—Location:Hidden Valley Settlement,outside area.
Sunlight peeked in through tall trees, all with blossoming limbs. A cold breeze swept petals across the ground floor. Birds hummed as they landed on tree branches. The croaking of frogs could be heard, as deer ate their weight in grass.
A small girl jumped over logs, landing in the stream and splashing. Her voice filled with glee as she ran through the flowers. All the forest had gone quiet, and Lola turned quicker thana snake on caffeine. She hid behind two oak logs. Blondie brown bangs poked through first, followed by a small form"Lola,you shouldn't be out here the adults will be worried" Lola sighed.
Lola spoke."Sticks are boring," she said with a voice filled with temper.
Rocky tugged on her arm and,with an alarming tone, said, " Lola we have to go," but Lola refused, then shouted, " My friends are mad at you!" But knowing they were only imaginary, Rocky soon teared up. "That's not fair; we need to go now!"
Lola refused once more and then let Rocky tug her along. "We are going to have to sneak back in; there is no telling what the guards are going to do to us if they find out where we are." Rocky said.
They ran around the corner of the settlement. Before a machine came out of the forest ,it chased them as they ran for the gate.
It caught Lola by the sleeve as she wretched it again, only to be caught again by an Africo guard. " Let me go," several Africo guards hekd her tight "Lola! "Rocky said, beating the guard leg. "Let her go."
Settlement reinforcements came charging. They threw Rocky in the back of the Africo transport. "Rocky!" Several men fought off Africo guards.
The Africo vehicle pulled off. One man stood in front and said "Your friend is gone because of you!" He glared before someone stood in front of her. "Vanks, that's enough; she's only a kid!" Vank hissed. "Better when they're young; we just lost another life!" Axal picked up the six-year-old.
He carried her back into the settlement. He walked along towards the camp medical building. Nurses ran back and forth. "Set her over there!" one nurse pointed. Axal moved and sat her down. "We will help you get fixed up." One nurse came by. "What happened?" Axal spoke. "Her and the other kid were ambushed by Africo at the front gate; sadly, the boy was captured." The nurse covered her mouth.
Axal and the head nurse went to talk. She heard another nurse say, "Set him here." She looked over to see a boy just like her, with blue eyes and black hair. Lola smiled"Hi" she said to the lankey bruised boy. His two companions raced off. He glanced away"Hi, "Lola smiled. "I'm Lola" the boy nodded" Im Ja-Jay" Lola's head titled "Okay, Bluejay" she giggled.
He titled his head"your nickname,there pretty "She motioned to his eyes.
Jay said" my eyes are ugly,I need to hide them "he said as his black bangs fluttered to his face.
Lola gently moved it" Pretty"Jay smiled.The nurse came back with Axal"Good news, little girl, who's your friend?" Lola grinned then pointed to the boy"His name Jay" he waved.
Jay guardians came back over. "Great news, Jay, your. Oh, who is your new friend, buddy?" Jay looked to Lola"Her name Lola,her name pretty" the two gentlemen smiled at there boy"Considering,the name means Night,a great name for blending in"they chuckled.
Axal asked, "Who might you two gentlemen be?" Axal said. They hesitated, regaining formality"I'm Cross,that Ren" Axal shook hands, letting go.
Axal spoke"I'm Axal, the hunter leader of this settlement. How did you two end up with this little fellow?" Cross spoke. "We have been with him ever since he was little; his parents are... maybe we can speak somewhere more private?" Jay sighed before cutting in.
Jay added" Their gone, dead." his blank statement caught them off guard. He went over by Lola, tears forming. "Hey, it okay," she held him, caressing his black hair. "It's not, their gone," Lola thought. A idead came to her" Here" she tied her blue ribbon around his hand.
A small charm hung from it, resembling a black wing. Lola said" With this charm, your friend will always be in reach," folding his hand over it. Jay got up "I can't keep this" Lola hugged him.
Lola grinned." You can," fist bumping. "Jay,time to time to go little one"Lola waved bye.
Axal spoke"Come on,little one" Axal took her hand, heading down old cobblestone dirt roads. He noticed people's glances coming his way. He lifted her up enough that her head could lean into his shoulder. Lola buried her face in his jacket helm.
Axal went into a shop"We have to stop in here for a minute, ok? "Lola nodded"Alright. He sat her down in the book pile,keeping an eye on her.
It wasn't long before Axal gave Lola money"Here you go, pay for these items, and I'll join you in a second, okay?" Lola nodded as she heaved the items on the desk"I would like to pay for these."The guy nodded hesitantly, pushing buttons.
After a moment, "Is something wrong?" The guy sighed"Sorry, I'm not that good at this, I'm still learning this thing." Lola giggled, Your name. He caught his breath. Carl Evans. He shook hands"I'm Lola Nighting" He smiled" pleasure" His hands dropped. "What that?" She said this, eyeing the medallion.
He took it off and handed it to her. "Is it a bird with a ribbon?" she gave it back"It's pretty, "he grinned. "You know not many people notice this like you do, "Lola said, "really? His glance rose to Axal. "Really, here's your money back, "she said. "Thanks, Mr. Carl, he grinned. "Have a good day," he said.
Axal spoke, "Where, Mr. Hide?" Carl spoke. "He had to go on a trip. He entrusted this establishment to me while he was away" Carl spoke. Axal eyebrow rose"Hide usually notified us before he leaves " Carl spoke. "I was just given directions to come here and watch the shop" Axal sighed. "Hey you in front, you're holding up the line!" Axal sent him a look. "Good day, "he said, taking Lola by the hand.
