Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow had never felt the rush of nerves and anxiety be as strong as now. As they were heading toward they thought was the exit to a world filled with natural light and warmth, both of them kept thinking about the same question, will we ever see our families again? As they came near the Pipeworks, they had to stop worrying and start using their brains.
"Doon! I have horrible news to tell you and it's all my fault," whispered Lina as they approached the doorway that was the opening to their journey to a new world.
He stared at her with worried eyes that kept flickering from her to the city behind her as if in any second, there would be people speeding toward them to seize them and seal the doom of Ember for good.
"While I was running to the greenhouses, the guards saw me and they caught me. They took me to the Gathering Hall and... and that dreadful mayor came in. I tried so hard to not let my anger out; you should have seen the way he spoke about us, saying that we were just silly little, un-loyal children with a foolish hope. Before they could take me to the Prison Room, the lights went out. It was just a complete darkness. I felt so fortunate and lucky about the blackout for once, it felt like someone flicked the lights off for me so I could escape. I... I was so frightened that I wouldn't be able to go back to where we decided to meet, there was thumping and yelling. When I reached the top of the building, the lights came back on. I had noticed that the guards ran into the mob of people. I was going to start running to Clary's but they started singing The Song of City. I couldn't help but stop and listen to them sing. I started to realize how wrong the lyrics were, 'citizens with sturdy hearts' and 'stored abundance.' I began to slowly back away, it was so tempting to just shout out that there was an exit to this dying city but I knew that it wouldn't work; there would be too many people, some would get trampled. Oh, Doon. Now I just feel so guilty, I'm afraid that this will turn out to be the biggest regret of my life if only me, you and Poppy live. This-"
"Did I just hear you correctly? Poppy is with us? Your little sister, Poppy? Lina, this will just make our lives so much harder! Have you ever thought about the danger you're going to put her in, you'll just loose her! What if she falls out of the boat? She will get washed away!" a chagrined Doon exclaimed.
"Please, Doon, listen to me! What if we never come back? I'll never see Poppy again and she's all I have left," pleaded Lina.
"I'll think about it. How about you finish that story of yours?" responded Doon.
"I won't let you leave Poppy behind," said Lina. "I was saying before you so rudely interrupted me, that we have to leave now. The guards will be looking for us; they aren't that dull, you know. Do you have everything? Doon? Doon!"
Doon didn't hear what Lina had just said. He was staring in Lina's direction but not at Lina. Instead he was looking beyond where Lina was staring. He could hear the faint footsteps but they got louder and louder as they came closer. The guards were wearing their black camouflage outfits with shiny, black boots so they blended in perfectly with the dark. The soldiers sometimes acted almost like carnivorous animals. They seemed to hunt you down without you suspecting anything. You were the prey and you wouldn't have a single glance at them, until they pounced on you, right before you approached your death.
"Run! I'll take Poppy! Follow me and try not to make any noise!" screamed Doon.
He lifted Poppy up into his arms and told her to hold on him tightly as he ran down the winding street. Lina looked over her shoulder before she started to sprint toward Doon and she realized that she had over-estimated the squad, they were close enough to see her but it seemed like she was invisible. They couldn't see her at all. Lina started to bolt after Doon with a little less uneasiness weighing down on her. The lights started to quiver again and just as Lina caught up with Doon and Poppy, the lights went out, again.
Out in the distance, you could somewhat hear the worried cries of the people at the Gathering Hall. The Believers started singing their songs about the Builders coming to save them once more. Doon lowered Poppy gently onto the pavement. He slid his backpack off his shoulders and used his fingers to find a thin object with a smooth, silky surface. When the candle was found, he began searching for his clear rectangular box that was filled with matches. When he finally had both of the materials he needed, he took once match, whipped it back and forth a few times in the air until a small flame was created. He carefully lighted the candle and held it between his and Lina's face.
"We have to take Poppy back to your house. The guards won't want her, they only want us. If they see her with us, we will make her wanted as well," Doon stated. "We'll be able to travel much faster and efficiently and there will be one less person to worry about. Besides, won't Mrs. Murdo be home?"
So it was agreed that Poppy would stay in Ember and then, they could finally go into the Pipeworks and find out what would lay ahead of them.
As they approached Lina's apartment, Lina quietly said, "Let me do the talking."
Doon felt guilt rise up his throat and he tried to swallow it down but he knew it was the right and safe thing to do.
Lina took Poppy by the hand and took a good look at her before saying, "Mrs. Murdo?" I've got to go somewhere with Doon and I'm going to leave Poppy with you." Even as she said it, she knew there was no one home. She did it to soothe Poppy and assure her that someone would be there for her. "Poppy, listen to me. Doon and I have to go on an important mission; it might help us and the other people of Ember. Promise me that you will stay here and won't go anywhere until Mrs. Murdo comes home. The lights will soon come back on and it'll be alright. Give me your word that you will not wander off."
Lina slowly walked out of her home when she was satisfied by Poppy's promise of not leaving the house. Tears started to form around her eyes as she looked back at the home she had come to know ever since her granny had died unexpectedly.
She looked at Doon in the eye and murmured, "It's time."