Folly & Agendas & Talulah

Chapter 54

Misha lifted her head and asked: "Why did you save me?" It was a due question ever since they climbed the walls of Chernobog.

The Sankta looked at her new companion and smiled ruefully, "I couldn't watch a little girl die underneath that mess," She said.

"Huh?"

Haley turned her head, looked at the edge of her shoulder, and watched the flutter of her fragmented, luminescent wings. She saved her on a whim, upon seeing those red marks staining the asphalt, and saved enough time for such an act. Instead, she bore a laugh and tossed Misha a bottle of ginger ale; the Ursus clutched it and waited for an explanation, but received none.

"I really don't know, if you wanted an honest answer."

Misha twisted the cap open and drank the beverage in tiny sips. "How did you end up in Chernobog?" She asked. Her throat burned at the new sensation flaring inside of her.

"Well... it's complicated and not so complicated. Hmm, where should I start off? The wars, or my own goals? Never mind..."

"But normally... regular people don't make it out alive in this city. You either land in one side or the other, and it looks like there is no in between it all."

CRACK!*

"I know what you're talking about: we become collateral damage. But what can we do about it? We aren't exactly the ones controlling what's going on. That's why I'm running away; I'm running for someplace else, somewhere far away."

"Somewhere far away?" A glint of curiosity appeared in Misha's eyes.

"Yeah... I'm not from here. I wasn't born in Ursus, but I've lived my whole life here though; and that's why I plan to go somewhere far, far away. Maybe Sami... or Sargon..."

Haley smiled at her prospects laid before her, but she also lamented for the ones she lost. The surface above rattled, shaking the underground complex they were hiding in, knocking beds and furniture out of place, breaking shelves and cabinets full of dysfunctional items. The tremor shook the Sankta out of place; Misha hit the back of her head on the wall behind her. When the tremor stopped, or rather weakened, Haley still bore a bright smile, despite her eyes saying otherwise.

"Once we have a chance of escape, I'll be heading west," She stated. "What about you Misha?"

"I... I..." Misha trembled in place; the future haunted her immensely.

"It's okay if you don't know, Misha. I'm still stuck on where to go; I was just rambling on about places. But hey, maybe we will both find someplace safe soon. But there is something you have to do."

"What is it?"

KER-BANG!

The chaos above roared like thunder, struck like lightning, and shook like a storm. Haley didn't move an inch, but she stared at the doors of their underground hideout. Dust seeped through the cracks and crevices; dents ravaged its metal plating. It was as if a wild beast tried to break in. Misha shuddered at the sight, inching away from their entrance –and their only exit.

"You have to run, Misha. You have to run. It's the only way out."

The little bear cub looked down, then to the angel, back down again, and then fixed her eyes at her savior. Haley met her gaze and blinked not knowing if she spoke correctly to the little girl.

"I have to run? What then?" Misha asked.

Haley was speechless. She opened her mouth, but then closed it, and then shook her head in hesitation. Misha lowered her head upon receiving no answer. Suddenly, the smell of burning iron surrounded them; smoke could be seen creeping in from outside their shelter.