Elude

Then the War Began

Over the next few hours, no useful plans get made. "It's hard to know what to do when you don't know where the exit is," I remark.

Matthew jumps up. "That's it!" he says. "We need to get the floor plans, they're around here somewhere. The hard part is getting them from the guards or officers."

"Shouldn't that be easy?" I ask.

He walks over to the intercom system. "No," he says. "My guards and officers don't know about the illusions. But, Jace has made sure they all know that I'm a prisoner here. They'll definitely report back to him." He looks at me over his shoulder.

"Just say," I start, but I have to think. "Tell them that you're trying to reassign rooms for everyone in the Dome."

He holds a button down. "I'd like the floor plans delivered to my office, we're thinking of reassigning rooms." He releases the button.

"I'm never allowed in here by myself," he tells me. "Now act bored, he's coming soon."

Once Jace arrives, I'm sent back down to my room. Instead of staying, I grab my tablet and leave. My stomach is growling-- I haven't eaten lunch or breakfast.

I keep walking, holding tightly onto the tablet. I stop once I reach the elevator. If I went in and looked, I might be able to get to Jace's exit. But if someone else needs the elevator, that won't go well for me.

I stare at the ground as I walk, but I don't get far before someone taps my shoulder. Jace.

"Hey," I say.

"Why are you out here?" he asks.

"I don't have anything better to do," I reply. "How did you know I was I here?"

He ignores me, but he's not happy. I suppose he must have been watching the cameras. Matthew was right about him being over-controlling.

"Where are you going?" he asks.

"I'm not sure," I say. "Somewhere that's not boring? Kind of hard when I'm in this place."

"You're too much like Matthew," he mutters.

"I don't exactly like you either," I reply and wish I'd stayed silent. He takes a tiny device out of his pocket and starts walking. He brushes past me and I hear a zap. A strong tingling sensation engulfs my side.

"What was that for?" I ask.

He whirls around, eyes blazing. I take a step back, stunned. He stalks towards the elevator and gets in, then beckons to me. I know I shouldn't, but I step in.

I glance around, seeing if there's any mysterious buttons. I don't find any by the time we both get off in Matthew's office. "Do you want to tell her what happens when you question me?" he hisses, livid.

Matthew emerges from his room. "I don't know about that, but I've been questioning your sanity for a while, ever since C--" he stops.

Jace's mouth opens slightly, and he looks speechless. "No," he whispers, and gets back in the elevator.

"What just happened..." I ask.

"He's been a bit off ever since something happened to a person he knew," Matthew explained. "It was years ago."

"That wouldn't happen to have anything to do with the Dome, would it?" I ask.

He sighs. "It has everything to do with it," he explains. "I'll tell you if and only if we get out."

I don't reply, I just nod. He goes back into his room and comes out holding some huge papers. "I've been looking at the design for the elevator," he says. "There's supposed to be a hidden button in one of the bottom corners."

"Let's wait a bit," I advise. "We don't want to run into Jace. Shouldn't we bring some things with us?"

He nods. "Go down to your room and throw together whatever you need."

When I get back with my stuff, we both go into the elevator. I get down on my knees. "Which corner?" I ask. He shrugs. I stare at the wall, but nothing is there. I turn around, and look at a different corner.

A faint outline is there, and my heart skips a beat. I press it and the ding sounds. I jump up, excited and nervous at the same time. "I found it!" I say.

The elevator starts going down, faster than normal. "Six years," Matthew says. "That's how long I've been waiting for this."

"Did you ever find out my real name?" I ask. He shakes his head. Moments later, the doors slide open. We're faced with a long, dark tunnel.

"We must be pretty far down," I say.

"There has to be an easier way out," Matthew says, peering into the darkness. He sets his bag down and digs out a flashlight. It clicks on and the tunnel is dimly illuminated.

I follow him. A drop of water splashes my neck and I look up to see mold on the ceiling. Ew.

After a few minutes, Matthew stops. In front of us is a door engraved with "EXIT."

"This is it," I say. "What do you think it's like?"

"Who knows?" he replies, not taking his eyes off the door. "It took less than a year for the country to fall apart the first time. Even shorter the second time. A lot can change in six years."

He hands me the flashlight and cautiously opens the door. I look around, but no accusing voices come.

"This is Ashendale's old headquarters from the war," he whispers in awe. "It looks deserted."

I remember learning about a big war and faintly remember the word Ashendale. I didn't imagine it would be like this...

I switch off the flashlight. Together we walk up the steps to a huge room. The roof, appears to be glass but foliage blocks most of the sky while still letting some light through.

Matthew still looks awestruck as we wander the room. "The sleeping rooms for the generals are off that way," he says, pointing down a corridor.

"Those are-- were-- the strategizing rooms," he explains as we pass another corridor.

What I learned several years ago is coming back now. I do remember hearing a lot about this place. "How do you know it so well?" I ask.

"I helped plan it," he says, now solemn. "But then the war began and--"
He cuts off, and I don't press further. Whatever it is, it must be bad.

**Author's Note**

I can't update for a week or two because of vacation. Thanks for understanding!

As always, please vote or comment. I will be posting my updating schedule soon!