The War Satellite

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Clara

An earthshaking boom rattled the facility. Red lights flashed and a voice could be heard from the speakers outside my room.

"Hostiles on Southeast wall, please enter into protective shelters." The message continued to repeat and I watched from my window as the fence outside lit up from an explosion. I couldn't help a small grin. I was finally going to be free.

My door slammed open and I jumped away from the window. Hornet stood in the doorway, the red light giving him a demented halo. He waved his hand frantically towards me.

"Clara, time to go." He held out his hand and I automatically took it. He pulled me from my room into the chaos. Guards marched everywhere, their guns steady in front of them. Officers ran down the stairs frantically. They were making their way to the safe rooms. Hornet continued to pull me through the crowd as another explosion rattled the complex.

Hornet ducked and watched superstitously at the ceiling. "We need to hurry."

I nodded and continued to follow him mindlessly. I was consumed by dreams of seeing my friends, being welcomed again.

The floor shook as another shot thundered through the air. I tripped and fell to the ground as Officers raced around me. Hornet stopped and grabbed my elbow, lifting me from the ground.

"Sorry," I stuttered. "Just scared." I was lying through my teeth but I needed something to cover up my excitement.

"Clara, you have nothing to worry about. I'll protect you."

I stopped. Hornet turned towards me. Hornet was going to protect me? Something inside me broke. Another earth shaking boom rattled the facility. I barely heard it, I faced Hornet heat rushing to my face. I ripped my hand from his grasp.

"What did you say?" I shakily asked him.

My knuckles turned white as I gripped my fingers into a fist. Hornet watched me with his usual dazzling smile.

"I said, don't worry. I'll protect you." My blood seemed to boil in my veins.

"Protect me!? The only thing I need protection from is you!" Hornet's smile faltered.

"Clara, don't be ridiculous."

I stepped closer, my finger stretched out accusingly. "For three months, I have been your captive!" I shouted at him. Hornet chuckled darkly which made my anger rise.

"I don't see any chains," he said. Emotions flew out of the confines I had held them in and my eyes narrowed.

"I have been stuck rotting in this facility answering to you! I should be outside with my family, fighting to stop you! They've come and they're here to end it. I cannot be your prisoner anymore."

Hornet's gaze darkened and I could feel adrenalin move through my body. Hornet grabbed my arm, his fingers digging into my skin. He pulled me closer, his breath uncomfortably warm on my cheek. He gripped my face with his other hand bringing my eyes to his. His fingernails dug into my skin. A flash of fear chilled my body but the heat of anger buried it quickly.

"You lied to me?" He said softly. He twisted my face and gripped me tighter.

I twisted his arm and thrust the heel of my palm upwards. Hornet let out a curse as it connected with his nose. His fingers released and I stepped back.

"Everyone lies to you, Hornet. All of your soldiers and precious captains. You have no control, you have no idea what goes on," I shouted.

Hornet paled, blood was seeping from his nose but he didn't seem to care. His jaw locked and he met my eyes again.