Elude

A Prison of a Sort

We stand facing a sleek, shiny hovercraft. "You can fly, right?" I ask. Crashing in this thing would be a pretty pathetic way to die after what we've gone through.

He nods. "Our main concern is getting to Winter and Eve before Jace does. Once he sees that we're missing, that's the first thing he'll do."

I get in the passenger seat. When the doors close, we shakily lift off the ground. "Totally got this," he mutters, keeping his eyes fixed ahead.

We lift above the trees and dart forwards. I close my eyes and relax as we start traveling at a steady rate.

***

"Wake up," Matthew says. I groggily open my eyes and frown.

"Where are we," I mumble, then yawn. Why I asked, I don't know; I won't have heard of it.

"Enderlin Northern Prison," he says. "It's possible both of them are in Cyress, but it doesn't hurt to check here."

We land and get out. I stare at the huge grey building in front of me. "I've seen a picture of this before," I say. "In school."

"Cool, and I was held prisoner here before," he says darkly. I go up the steps after him and he pulls the heavy-looking door open.

Fear crosses his gaze briefly when he first looks inside. I pretend not to notice.

Straight ahead, at the other end. appears to be some sort of lavish tomb. Someone unmoving is kneeled in front of it, but she stands up when she hears us coming. She's tall and pale, with dark hair and bright blue eyes.

"Who are you," she says warily. "Why are you in here?" She takes out a small pistol and holds it up. "Don't move or I will fire."

Matthew takes a step forward and holds his hands up. A tiny hint of recognition flashes in her eyes but she doesn't question him further.

That's Eve, it has to be. Maybe she remembers his limp. She lowers the gun a little bit but still holds the defensive glare.

"Don't shoot," Matthew says and takes another step. "I'm not going to hurt you. Please trust me."

She raises the gun again but says nothing.

"Please, I just have some questions," he says. "Eve, listen to me."

Her mouth parts and a mix of fear, sadness, shock, and hatred overwhelms her. "No!" she says and closes her eyes. "You're dead. This is just another flashback and it will be over soon."

"Eve, don't be stupid," he begs. The gun clatters to the floor and her eyes open.

"That's not possible," she says, her voice brimming with fear.

"I've been inside that dome this whole time," he says. "You've seen it, right? It's all Jace's fault but he'll be here soon."

She gestures to the tomb. "Don't ignore it," she says. "Caelan is in the same room as you for the first time in six years. When was the last time? Oh, right--"

"Eve, don't," Matthew warns. "You're not okay right now. Calm down and you'll feel a lot better."

From where I'm standing, I can see her tears. Suddenly she runs forward and embraces him in a huge hug.

"This is Nox," Matthew says. "From the Dome. She's the one that helped get me out of there."

"You couldn't get out yourself?" she says with a mocking tone. "Hardly the best general in the country. Hi."

"Hi," I say, surprised by her sudden change.

"She doesn't know?" Eve says.

Matthew nods, looking a bit choked up.
"Well," Eve says. "If you want to find Winter before Jace, you'd better hurry. She's in Cyress."

***

A few hours later, the three of us are inside the walls of Cyress, standing in a long hallway.

"I haven't been here in so long," Matthew says quietly. Eve starts walking and we follow.

All the people we encounter are like Eve: tall, pale, and dark haired. I sort of recall learning that, but then again, I've forgotten most of the stuff they taught us in school.

"Where is she?" Matthew asks impatiently after the third turn.

"Be quiet," Eve says. "You know how big Cyress is. And she's in her room, idiot."

That shuts him up. After a bit, we come to a door that reads Winter Cyress.

"Her last name is Cyress?" I whisper, confused.

"Daughter of the founder," Eve replies. Matthew pulls his hood down, opens the door, and steps in. Eve and I wait just inside the door.

"Go away," Winter says, then looks up. It takes her a few seconds to realize. "I was hoping I'd never see your face again," she snarls. "Get out. Cold blooded, evil, cruel killers aren't allowed in here."

Matthew starts to say something, but stops.

"You're a bit different, I suppose," she muses, talking about his looks. "But how could I forget you, Matthew? As much as I'd like to... Where have you been?"

"A prison of a sort," Matthew begins.

"Which is too good for you," she says.

"I- I wanted to see you," he says. "Because it's been a while. I realize now that it was a mistake. You're clearly too blind to see who I am now."

She sneers. "If you think you've changed, you're the blind one. I can't believe Jace didn't do anything worse."

"Believe me," Matthew says. "It was a living hell. Worse than anything you could ever come up with. Knowing Jace..."

"Who's the kid and why is she tagging along with you?" Winter says angrily. "You ought to tell her, you know."

"Tell me what?!" I say, tired of everyone talking as if I'm not even here.

"Would she want to hear it from me, Matthew?" Winter warns.

"Winter," Matthew says. "Winter don't, this isn't the time."

"When is the time, Emerson?" she asks. "After you're dead and buried for real and you're not around to face it. I'll tell her."

Matthew winces and shoots me a look, but I can't tell what he was trying to convey.

"He killed his best friend. Held the gun up and shot him! His best friend! Caelan trusted him!" Winter says, letting out a choked sob.

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