I am writing a story; need feedback. [:]If you came from Gaia, I've also posted this on my journal there[:]

Chapter 1

I strolled out of the broken-down apartment door and down the stairs, my footsteps echoing all the way down. I door creaked as I opened it, and sunlight almost blinded me as I walked through the pathway from my home. I sheilded my eyes from the sun as I opened a second door. I walked across the empty gravel road, broken cars in every alley between each house. Arriving at a small gate I opened it, and it creaked in a welcoming way.
“And how is my little Anne?” She asked soothingly as she stroked my chin. Anne, that’s me. “And where is Charlotte?” She continued as she turned back to make sure everything was in order. Charlotte is my friend, the one that lives with me.
“I’m fine. And Charlotte is coming.” I answered and looked around. I wasn’t that hungry since Charlotte and I had just had our breakfast before coming here, but she took longer to come since she likes taking almost half-hour showers. Suddenly two hands covered my eyes and I couldn’t see anything. Sweat beads started to appear on my forehead as I muttered quietly, “Charlotte.” She took her hands off and smiled at my nervous face, and I smiled back.
I’m claustrophobic. I wasn’t always; it was just ever since that day long ago...when I was about nine years old, only five years ago, I had been caught by the enemy troops. They were still human, but before I was born and abandoned, a gang of strange creatures had begun to appear on earth, taking anyone that resisted. I was taken by the human troops, who had joined the creatures willingly, to become a sacrifice. Together with Charlotte, I escaped and now we’re here.
Although I’m a year older than Charlotte, she’s still about half a head taller than me. I don’t like being the smallest around here, but I deal with it, and am still growing.
Emily handed us both an orange each. I wasn’t hungry and put it in my pocket next to a small pouch I keep underneath my shirt and hidden from view. It contains all my valuables, a pocket knife, a few coins, a small doll I’ve had ever since I can’t remember. It’s about the size of my hand.
Suddenly I heard a car roaring through the small town. I held my breath, no one in town owned a car and the only ones who had cars nowadays were the military. Charlotte and I looked at each other and I saw fear in her eyes. She must have seen terror in mine. I looked around for a place to hide, but the only place I could think of was behind the cashier’s office. I dove behind it and curled up as small as I could against Emily’s legs. I felt her shaking and closed my eyes so I only had to hear and not see anything. I have no idea where Charlotte went, because she wasn’t close-by and I couldn’t hear her breathing nearby.
The car stopped right next to the coffee shop and I heard a car door open and slam shut as someone stepped out of the vehicle. The footsteps came closer, and stopped right in front of Emily, and I felt like as if I was clearly visible and that everyone could hear my rapidly beating heart.
“We are looking for...recruits.” A male voice spoke close to me. I noticed the way he paused, most probably looking for a better word than what he really meant.
“Feel free to look around town, but none of my staff are suited for the military.” She mumbled in reply, pressing a few buttons on the cashier. The footsteps started again, walking towards the small group of staff I had seen earlier. It felt like forever until he spoke again.
“Alright, but if you’re hiding anyone old enough...” I felt Emily stiffen as he spoke. The footsteps started to walk away, and I breathed out in relief. But...now the footsteps turned and walked back. Once he had stopped walking I dared not open my eyes. So he kicked my legs, and I cried out in surprise. I don’t know who’s cry was loudest, mine or Emily’s. He picked me up from the scruff of my neck, almost choking me as my toes barely touched the ground.
“And this? You were hiding a young boy from me?” I gasped and struggled. He thought I was a boy because of my short cut hair and undeveloped body!
“I’m not a bo-” I was cut short as he threw me to the ground. I got up, knowing what would happen to me if I didn’t get out of here as quickly as possible. “Run Anne! Run!” I heard someone shout in my direction. “Run!“ A gun shot echoed through the air and reached me, as the one who had shouted was cut short. Another scream, and I recognized this as Charlotte. “Emily! No!” I heard her scream. Tears started to run down my face as I ran. I wanted to stop and turn back, hug Emily hard, but knew I couldn’t. If I did, who knows what would happen to me. Just as I reached my apartment I turned my head to look back. No one was following me. Just before I turned my head to look where I was going, did I bump into a woman, somewhere in her thirties.
“H-Hide...me...” I was out of breath, and talking didn’t help it. She didn’t speak, but put a finger to my lips to silence me. I nodded and she gripped my arm, taking me quickly through an alley. She took me up in her arms suddenly and I couldn’t help but cry out in fright before she put me in a basket, with a handle on either side of it. She closed it and I heard nothing for a second. Then, the sound of a click and I felt the basket being lifted up and carried somewhere. I realized I’d been tricked and punched the lid, but it refused to budge. I frowned in anger, wanting to scream. Then I heard voices.
“Hurry! We have to find our new...recruit...quickly!” It was the voice of the man who’d almost choked me. I wanted to just disappear, and float away. I heard hushed voices nearby and couldn’t catch a single word they said. I guessed it was about me as I kicked the side of the basket. I was dropped, landing upside down so I bumped my head, hard, on the lid. I groaned and laughter erupted from the outside. Then the basket was lifted up, still upside down, and the lid opened. I let out a small whimper of fear as I slid out, landing on the back of my neck. I blinked in the sudden light and covered my eyes but someone grabbed my wrists, pulling me upwards swiftly and chaining my wrists together with handcuffs. I pulled away and the person held me for a few seconds before suddenly letting me go, sending me to the ground again. I lay there, my mind boiling with fear and anger as I was lifted into the car.
My handcuffs were specially made, so that on the right cuff there was a small ring where a thin iron chain connected with it, chaining me to the side of the back of the car. I slumped against the side of the car, and only then did I notice the other children. All boys some were maybe my age or maybe older. I looked around and felt someone tap my shoulder softly. I turned to look at the young boy, and noticed his small green eyes stare at me in fear.
“What?” I asked, trying to sound better than I felt.
“You...don’t look well.” His voice was shaky and only then did I realize that sweat was dripping off my forehead and onto my shoulders and all the people around me seemed to be wavy. Cl... Claustrophobia... I thought, wishing the young boy could read my mind as I felt my body grow heavy and I fell down, onto the floor of the car. Voices became distant and someone far away was pulling me up, whispering soothing words into my ear as I was laid down against the side of the car again, leaning on someone’s shoulder.
As I slowly woke up, I forgot where I was and what had happened for a second, but remembered quickly as the sounds of whimpering young boys and the car roaring across the quiet road revived my memory.
“He’s awake!” Someone hissed close to me, and I was shaken gently to wake up further and sit by myself.
“What happened to ya, son?” A man, around his twenties, who was sitting directly in front of me was asking. A lot of people were crowding around me too, and I felt that woozy feeling again.
“Hey, hey! Give him some air!” The man hissed and everyone backed off to sit by their bonds.
“I...I’m alright.” I mumbled and shook my head, holding it in my hands as I closed my eyes again. Someone put his hand underneath my chin and pulled my head up to look into his eyes.
“No, you’re not.” It was the same soothing voice from before I had become unconscious.
“I suffer from...claustrophobia.” I said quietly and the man smiled softly, letting go of my chin. He reached out with his hand, wanting to shake mine.
“I’m Chris.” I repeated his name in my mind, memorizing it. I wanted to say my real name, but everyone apparently all thought of me as a boy so I’d probably be made fun of if I used Anne. Hesitating, I remembered a name Emily always mentioned to be her boyfriend.
“Daniel.” I answered, taking his hand and shook it. He smiled, and it almost looked as if he knew that I was lying.