In New America, chosen children are taken to be soldiers at the age of 10. They are given guns and treated mercilessly. So who are Zana Carmichael and her five companions? They are The Chosens on the run.

Chapter 5

I'm sorry that I haven't updated in a really long time, but I was SO busy. I had three projects to do and at least one test and/or quiz a week! But enough about my overly busy life. On with the story!!_________________________________________________________________________________

Zana's POV:

I was so, so tired. Last I remembered, I was being carried by Andrew. Now, I was on a little cot.

"Wh-where am I?" I asked myself.

"At Ellen's house," Harris answered, walking into the room. "You scared us half to death, y'know."

"Who's Ellen?" I asked.

"This elderly lady we met in the woods. She happens to have some doctoring skills," Harris replied.

"A random elderly lady you met in the woods? Wow, I feel safe," I said sarcastically.

"Zana, this lady saved your life. Do you think she would try to kill you?"

"Yes. We don't trust adults. You guys can be dense sometimes."

"Aw, that's hurtful," Harris replied, pouting; then he gave me a warm smile. It reminded me so much of my mom's smile. I really missed her. i quickly looked down as tears welled up in my eyes. "What's wrong?" Harris asked, concerned. Before I could even say a word, tears came pouring down my face. Now, I didnt cry often. In fact, I can count on one hand how many times I've cried in the three years I've been on the run.

I was suddenly enveloped in a hug. "Don't cry, Zana," Harris whispered into my hair. He pressed his lips to my forehead and just held me to his chest like I was a child. We laid down on the bed like that for about fifteen minutes. Suddenly, Ana walked into the room. "Is she up-" Ana started, then froze in the doorway. Her facial expression was a mix of shock and rage. "GROUP MEETING!" she yelled. "NOW!"

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I cowered in my seat as Ana paced back and forth in front of Ellen's small kitchen table. Sadly, Ellen was out in the woods and wasn't here to save Harris, Andrew, and me from Ana's harsh lecture.

"There will be no romances in this group!" Ana shouted.

"Please don't kill me for asking this, but what exactly happened?" Andrew asked.

"What happened?" Ana bellowed. "I'll tell you what happened. These two," she said, jabbing a finger at Harris and me, "were caught hugging each other passionately while lying on the bed."

"I was crying, for Pete's sake!" I exploded.

"Suck it up!" Ana yelled back.

"Both of you! Be quiet!" Harris shouted. Instantly, Ana and I went silent. "Now, I know you're both mad," Harris started.