Eve Hawj, a female born in a camp. Not any normal camp.. In a refugee camp. She and her family been living their for so long... As long as she could remember. There, she been raised for 18 years, almost in adulthood. She wanted to explore out of the refugee camp. She always dreamed of going to a land where everyone is kind and helpful. Where grass is so green you can sleep, where trees are calm you can hear music from anywhere you are. And where the blissful wind goes and goes forever non-stop. But she had no thought of where that place is.

Mother and father does though, they overheard her, her speaking to herself. Mother said,” A place so blissful full of green grass and calm trees including wonderful air, is a place called America dear” Father added, “ It’s a wonderful place but, their comes great risk of going to America Eve.”

“What great risk?” Father and mother headed back to their homes and called for Eve to come back before dark hits. “ Come my dear, let us go to the light and wait for darkness to pass once again..” Eve followed.

Day 2, Eve wakes up early than usual. She hears her father and grandparents talking outside. “ But txiv you know how hard it’ll be for us? If it breaks down? It’s a high chance it’ll happen.” Father..? Eve peeks. “ It’ll be hard but it’s worth a try. She’ll be strong, I have a feeling son.” Confused Eve goes to her mother who’s still asleep. “Mom Mom!” Mother wakes. “ What is it dear?”Eve speaks with her mother of what she heard with father and grandpa.

“Father, grandpa.. They sound like they were arguing to each other.” Mother proclaims, “ Oh dear, they’re just talking about their work and how stressed it is for their family. It’s hard on them than on us.” Eve took a second to realize. “Stressed? Stress as into what? All I know is we live until we’re accepted to leave this camp..” Mother gets up and pats Eve on the head with a smile “ Don’t worry sweetie, soon we will leave we must hope for the best.” Father and grandpa came in. Eve left when they arrived.

“ Are we… ever gonna be safe one day..? Time will tell us.. sooner or later..”

“ Eve”

“Huh?”

“Yo, what’s wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing Phenj”

“Doesn’t like it, you seem very quiet now days.”

“It’s alright.. just thinking too much, you know?”

“Yes yes, come, let’s go for a walk”

Phenj, a good friend of Eves. They’re childhood friends. Phenj is older than Eve but nearly same age just a few months older... Night came.

“Eve!...Eve!” mother whisper in her lowest voice..

“M..mom?” Eve wakes alittle

“Come, lets go.”

“Go?”

Eve gets out of bed and follows mother to where all the other hmong families were at. They all were staying outside, like they were waiting for something..

“Mom what are we doing?”

Mother looks at Eve and said,” Be patient.. You’ll see”

5 minutes passed.. 10 minutes passed…

“Mom… I’m tired..” Beep Beep!! Eve looks to where she heard the sound.

“A.. bus?”

“Yes Eve.”

Father and everyone was in front Eve and mother were way behind.. Same with Phenj and his family. Eve was happy. She wasn’t alone, she had a friend with her to help and support her. Same goes for Phenj, he too was happy.

“Phenj..”

“Eve..” they both stared at each other then before they knew something happened, they got separated from their families. All the hmong families were pushing and tugging, and trying to get onto the bus. Eve and Phenj were very behind now. They start to worry. Desperately, they decided to call out to their families..

“Mom!” Eve cried out

“Mom!” Phenj also cried out

10 seconds pass.. No answer.

“Mom..” Eve began to tear up

Phenj comfort her.

“Don’t worry.. We have each other and our families have each other. We’ll find them soon enough when we get onto the bus.” Phenj said softly. Eve looks at Phenj,

“Alright, I’ll stay strong!” Eve pumped up hiding her tears. Phenj smiled.

After that had happened Eve and Phenj both were at the very top of the line now in 3rd place. The bus they were suppose to go on was full and it left. Eve started to think out loud

“Phenj.. What if they don’t find us? What if we don’t find them?” Eve looks concerned

Phenj looks at Eve,” Eve I can not tell the future but all I can say is we will find them, they won’t forget us or leave us. They will wait for us okay?”

Eve showed a small smile to Phenj. Phenj smiled back.

An hour passed, a bus showed up to pick up the next load of hmong families. This was the last. Those who don’t get on will have to wait another year to be accepted again. Lucky Eve and Phenj where the third ones in line. They started to load into the bus. But this bus was smaller than the other ones. It’ll only fit about 60 people. Phenj and Eve boarded the bus and sat in the way back. Where it’s quieter and there are windows on both sides, right and left. She noticed something.. All the hmong people that got on board were young adults… no elders..

“But.. why” Eve frowned,

“Eve..” Phenj reacted, “it has to be like this.. We must leave the elders now.. And catch up with our families now”

Eve looked up at Phenj, “Alright”

The elders were going to die sooner or later.. They’ve been living there for so long, they’ll die there now. Feeling depressed Eve went to sleep. When she woke up it was night and Phenj was asleep as well. She looked around. To see what area she was in if she recognized it. She didn’t. Everyone in the bus was asleep even the bus driver. It must be the darkest time because she couldn’t see anything in front of her. Not even if it was nearly in her face.

