I continue to stare at Elara, so did Jax and Rian.
What does she expect me to do next? My parents sent me to her for more than just a history lesson… right?
The cabin suddenly feels much smaller than it had a few minutes ago.
"You can't stay together," Elara says.
My stomach tightens, "What?"
"Your friends have to leave."
"No!"
Jax, Rian, and I answer her almost simultaneously. I know that I’m not supposed to trust anyone or rely on them… well, other than Elara. However, I can’t bare to part with the people who have been keeping me grounded.
Elara sighs, "I expected that."
She turns toward a cabinet and begins pulling supplies from it, moving with quick, practiced efficiency. A jacket. A small pack. A folded map. Another pouch that she tucks into the bag without explanation.
I watch her, noticing that something is different. Elara had been cautious before, but now every movement is urgent. She keeps glancing toward the windows, while she packs as if she has done this before.
"What's happening?" I ask.
Elara doesn’t look at me. "The moment Jax and Rian's markers went offline, they transmitted a location ping."
Jax's face falls, "How long?"
"Long enough."
Rian steps forward, "Then why did you let us come here?"
Elara stops packing. "Because I knew this day would come." She looks at me. "I promised your parents I'd help you if they ever had to send you to me."
Her voice softens, "Even if keeping that promise cost me my freedom."
My chest tightens.
Jax shakes his head, "Then we stay together."
"No."
"You need me."
"I need you alive," Elara points at him. "Your technology is connected to the same network hunting her. Every system you touch leaves traces."
Then she turns to Rian, "And you are Director Kane's son."
Rian flinches.
"Your marker alone is enough to make this place dangerous."
My heart sinks, "So I'm supposed to abandon them?"
"You're supposed to survive," Elara grabbed two bags. "Jax and Rian, take the old vehicle behind the cabin. You come with me."
"No," Jax says.
"Absolutely not," Rian adds.
"There's no time for this."
Elara shoves one of the bags into my hands.
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.
A warning alarm sounds somewhere outside. Everyone freezes. Elara's expression hardens. She moves toward the window. I follow, wondering what’s going on.
Through the trees, distant lights appear. One. Two. Then several more vehicles.
Authority vehicles.
"They're here," Elara whispers.
A loudspeaker crackles through the trees, "You’re surrounded! Come out with your hands visible!"
My heart slams against my chest. What do we do now?
Another voice follows.
"Felicity Ponce! You are ordered to surrender!"
Elara turns to us and says, "Run!"
We burst through the rear door. Branches slap against my face as we race into the woods.
"Separate!" Elara shouts.
Jax grabs my hand, "Come on!"
However, Rian catches Jax's shoulder, "No, this way!"
They split, and I lose hold of Jax's hand. As the boys disappear between the trees, I stumble after Elara.
"Jax!"
"Keep moving!" Elara calls.
I force herself forward and my lungs start to burn. My legs are aching, but I have to keep moving.
Suddenly, Elara pulls me behind a fallen tree. "Stay here."
"What?"
"I need to draw them away."
"No!"
Elara shoves a small pack into my hands, "Rations, tools, and a map."
I stare at her. Why is she doing this?
"There's another route marked on the map. It will take you toward the place your parents are going," she says, locking eyes with me.
"You're coming with me," I demand, grabbing her forearm.
"In three days," she squeezes my shoulder as she pulls her arm away. "I'll meet you there."
"What if you don't?" I ask, trying to control my breathing.
Elara smiles sadly, "Then you keep going."
She disappears into the trees. Seconds later, her voice rings through the forest.
"Over here!"
I cover my mouth. No! I want to follow, but I know Elara is sacrificing her chance to escape for me. Why? Why would she go this far for me when we just met? I stay hidden, not wanting to waste the chance that Elara has given me.
Eventually, the forest falls silent, yet I wait a little longer. Finally, I slowly creep back toward the cabin. I need to find some transportation to get out of this place. Stopping at the edge of the trees, I realize that it’s not over yet.
Authority officers surround the building. Two figures are being escorted toward waiting vehicles.
Elara and Jax.
My heart shatters, "No..."
I crouch lower, as I watch what’s about to unfold.
An officer climbs out of the middle SUV and walks up to them. I recognize him immediately… Director Vale, Rian’s father.
"Elara," he says, studying her. His voice is almost pleasant. "It's been a long time."
Elara says nothing, just glares at him.
"I'm looking forward to talking with you later."
Another officer pushes Jax forward, "We also have the boy."
Vale glances at him. "Good."
“Should we search for the girl?” the officer asks, looking toward the woods.
Vale shakes his head, "No."
What’s going on? Why are they not searching for me too? Not that I mind. I’m safe for now, but the way the director answered isn’t reassuring.
"My original plan remains unchanged," he looks toward the cabin. "We came for who we were looking for."
I gasp, and quickly cover my mouth. From the way Elara lives, the story she told them about her past, and the fact that the Authority Officers never called out her name, there was no way that they were looking for her. That could only mean one thing… the person they were after was… Jax.
The vehicles begin moving. Elara is taken first, then Jax. I remain frozen until the last vehicle disappears.
Jax.
I have to help him. I stumble toward the old vehicle Elara mentioned earlier. My hand barely reaches the door when… a hand touches my shoulder. I spun around ready to defend myself, even though I have no idea how to fight properly.
I nearly scream, but to my relief, I find Rian standing behind me. I throw my arms around him and for one brief second I simply hold on.
He’s alive and that’s all that matters at this moment.
"How did you…"
"I stayed ahead of them," he says, wrapping his arms around me.
"Why did you come back?" my voice is muffled as I continue to hold on to him.
"I was looking for you."
I pull away. What am I doing? I’m not supposed to be hugging him. Besides, his answer comes too quickly. It’s too suspicious, but I don’t have the energy to challenge it.
Rian’s expression changes, "Where are Jax and Elara?"
My eyes are burning now, as my sight begins to blur.
"They took them," I can hear my voice crack. "It's my fault."
"It's not," Rian says, pulling me back into another hug.
"I brought them into this."
"Felicity…"
"I have to go after him." I pull away from him and turn towards the car as I grab the door.
Rian stops me, "No."
"Let go."
“We need to keep moving to make sure you’re safe. Nothing will happen to them. There’s no need for the Authorities to keep them.”
I shake my head, remembering the incident at my house. “I overheard them. Director Vale told the others that he’d go after the people I cared about.” My voice is trembling now. "He knows I'll come for them."
It’s almost quiet now. All I hear are the insects singing over my soft sobs.
Finally, Rian nods and says, "Exactly. If you go after Jax, you're giving my dad exactly what he wants."
I stare at him, "I don't care."
"I do."
I feel like I’m frozen in place. Did I hear him right?
Rian takes a breath, "If you surrender, Jax and Elara don't become safer. You become another prisoner."
I look toward the empty road. I hate that he’s right, but I can’t leave Jax.
"I have to do something," it comes out as a whisper, as though I’m afraid that he’ll go against me again.
"We will."
I look at him, "We?"
Rian nods, "We’ll find another way."
I don’t know how to take this. Rian Vale has never been an ally in my eyes, but now I can’t imagine facing all of this without him. Finally, I whisper, "Okay."
I’m about to climb into the driver's seat, when Rian stops me.
“Let me drive first,” he says, wiping the tears from my face. “At least until you’ve calmed down.”
I nod and walk around to the passenger side. As the engine starts, I look back toward the woods one last time. I don’t know where they were going. I only know one thing. I’m not leaving Jax behind, and I’m not going to let Director Vale decide how this ends.