"We are finally here!" Evelyn breathed in once she stepped out of the stuffy van. We grabbed our luggage and bags out of the backseat and walked through the camp. An older man ushered us to a table covered in papers and lined with people and group leaders. I walked up and stood in front of the table, waiting for instruction.
"Sign your name in please," A mission leader said as she handed me a clipboard and pen. I wrote Sage Dreygon on the line and handed everything back, looking around at the camp I would be staying in for the next few months this summer break. I was on a church mission trip with my friends to help the poor in Togo, Africa with supplies and medical.
"Well Sage and Evelyn, you two are sharing that bunk over there along with a few other girls," one of the leaders pointed to a dingy cabin house in the far back of the camp. We walked in and put our stuff away, meeting the two other girls,
"I'm Jocelyn and this is Jordan" the cheery blonde in the corner introduced as she hugged us. I was definitely not going to enjoy this as much as I planned. Happiness was overrated and how could anyone be in such a bubbly mood all the time; that must be tiring. The other girl, Jordan, was a bit more laid back and manageable.
"Is it just me or does this place smell funky?" Evelyn spoke behind me, searching under the bunks for the smell. We all shrugged it off, not really caring and just wanting to get to work here. We walked out into the bright sunlight and over to the supplies table. This mission had been going on for a while; we were the fifth group to come and help out.
"Hey uh.. you four! Can you do me a big favor?" a leader yelled at us, obviously oblivious to our names or even who we are. We all nodded and followed him into his bunk. He gave us a list and told us that they needed more supplies from a town just a half a mile away. I read over the list; Gauze, toilet paper, band aids, gallon waters, batteries...
"Okay that is good. Well, you should be on your way if you want to be back before lunch begins." We all nodded and headed down the designated sand trail to the small town.
"What fun! We actually get to do a mission on our own!" Jocelyn squealed as she ran ahead, almost unable to contain herself. Jordan just sighed and hurried along. A sign came up telling them they were almost halfway to their destination. I grabbed the list back out of my pocket and reread the list to make sure I didn't forget anything. I heard something buzzing in the air, almost a vibration, but I just ignored it, believing it was the numerous bugs that roamed these areas. We walked a few more steps when the noise became really loud. Evelyn and I shared a weird glance, looking forward at the two girls running; I knew I had to stop them. Evelyn got the same plan and we sprinted to the girls, yelling to stop moving because something just wasn't right. Jordan slowed and turned but Jocelyn kept moving, not hearing our pleas. I ran to her, grabbing her arm as she took one last step on a small dip in the sand. I heard the beeping underneath us and turned towards Jordan and Evelyn, wide eyed and screaming to run as fast as they can.
"Evelyn!" I screamed as the wind got knocked out of my lungs as I got shoved up from the ground, still holding onto a lifeless Jocelyn. I screamed as my skin began to burn, my eyes watering. I hit the ground hard, shards of metal and glass surrounding and covering me. I felt like my whole body was on fire as I got just enough strength to turn to my side. I looked at the gaping hole in the ground where the bomb had been, and right next to it a mangled and melted body; Jocelyn. I started crying as I screamed for Evelyn or Jordan or anyone that could help me. After a few minutes of trying to breathe normally over all the pain until it became numb with shock, I slowly pulled myself into a sitting position, my whole body telling me not to. I slowly looked around at the disaster I was sitting in. My head was pounding and my whole body ached at every movement.
"E-Evelyn.," I croaked out in a whisper, my eyes bloodshot as I searched for her, my eyes finding two bodies on the ground not far from me. They weren't moving, their chests weren't moving, they weren't breathing. I started to hyperventilate, fear and pain very apparent in my face. I dragged myself to the rock wall close to me, and tried to lean against it, only to fall flat on my back, screaming in pain. It was a dark cave, covered in deep green vines, hidden from the disaster. I pulled myself deep into the cave and curled in on myself, finally letting my emotions get the best of me as I let out a sob. I soon fell asleep from pure exhaustion and leaned heavily on the rock wall.