CHAPTER ONE *Five years later*
"ISABELLA!"
The young girl being called turns her head around to see one of her closest and most trusted friends, Gretchen jogging towards her. She stops to wait for her friend to catch up to raising an eyebrow when she notices Gretchen already out of breath. Alarms go off in Isabella's head. Immediately, Isabella first thoughts are that maybe their secret bunker has been discovered by the Dictators search drones and is under attack at this very minute. Her thoughts then shift to the medical center in their bunker and how it's filled with at least 15 of their rebel members who had been caught in a deadly fire when one of the Dictator's Robots shot a fireball in the building when it discovered there were rebels in there. Only those 15 survived while at least 150 weren't so lucky. Shaking her head, Isabella stared at her friend worry and fear clearly showing in her eyes.
"What's wrong Gretchen? Is HQ under attack? WAS it attacked already? Is everybody okay? Who's hurt? Who made it out-!"
"Woah, woah ,woah calm down chief! Everyone's fine and so is HQ!' Gretchen laughed/wheezed out as she grabbed her inhaler and took a quick puff. Letting out a tiny giggle, Gretchen felt Isabella wrap an arm around her waist to help her up a bit. Once standing up straight, Isabella released Gretchen when she felt the girl wouldn't collapse. Though she immediately rolled her eyes when she noticed the girl was laughing from her little outburst. Though there was still a small smile that graced her face.
"Psh, laugh it up plumb cake. Before I decide to wipe that smile off your face." Isabella playfully threatened.
"You always say that and yet here I am." Gretchen just as playfully shot back.
Rolling her eyes Isabella turned around to keep walking, knowing that her friend would start to walk with her. Walking beside Isabella, the smaller girl looked up at her long time friend and smiled.
"So how was your birthday Isa?"
"It was GREAT! I had the whole day to myself without any of the girls bursting into the room screaming about what the other one did-!"
"You mean Holly didn't come and make you play peacemaker whenever Adyson and Milly decide to throw down." The smaller girl exclaimed in fact shock pretending to punch an invisible foe when she mentioned 'throw down'.
"YEP! I mean I love those two like sisters ,but they bug the heck out of me! I got better things to do than play 'Mama Hen'-!"
"Like your MAN!" Gretchen squealed out and burst out laughing when Isabella's face immediately turned red as an apple. Sputtering incoherent words and half sentences Isabella had to take a moment to regain her composer. All the while Gretchen continued to laugh at her expense.
"FUNNY." The Mexican-Jewish. girl said.
"Isa don't be mad at meEeEeEeeeEEE!" Gretchen half said half screeched when Isabella began to walk a bit faster.
"I'm not."
"Yes you are!" Gretchen said as she began to lean against Isabella almost bringing her down to the cold night ground.
"OOF! GRETCH! WHY ARE YOU SO SMALL YET SO HEAVY!" The girl exclaimed while trying to keep herself and her friend who now was just dead weight.
"Say you forgive me first!"
" No! Never!"
"Yes! Forever and ever!"
"AUG! Fine!"
"Say it!" Gretchen said in a sing song voice. While trying to make herself heavier.
"OKAY ,OKAY! I. FORGIVE. YOU!"
"YAY!"
"Please get up."
Once both girls were on their feet, they had broke out into a fit of giggles. Isabella had to give it to Gretchen. The girl was the only one in their band of childhood sisters who could make her smile even on the saddest of day. Only one other person had made her that happy. Though she didn't like to think about him. He was gone. Gone forever.
"I really am sorry Isabella." Gretchen said giving the biggest pout she could muster.
" I know and I forgive you. Though it really is none of your business what me and my man do."
" Alright I know I was just teasing. Besides. You always tell me what you and your snuggle bear do."
" I do not!"
"You're right… but you do talk in your sleep…"
" Oh my god. I'm leaving before this conversation gets out of hand. I'll catch up with you later alright?" Isabella asked as she began to walk towards the nearby park.
" Yeah cool! I'll see you Friday with the girls! Say hi to the boys for me!"
With that Gretchen ran off toward her house where her mother was waiting for her. Isabella had different plans though. She would not be heading home. The walk to the park was quick. Maybe not safe but anyone foolish enough to try and attack her would be put in a world a pain. Once in the park( If one could call it that. The place was covered with dead plants; a fountain that shot water out at random times, in random directions; and was littered with homeless men, women and children, along with drug attics.)
Isabella had once heard from some of the elders that Danville park used to be the most beautiful peaceful place to come with your family and friends. But once HE came into power, the citizens were to scared to go outside. Soon the park was no longer being taken care of. And it seemed to die along with whatever hope that the citizens held for it to get better.
Walking towards one of the statue of the town's Dictator, Isabella walked behind it. It was large stone statue, with writing underneath it in big bold letters,
'OBEY.'
Ignoring the text, Isabella made sure no one was watching, as she reached for a small remote in her hoodie pocket. With the remote in her hand and one more quick glance, Isabella presses the small button. Seconds after pushing the button, a small trapdoor began to open at the base of the statue. Jumping down, Isabella quickly pressed the button again allowing herself to closed off from the outside world. Though she had to laugh at the fact that one of the main secret entrances was located at the foot of their enemies statue. Hiding in plain sight.
Placing her hand against the wall of the tunnel, she began to search for the switch she knew was there.
"Come on where are you?"
"Looking for this dear?"
Isabella would have screamed had she not recognised the voice.