The Collision (Sequel to The Division)

Chapter 21 (Autumn)

Time embraces me in a warm hug as I nearly tackle him on sight. The fact that he's alive brings me much needed joy. My questions slip out instantaneously,

"How did you get here?"

"Amber and a few of her friends helped me escape from the hospital. They brought me here yesterday." I examine Time's face and finally notice his slightly fatigued expression.

"Did they drain you?"

"Almost. They arrived moments before the process completed. I owe them my life. Autumn, I know you still might have questions, but we have a bigger task at hand. Amber needs to explain what will happen next. We can discuss this later, alright?" He places a hand on my shoulder in a way that brings back memories of my own father. I shake off the feeling and nod my head.

River and Amber's conversation stops as I make my way back to them. I raise and eyebrow in confusion, "What's with the secrets guys?" River gives me a half smile right as Amber speaks,

"I'll explain later, right now I have to introduce you to your new recruits."

Oh no.

Not new recruits.

I can't stand new recruits.

"River, what is she talking about?" I ask, ignoring the slightly amused grin that appears on her face. She knows how much I hate new recruits, which is probably why she didn't want to tell me.

"Autumn," Amber says, "Did you really think we would just let you wander back to the island with no help?"

"Yes, I did actually. Listen, I like to work alone Amber. The lesser amount of people involved, the lesser chance of something bad happening. River and I can do this alone."

"No we can't Autumn." River argues. "The only person that stood a chance against Zayin was Nichole, and she's gone now. His powers are different than ours and you know that. Don't turn away an opportunity for us to beat him now, especially when it matters the most."

I stand in silence for a few moments, mulling over the words River said. Reluctantly, I give in, "Alright. Let's see them." A smirk crosses Amber's face and she beckons us out of the cafeteria down a hallway. The walls are stone gray, giving off a dystopian feel that sends a chill through my spine. A metal door with an electronic keypad hanging on the wall beside it rests at the end of the hall. Amber puts her hand up to the keypad, allowing it to scan.

"They've been wanting to meet you for some time now. I have a feeling you guys will get along very well."

Before either of us can ask another question, the metal doors slide open soundlessly, revealing a large room on the other side of it. A boy and a girl are engaging in hand-to-hand combat on a rectangular mat in front of us. Two boys and another girl watch in amusement from the sidelines, cheering every once in a while. The girl that was currently fighting definitely has some skill. I watch in slight awe as she climbs onto her opponent's shoulders, wrapping her legs around his neck. Moments later, the boy is on the ground and the girl is on her feet, bowing to the small audience.

She wears black cargo pants and a camouflage tank top that reveals her nicely toned arms. Her skin is a caramel color, similar to River's, and a large tousle of dark curls rests behind her head in a ponytail. Her hazel eyes land on us, drawing the rest of the crowd's attention to us as well. Amber walks forward, "Here they are guys." She gestures toward the two of us and the group walks toward us. The girl sticks her hand out to me, "I'm Adriana. Nice to finally meet you." Her accent differs from most of the people I've spoken with, making me assume that this was not her first language.