Welcome to Sodom
We were fugitives now.
City to city, train to train, hitchhiking and hiding, always moving, never staying. Me, Sophie, and Ice. The road was our only lifeline. But something kept nagging at me.
Every city had designed roads that lead one way routes from city to city but never through the woods. Why do none of these routes pass through the woods?
Every city had them. Every map showed them. But no roads led in. No paths crossed through. It was like the woods didn't exist or weren't meant to be touched.
I was still chewing on that thought when Sophie whispered, "Watch out. Roadblock."
Ice and I peeked over the truck bed. A line of cars. Multiple officers. Flashing lights. Checkpoint.
Shit, I thought. We're dead.
Ice didn't flinch. "Don't worry. I'll handle it."
Sophie and I stared at him, stunned.
"You do know we're wanted, right?" I asked.
Ice turned to me, cold and silent. No explanation. Just that look.
Sophie leaned in. "I think he can do it."
I wanted to scream. Am I the only one not losing my mind in this circus of a world? But I nodded. Because what else could I do?
"I hope Thomas is alright," I muttered, trying to distract myself from the panic clawing at my chest.
Sophie's voice softened. "I didn't know him long. But one thing I learned is that he's built of steel."
I looked at her. That helped. More than I expected.
Then Ice climbed up to the cab.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
He glanced back. "Play along. Or die."
Two cars ahead. Every second felt like an eternity. My heart was a drumline. Sophie looked pale, vulnerable. I whispered, "It's going to be okay."
Then our turn.
The officer approached Ice's window. "Where are you folks heading?"
Ice mumbled something I couldn't hear.
"Got anything illegal in the truck?"
Again, Ice's reply was muffled.
Then the officer stepped toward the bed.
"Who are these two?"
And suddenly, Ice's voice rang out clear, commanding.
"They're my slaves." slaves were legal in Sodom. The officer said you must be a wealthy man to afford slaves even in this beautiful world. Ice responded yes i have always been good at saving. He said smiling.
I nearly choked. Rage bubbled in my throat. But I swallowed it. Survival first.
The officer looked at me. "You his slave?"
I nodded. "Yes."
He turned to Sophie. "And you, ma'am?"
She said it. "Yes."
He looked her up and down, smirking. "You're not built for labor. I can tell."
He laughed at his own joke.
Sophie didn't respond. Just hummed. Soft. Controlled. But I could feel her fury radiating beside me.
She'd always been a fighter. A voice for girls who refused to sell themselves for approval. That cop struck a nerve.
"What are your names?" he asked.
Ice cut in. "Officer, can we go? I haven't eaten all day. Can't wait to see what my new help can do."
The officer chuckled. "Fair enough."
Another cop stepped forward. "Don't you want to scan them?"
"Nah," the first one said. "They feel alright to me."
The gate latch clicked open.
The truck rolled forward.
Ice waved. The officer waved back.
Sophie and I sat in silence.
And as we passed the final checkpoint, the officer called out:
"Welcome to Sodom."