UNPROTECTED

Part Seventeen

Connor's POV 

After our confrontation with Matthew, I was feeling lucky but my stomach was still in knots - if I hadn't taken charge, so many people's lives would not be at stake. I had people who trusted me and who hung on my every word and I also had people who could die painful deaths because of my actions. Mine. 

"I'm proud of you, Con." Marcus had, by this point, sidled up to me, beaming with joy. 

"How? I mean, I always believed in this." 

"Precisely. You always believed in justice and you never thought to serve it - at least now, you are making a difference." He turned his blithely face to me and took some time to sigh in Delia's direction. I couldn't stifle the chuckle that came. 

"Go for it." That was all my muddled brain could muster at that point. 

Minutes later, Pearilia was standing in front of me - I would have said towering over me, but really, we were the sane size with her maybe a couple of inches smaller. "Connor, all of our equipment is in place and the Refugees that had agreed to help are in the sanction room. Better to go through with the plan now than wait until any of us have second thoughts." 

"Sanction room?" I asked, confused. By the way she casually said it, I thought that she thought that I knew where and what it was. 

"You haven't been told? Ah, well. It is the room concealing he trapdoor to the tree houses. Obviously, it is well hidden and secured so, even if they found it, none of them would be able to open  it. Get you team ready - Delia and Ryan are going to have to be ready asap so that we can prep them." 

It was all happening too fast. So fast, in fact, that I didn't have any time to worry about my own life. I guess now that that was good thing.  

"Ryan! You need to go with Pearilia so that she can prep you and Delia." I called out to nobody in particular; I hadn't even turned around to see what everyone was up to. 

"'Course, Connor. