‘Blood & Gold’ by Sofia, age 14, Soham Village College

The wheezing shallow breathing of the Infected and injured are the only sounds in the Institution.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Other than the deafening beating of my straining heart.

Budump.

Budump.

Budump.

And the soft beating of her heart.

Inhale. Exhale. Breathe…

A scream so piercing rattles out of my chest as pain contracts in my midsection. Soon, I beg, not now. Not here. I feel my eyes scrunch close, my fists clenching by my side and my upper arms strapped. It wasn’t my fault that that had happened. Not my fault. Not my-

She wriggles and squirms, oblivious of another scream ripping itself out of my lungs. My swollen belly sticks out like a pimple on a face. Poor babe. I hear the rhythmic thudding of boots, getting closer and louder. The robotic mumbling all Guards seem to adopt.

My heart jolts a large leap when I feel the cold hands of Quack trying to lull me with a gentle stroke. My best mate; our doctor.

Every breath is a raggle of pain. It’ll be over soon. But for who? Will death claim us? They won’t care. We’re noth-

Agonising screams can’t help but escape my trembling lips. It’s happening. And Quack can’t get medicine. It’s only for Them. He tells me something, but I can only hear my thoughts screaming at me. I push. Scream. Push. Screa-

But it’s not my scream anymore. It’s her scream. Young and new. Oblivious. My baby.

Quack is there already holding my little Shakira. I let a sigh of relief flood its way out.

I want to hold her, but I can’t. My arms cannot leave my side. Quack gives me a reassuring smile. I try my best to return it. I’m just tired.

Dark shadows menacingly snake their way into the room. They’re here. Rifles held magnetically to their chest. Hands already grabbing my best friend. But he doesn’t care. He just keeps his smile, eyes gently looking into mine, telling me it will be okay. Cradling Shakira closer.

Still, I horsley shout at them to let go, to leave them alone.

Suddenly, all of my energy disappears fast and my head smacks onto the headboard. I’m just so tired.

Last thing I see is his calm face and Shakira cuddled close to his heart, sleeping. He will protect her. He will.

Chapter 1

Rubble and rubbish clatter and fly as I rush through the maze of caves. I can still hear their voices, but further behind. They don’t know this place like I do. Twisting and turning, jumping and leaping. They won’t find me.

I reach the mouth of the entrance in a few strides and leap through, on top of a roof, somersaulting off onto the rough, sandy ground. I heave back and lean heavily onto the brick wall to gather my breath, and peek through the gap. Skata. They are there. I inhale sharply, twist back to hide behind the wall. Skata. I scout the area ahead. I get ready to run.