Excerpt: The Unwanted

I don't know how long it has been since we left, but I do know that I want it to end soon. It could have only been five minutes, but I doubt it. It feels like hours have passed. I feel myself aching for that jail cell. I don't know how I could think such a thing, but at least back in the cell I didn't have to run. Then another thought occurs to me. What will we do for food? How will we survive? At least back in the jail we had food and water. At least we didn't have to worry about where we where going to sleep. I feel myself start to panic. I don't know if I can rough it like Avery can. She is used to it, but all my life I have been given everything I needed. Food, clothes, shelter. Now, though, things have changed. I no longer have someone to take care of me. I guess Avery will, but I have already been a burden to her. Suddenly I fall down onto the ground. I think I tripped on a root. That I what I get for thinking and running. Avery helps me up and it isn't until I am standing again that I notice that we are no longer in the woods. Maybe I didn't' trip, but instead Avery stopped and I was to busy freaking out, that I didn't notice that we were safe. Well at least we are out of the woods. I am not sure if we are really safe.
“We can rest now.” Avery says as she catches her breathe.
“Good.” I say. That is all I have the oxygen to say. I sit down on a rock and try to catch my breathe. “So now what?” I say once I am almost back to breathing normally again.
“Now we have to figure out where we should go.”
“Right.” I say. I have no idea where we are, much less where we should go.
“Do you know anything about being on your own?” Avery asks.
“No. I don't. My whole life has been lived in an orphanage and up until now I was in a jail cell. So I would say my survival skills suck.”
“Right. Well at least you have me.” I can't help but think that is an understantment.
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“No problem.” Avery says. “We have to take care of our kind. After all it is the least we can do.”
“I guess you are right. I just wish I were more help than I am.” I can't help but feel a little guilty.