One Way Escape

Start The hidden front door is frantically shut and locked. He spins around, demanding “Were you

followed?” Sierra turned to meet the gaze of her father. His eyes were a perfect mix of fear and

anger. “Sierra, did anyone follow you?!”

“N...no sir! The rain hid any scent of me and my footprints as well."

Papa breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s too dangerous to go outside during the day, Sierra. We’ve

talked about this!”

Sierra takes off her black and grey camouflage backpack. “We ran out of supplies and you were

exhausted from keeping watch. I’m just trying to pull my own weight!”

As the fear melted into relief and assurance that they were safe, he wrapped his loving arms

around his daughter. “You’re only 16, sweetie. Allowing me to love and protect you is all that is

required.” The sound of thunder shortened the sweet moment and Papa remembered

something important. “I wanted to wait until your birthday, but the way the world is spiraling

deeper into chaos, I feel like it’s a good time for you to have this.” Sierra’s face lit up as she

marveled at the gift. “It’s a one-time save, though. Make sure you only use it in a life-or-death

situation. I have one, too.” Sierra hugged her father’s neck tightly and put the locket around her

own. As the rain slowed, Papa saw a cluster of red lights in the distance. And his heart sank to

his shoes.

“Papa, what is it?” Sierra asked as she slowly turned around and saw the lights as well. She

clutched her locket firmly, but Papa dispelled her fears.

“I’ll protect you, sweetie.” He motioned for her to head to the second entrance to safety. Sierra

quickly made her way to the exit as she heard a knock on the other side of the hidden door…. It

was then that the horrible realization that she had been followed struck her.

“Do you have a woman here?” “No, sir. I live alone. “Do you mind if we come in?” the stranger’s

voice commanded. Papa hesitated for only a fraction of a second before opening the door and

ushering the armed men inside. They drew their weapons as they stepped inside. Sierra looked

out the window of the second entrance, and to her dismay, she saw another group of armed

men ready at the door. She was trapped. Her stomach dropped and her heart started racing.

Papa walked with the armed men through the house, conversing with them in an effort to

distract their thorough search. When they reached her hiding place Sierra’s last glimmer of hope

slipped away.

The man directed his piercing gaze at Papa then at Sierra. “One person per household has

been the law since the world’s supplies ran low!” “Please! I beg you! Don’t harm her!” As the

men fixed their weapons on her, Papa pleaded “Use the locket, sweetie!”.

In a panic, she bit into the locket, causing a deep cut in her mouth. Within seconds her face

swelled and she began to bleed from her eyes. The men lowered their weapons, satisfied, and

looked back at Pap in triumph. “Thank you for doing your duty to your country”. They turned

sharply and exited the building.

Papa turned to Sierra, his tear-filled eyes watching her slip away. “Your mother died shortly after

you were born. Now you can go be with her…. I’ll be joining you shortly.” Papa took his ring off

and swallowed the poison. As the symptoms began to take over his body, Sierra’s last words

were “D...daddy, why?” “You’re too good for this evil world, sweetie. It’s time for you to meet

your mother.” With his dying breath he mumbled "Sierra.. I'm glad I was able to keep my

promise to you." With a smile upon his face, he guided her from one world to another with her

hand in his.