RUN

Chapter 10

After the last mission, I had tried to forget how many lives had been lost in Denver. But judging by the look on Mr. Gardner's face, things had only gotten worse.

"Things are escalating," he said, his voice low and heavy. "So you're going on another mission."

"What?!" Christina and William exclaimed in unison. The headache that had been nagging me since yesterday intensified. It was like someone was hammering against my skull.

"This can't happen!" Christina's voice trembled with frustration. "Paul and I had plans!"

"Kristen's injury still needs time to heal!" Will added, his eyes avoiding mine. His words sounded polite, but the lack of eye contact made it seem detached. Such a gentleman.

"Can you two stop screaming?" Gardner hissed, his tone dangerously quiet. "Remember, we're in a hospital room with a bunch of people just outside in the hallway."

Christina took a seat beside me on my bed, her eyes wide with concern. Will and Gardner sat across from me. Gardner's gaze softened slightly as he spoke again, his voice lowering, "I know this is sudden, but if you don't take on this mission, everyone will die."

I stared at the floor, my heart pounding in my chest. Words failed me.

"I know you're all going to do this," he continued. "But be prepared to make some sacrifices."

I felt a hand slip into mine. I looked up, meeting Christina's eyes. Her silent support gave me a little strength.

Gardner turned his attention back to Will. "Once Kristen is fully healed," he said, his glare sharpening, "we'll discuss things further. But that has to be before Friday, because that's when you leave. And today's Tuesday, right?"

With that, he left me in a whirlwind of confusion, pain, and the weight of a mission I wasn't sure I was ready for.

The Next Day

When I woke up, the ache in my head had faded considerably. It turned out I had a minor concussion. Nothing fatal, just enough to make everything feel out of place. I'd been checked out early—at seven in the morning. I was exhausted, and as soon as I entered my dorm, I didn't even bother with my bunk. I collapsed straight onto the soft carpet, my body aching for rest.

I didn't wake until eleven, when Isa and Christina were standing over me, laughing. Apparently, I snored.

After I got dressed, I spent the rest of the day with Jack. Since I wouldn't be seeing him for a while—and today was my last day to be with him—I made sure to make every second count. Jack was my boyfriend. My anchor. We wandered around our dorms, practiced in my usual area, and even strolled through the courtyard and lobby. But as the hours passed, it started to feel like we were running out of things to do. So, Jack invited Isa, Evan, Christina, and Paul to join us.

We all ended up in the courtyard, the fire crackling in front of us. As Evan, Jack, and Paul worked together to maintain the flames, we fell into a conversation about who we had been before the attack.

"I was a mean girl," Christina admitted. Her voice was heavy, but there was a sincerity in it that made me look up at her. She met my eyes. "Kristen, I've said this before, but I need you to hear it. I'm sorry for how I treated you. You're actually one of my best friends."

I smiled softly, reaching out to squeeze her hand. "It's okay, really."

The group was silent for a moment. The look on their faces said it all—no one knew the history Christina and I shared. Well, almost no one. Only Will knew that we'd been in the same school for years, and right now, I wished he were here.