Then I picked her up once more. "Where are we going?" Axal smiled"To see some friends,waiting at my house so we can get you comfortable," he said as he walked down the old cobblestone road across the creaky old wooden bridge. Up stone stairs to open rugged doors. "We are here" he said, sitting her down on the couch. Two other women rushed to Lola"Oh the poor dear"they picked up rags.
Wiping her face, she said, "We will do what we can." Axal pulled the long brown braided hair women away. Axal asked." Benefitful to keep her or about the building encampment,her relatives left intense instruction he said as she acknowledged.
Floral said." There is absolutely no room in the encampmentent; it be best for you to look after her, considering she only talks to you"Axal nodded. They glanced over her tiny form"Fine,for now" He walked over to the kitchen"Fancy a meal?" they nodded. "It would be best for the little one. "Axal cooked up recently killed meat. "How does some Dur sound?" The ladies did her hair and dressed her. "Honestly,hunter speaking is all you hunters do; what does it mean, isn't it deer?" Axal sighed. "Yes,you ladies need to brush up on the defense language; we have so many creatures now, "the ladies said.
A little boy walked in. "Miss Foral,we have another situation with them fighting. Also, someone wanted to see you. Something about vandalism." Ms. Floral grimaced, "Excuse me, gentlemen and gentlewomen" she departed.
Signaling that she would be back,Miss Florel left while Miss Floretta went to another room. "Okay,little one, what's your name? he asked as the girl shyed away. "Ok,how about you guess my name? "Lola guessed, "Archer?" Axal grinned. "Close, "she thought. "Arnold " he shook no. "Ark? he grinned"Your getting close, I'm surprised you know my name starts with the letter a"Lola grinned.
Lola talked"I overheard them-not your full first name, though, "she thought. "Ace? he sighed"Okay, a hint: the first two letters are A and X." Lola smirked. "Axe? his eyebrow rose"Ok, another hint. My name is four letters long. You know the first to but my name rhymes with all." Lola sounded it out.
After a moment, "Axal!" Axal jumped, "Ah you got me",nearly slipping off the crate. Lola laughed,arms crossed. "That was good," she prompted. "Okay, my turn," she said, taping her foot.
Lola grinned" The first letter is L, and the second is O" Axal thought"Gosh, um Lou?" Lola giggled. "Another hint: my third letter is another L,I have four letters in my first name, "Lola said, sitting back. "Okay,Lole?" Shaking her head. "This is so hard; you're not making it fair." Axal pouted.
Lola shook her head. "The last letter is A"Axal shot up. "Lola!" Before collapsing back into his seat"round two on last names?" Lola shook yes, "thou my last name is pretty long, sir." Axal shook it off"Just call me Axal." Lola nodded.
She started, "Okay, yes,Axal,should you go first?" Axal thought. "I honestly don't remember my last name. "Lola sat up. "How do you not remember?" Axal giggled"Well, I'm older, and sometimes my memory goes"Lola looked to him. "Fair, my last name has eight letters. I will give four letters. "clearing her throat"Night"Axal's face whitened.
Axal guessed"The last three letters wouldn't be ing would it?" Lola's eyes widen. "How did you know?" Axal recovered
He made up an excuse: "Oh, it a pretty common name,but I knew some people by that name. What a coincidence!" Lola leaned forward.
Lola asked" What were they like?" Axal thought"Oh, well, they were kind and humble,very generous, but if you ever got the woman mad,she was fiercer than a Catonic ripping into Sunday dinner,but this couple was very lovely,their fighting spirit drove gallons of people toward them; equality for all was their motto, which spurred them to the end,the type of people to bring us together, "he said, sitting his hat down beside his black pen.
He wouldn't admit it, but with the girls eyes on him"I miss them, you would think after everything we all have endured over the years,this world would have been better." Axal spoke"It's not, but that doesn't mean the good is gone" Axal head lowered.
Axal waved it off" Nothing to worry about,oh, the stew! "he bolted for the kitchen. Lola eyerolled"Well, it has not to burned." Lola glanced around. She noticed it was a cozy living room. Blanket draped across the couch,with wooden stairs leading upwards. It wasn't big or small-just a medium-sized room with one person. Lola gaze lingered toward the couch.
Plopping down, she looked upwards at the chipped white paint. Glancing out the beautiful stained glass windows,the house she found was on the edge of town, overlooking the market. Axal rushed in,drawing her attention to him "hot, hot, hot.He placed it on white plates. Lola stood"may,I..help?" Axal shook ya,wiping his brow"set those potatoes right over there,but use this," she grabbed cloth. Using it to pick up freshly cooked potatoes to set them down on plates. Lola rushed back to place the big dish down. Lola smiled"You have been a big help." Ms.Floretta came back in" Axal! The kid needs rest, not to help you, "she said.
He started, "But, flower"Floretta snorted"you know now better." Lola smiled"I offered to help Miss" Floretta patted her head"Very good, dear,very grateful and proud,so very considerate of you."Lola smiled. Lola brightened"It doesn't feel like it, My..my...friend..is...gone "Floretta comforted her" It is not your fault." Lola nodded"It is. I was playing, and he came to get me"she buried herself in her knee caps" Oohh"Floretta did circles on her.
back. "Shhh, she quieted down.
They all gather around the table. I'm back, "yelled Ms. Floral. "Welcome, sit, then send up a prayer."Ms. Florette said. They finished supper"To the future" they toast.
No one would say it, but everything was failing, and the enemy drew closer each day. They thought if they could stay living day to day, then the enemy would go away. Their little shelter would not survive the storm. Regardless of how sturdy they thought it was...
Freesky Phoniex
