• I grabbed my orange bag from the closet and ran to the refrigerator. I opened the door and there were only three water bottles, half a bottle of ketchup, and a nearly empty gallon of milk. I stuffed the water bottles in my bag and turned to open the food cabinet. I stuffed in a bag of potato chips, and cereal. I sprinted to the laundry room and put in as many clothes and blankets we might need. I zipped up the bag and tossed it to the front door and went to Noah’s room. I turned on the light and watched as he stirred away from the bright light. I kneeled by his bed and shook him awake.
    “Noah, wake up. C’mon Noah, you have to get up.”
    Noah opened his small eyes forcefully. “Alice? What’s wrong?” He groaned softly.
    “You have to get up. We have to leave.”
    He moaned as he sat up. “What time is it?”
    I glanced at his Batman clock on his yellow nightstand. “It’s almost one in the morning.”
    “Why do we have to leave?”
    “They’re coming, Noah.”
    “Who’s coming?”
    “It’s the Serpents.”

    “Alice? Alice! Open the door!” I recognized the voice right away. It was my neighbor, Mrs. Summers. She pounded on the front door forcefully. I ran to open it, hoping that the noise didn’t wake up Noah.
    “Mrs. Summers? What’s going on? It’s twelve in the-”
    “I know but I have something important to tell you.” She urged and let herself in.
    “What is it?”
    “You have to get out. You have to take Noah and get far away from here as possible,” she looked like she was on the verge of tears.
    “Why? What are you talking about?”
    “The Serpents are coming. Alice if you stay, they will take your brother.”
    My heart stopped. My little Noah is in danger?
    The Serpents are a gang of brutal killers and they despise the government. Their gang has increased tenfold in the last three years. They terrorize towns and cities and kidnap young boys to join their gang and wipe out anyone else who tries to stop them. I remember hearing stories like these in western Africa, but I never imagined that it would happen here…
    “W-where should I go?” I panicked
    “I don’t know but you have to go far away from here.”
    “But we have almost no food. What are we supposed to eat?”
    “Don’t worry, I’ll go home and pack some food for you. Just get your things ready.”
    Before our world became chaotic, my brother and I were terrified of our cranky old neighbor. But now she watches over us like we were her own children. My parents were doctors and when the Serpents were just barely rising, my parents felt that they needed to help the survivors. But they didn’t know that in the town they were in, the Serpents weren’t quite done yet and that they were going back.
    Mrs. Summers brought me back to the present. “Well, I’m going to go now and get stuff for you.”
    “Okay, I’ll get Noah ready.” I said quietly.
    Mrs. Summers left and closed the door behind her. I looked to the closed closet doors and remembered my orange bag was in there.

    As Noah was putting on his shoes, Mrs. Summers knocked on the door. I opened it and she was carrying a brown backpack and a small white box.
    “Here is some food for you.” She handed me the backpack and showed me the white box. “This is a first aid kit, just in case.”
    “Thank you so much.” I said, grabbing the first aid kit and stuffing it in my orange bag.
    “Mrs. Summers!” Noah said cheerfully.
    Mrs. Summers kneeled down to Noah and hugged him. “Be good, Noah and listen to your sister.”
    “I will.”
    When Mrs. Summers got back up, I felt deep in my gut that I would never see her again. An overwhelming sadness swept over me. Mrs. Summers looked over me and smiled.
    “My dear child, you are incredibly brave. I know you will protect your brother.”
    My eyes overflowed with tears. “I’m scared…” I trembled.
    “I know,” she smiled gently. “But you are very strong. Just like your parents.”
    I hugged her one last time. Then without words; I grabbed both bags, took Noah by the hand and ran.