Enemies Disguised as Friends

I run for about an hour before I feel I'm out of danger. Sitting down I take a little break allowing myself to cool down and catch my breath. The trees shoot up like mountains all around me casting shadows down to block the sun. I need to find out where I am, I stand up and look up at the tree I was resting on. It has low branches and extends high into the sky so I grab the lowest branch and hoist myself up. I climb up through the branches reaching up for the sky.

God, I love to climb, it makes me feel as if there are no restrictions on my life. Reaching the top of the tree I look out at the wide horizon. I just look at the treetops for a while before I remember why I am up here. I search for any sign of the city and I see the spires of the church about 5 miles east of my tree.

Quickly climbing down I jump the last 4 feet and take off at a run, I need to get back to report and to check-in. I run despite my aching feet, The way it feels when I am running is almost as good as it feels when I am climbing like I cannot be captured in the web of lies surrounding my life and no one can tell me how to live my life. I feel free for one of the fleeting moments of my life. Running I reach the church and my freedom shatters as the priest sees me.

Calling out to me brings the others streaming out of the church, all wearing expressions of either relief or fury. "Jaelyn Crose! Where Have You Been!" I flinch at the shrill call, I know that voice and that as soon I am alone I will get an earful about staying on task. I turn to see a stern woman with the showings of age slowly creeping into her face, which is crinkled with a mix of rage, disappointment, and an unexpected one of relief. "Do you understand the position you put us in, The Institute was about ready to put out a search party for you, disappearing in the middle of the night! I taught you better!"

"I am sorry to have worried you all," my voice dripping with sarcasm, half of the people here would be happy if I disappeared and never came back. The woman just looks at me with that expression I know all too well. With a huff, she just turns around leaving me surrounded by priests, friends, and enemies disguised as friends. I just smile and maneuver my way out of the swarm and up into the spire to my bedroom. I had been placed here so that I couldn't easily escape. As soon as I open the door all I can see, hear and feel is yelling, crying, and hugs from my family.

My mother crying as she hugs me tight and as soon as she retreats my siblings surround me hugging my legs which is as far as they can reach seeing as they are only 1-9 years old. My father just stands in the corner with a stern look in his eyes despite the fact that he was probably the most worried one of them. The stern woman from earlier, my aunt, is yelling at him to punish me. I just endure it waiting for the scolding I will get once everyone settles down.

"Jaelyn," my mother says gently once everyone calms down, even my aunt even though she is still obviously angry. "Are you okay, we were all so worried when you didn't come back." She might seem soft, but she was the stern one of my parents even though she gave me unconditional love.

"I am fine mom, I just got a little caught up in something last night and I didn't have time to check-in." Technically true, but still not the whole truth. My siblings just look at me with those little eyes that are red from crying. I kneel down and open my arms, they all flood into them and start crying again. I hug all of them at the same time. I might have 11 younger siblings, but I love them all the same, and they all fit in my long arms. After they finish crying I still hold them as my parents discuss with my aunt what they need to do with me. I know they are going to have to have me recount what happened after I disappeared. I would have to talk to the Institute Council, I hated them, they always put so much pressure on me.

"Jaelyn, we have to go talk to the Council and you will too." My father says in his gentle but harsh voice he has to be hard on me in front of my aunt, I know that and I love him nonetheless. "Let us talk to them first though to soften their anger."

I just nod I wanted to talk to Keith and Viky, I knew they would be the most worried because I disappeared on their watch. I didn't want them to worry anymore and I wanted to explain to the first and let them know I was alright face to face. Letting go of my siblings I start down the spire's spinning staircase down to where I knew they would be waiting. Wandering through the halls it was eerily quiet and my footsteps echo on the walls as I reach to push open the doors where I knew Keith and Viky would be hiding. Taking a deep breath I mentally prepare myself for the bombardment of questions I would get as soon as I open the doors. Steeling myself I push open the heavy doors.