Book 2: Tough Helper

Ch. 5: Search for a Traitor

My head hurt when I woke up. I reached my hand up and rubbed my head in pain. Why did my head hurt? Did I trip?

"Sammy," someone said, shaking me slightly, "Are you alright?"

I groaned, my eyes feeling extremely heavy, "Five more minutes."

"Come on Sunny," I heard the voice chuckle. 

I opened my eyes with difficulty but smiled when I saw who it was. Carlos. 

He smiled at me, but there seemed to be a worried glint in his eyes. 

"Good morning Sleeping Beauty," He said in a teasing tone, though it didn't seem to reach his eyes. 

"Hi Car-Car," I whispered, my throat extremely dry. 

"Gretel told me what happened," Carlos said, his smile dropping slightly and his worry growing in his eyes, "Are you doing okay?"

"I am now," I sat up, rubbing my eyes. I looked around, searching for Fluff, but was confused when I realized I was in Carlos' room. 

"How did I get here?" I asked, trying to recall before I fell asleep. 

"Will didn't want you to be alone. So, he said you would stick with me to be safe."

"Safe?"

"Sammy," Carlos sighed, staring down towards the floor, "You don't know what you found do you?"

"No," I admitted, "It looked bad, so I told Wally."

I looked at Carlos, and his eyes had tears threatening to fall, "Sammy, the person who wrote that journal..." 

He stopped, glancing around nervously. Why didn't he want to tell me?

"What? What does he want?" I pleaded. I wanted to know. I had to know.

I wish he had never told me. 

"He was planning to kill Mia," Carlos said, no emotion in his voice as he turned away.

It felt like the world stopped as soon as those words left his mouth. 

Why would anyone want to kill Mia? Sure she was scary, but she wasn't a bad person. She was always there when someone wanted or needed some help. She always had the best advice to give. She would not force you to do anything you didn't want you to do. She always kept you from doing something stupid. 

Why would someone want to hurt anyone?

"Why would anyone want to hurt her?" I asked Carlos, my voice barely above a whisper. 

"Mia is very important here," Carlos explained, putting a reassuring hand on my shoulder, "She helped start it all. She has saved the lives of people here. Heck, the world sees her as invincible, and that as long as she's around, the rebellion will win. So, taking her out would take out the rebellion."

I started shaking. Tears were falling down my face. Why did everyone I get close to always are wanted dead?! 

First mom and dad! Carlos is being targeted! Now Mia?!

"Gretel says they found three people who fit what you told them," Carlos continued, standing up, "They were waiting for you so you can point out the guy."

Did they need me for this? Could I do this?

I took a shaky breath and looked up at Carlos, the tears drying, "Can we go now?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," I stood up on shaky legs, "I want this to be over. I don't want Mia or anyone else to get hurt."