Goodbye
For a prompt: "Write about saying goodbye" on Your Scribbles.
"Go. You've got to go now."
He squeezed her shoulders fiercely and never broke eye contact.
She hesitated, feeling bile building in her throat. The familiar feeling of overwhelming hopelessness was all she knew anymore. It never went away, was a constant companion now. She tore her eyes away from him suddenly and scanned the barren room for another means of escape. Seeing none, she nodded slightly and started to turn away from him.
"You're coming right? I mean, you have to," she stated, with hope tinging her words.
He slid his hands down her arms until he could grasp her hands in both of his, "Just go, Lilly."
He turned and lifted the corner of the rug that was positioned in the center of the room, revealing a hidden hatch. She heard the dogs in the distance. Their insistent baying as they closed in on them was frightening but familiar. There wasn't much that was normal about life now except this....the constant knowledge that today might be their last.
She gave him one last pleading look and then turned to the rickety set of stairs that led down to the homemade shelter. The dogs would find them, this much she knew. It was hopeless. She just wanted to be next to him when they came.
She felt her way across the damp earthen floor with her toes until she felt the edge of the tunnel.
"Momma?" a small voice whispered.
"Eli, walk towards me and be very quiet," she answered. She felt his tiny hand, warm in hers a second later. She didn't need to see his small face to know it had long ago lost the look of fear it should have. This was the norm, just another day. He didn't say another word, just trudged along side of her into the darkness. They had been working for months on the tunnel and she hoped that it would prove to be worth it.
The dogs were howling now. She heard her husband shout....heard a commotion and then.....just nothing. Silence.
She bent down and grasp her son to her and ran.
She ran because that's what she was supposed to do, what her husband would want her to do. Every footfall on the dampen earth sounded like goodbye.