The Year 3000

Chapter 28: Deception

[A. N. Sorry for not updating in a while, I really needed a break. Okay here's the chapter and I hope you enjoy it]

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Scarlett's POV

Previously:

"Thank you for doing this, Harry. . . I know you didn't have to," I spoke truthfully, but Harry simply shook his head.

"Yes I did."

And with those three words, I flashed away to the spare room next to Michael's, the only one with voices coming from it. Even though I recognized the voices, I still knocked before entering. Both Michael and Ashton shot up from the bed when they saw me come in.

"Scarlett, what did he do to you?" Ashton immediately asked, his hazel eyes full of concern and barely concealed anger.

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I shook my head, wanting to just forget about all of it. I could still feel Harry's burning gaze on me, seeing far too much. Yet, he hadn't touched me, which I still couldn't believe. Forcing back a shudder, I tried smiling lightly at Ashton to cover it up.

"Nothing," I said, because really he hadn't, quickly changing the subject. I needed to know about the camp. "I want to know about you. Is everyone at the camp alright? Is anyone hurt?" I swallowed against the lump in my throat as I said the next words, "W-Were you with . . . were you with Luke?" I could feel the familiar burn of tears in the backs of my eyes, but I fiercely pushed them back. I was not going to cry in front Ashton—not that I was embarrassed in the slightest—but I knew it would only make him feel worse. When I was alone. That was when I would allow myself to break down.

Not here.

Ashton saw my expression and he quickly enveloped me into a hug, pulling me down onto the bed beside him. It was only then did I notice that Michael had left. He must've slipped out when I wasn't looking.

"Scarlett," he began, his eyes pleading, but then he shook his head and the expression disappeared. "Yes. I was with him. From what I could see, no one was hurt. Everyone at the camp had already relocated to a separate safe house just in case the tunnels were discovered after Luke's escape, but those of us directly involved in the attack went somewhere else. Thankfully we did, because the bastards found us. From what I could tell, though, they only wanted to punish us and weren't going to go looking for the rest."

I blinked, my lips trembling. I took in deep shuddering breaths, reaching a hand out to steady myself.

"Y-You relocated? The-The children, they're safe?" My voice was barely audible. Ashton nodded, eyebrows furrowed.

"Yes, yes they're safe, Scarlett. What did you think had happened? Did Harry tell you something?" he asked hurriedly, eyes searching mine. A choked sound of relief left my lips, my eyes tearing up.

"Harry compelled me to tell him about the tunnels—I-I told him everything. I thought that they had taken everyone into custody—I—" Emotion choked off my voice, but I didn't care. Most of the people were safe. I forced myself back to another pressing subject. "What about Luke? Is-Is he . . ."

Ashton blew out a puff of air, shaking his head with a small smile on his face.

"I saw Luke escape before Harry or his men could catch him. He's fine," he reassured me, and then I couldn't hold back the tears any longer. Tears streamed down my face, but my face felt as if it would split with the force of my smile. I almost couldn't comprehend it. Luke was safe. I felt a seed of rage swell up deep in my chest. How dare Harry not tell me any of this? That Luke was alive? No wonder he had been so possessive when he saw me.