Elude

Not Like It's a Secret

"It wasn't like that," Matthew snarls. "He betrayed me by siding with Jace. I had no choice!"

It's clear that he's suffered enough because of it; why won't Winter leave him alone?

"You can't seriously be taking his side?" Winter asks me.

I frown and lose the chance to speak.

"Listen, Nox," Matthew says. "He joined Jace's side because he was too afraid to lose. It was kill him and end the war or be killed myself and have only more killing follow!"

"He ended the war, Winter," Eve interrupts. "Be thankful no more lives were lost."

Winter's eyes are blazing. I've never seen so much fury before.

"Now you're calling him a hero?" someone says, and it's not Winter. "Eve, I thought you'd know better!"

The three of us spin around to find Jace standing in the doorway.

Matthew doesn't hesitate in running to the door. He shoves past Jace and I hear his footsteps pound away. Jace freezes for a second, unsure of who to chase. He slams the door and then runs after Matthew.

Eve tries the handle. It doesn't budge.

"Why do good things always happens to bad people?" Winter asks.

"Maybe he's not the bad one," I offer. "It's possible that the Matthew you knew has changed."

"Then who is bad?" Winter asks. "Jace or I? For thinking that a criminal deserves to be imprisoned?"

I don't reply. Suddenly the door slams down and Eve lowers her leg. "Hurry," she says and we both sprint out.

I follow, straining to keep up with her. Long legs are a big advantage in running, an advantage that I don't have. We duck into a room, and I catch my breath.

"I don't think Jace has backup," she replies. "If he caught Matthew, he'll be waiting at the entrance. We can't go up there?"

"What makes you so sure Jace is faster?" I say. "Matthew has a limp, but he's taller."

"It's more than a limp," Eve says then curses. "I shouldn't have told you that."

I raise an eyebrow and she sighs.

"The whole country knows, not like it's a secret," she mutters. "I don't know if he'd want you knowing. Ask him yourself. If you see him again, because chances are, he's screwed."

"We have to help."

"Wha--?"

"Where's the exit, I'm going to help."

She shoots me a look. "You're insane. You're talking about Jace and Matthew. Jace isn't going to go easily."

"There's three of us and one of him."

She peeks her head out. "It's safe," she says and we resume running. Sure enough, Jace is standing over Matthew just outside the exit.

I examine Matthew. He doesn't appear wounded, but you never know.

"It took you years to escape," Jace says. If he knows we're here, he's ignoring us. "Years."

Matthew shuts his eyes. After a few minutes of silence, he opens them. "You know what?" he says. "I don't care. I really don't. The reason you're doing this is because you're broken inside, Jace. You miss Caelan. I do too. But there's nothing that we can do about him. It's you that needs help."

Jace sinks to his knees and Matthew leaps up. He doesn't make a sound as we leave.

Nobody speaks until we're back in the hovercraft. "That was..." Eve says. "Interesting."

"Either Jace will forgive me or he'll hate me even more," Matthew says.

• • •

Matthew and I slowly walk down one of the halls at the prison. Up ahead, guards shove somebody into a cell.

"Who's that?" Matthew calls out.

"Some guy we found wandering around here," a guard replies.

"Why arrest him?"

"He tried to attack one of us." Once the guards leave, we go over to the cell.

The figure is sprawled on the ground in the middle of the cell. He lifts his head and winces. "What do you want," he says, scowling.

Next to me, Matthew crumples to the floor.

"What up with him?" the guy asks.

"No clue," I reply. "Who are you?" I'm probably wrong, but I feel like I detect a hint of fear in his eyes.

"Nobody important," he says and our eyes meet. "Not to you, at least."

"Where are you from?" I say, trying to keep the conversation going.

"Enderlin," he says. "I've been living in Ashendale. You?"

"The Dome," I say. "The two of us escaped yesterday."

He appears interested. "I've heard a lot about the Dome," he says.

"Are you sure you can't tell me your name?" I ask.

"So you don't remember anything from the outside world," he says carefully. I nod. "I could tell you, I suppose. I'd rather wait. How can I trust you?"

"You're the prisoner," I point out. "You'd probably lie to me."

He shrugs. "I don't have reason to," he says.

It's somewhat true, and I have trouble thinking up a reply.

"Anyway," he resumes. "I don't want to be in here. Can you get the key? It's in m--" He stops himself. "Never mind, that's too hard."

"I never said I was helping you escape," I argue.

"Never said you wouldn't," he says.

"So why are you in here?" I ask, changing the subject.

He hesitates, choosing his words carefully. "I've done a few other things," he replies. "Meaning a lot. I've done a lot of things. But they don't know that yet. I won't hurt you. Just so you know."

"Okay, I'll help you. What did you do?" I ask bluntly. "Please tell me...?"

"Eh, it was a while ago. Doesn't matter," he says.

"You said your name didn't matter and you're a wanted criminal."

"I'm not a criminal," he says and pauses. "I am, I suppose, but that's not what people know me for."

"What do people know you for?"

"Oh, just some stuff." I want to scream in frustration. Why should I be helping him if he won't even give me simple answers.

Matthew sits up, startling me. "Oh my god," he says. Oh my god."

The guy in the cell narrows his eyes. "Matthew?" he says slowly. "Matthew?!" He jumps up, the fear now obvious. "Why'd you do it, Matthew, why'd you do it?!"

Matthew stays frozen, consumed by shock and sadness.

"Do you know how terrible these years have been?!" he roars angrily and grabs these bars. "If I weren't stuck in here I'd have my hands around your throat and I would squeeze without a second thought! I'll murder you, Emerson!"

"Who are you..." I ask meekly, for the third time.

"Caelan Prince!" he screams, still looking at Matthew. "I trusted you! Biggest mistake of my life it was, you're worse than Jace! I'll slice you open and cook you alive, I'll do it! Go get me the keys, you coward! Do it now!"

**Author's Note**
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