The First

12.1

A/N: Phew! I didn't think I was going to get this out by today! This week is/was crazy for me. But I'm glad I was able publish this for you all :) And I apologize for it being a day late!

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02 - 10 - 2089

I'm in my room, picking at a loose thread on my blanket when Enzo enters. I look up, taking in his disheveled appearance and raggedy hair. His shirt is twisted, the buttons mismatched.

"What's going on?" I ask, realizing something is up. Enzo wouldn't just burst in here like that for no reason. And that is what worries me. My mind flashes to Cade, and I silently hope he is alright.

Enzo walks over and offers his hand. I take it and follow him to the door. "We need to leave," he says. "Gunner heard this morning that the government has sent out men to find you and they've arrived here in Fairbanks."

I stare at him, not quite sure I've heard him correctly. He tugs on my arm, trying to draw me out of the room, but I resist. "They know I'm here?" I ask, though I'm sure it's a stupid question. If they didn't know I was here then why send people?

"I don't know," Enzo says impatiently, trying to get me to go out. "But Gunner wants you to leave."

"Gunner does? But... but I thought he wanted to give me back to them," I say, confused. Wasn't Enzo the one fighting for me to leave? And Gunner was the one who wanted to sell me back to Doctor Acosta...

Enzo shakes his head, clearly flustered. "Like I said, I don't really know the details." He tries pulling me out again, this time harder, but I yank my arm out of his grasp. He gapes at me, and I send him a glare, feeling emboldened.

"Tell me what you know," I demand. I try to lock eyes with Enzo, but he avoids my gaze, looking instead at something past me. I try grabbing his arm to make him listen to me, but he jerks away.

"Just trust me," he says at last, glancing at me.

"Trust you?" I scoff. "How am I supposed to do that when you and Gunner were the ones who held us at gunpoint in the first place?" I demand. "How do I know this isn't some plot to sell me to them?"

Finally, finally, Enzo looks at me. He blinks. "I wouldn't do that to you."

I'm distracted by the intensity of his gaze, so heavy, so focused on me. What does he know that he isn't telling me?

"Well..." I say, trying to come up with another point. "What... what about Cade?"

"He's fine. He's still in the other room."

"Are you going to let him come with me?"

Cade looks doubtful, but I'm determined to only go if Cade is able to. There is no way I will leave him here after all he's done for me.

"Please, Enzo," I say, not able to stand the silence.

Enzo blows out a breath and runs a ragged hand through his hair. "Yeah, okay."

"Thank you," I say, immediately heading out into the hallway and towards Cade's room. I wait patiently while Enzo unlocks the door and pushes it open.