LAUREN
TWO YEARS AGO
"Where exactly are we going?" Lucy asked from beside me.
It had seemed like hours since I had fought off The Outlanders to save us both from being killed. Looking over at Lucy then, she looked tired. No, more. She looked like she hadn't slept in years, and I felt nothing short of guilt for not staying in contact with my fellow Chosen Ones. It's just us two now, I thought, and there was no way I was letting Lucy back out into the Region without protection. Nowhere was safe anymore.
"Some place I should have thought of a long time ago," I finally answered as I looked away from the brown eyed girl.
A few moments of silence fell between us before Lucy hugged herself tighter as they continued to walk along the cold streets of Chicago. She looked over at Lauren with sad eyes.
"I'm sorry," she admitted.
"For what?"
She shook her head while looking back towards the sidewalk.
"Everything, Lauren. Your mom becoming the Commander, your sister being the monster that she is, and for you...for you being a Chosen One."
I sighed as I ran a hand through my hair.
"There's so much that's happened, Lucy, I don't even know where to begin. This past year has been an absolute whirlwind, and I never thought that trying to be a good person would make me feel so awful. People have died because of me...I've killed people..." she trailed off.
"The Lauren I know would never do something like that, you are so kind-hearted and care more about this world and where it's headed more than anyone I've ever met."
"But I have, Lucy, I've killed people. I have this...this thing inside of me and I'm terrified I will never be able to overcome it."
Lucy grabbed me by my arm to stop me, realizing the conversation was turning serious.
"No, Lauren, Val did this. She turned you into this scared, hollowed out, little girl. You are so much stronger than Val's insecurity. It's time to get out of your head, Lauren. There's so much you have yet to see."
I could only nod as I continued to walk, leaving the conversation right there under that illuminating streetlight, shedding light on the dawning situation inside my crowded mind, only to leave it dark once again.
I stopped in front of an apartment complex that's right across the street from a corner store and an Italian restaurant. Ivy and vines clung to the sides of the brick building, each apartment equipped with a balcony that overlooked the town. Lucy and I walked up to the door and I scrolled through the list of names before stopping on apartment eight. Pressing the buzzer, I waited and I prayed that she would answer even though it was nearing 3am.
"You people have some nerve trying to contact me this early! I've told you for the last time I will not give a statement on Commander Valerie Jauregui of Region One! Leave me alone!"
I quickly responded.
"Aunt Carol, it's me, Lauren."
There was a few silent seconds before there was a response.
"My God..."
We were buzzed through just as quick, Lucy and I walking in and up the stairs before stopping in front of her door. I knocked three times and waited for Aunt Carol. For some reason I was nervous, so much so that my heart was racing. Lucy must have noticed my discomfort and instinctively reached out to grab my hand. My leg started to bounce as my aunt finally opened the door, her thin frame wrapped inside a house coat.
