I Choose All of You

Chapter Fifty-Five

I darted past the Princes. Just as they were about to pull me into them, I stepped forward. I ignored their pleas. It's me he wants. I need to stop this. I wiped my tears away and took shaking steps. My legs felt like were about to give out, but I need to save Avalon.

This isn't the Resistance. Atlas would never shoot the Queen. Right? Whoever this is, they did shoot Hannah. That is something I can never forgive. Fuck this guy. I could feel him smirking at me from behind his mask. Like this was all some sick show.

Avalon began screaming in pain. I watched as the man pulled on her hair and pressed the gun firmly against her temple. I began sprinting now.

"Stop! Don't hurt her," I screamed, running over the broken glass.

A resounding group of yells came from behind me. I glanced back and watched as all of the palace guards started charging forward with me. My triumphant smile quickly faded, as the masked group in front of me, began charging forward as well.

I was close. My heart was beating, adrenaline rushed through my veins, and the horrifying screaming of the two groups would make anyone want to curl up into a little ball, but not me. Seeing Avalon so afraid, only gave me more reason to keep running after her.

Then everything started to feel like it was moving in slow motion. I was mere feet away from the masked man, who stood firmly in place. When suddenly the man's shoulder flew back, blooding flying from the newly forming gash, in turn making him release Avalon. The crying girl immediately started scrambling away, but the man was quick. Another gun shot went off and a bullet hit Avalon in her calf.

Then I noticed it. The man moved so quick I barely caught it, but on his forearm was a large tattoo. It looked like a sword with detailed flames, encircling it. The warrior tattoo. Like the one the old hag told me about.

I fell to my knees. Avalon was sitting on the floor, her back pressed against the wall. I ripped the hem of my dress and tied it tightly around her wound, but the thin cloth was quickly drenched in blood. Shit. I glanced around, ducking. Everyone was moving too fast, and I couldn't recognizeanyone nearby. Wait, where did that man go?! I squinted through the hoard of masked members and watched their leader calmly walk through the crowd and out of the castle.

"Coward," I seethed through my teeth, standing up.

Avalon grabbed hold of my wrist and pulled me back down to the floor with her, "Don't. Don't leave me."

I nodded and looked down at my wrist. Avalon's hand was replaced with a bloody hand print.

Another booming sound came from halfway down the hall, and dozens upon dozens of people dressed in black gear came roaring in. Now what? I stayed hidden in the shadows and craned my neck to get a better look at the newest members of this mess. Did a third party just join this fight? They looked around confused for a moment, but quickly recovered, joining the fight after a tall, muscular, dark-haired man shouted them orders. It can't be. It's the Resistance. For real this time.

I moved myself into the open, hoping to see anyone remotely familiar.

I hurriedly scanned the crowd until my eyes landed on two familiar faces, "Atlas! Leo!" I waved my hands in the air.

 The two brothers simultaneously turned their attention to me, as well did a few people in masks. I crunched back into my corner with Avalon, and I watched Atlas easily took down two men and Leo, one, on their way over to me.

Leo nearly crushed the life out of me with his embrace, "You dumbass. Are you alright? What the hell is going on?"

Atlas stood above us, eyes full of determination and focus, "Why the hell is Roe's men here? This isn't good."