Escape

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For the first time, I look at the leader of my country. And now, apparently, one of the two that brought me and my sister into this country.

I search for common features. I spot the green eyes instantly. I remember Mrs. Crest has mine and Raven's color hair. Possibly the same nose. I can't remember exactly. We're the same height too.

President Crest seems to be studying me as well. I feel a strange sensation in my chest. My parents would have taken me, if not for the stupid system.

Then again, without the system, people like Shain would never have gotten a chance to do well in life. I'm not talking about rich. I'm talking about not turning into gangsters or other hooligans. This system makes sure everyone has a home and food, even if it sucks. I can't help over throw it. I never wanted to, but now I understand the purpose. Everyone gets a chance at happiness and security.

Removing this system will collapse everything. As much as I don't like it, it has to stay.

"I'm not killing Shain," I say flatly. "There's nothing you can do about it." Brace's lip curl into a snarl.

"You stubborn, stupid girl," he growls.

"Hey!" Will says, "don't talk to her that way."

"Stay out of this, Will," Brace orders. He seems really pissed at me. Good. I'm going my job.

I say, "That's right. Send away anyone who stands up to you..." I glance at Will. "...for whatever reason..." Brace narrows his eyes at me. Then he grabs me by the collar of my shirt and shakes me.

"Listen here, you insolent child. If you're one of us, the Forgotten, we'll spare those you love. That's our policy. That means we'll spare your family. Thing is, you can only join us truly by killing your mark." He drops me and drops a gun at my feet.

"Do it, Eris," he orders. "Kill."

I shake my head. He doesn't take the gun from me. He's waiting, counting on me to take the easy way out. He really doesn't know me.

I always take the long road.

I get an idea, a crazy one. Slowly and careful, picking up the gun as I stand, I get up. I aim the gun at Shain to throw off suspicion. Then, just before Brace can get too smug, I fire at the smoke alarm.

The sprinklers turn on, spraying everything and everyone with icy water. I hear several screams.

"Will!" I yell, "get Shain!" Meanwhile, I run to where President Crest is tied up. I untie him as quickly as I can. I'm officially drenched, but my little rebellion caused enough distraction we might be able to escape.

"Where is Rubin?" I ask him once he's free. The President furrows his brow in concentration.

"Follow me," he whispers. I call out to Will and Shain, who appear at our sides a few seconds later.

The President leads us down the passageway by which he was brought in dramatically. We follow him down the corridor and into a large room. It's a bedroom of some sorts.

Bound in the corner is Rubin, my biological brother.

I shiver at the thought. In one week, I went from no family to parents, a brother, and a twin sister. Two weeks, actually, if you count my time in the Forgotten Compound.

None of us say a word until another alarm joins the fire one. They know we've left.

"Hurry," Will urges, his face a mirror to my own worry and anxiety....and determination.

Brace's guards don't catch us until we're about to leave the building.

"Crap," I say, "I thought we were Scott free." Shain shrugs.

Rubin says, "I could hold them off if you guys want to..."

The President and I say simultaneously, "NO!" Rubin scowls.

"Well, someone had to."

At the same time, Will and I volunteer. I glare at him.

"Let me do this," I urge.

"Or we could just do this," he says. He yanks my gun out of my hand and pulls both his and my triggers. The two guards drop to the ground, dead.

"Did you have to shoot them in the head?" I ask and Rubin unlocks the front door (I decided to let him do something productive).

"They needed to die," Will replies, "and they deserved it too."

Walking past him, I retort, "No one deserves to die. But I wouldn't expect anything less from a killer." Will opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out. Satisfied, I follow President Crest, Rubin, and Shain outside. Will follows me.

"We need a vehicle," the President notes.

"We've got one," Will sates.

"Is it that crap one you drive to school?" Rubin asks. Will scowls at him.

"Maybe if it weren't for this crap system..."

I interrupt, "This isn't important right now. We need to get out of here."

Shain nods. "Do you think Mr. Bristill has gotten everyone together?"

"For what?" President Crest inquires. Shain quickly explains the evacuation plan.

"It's not going to work," Rubin states dryly. I scowl at him. He doesn't know we're related yet, but it feels like we are.

I reply, "Of course it is. We'll make it."

"We can't sail to Kazakhstan," Rubin reminds us. "Hello. It's not even near the ocean. We'd have to catch an airliner there. No country with an airport would be stable enough to seek refuge, even temporarily."

I don't want to admit it, but he's right. We have nowhere to go. Problem is, we need to get there, quick.

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