The Last Haven

Chapter Fourty Five

Max was almost all the way up when the gun fire sounded. But the men were aiming past them. Max tried to look behind them. Her foot slipped on the rung. Aaron caught her wrist just in time and pulled her up. The other were up ahead, running towards the gunmen. Max was a little dazed from the pain. "What are they-" Aaron thrust a thumb behind them, then started running, towing her by the arm. She glanced back. Armed men were emerging from a cave in the mountain. Something about them made Max understand that for some reason, they were after them. She picked up the pace. Jasper had stopped to let them catch up. Aaron heaved. "You idoit!!!" Jasper made a motion, clearly out of breath as well. The men were catching up. The other were just reaching the gate. The doors opened but they motioned back at them. Max didn't understand why the men chasing them weren't firing. She stumbled as they reached the doors. One of the guards grabbed Jasper's arm. "You Jasper Lawrence?" He nodded quickly. " The code is C13-" The guard waved dismissively. "They told us, just go!" Max was pulled through the doors by the guards. But right before the doors had fully closed she saw one of their pursuers. A red headed guy with brown eyes. He looked her in the eye then slowly shook his head.

Alice felt dazed. She was rushed through hallways. Flashing lights, people in protective uniforms, beeping monitors. Her blood was drawn and she was locked in a room, separate from the others. There was a single chair. She didn't sit. As tired as Alice was, she was too scared and jittery to sit. She started pacing. Her arm stung and ached. She looked down at the small  bandage and had the overwhelming urge to tear it off. Alice didn't like being separated from her friends. She'd heard Aaron's protests as she'd been dragged off. Was she infected somehow? No, she hadn't been bit. But was there some other way of being infected she didn't know about. Alice closed her eyes. She was being stupid. She needed to calm down. It took about fifteen minutes for the people to return. A woman with a surgical mask and a man with a gun holstered at his side. Alice looked at the woman. "I'm not infected." "Come with us." Her voice had a slight accent and was muffled. Alice folded her arms, but walked towards them. The man grabbed her arm. Alice glared as he pulled her out the door. More halways, more doors, more harsh fluecent lights. Her eyes stung. "Where are my friends?" She said to the woman. "Safe," She replied cooly. Alice bit back some angry words. That wasn't her question but she guessed she wouldn't get the real answer. A door opened up ahead and Alice saw Jaden. He was handed over to her guards and they continued on. Alice couldn't help hugging him. He pushed her away and made a face. Alice started to ask him about the others but Jaden shrugged helplessly. "I don't know, they started separating us," He signed. They were marched to a room that resembled a waiting room and were told to stay there until they came back.

About two minutes later, Ren and Prince were brought. They all sat, waiting. Prince summed it up with two words, "This sucks." Alice nodded. "I hate all this rushing around." Ren fiddled with her bandage. "You think they're ok?" Jaden shrugged. "I think they're slow." Alice glared at him before realizing he was joking." The doors opened again and Ari and Aaron came in. "You guys seen any of the others?" Alice asked after a quick embrace. Aaron shook his head looking worried. Finally the last two got there, along with several guards. "We have rooms prepared for you. We'll take you one at a time. Mr. Auclair?" Prince stood, looking uneasy. They escorted him out. Alice shared a look with Ari. The others were taken away one by one, leaving Alice with a feeling of dread. Finally, it was just her and Jasper. When the guards came, they looked at Jasper. Jasper looked at them, then Alice. She instantly caught the fear in his eyes. "Can I say goodbye?" He said quickly to them. The guards nodded. Alice furrowed her eyebrows. "What-" She was caught short by Jasper turning to her... and kissing her. Alice went completely stiff. Her brain seemed to be frozen. She was so confused when Jasper looked quickly to the side. She realized the two guys were looking away awkwardly. Jasper shoved something in her pocket and started whispering so fast she hardly picked up what he was saying. "Don't trust them. They're probably going to lie to you, say I'm coming back. Don't listen. Get out of this place as soon as you can. They said they wouldn't... I don't trust them Alice. Tell the others what happened. I'm sorry." He pulled away and turned to the guards. They grabbed him by the arms and marched him out. Alice stood there for second then ran to the door. Not coming back? Don't trust them? She tried to open it but it was locked. She banged on the door. No one came. Alice stared then slowly reached in her pocket. It was a note. She unfolded it and, heart racing, she read it.

Dear Alice. Sorry about the circumstances but I really couldn't tell you this in person. You wouldn't have come here otherwise. You were right in a sense to suspect me. Thank you for trusting me in the end. I'm sorry if this breaks your trust in me, not that I'll see you again. Tell the others I'm sorry. You and Ari and Aaron were right about needing payment for getting to New Haven. Though this isn't the payment you must have expected. Test subjects was the best option for payment. That's why... gosh this is hard to put into words... that's why, in order to allow you all to enter New Haven, I am turning myself in to the testing.