Please note that this story takes place right after book 2, so Jen has had some "special moments," I won't spoil that for those who haven't read book 1 or book 2 of the Shadow Children series. PLEASE DO NOT READ ON IF YOU HAVE NOT READ BOOK 1 OR BOOK 2 OF THE SHADOW CHILDREN SERIES.
Among the alive
Chapter 1
Jen paced back and forth, her head filled with thoughts of Luke. Luke had been someone she would have wanted at the rally, proudly standing for Shadow children. But no, everyone had to be shot.
"The government," she spit. "I hate them. They killed everyone that stood with me, and I couldn't have done a single thing. I just..." Jen shook her head. Why think about it that way? she wondered to herself. After she calmed down a bit, she still managed to growl, "I was just a coward like Luke thought I was." Jen wanted to think it wasn't true, but he didn't come to the rally. He was too nervous, he knew how high the stakes were at that point. "No, he wanted to live. He would try to set us free if I died," she scolded herself over and over again. She just wanted to cry herself to sleep, but she wouldn't sink so low.
"Next time," she announced, and drifted into sleep.
It was morning, and she made a dash for the woods. Jen's confidence had lowered that night before, but she could improve on it.
"Hey Sal," she greeted, putting her feet to a stop. Dirt managed to dig through her sneakers, and it made her foot itchy. She took off her sneaker, and bounced on one foot tapping it out.
Sal emerged from the trees, smiling. "Hi Jen," he said. His black hair was in the style of Luke's, just more ruffled. She thought of Luke again, and got him caught up with Sal.
"So, I thought today would be a good day to go fishing!" Sal openly suggested. Jen looked at him, puzzled.
"The government owns all bodies of water," she reminded him. She wondered why he would say something so dumb. Hadn't he remembered the governments laws? He was a third child too, at least Jen thought.
"Who cares? Just break some rules of the government for once," he groaned. Jen shook her head, thoroughly annoyed. "Go ahead, but I'm not coming. I was almost shot for what I believe in. I'm not going to get shot just to go fishing," Jen shot back irritably. Sal frowned.
"That's not the Jen I know," he replied. Jen thought she couldn't have been clearer. She would repeat what she said, but she just went back to Luke. Sal tried some phrases to get her attention, like "Earth to Jen," or "Coming back to planet Earth, Jen!" She wouldn't budge. "I wish Luke came to that rally. Survived with me, and we saved almost all shadow children," she whispered. Sal's relatively annoyed face turned into a face of betrayal.
"So I'm not good enough. I just want to be free," he mumbled. Jen whipped around, just like those were the words she had wanted to hear all day. But only one word could trigger such a reaction.
Free.
"You're from the chat room?" Jen asked, hope gripping her tightly. "Well," Sal was caught off guard from the question. Jen looked around his face, looking for some recognition in his eyes. But, all that she could find was he was nervous. He finally asked, "What chat room?" Jen felt all her hope slip away. All she could keep thinking about was Luke.
She had to find him.