The Forbidden Children

14: Collide

March 6th, 8019

Alex POV

"I am sending our best men to receive you five, they will land in a helicopter in the nearest open space available at exactly 3 a.m. sharp. Hopefully that gives you enough time to board and take off before Briar's men discover what is going on and track you. If this becomes the case my men are trained on how to make them lose your path, either way you will make it to the Secret Sealed compound. The mission leader is Alasdair Buchanan. You must be positive it is him outside of your hatch before leaving. If he knocks three times and says the code "The worlds are colliding," you must reply with "and it starts with us," then open the hatch and get out of there as soon as you can. Are we clear?"

Camilla's voice echoed around us as she repeated these instructions multiple times to the four of us that got separated awhile back, plus to the newest addition to our battle, Grandpa Harold. She didn't miss a beat as she took steady breaths, never stuttering or showing any signs of fear or shakiness. Her posture stood tall and straight, giving off a sense of passion and strength, almost as if she knew we could win this.

I couldn't help but only focus on the blurry depiction of Hunter in the background of Jackson's screen. His eyes stared straight ahead, showing no emotion or acknowledgement of the intricate plan being read off to him. He must be so worried about his mother, and his siblings. I know I am. I can't imagine how Ralph is feeling after losing his father, how he's standing and still willing to fight is beyond me.

My legs stung as I pulled myself away from the screen, being one of the only ones left still watching it. My heart felt oddly still as I walked around the small storage room, the adrenaline from the morning events starting to wear off.

Fiona was sitting on the cold steel floor alone, with her knees drawn up to her chest. I debated going to sit with her, but from our years of texting I knew she would much rather deal with complicated emotions alone than projecting it onto someone else. Twix was the dog her father bought her, they raised him to protect her, now her comfort creature was gone...and she didn't even get to say goodbye.

I tried running my pale fingers through my hair only resulting in them getting stuck on the endless knots of blonde strands that were starting to look brown with the endless amounts of dirt piling on my scalp. Everything I chose to analyze just produced a depressing aura, how could Camilla have so much faith in us. We are just kids.

Jack was leaning against the other side of the wall silently as well, his mind wondering off to better times. At least that's what I assumed since he had a hint of a smile on his face, or it could be the fact that he is getting reunited with Jaanai soon.

Dylan and Kadyn were whispering in the furtherest corner away from the door and the technological software overcrowding the dimly lit room. Out of all the options I saw this one intrigued me the most and more information couldn't worsen my anxiety anyways...could it?

"What are we talking about?" I came over silently and leaned my head down to their level.

"I was just asking about his compound..." Dylan replied hesitantly while glancing at Kadyn.

"Please I can read Hunter like the back of my hand, I know when a guy is lying." I rolled my eyes at their childishness. We have almost died together several times, what's the point in keeping secrets?

"I mean he isn't lying, but that isn't what started the conversation." Kadyn shrugged his shoulders as he went to back away.

"No you are going to stay here and tell me what you were talking about. I want to know everything." I grabbed the back of his shirt forcefully and dragged him closer to Dylan and I.