Life After Champion

Day

   I managed to dodge the bullet.

   Mostly.

   There's a nasty graze on my left arm. I know it'll hurt a great deal later, but right now, my adrenaline and racing mind is keeping the pain at bay. I know I'll live.

   But will June?

   I lost her.

   I lost her. Now she's gone, and there's nothing I can do to fix it.

                                                 *    *    *    *

   After what seems like an eternity, Anden finally arrives, and when he does, he finds me crying hopelessly in the middle of the street.

   I can tell by how the color drains from his face, he knows what must have happened.

   They got away with June

   And it's all my fault.

   Wiping my tear stained face, I look over at him. He slowly walks over, still in shock.

   “Anden...she's gone. They took her. I could have stopped them, but," I shuddered.“I failed her Anden. I wasn't there when she needed me most, and now she's going to suffer. Because of me. Because of what I failed to do."

   He gracefully say down next to me. He sighed. “Day...don't worry. We'll find her," his voice sounded hopeful, but his eyes seemed afraid. “I've already sent a team looking for her. We'll figure it out. We won't stop searching until she's found."

   They say in silence until a guard nervously walked up and cleared his throat.

   “Yes?" Anden asked.

   “Um, sir, I've just gained more insight on the bombers who took Ms. Iparis."

   Anden and I both snapped to attention. “What!?" we both demanded.

   When he spoke again, it was in a whisper. “We believe they are they same people who attacked Ruby along with a few  other sectors last year..."

   My heart stopped.

   No. No no no no no

   This couldn't be happening.

   These attackers were far from just dangerous, or deadly for that matter. And the fact that they had the bomb...And June...

   I tried to swallow. The clock was ticking.

   “We have to find her. Now. We don't have much time."