Wings

Let Me Help, Chase

Chase won me a white rabbit perfect size for me to carry around as we roamed the carnival with his friends. Andi was there, and she looked awesome in a pair of black combat boots, a pair of ripped acid wash skinny jeans, and a white shirt that claimed "There's No Way You Woke Up Like That." The one thing that completed the look was the black leather jacket that she wore. She seemed to be watching Chase closely. When everyone else was playing a dart game with balloons, I hung back and caught her eye.

"You know, then?" I muttered. Andi looked around.

"Of course I know. I was one of the few people that he told. Jackson and Rena don't even know." Andi replied. Jackson and Rena were the other Zarthian friends that Chase had invited to join us.

"Why?" I asked, surprising even myself. Andi sighed.

"He doesn't want them to endanger them." She answered heavily. I frowned and turned to face her.

"How would it endanger them to know?" I asked curiously. Andi glanced at the group and then back at me.

"I don't know if I'm supposed to tell you this, but there's a rule in the court of the Elders. You have to call at least one witness who can say that the crime wasn't committed. Or one witness that can say that the crime was committed. There has to be hard evidence. Like, memories of confessions or something. Chase doesn't want anyone to risk their lives alongside his to attempt to save him. Because if he's found guilty, and he's called witnesses, then he and the witnesses are punished." She explained in a low, dangerous tone. I gasped and put a hand over my mouth.

"He didn't tell me that." I whispered. Andi shook her head.

"I know why. Because him and I both know that you would willingly get killed if it meant a chance at saving him. But Chase does not want that to happen, and I agree with him." She told me, her tone harsh but her eyes sad.

"It's not just me who could help save him! You, Jackson, Rena. And... And Chris." I shot back quickly. Andi sighed in annoyance.

"Isabelle, don't you dare act like this! You're going to ruin his night. Besides, he forbade me to do anything. My hands are tied, hon." She crossed her arms and looked at the group. They were finishing up their game. Jackson apparently had won a prize and he pointed out a giant turtle and it was given to him. Jackson immediately turned to look at Rena and a smile spread across his face. I watched as he held the turtle out to Rena and she took it with a blush. It was obvious that they were a budding romance. Andi suddenly grabbed my arm. I looked at her in surprise.

"Did Chase invite Chris?" She hissed. I frowned and shook my head. She was staring at something behind me and I turned. A familiar form was walking away in the crowd. I yanked my arm out of Andi's grip and started after him.

"Isabelle, be careful. Chris may act like he's a good guy, but he's more dangerous than you think." Andi hissed after me. I noted that she didn't try to stop me or follow me. I fell into a pace about ten feet behind Chris and followed him to the edge of the fairgrounds. Chris ducked into a dark tent and I paused outside. I listened intently. I heard a beeping and then a brief silence.

"Finally. I've been trying to call you for the last twenty minutes." Chris said. For a moment, I froze but I realized that Chris was talking to someone on his phone. "I don't care if you're 'enjoying the human dance clubs' or whatever, but there's something you need to know." A pause. "They've believed the act for so long. Hopefully they don't figure it out until after the execution, but you have to know; I'm starting to feel guilty." A longer pause. "I know, I know I said I would go along with this, but I'm starting to see her everywhere. I'm starting to wonder... If-If I'm still safe to be around humans." Chris explained urgently. I edge closer to the entrance of the tent. Suddenly, a twig snapped under my foot and I froze. "Hey, I'm gonna have to call you back." I heard Chris mumble into the phone. I very slowly stepped backwards and tried to get as far away from the tent as possible. I glanced over my shoulder as I was turning a corner and saw Chris emerge and glance down my way. I nearly broke into a run when I was out of his sight, and ended up rushing through the crowd to where I had last seen Chase and everyone. They had left the balloon dart game, but I caught a glimpse of them through the crowd waiting in line at a snack truck. I took a deep breath and walked toward them. Andi glimpsed me first and walked toward me. She looked worried.

"So?" She demanded. I took a deep breath. I didn't even bat an eyelash.

"It wasn't Chris. Just some guy." I lied easily. Andi looked relieved.

"Good. Because if he was here, there would've been some serious butt-kicking happening." She said gruffly. I smiled and nodded. Suddenly, Chase appeared beside Andi and grinned at me.

"We're getting a huge funnel cake to share. You want some?" He offered. I smiled and slipped my phone out of my pocket. It was about 10:40. I looked up at him apologetically.

"It's nearly eleven, Chase." I told him. Chase nodded and he gave Andi a pat on the shoulder.

"Alright, talk to you later, Andi." He told her. I swallowed hard as he motioned for me to follow him. We walked toward the front entrance of the Carnival.

"Do you think we have time for the Ferris Wheel?" I asked gently. Chase seemed to consider.

"The line's super short, so yeah. Probably." He answered. He took my hand and led me toward the line for the huge ride.

After a short wait, Chase and I were strapped into one of the seats and our fingers were intertwined together. Suddenly, the seat lurched and we began to rise into the air quickly. I gripped Chase's hand tighter as we reached the top of the wheel. I gasped at the beautiful view. It was peaceful fields for miles. On the horizon, the bright lights of New York City glowed intensely. I looked up and I nearly screamed when I realized that there were shooting stars, or incoming Zarthians, shooting down toward the skyline. Chase took a deep breath when he saw as well.

"They're preparing for my transport tomorrow." He said calmly. I looked at him as tears began to prick at my eyes.

"How are you so accepting of something like this?" I whispered in horror. Chase looked at me.

"I don't accept the fact that I'm about to be killed for a crime I didn't commit. But I do accept the fact that I will die knowing that you love me." He explained softly. I tried to suppress the tears that pricked at my eyes, but I knew that I was going to break down. I suddenly thought of what Andi had said, about calling witnesses and about Chris not being the 'good guy.' I looked at Chase helplessly.

"Let me help, Chase. I can help defend you for whatever this stupid crime was." I sputtered out before I thought about it. Chase immediately shook his head.

"No way, Belle. You're not risking your life for me. I'm not worth it." He told me gently. I felt my hands begin to tremble.

"Not worth it? Chase, you've changed my whole life! You've made me finally happy again, and I can't just let that slip away. Chase, I love you, and I can't lose you. Please, just let me help." I begged. Chase looked away from me. He seemed close to tears himself.

"Has anyone told you what crime I've been accused of, Belle? Because maybe it would be best if you found out now so you can forget me all the more quickly." He breathed. I shook my head.

"It doesn't matter Chase. All that matters is that I love you, and I know you wouldn't do-"

"The night that we were waiting for your parents to come home at the restaurant, a teenage Zarthian was found dumped in a park near the restaurant. She had been raped and then her neck had been snapped."