The War Satellite

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Miles

I was confused. All the emotions, thoughts and longings had led up to this moment. . . And I wasn't sure what to do. Clara continued to cry into my shoulder giving me some time to think about everything that had happened.

I was relieved that she hadn't turned, at least she was still loyal. But what the cost of her loyalty was I didn't know.

She looked terrible, her cheeks had sunk deeply into her face and dark circles lined her eyes. Her hand shook even as I held it tightly. What had she gone through, what had happened to make her like this?

Jane had told me that Clara was the strongest person she knew. Someone who would call themselves a coward but had more courage than most. I pulled her closer to me, my heart broke. Why couldn't I have come to her rescue faster?

"If I could take away all the horrors, I would. I would do it in a second," I whispered. Her rushed breathing slowed and I heard her sniff. Her tight hold on me released and she leaned back against me closing her eyes. I watched her and racked my brain for the memories. I couldn't find any new ones. I had thought that when I saw Clara again, I would get my memories back. But I was still blank, only semblances of memories came through my mind.

Was it really possible that I would never get my memories back? That was a terrifying thought, would I have to live my life with this hole in my brain? Would I have to live with the shattered war zone that was my subconscious?

I closed my eyes and held tighter to Clara. When I opened them the red lights flashed again and I finally remembered why I was here.

"Clara, where's Hornet?" She stiffened and jerked her head around. We both stood, still gripping each other's hands. Clara watched the hallways around us and I could see fear enter into her features.

"I don't know. I was running from him, he. . . disappeared." Her voice shook and her hand again trembled in mine.

"We need to find him." Clara let go of my hand and backed away. She shook her head frantically.

"No. We need to run, we need to hide. He'll find us, Miles, we can't stop him." Her voice cracked and she was poised to run.

"Clara, this is my part of the mission. I need to find him, so I can free you." I grabbed for her hand but she ripped it away. Her eyes were wide and she stared at me horrified.

"You don't know what he can do. He's horrible, he won't stop not ever." My heart sank as I watched her continue to back away from me.

"Please, Clara. Please."

She stopped and I took it as an invitation stepping towards her. I grabbed her hand again and this time she laced her fingers through mine. Her darkened eyes met mine.

"Please, don't make me. I can't face him again." Her chin quivered and her hand shook harder in my hand. I watched her with my heart in my throat. What had happened to her?

"Clara, I need to end this."

"No! It will never end! Don't you see? Hornet has warped the world. He holds it in his hands. We will never be able to pry it away from him. Even when he's dead."

Clara gripped at her hair and closed her eyes. I stared at her in complete awe. What did Hornet do to break her? I knelt down next to her and hugged her quietly.

"Clara. We have to try." She buried her face in my shoulder. She nodded slowly as she shook in my arms. I hugged her tighter. "Thank you," I whispered.

"I'll show you." She pulled me through the maze of hallways and down a couple flights of stairs. The sleek walls slowly became concrete as we retreated further down the steps. I could hear voices coming from the bottom of the staircase. Clara sniffed and wiped away tears before taking a deep breath and opening the door. She released my hand and entered the bunker.