“Eve!” an anonymous person screamed her name in the distance

“....” Eve hesitated, she looked around but she remembered she couldn’t see anything.

“Eve!” as Eve listened closely she recognized it. The soft voice, that’ll make her feel safe.

“Mom..?” Eve called out silently trying to not wake anyone up. She walks out the bus and into the darkness.

“RuN!!”

Eve wakes up. She’s sweating, and crying. Phenj looks at Eve.

“Eve what’s wrong?” he said

“A nightmare..” she responds

Phenj comfort her once again. She must be scared. Being away from her family for so long. I can relate. Eve told Phenj, “Phenj… my dream.. I heard my mom calling for my name.” Phenj reponds,” What happened after that..?” “ She yelled run at me and a black figure came up to my face.. Like it was going to eat me alive..” she said. Phenj gave her a look. A look of protection. Did he know what that means? Was something going to happen? Eve looks down and lays on his shoulders to rest and calm herself. She looked out the window. It was early morning. Babies crying aloud, young kids being grumpy and wanted to get off the bus, and the adult all trying their best to keep their kids in their seats. Of course it didn’t work. One of the young kids came up to Eve and Phenj.

“Hi there!” the young girl said

“Hello” Eve and Phenj both said

“Wanna play!?” she smiles

“No, not today sweetie, okay?” Eve said nicely

“Okay.. well see you guys again!” she runs to her mom

Eve and Phenj both looked at each other.

“She was a cutie..” Eve said

“Yeah, wonder who she is..” Phenj responded

As Eve and Phenj were talking the bus driver stopped the bus. He saw something. Something dangerous. No one noticed. Even Eve didn’t notice. Phenj on the hand did. And that young girl.

Phenj whispered,” Hey, come here” he hand gestured for her to come. She did. She was confused, and scared.

“Why did the bus driver stop?” she says

“Not sure, but looks like only me and you noticed it huh?” he looks out the window

“Mhm.. mommy won’t listen to me…” she sadden

The bus drive took a step out. A storm. A big storm coming their way. The bus driver knew this was coming but he didn’t think it wouldn’t come today. He yells at everyone.

“Everyone calm down!”

They all look at him. Confused.

“There’s a storm coming!” he yells

Everyone started to freak out they yelled and shout. Eve looks at Phenj.

“What do we do..?” Eve says

“We’ll do what the driver will say.” Phenj responded

Thunder came crashing to the trees near where the bus was. Everyone ran out the bus and tried to get away from the fire. Kids following their mothers. Babies being held. Eve and Phenj also ran. But Eve heard a cry. A young girl still stuck in the bus.

“Help! Please Mommy!!” the young girl shouted

Eve turns around and stopped, Phenj looks at her.

“Come on Eve!” he shouts

“No, there’s a little girl in there still!” She ran back to the bus. Phenj tried to run after her but the bus driver grabbed him and yelled

“Let’s go young boy!” Phenj tried to break free but he couldn’t… he yelled

“Eve!!”

In the bus, Eve saw the girl. It was the girl that came up to them.

“Sweetie! Come here!” Eve yells

“I’m scared!” the girl cries

“Sweetie, we all have fears. No one is strong, not even me, but trust me okay?” Eve looks at the girl. The young girl wipes her tears and nodded.

“Okay!” she yelled

“Good, jump to me.. Make a big jump!” She yelled

The fire was spreading fast, the bus was about to blow. All Phenj could do is watch. He was being held back.

“Come sweetie!” Eve yells. As the girl jumped Eve caught her and ran out. In time as well. The bus blew up making Eve and the girl flying. But Eve never let go of the girl and used her body as a shield.

“EVE!!” Phenj screams

Rain came down. There was fire everywhere now. Spreading. They had to leave. The bus driver calmed everyone. But Phenj wasn’t calmed. He started to tear up. He always was their to save Eve, but this time he couldn’t.

“Eve…” he cried. The bus driver got Phenj to his feet and they all were moving on. They left that area.

“Eve..” anonymous said,” Wake up dear, breakfast”

Eve woken. She was covered in burns, and cuts. She looked to her side and saw the girl. Luckily the girl wasn’t harm at all.

“Sweetie.. Wake up” Eve shook the girl. She woke up.

“W..what happen..” she looked at Eve

“We survived” Eve smiled making the girl happy as well. Eve stood up and yelled out for Phenj.

“Phenj!!”

No answer.

“Phenj..?!”

No answer.

“Where is he…” she said

“I want mommy..” the girl said trying not to cry as much. Eve looks at her and tried to stand up. She barely stood up. But she had strength to. The young girl did the same. They’re both standing.

