Shortly after Klaus and I escaped everything completely spun out of control. People started tipping cars, burning buildings, vandalism, everything. All I and Klaus could do is run.
"Why are they doing this? They can't be that angry." I rolled my eyes as Klaus and I hid behind a riot in a street alley, we had managed to get as far as Cleveland by bus in a few days. "We're forced to live how they want, neck deep in debt, our buildings suck, nobody's happy, every country hates us, nobody has a job and must I list more?" Klaus bit his cheek. She was right.
"I see now. But what will happen to America?" Emilie thought hard. "Maybe other countries will help but I don't know. Other states aren't happy either. Canada is pissed because of our riots and we have not been on good terms with Mexico." We had a few moments of thinking silence.
Then a scream appeared behind us. People ran down the street, oil at their feet. The oil had come from a truck that was carrying oil from a recent oil spill. It was a lot of oil. The oil started to spread to the alley Klaus and I were in. I shuffled around trying to decide what to do. My sneakers started to soak up the oil and Klaus just stood there petrified.
"Don't just stand there! We need to get out of here! Try not to breathe!" I yelled to him past the crowds screams. We jumped out into the clear streets; I felt her heart skip at the scene.
People running, screaming, but worst of all, the oil was gushing oil out by the gallons, I tried to run with Klaus but ended up on my butt.
"Are you okay Emilie?" Klaus helped me up as I tried to get the oil off myself. I was trembling now.
"It's okay; I'll touch the oil too!" Klaus bent over and put both his hands into the oil. "What the hell are you doing? Do you know what kind of stuff this can do to you?" Klaus quickly took his hands out of the oil and wiped them off.
We tried running again but the oil was going up to our knees and I was not comfortable with my mix and of oil and jeans. "I hate oil! I hate this!" I said through my clutched teeth. I grabbed Klaus's arm to try to keep myself from falling over into the oil again. "Who's idea was it to put oil in this kind of place?" Klaus exclaimed. "Probably my dad, we didn't have any space to drill so I guess this was our last option." Klaus nodded as we found ourselves out of the oil and to the way of the light rail.
"Should we get on?" I asked him. He walked towards the station. I guess that's a yes.
"That will be $17!" The man operating it told us. "$17? What the heck?" Klaus and I exclaimed. "There's a major oil spill, people are trying to get away, money opportunity, see?" I fumed as I opened my small backpack up and agonizingly took $17 out. He smiled as I handed it to him. Klaus and I clambered inside with all the other people.
"Emilie, where are we going?" Klaus asked. "Didn't I tell you? Canada, I need to negotiate with them. Klaus rubbed his head. "What is happening to the world?" He asked me. "I guess falling apart?" I took a moment to think about it.
My life would never be the same again. I will be running for the rest of my life and only god knows if I'll die while doing this. I probably won't ever go home. I'll never see my mom or dad again. Klaus probably won't ever either.
"I'm sorry." I suddenly said. Klaus gave me a small shrug. "Nothing I can do about it. I'm actually happy! This is an adventure!" Klaus sat upright in his seat. This time I shrugged.
"Okay. Well I'm tired, goodnight." I closed my eyes and made myself comfortable while enjoying the rhythm of the train.
"EMILIE! EMILIE WEST!" I heard my name being yelled. I woke up slowly. "What, Klaus?" Klaus only put his hand over my mouth. "Shut up, they're looking for you it's been a few hours." The train was a pitch black and nobody said a word. Once again; "EMILIE WEST!" Somebody was calling me, probably wanting to kill me.
"We heard you were on here. You'll pay for every debt."
I'm sorry, everyone on the train. I can't believe a 14-year old girl could put so many lives in danger.
"Come out and nobody get's hurt." The deep voices said again. "That's it!" My stomach stirred. Somebody made a scream, which I instinctively stood up. Then found myself standing in front of them. The people who wanted me. "You and this girl are being taken in." He pointed to a girl maybe my age that was trembling and crying, I recognized her, sort of.
She was Jamison Franklin's daughter. We played together when we were younger. Only sometimes. Her name was Lily.
"She's Lily. So, come with us now." Two strong people stood beside me and held my arms. This was awkward.
"I know secrets." I suddenly said subconsciously. They all eyed me, even the people hiding. "So let us go and I'll tell you some." They only held me tighter. "Let go of me! I know people!" I struggled to get free but once again they got tighter. "Klaus! My bag!" They had no idea who I was talking about. I waited as they shouted at the crowd looking for a Klaus.
Then finally a bomb looking type thing rolled between my feet. I kicked it at the wall and smoke filled the tiny space. I held my breath and grabbed who I think was Lily and caught Klaus in the process too. The train had stopped. Somewhere in Canada.
We carefully stepped out and ran, ran as far as we could and didn't stop.
It didn't take long until we were out of breath. "Please… stop… for a moment." Lily wheezed and sat on the grass. "Are you okay?" I asked her. "I have asthma." Lily told us. "Oh, crap…" I glanced over at Klaus and he looked as concerned as I. "Just rest okay?" I told her. She nodded, trying to catch her breath still.
Klaus and I sat down with her. "So where do we go now? I don't trust anyone now." I say to Lily and Klaus. "Trying to go somewhere is risky." Klaus says. I sigh and take out my phone. "It's dead and probably no signal." We all bite our lips.
We were by a road but hitchhiking was dangerous, but necessary.
"Okay now put your thumb like this." Once I got Klaus and Lily up with me I showed them how people got rides in the 'old days' "Now we just stand here." A few cars drive past, some glancing at us. Then finally one stops. It's an old pick-up truck. A woman steps out and comes face to face to us.
"I've seen you. You're Emilie West, president's daughter?" I nod. "Please can you take us into town?" I ask her. She takes a few seconds into thought. "Sure." She finally says. We pile into the back and try to stay low.
It takes 15 minutes to get into the town. Once we are there the town looks pretty standard. Buildings, cars, people.
"This is it. Bye." We get out and the woman immediately drives away. We walk around a bit and eventually find ourselves in an office.
"I would like to talk with the mayor." The woman eyes me and raises her eyebrow. "Mr. Stanford, right now?" We all nod. She dials the phone. "Are you available? Yes the president would like to talk. "I'm not the president-" I try to say but she puts her finger to her lips. After chatting with him for a bit she hangs up. "Room 252." She simply tells us. I thank her and find the elevator.
"Where are we currently?" Lily asks. "Toronto I think." I tell her. Once at the floor we scavenge for the room. And then find Mr. Stanford.
"Hello sir." He starts to stand but when he sees's 3 kids he stops. "Sorry kids, I have a meeting, shoo." He waves us away. "I'm here to see you for help." I approach his desk. "America is dead." I tell him.
"Yes, I've heard, there was an oil spill?" He asks. "Yes and I'm still about to faint from it." I hold my hand to my head, "But anyway, do you have any advice? Or is America gone forever?" I stare at him. Hoping for an answer.
Instead he leans in and lowers his voice. "We're in a pinch too. Don't tell but we suspect Mexico is crossing over to attack us." I cock my head. "Couldn't they just fly over?" Mr. Stanford shakes his head. "Too suspicious. Everybody has their eye on everyone." I lower my head. "Maybe…" I quietly say. "I could start another country?" Mr. Stanford nearly jumped out of his seat. "I hope not!" "But it'd work I could just control everyone to the point so that they would have to obey!" I was going to say more but Mr. Stanford's phone rang.
"I have to take this." He quickly says. "Yes, what?" Mr. Stanford exclaims. "What?" We all yell at him. He motions us to be quiet.
"I'll get on it." But his very last words; "We are sinking."