talk, our only goodbye?"

Her mouth opens and closes, eyes studying his. There must be something to say to him that will be both truthful and optimistic.

"I don't understand your motives. They remind me of your mother's to a great extend, but I never understood those either. But, I support you like I did with her." At the exhale that follows, his tears fall free down his eyes.

"I never got to tell her goodbye, you know." His voice is croaky, but deep and clear. "Because she promised that we would see each other again. I don't even remember what I last told her. But, I don't want it to be that way again. I can't stand it."

Deanna puffs her chest out, blinks away the tears, does every movement to distract her feelings.

"Deanna, you will always be like her. And I will always be destined to love the ones that need to be away. So, I'm setting you free and it pains me. But, don't you ever regret what you are doing, don't stop! Keep fighting, keep trying. Even when everything seems wrong, remember that you have made one hundred people care."

Deanna dives in his embrace, bathing herself in his warmth and the smell of him. His warm breath is brushing her neck, and his big hands caressing her back. Safety; a feeling she will keep fighting for from now on. "Stay safe, Deanna."

"Always," She offers him a small kiss on the cheek and smiles.

Taking a last glance of her father, she walks towards the entrance with her heart ready to sink at the bottom of her stomach. She lets out a sigh with all the worries, anxiety and sadness.

She shakes her head to get rid of all the negative thoughts and walks out. The dim halls are overcrowded now, pairs of eyes looking directly at hers. And now reality strikes her; she has to forget the Area to move on. Not the burned houses, the lakes or the safehouse; that's not what constructs Area21.

The things she must forget are those eyes, depending on her choices and giving her courage to move on. It's the people and the bonds between them that make Area21 stand unique in her heart. Like some invisible strings have wrapped around everyone's hearts and no one can let go. That is their bond, the thing they're all fighting for. Her steps tiny and slow, their hands squeezing her elbows.

Once she climbs out of the safehouse, the rain has empowered. The smell of the ground fills her lungs, the cool air hits her face bringing her to life and the sun has found shelter behind the massive clouds. And right inside the fog and the strings of water falling from the sky stands a figure; dark and tall.

"You're leaving, Dea?" The irritating voice reaches her ears. Deanna's chin rises, her hand moves instictively to her bow. "Ridiculous plan."

"I don't remember asking your opinion."

"Aren't you supposed to fight for freedom? Don't I have the freedom to express my views?"

Deanna gulps the lumb forming in her throat, watching as the shadow moves closer to her until Mars' chocolate eyes are visible. They laugh at her, studying closely her expressions.

"Go on then," she nods to his side. "Speak your mind while you still have one."

"You are young and innocent." Deanna's jaw opens a little, enough for the drops of rain to slide inside her dry mouth. "You want a world where evil minds don't exist, where people are not suffering, where a great leader cares about his responsibilities more than he does for himself. But there's a paradox inside these things that does not allow them to exist simultaneously. You're smart enough to figure it out on your own."

"I'm tired, Mars." Her voice is unusually low, but intense enough to be heard. The raindrops mingle with her tears giving her hope that Mars won't notice. "Everyone is. And I will fight till the end even if that means I'll get to have only a few minutes of freedom. But you've never tried to understand me. Your little throne at the corner of the room, where no one gets hurt and no one suffers, has built a wall around you. Walk a few steps forward, and you'll feel it too. The need to live rather than exist."

His expression hardens, the mockery in his eyes flies away in the form of raindrops. His thin lips become even thinner and he makes his way in front as if allowing her to walk away from the Area limits.

"Good luck risking everyone's life for a thing that can't exist. Not now. Not with him in charge."