Back When the Lights Shined

Chapter Eighteen

The president stares down at me. He is wearing a business suit, of course. To him, every occasion is a black tie occasion. He doesn’t rise from his seat, not yet. A cold, suspenseful silence fills the room. In my peripherals, I can see Ashton fidgeting nervously. He can’t seem to stand still. I, however, am not as nerve-wrecked in the president’s presence. I stare down President McCrastly, making him more uncomfortable than he could make me.

            “So, back so soon, Miss Zena,” he asks, mockingly, as he stands up. I cock my head to the side and give him a small smile. He puts his hands into his pocket.

            “We meet again, my evil dictator,” I shoot back. The president laughs under his breath, looking down at the ground. He descends the staircase to stand just a couple yards in front of me. Ashton looks over at me.

            “Ah, yes. Miss Zena Malia. The girl who stares death in the face and laughs, complaining about her name,” he says, recalling my first visit. He leans forward. “Let’s see how much you laugh when you’re hanging from a noose.”

            The president begins walking back up to his throne.

            “I’ll be overjoyed, Dictator McCrastly,” I answer. He stops, then looks over his shoulder.

            “That’s President McCrastly, I assume you meant to say.”

            “Oh, no. I know what I said, Mr. Dictator, sir. And I meant it.”

            Not calling him “President,” is a crime in his presence.

            Within the next few seconds, Officials and CTs are surrounding me with their spears pointed at my neck. Another Official that was standing nearby has pulled me away from Jaydon and put me in a headlock, choking me. He loosens a little, allowing me to breath. I’m lucky that this one has some heart. I know others here might have snapped my neck by now.

            Even now, I smile widely. Knowing that I have gotten to him gives me the fuel I need to continue. The president turns around and begins to walk back to his throne.

            “Still smiling? You don’t understand, do you? Your coy, clever talk cannot help you. There is no escaping this. Your fight is over, now.”

            He waves for my release. The Officials let go and return to their original posts. It’s easier to breath now. The president walks back up the steps. He’s almost to his throne.

            “That’s what you think,” I mumble. I feel the cuffs click open behind me, freeing me completely. I look at Ashton. “Now!”

            In the room are four guards: Jaydon, one standing by the throne, and one standing against each wall parallel to us. After breaking loose, Jaydon runs for the exit and alert the CTs that the president has ordered everyone to leave the royal grounds immediately. Then, he’ll lock the gates as soon as the coast is clear.

            The president has used his personal elevator by now to escape to his room on the top floor. Ashton and I have to use the staircase to get to each floor, each containing three guards. One guard from each floor will flock to the president’s room to protect him, leaving the other two to fend for themselves. Floor by floor, we’ll pick off each guard until only us and the president are left. Then, we assassinate President McCrastly.

            Within just one second, Ashton and I are free from the cuffs that restrain us. I grab Jaydon’s gun from his holster, then he bolts. I shoot the guard to my left, letting Ashton gain control of his gun. Then, I turn around to face the other guard. He’s nearly on top of me when I finally get the chance to shoot. The man stumbles backwards, then falls onto his back. I look away from the body, trying not to see the immense amount of blood.