It was a big town, and this tiny creature with little hands was all alone with no one to turn to. The people were so changed, and the sky was no longer blue. How much he longed for that sky to show its true colors again, for it would make him feel a sense of peace, and a feeling of safety. Everyday he would see unspeakable things happen. Children would be killed by the beast of the man in charge if they did not want to grow up.

He had a slender figure with long arms and a crooked smile that could send chills down your spine. Mr. Sash is head of the organization that has been trying to exterminate children for the past 10 years and five have been hiding from Mr. Sash for a long time because staying a child is not allowed. If a child is caught they are taken to become adults at The Organization factory. Five has lived in the abandoned observatory on the edge of the woods ever since his parents left him behind. It’s the only place no one would look because the woods are the only place the sky shows through the thick dark clouds. Him getting caught would mean he would be forced to grow up and become a cruel and lifeless adult.

One day as Five was making his way out of the woods, he heard a deep crunch in the leaves behind him. He turned and looked around, but couldn't see anything within a 10 foot distance and the woods seemed to get darker and darker, as though a candle was dimming out in a small room. Although he could not see anything, he could feel the grim stare of an excited presence, lurking in the shadows. Five slowly turns his head around because he knows exactly who is standing back there.

 He starts to run and thinks to himself, “How could he be here? He shouldn’t have been able to find me!” After what seemed like miles of running, Five finds a small hole under the big red wood tree and squeezes through it. As he laid there, still and silent, the rasping voice behind him called out, “ Now I know where you stay. If you don’t come out now, I'll call the beast!” Five didn’t say a word, too afraid to be taken to the organization or be eaten by the horrible beast, he froze and he felt his heart begin to race. “What do I do? How am I going to get out of this?” 

Some time passed and Five realized that there was a noise from somewhere in the hole. “Psst… psst… I can help you… hurry, this way.” Five went toward the voice and followed them into a long tunnel. The tunnel led to an opening in an old house and when Five looked up from the hole, there were another pair of little hands extended to help him up. There stood a girl who looked at him with a concerned expression. “Are you alright? That was quite a close call, The Beast almost got to you.” “I’m fine, thank you for saving me. What is your name?” asked Five. “My name is Kamila, What is yours?” “I’m Five.” 

Over the next few hours, the two talked and explained their situations and came up with a plan. They were to sneak to the border of the city and cross the bridge so they could escape this horrible place. It was not going to be an easy task, but they had to leave in order to stay themselves. Kamila had made tunnels all around the city over the years so getting to the bridge wouldn't be an issue, it was getting past the officials at the gate. They created a distraction by setting a bus on fire and bolted through the gate. Five looked back and saw the people fascinated with the flames and said, “Another day in the city!” and continued to run. 

They got to the end of the bridge and saw that there was a gap between them and the other side. They weren’t sure if they would make it but they had no choice but to risk their freedom. They jumped with all their strength and they traveled a far distance. When they landed across the bridge they looked up and could see the sky. The candle had been relit and it was the brightest, most beautiful blue sky with wispy, fluffy clouds. At this moment, looking up at the sky, Five knew that he and Kamila were safe. That they would be okay. That they could keep their little hands.