Borderlines

Chapter Forty

Fawn stood in the train car and buckled the utility belt she had been given. It was still pitch black outside and everyone was trying to be as silent as possible. Fawn insides panicked with anxiety. Fighting like this just wasn't suited for her and she wished there was a way around it. Unfortunately, it was clear there wasn't. They had all been given earpieces that they could communicate with, just in case anyone ran into trouble. Fawn glanced at Travis, he was expressionless, moving silently and swiftly. Once everyone was suited up, they left the train cars. Travis helped Fawn get down from the car. Claus looked at them, though it was hard to read his expression in the dark.
"Follow me, and no talking." He whispered and began down the side of the rode at a jog. Everyone followed him, moving at the same pace. Until they got away from the road, they were all open and vulnerable. Claus motioned them over to a spot beside the road and paused. There was a small dirt path that wound through the brush and in the distance Fawn could see the wall that surrounded the White Palace. Claus began trekking through the undergrowth, telling them to be careful and watch where they stepped. Fawn felt Travis reach back and he grabbed her hand, partially leading her. Fawn squeezed his hand, trying to convey how worried she was about all of this. He noticed, slowing his pace for a moment and looking back at her.
"We'll be okay." He said, Fawn barely catching the words. They continued weaving along the path until Claus told them to stop again. He pressed his ear piece.
"Night Squad, you got that opening cleared for us?" He asked. Everything was silent for a minute before he pressed his ear piece again.
"Copy, we're coming in. Keep an eye on those walls." He told whoever led the Night squadron. Claus looked at the group.
"Alright, we have a clear entrance, but we have to move fast and we have to move carefully. They've got some patrols on the lawn so make sure to stick to the shadows." He stepped forward.
"Let's keep moving. Remember, Fast and careful." He whispered before taking off. Fawn followed at Travis's heels until they were at the wall. Clause led them along the cold stone until there was a gate that appeared before them. It was open.
"Once you go through, head to the left and duck into that undergrowth to wait. I'll send each of you in separately. Sean, you first." Claus said, stepping toward the doorway. Sean stood beside him. He put a hand on his back, waiting a couple seconds.
"Okay go!" He said quickly. Sean ducked through the doorway and disappeared on the other side of the wall.
"Willow you're next." Claus said. Willow stalked forward. He sent her in after a few seconds. Everything continued that way until it was Fawn's turn. She felt her breath quiver. Travis had been sent ahead of her so that it was just she and Claus left to get in.
"You and I are going in together so wait for me to tell you to go." Claus said, pushing her forward a little and closing the gate behind them. Fawn noticed why he paused to send them in. There were three guards walking across the lawn, scanning the area with flashlights. Garth wasn't taking any chances. Claus tensed slightly.
"Go!" He said and pushed her forward. Fawn moved as swiftly as she could, heading toward the undergrowth that Claus had told them to. A twig snapped behind her and she heard Claus curse.
"Duck!" He hissed to everyone. Fawn crouched low, inching into the brush. Travis and everyone else was ducked down. A flashlight beam scanned across the trees in front of them. Everyone froze and Fawn held her breath. After sweeping across the bushes and the trees twice, the guard shrugged and turned back the way he had came. Fawn let out a shaky breath. That was not something she wanted to experience again. Claus inched in beside her. Nathan looked over Travis's shoulder.
"What now?" He asked Claus. Claus leaned back against the wall.
"We wait until dawn." He whispered. Fawn closed her eyes and leaned against Travis's shoulder, she just wanted this to be over. They were still just getting started. Travis's arm wound around her waist.
"You scared me for a second." He whispered. Fawn let herself relax into him.
"Sorry." she apologized quietly.
"No talking!" Claus hissed harshly. Fawn could have sworn she saw Travis roll his eyes. It was a waiting game now and the sun wasn't rising quick enough.