"Where the hell are we going?"
"Wait and see, you're inpatient." Riley moans.
An old mall, now completely taken over by the power of Mother Nature. Vines and trees grow and thrive, its always been mine and Riley's favourite hang-out. We're not meant to be here, of course. But you can't tell teenagers what to do.
"How's school?" Riley asks, our shoulders brushing together as we walk.
"Shit, Sergeant Doyle said I'd make a good Solider though." I answer.
"Soldiers kill Fireflies Ellie," Riley whispers.
"I.. I know,"
"We lost a lot of our men last week, these Soldiers; they, they fucking ambushed us." Riley snarls. "I hate them."
I decide its best not to answer, to not provoke Riley.
"Anyway, I have something for you." Riley says after a while of walking through the mall, she crouches down; swinging her backpack off her shoulders.
"Here," She smiles, shoving the gift into my hands.
I look down, a tiny silver basic locket. I fumble, trying to open it. Riley laughs and helps.
"You're worthless, here; like this." In a single attempt she opens the locket.
Inside is a picture of us both, the two of us in our room, that must have been last year; when I was only thirteen.
"You still have this picture?" I whisper.
"I'd never let it go." Riley replies, kicking the debris with her shoe.
I walk over to Riley and stand up on tip-toe, kissing her on the cheek and for a second, it doesn't feel forced at all.
"Come on, better hurry up." Riley instructs.
"You still got that Walkman you always lug around with you?" Riley asks, stopping in an old wrecked store.
"Always,"
"Give it here," She says.
Without questioning her I pull it out off my backpack and hand it to her.
She laughs to herself then stares at me, helping me up off the dirty floor.
"You still got shit music taste?"
I playfully punch her in the shoulder.
We walk for a little while longer, exchanging jokes, talking about how Riley nearly got herself shot for stealing two water guns, Riley tells me how beautiful the outside World is, the real World. Not the city that's patrolled by the Soldiers, the countryside and the forests.
"Ellie, we need to talk." Riley whispers, stopping again.
"Sure, what is it?" I ask happily, staring at the locket.
"They asked me to leave."
"What? Who did?"
"The...The fire-flies; they want to resign me to another city." Riley admits.
"Sure, we'll see each other again; right?"
When Riley doesn't answer I finally realise what this all means.
"Ellie, before you get mad..." Riley starts.
"We won't ever see each-other after this, will we?" I whisper.
Riley shakes her head. "I...I don't know."
"Quit it with the bullshit Riley! Why did you bring me here? Why don't we just say our goodbyes here and now and let that be it?" I scream.
"Ellie... Please, just stay with me a while longer."
"Do you love me or something?" I shout, my eyes tearing up.
"I.. I don't know."
"You want a way out? Here I'm giving it to you. Go."
Without an answer Riley turns on her heel and leaves the room, entering another store that's attached to the other.
"Oh for fucks sake Riley," I grunt, following her.
"You hate me Solider girl?" Riley snaps.
"Hey, you don't get to be pissed off at me."
"Listen I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left. I should have told you sooner."
"No, this is what you've wanted for what? Years now, I said it like an asshole back there but, I think you should go." I try to be cute but it doesn't work.
"You think so? Because I'll miss you." Riley smiles.
"Don't go, please, oh I'll be so miserable without you." I mock, teasing her."
Riley punches me in the arm playfully. "What's in this Walkman anyway?" Riley asks, completely off subject.
"That music tape you gave me."
She laughs. "You really will be miserable without me. Now come on."
We reach an old electronic music store and Riley pushes the door shut before taking my hand and dragging me to where she wants me. She awkwardly plugs my Walkman into to what I think is a stereo and that's when the whole shop fills with music, the music I love.
"No fucking way, this is so cool." I shout, trying to be heard over the loudness.
Riley smiles, before she starts dancing; she grabs my hand, forcing me to dance with her. We dance stupidly around the room before I stop, my heart feels heavy and my stomach feels as if there is something stuck inside of it.
"Hey, hey what's wrong?" Riley asks, stopping.
I take a deep breath and look at her. "Don't go,"
She stares at me for a few seconds with her big green glossy eyes, before she pulls off the dog tag necklace from around her neck, throwing it onto the floor. An acceptance to my wish. My mind takes over as I rush forward and kiss her deeply but quickly. And I find myself regretting not savouring the moment.
"Sorry," I whisper shyly.
"You have nothing to be sorry for." Riley smiles, kissing me again.
It would have been perfect but just as our lips separated, screeches filled the room. Infected. A runner comes charging at us and just as it reaches Riley she shots him dead.
"Riley!" I screech, my voice breaking with fear.
"Ellie, run."