“Let’s go look for them okay?” Eve said

“Okay” she responded

“By the way, sweetie what’s your name? Mines Eve” Eve said while smiling

“Ah.. my name is Kari” she said

“Kari? Pretty name” Eve smiled Kari smiled as well. Eve took her hand started to walk. Time passes and they're both hungry. Eve looks around for food, berries, anything edible. Luckily she found a pile of berries.

“Kari, come here” Eve said

“Okay!” Kari responded

“Here some berries. They're edible for us “ Eve said

Eve and Kari both ate some berries. Until Eve noticed some footprints. Still wet. Like the group walk passed here.

“Kari..” Eve said

“Yes?” she replies

“Follow me ok?” Eve says

“Okay.” she said

When Kari walked to Eve, Kari also noticed the footprints. She looks up at Eve.

“Footprints!” she said excited

“We need to follow it ok Kari? Stay close to me..” Eve said as rain still pours

“Alright Eve” Kari said

Kari held onto Eve’s shirt and followed. Wet, soak, and alone Kari and Eve continue to walk. While on Phenj’s view side.

Phenj and the group was headed to a shelter the bus driver knew about. Phenj would always look back, hoping to see if Eve and the young girl would show up eventually.

“Young boy, don’t get left behind now.” the bus driver said

Phenj didn’t want to speak to anyone. He feels guilty.

“I should’ve been there for you...Eve..” he says quietly,”but… I couldn’t.. I was scared..” he cries.

The bus driver said,” Not everyone is strong and brave. You may look it but we all know. You have feelings. No one is strong, we all have a weakness.”

Phenj looked at the bus driver

“Weakness..?” he said

“Yes, I also thought I would be strong, not fear of anything, but once I lost my loved one I broke down. I was weak. I couldn’t protect her..” the bus driver said calmly,”it may be hard but, for you, you must believe in who you treasure most. That alone will make it so they are here with you. Strong and brave”

“Thank..” Phenj said softly

The bus driver looks at Phenj and continued to walk. The group and Phenj followed behind.

“I trust.. I believe you’re alive.. Eve” Phenj said while looking up.

“Eve!! Look!” Kari points at more fresh footprints

“Nice!” Eve said

A gust of wind blew into Eve’s hair and she could slightly hear..

“I believe in you Eve…”

“Phenj..?” Eve looks around

“Phenj?” Kari looks confused

Eve looks at Kari and said,”Nothing nothing, come on Kari let’s go”

Eve and Kari both followed the tracks. But they saw no more. Like something covered them up. It prevented them both from continuing on. Eve looks around, if she could find more prints. None.

“What now Eve…?” Kari looks up

“I...I don’t know…” Eve said scared

They both decided to just continue to follow where the tracks might be at. They headed straight. Time passes and it has turn night. The light is gone now here comes darkness. Eve looks at the sky.

“Goodbye...light”she said

“Eve..”Kari said sleepy

“Yes?” Eve responded

“I’m tired..” she lays down

“Get some sleep Kari” Eve pats Kari to make her sleep and threw her jacket onto Kari to keep her warm.

“I’ll stay up.. In case” Eve said to herself

Phenj and the group finally found the shelter. They all found a place to rest and sleep. Phenj went to the rooftop. He looks up into the rainy sky and whispered,”Goodnight, Eve.”

Hours passes and it’s beyond pitch darkness. Eve cannot see anything anymore. She looks up at the rainy sky and said.”Goodnight, Phenj”

Where they were staying was a small cave. Big enough for them both to fit and sleep. Eve felt sleepy. She fell asleep. Time flies by and now Eve and Kari sleep soundly, in the cave they’ve found.

Phenj wand the group woke up the next day. Light open and darkness away. Phenj and the group all decided to wait for the other bus to come and help them out. Phenj went outside to wait and listen for Eve’s voice to call out for him. Yet there’s so many other voice’s around him, he can’t really hear. Phenj has a feeling about something. But he doesn’t know what. Mins later another bus shows up. It was the bus that came to help them all. Phenj and the rest boarded on. Once he looked out the window he saw a person. Two people. Walking, struggling, he ran out making everyone looking at him and they too noticed the people. Who were they? Once he got up close it was just two members of the group that stay’d behind a bit more. Phenj happiness went away. But he still helped them back to the bus. He looks back once more..

“Eve.. where are you..” he said in his thoughts

The bus was leaving. He had to go with them. He didn’t have anymore choices but to return to his family again.

“Eve, do you think they left us?” Kari said

“I’m not sure. But if they did, don’t worry. We’ll make it back to them one day okay?” Eve responded

“But..” Kari looks at her

“But?” Eve said

“It looks like you haven’t slept for a while..” Kari said

Eve looks down and began to feel dizzy. She kept her strength though. She stood and said,” Don’t worry Kari.” she patted her. Kari looks and nodded. They both began to walk. Feeling dizzy every 10 minutes Eve would always take a step back and wobble. Her skin, very pale, her eyes, dark as ever. Kari doesn’t know if she’ll make it.