00 prologue

I saw it as we ran out the door. The truck’s headlights lit the way in front of it as it bumped down the hill to the clearing where we were, where there was also nowhere to hide.

“Get into the forest!” I shouted over the shouting and the truck. They’d seen where we were and started heading towards us as fast as they could. The baleful light of the moon reflected off the truck and a spotlight swept across the clearing, good I thought they don’t know where we are. But if we don’t move it soon will! I realised with a start.

“Move!” I yelled and following the others I ran counting them all, 12 good we haven’t left anyone behind. Pumping my legs I soon caught up with the others, I was defiantly one of the main athletes of the group. I noticed Accalia running just in front of me her long black hair trailing behind her like it couldn’t keep up, torn ragged clothes showing bare skin underneath. I ran up beside Aldis the only one that was alive before the new version of the ‘old world’ and the oldest of all of us at 23 she was our technical warfare adviser,

“Can we make it?” I asked her as we sprinted to the tree line her dark skin was the only thing that managed to get her out of the camps and when we found her she was half dead. Her eyes twinkled in the moonlight and she smiled showing white teeth, I swear she almost looked like she was enjoying herself,

“Not really. But there’s always a chance. Now pull your hood up and tell the others to do the same so they don’t see your skin.” I did as I was told and relayed the message onto Alessandro to pass it on and do the same so we all ran full pelt into the dark forest evading the machine intent on capturing us. Luckily we all made it.

Just.