Trust [h.s.]

XXV

Volkov's hand was rough and chilly, like a cold-blooded animal's. It encompassed my smaller one and tugged my limp frame away from the chamber, away from my old self, away from Harry. The door slammed shut behind us, my neck refusing to crane in the direction of the room in fear of crumbling at the sight of Harry standing alone.

As heartbroken and betrayed as I felt, I couldn't help but fear for Harry's fate. Would he be released? Very unlikely. Would he be killed? A shiver ran through me, tears pricked my eyes, but I urged them away. No matter how hurt I was by Harry, I could never wish death upon him. The thought alone made me nauseous.

What did all of this leave for me? How many people must I lose before I was allowed permanence? My heart felt heavy, weighed down by betrayal and heartbreak, by fear and uncertainty. I felt drained, both emotionally and physically. I didn't care if I won or lost this ongoing battle, I simply wanted to curl up and wallow in loneliness.

"Ellie!" I heard Asher call from down the corridor, a sound I still felt surprised to hear. I broke free of Volkov's grip, running toward my brother, and collapsing into his arms. "El," He patted my head, wrapping his arms around my trembling frame. "It's okay, shh."

Volkov watched our exchange silently. I couldn't tell what he was thinking. Finally, he spoke.
"Mr. Walker," He said. "Calm your sister down. We have much work to do."

"Yes sir." Asher replied obediently. Satisfied, Volkov offered a nod of the head, turning on his heel, then walking down the hall. Asher and I were left in silence.

"Asher," I whispered meekly. "What are we going to do?"

Suddenly, Asher pulled away from me, gripping my shoulders tightly, and staring directly into my eyes. "Listen," He whispered urgently. His eyes darted back and forth. "We're almost out of here, we're so close to the end." He removed his right hand from my shoulder, and reaching down to his pocket, he pulled a pistol from a hidden holster. I froze. "Take this." He urged. I stared at him with wide, unblinking eyes.

"Are you crazy?!" I whisper-shouted.

"Ellie, you need to be able to protect yourself. When this operation begins, you will need to shoot anyone who tries to get in your way."

"What? What are you talking about? What operation? I can't shoot anyone!"

"Ellie," Asher spoke solemnly. "You need to shoot those against us or they will shoot you. You must. I can't lost you again."

He held the gun out to me. My eyes cast down to the weapon, its very sight arising goose bumps upon my skin. It astounded me that an object so small could cause such destruction.

"C'mon, El," Asher pushed it toward me. "Take it."

Hesitantly, I did, reaching out, and taking the gun into my hands. It seemed strange in my grip, unnatural. Slowly, I tucked the gun into my pants, hiding its shape by draping my jacket over. I was tremendously aware of the sensation of the pistol clinging to my body.

"How will I know who is with me and who is against me?" I asked Asher after moments of silence, suddenly gruesomely aware of the reality of the situation.

"You'll know once the plan is in motion," He replied.

I shook my head, not accepting that answer. I was sick of being kept in the dark, of being thought of as weak, or unable to handle the situation. I didn't need to be protected, I needed instruction on how to free myself of this tangled maze.
"No," I said. "That's not good enough, Asher. Tell me what I need to do. I'm tired of being kept in the dark."

Asher seemed slightly shocked by my newfound bravery, but quickly recovered. "Once the first gunshot is fired, those with us will reveal their own weaponry. Those who do not immediately pull a gun from their holster are against us, and are still with Volkov. We will have the advantage with the element of surprise. So when you hear that gun shot, I want you to take your gun out, and shoot whomever is closest to you."

I nodded, ignoring the fear, humanity, and every other weakness that threatened to build within me. I was tired of this game. I was ready to win, or die trying.

"What happens then?" I asked.

"Then you get the hell out. If we get separated, do not try to find me. You get out of this place. You follow the men and women who are on our side and they will lead you to safety. Okay?"

I took a breath. "Asher," I said shakily. "If you die, I will fucking kill you."

Asher released a breathy laugh, evaporating some of the tension in the room. "Right back at ya, sis."
He ruffled my hair, just as he used to do when we were younger.

"I'm excited to see Mom again," I smiled weakly. "I'm excited to put this all behind us."

"Me too, kiddo." Asher smiled. "Me too."

~*~

Hours passed without any sign of the beginning of our rebellion. I sat in a small room, locked away on the command of Volkov. Asher reminded me to do as told, to make it seem as though I were clueless as to what the entire operation did.

I was alone with my thoughts, completely and utterly alone with the constant reminder of the betrayal that I faced. My thoughts could not move an inch without bumping into a piece of Harry. His face was projected across the walls of my brain, his voice ringing through my ears, his touch burning into my skin. My heart ached. Each and every time I replayed the moment in which everything fell apart, my heart broke all over again. I wanted to forget but it was all I could think of. I'd lost track of the amount of times my eyes welled with tears that refused to fall. I never wanted to see him again, and yet I wanted him near.

I was so consumed by my own thoughts that I almost didn't hear the sound of a singular gun shot echoing throughout the entire building.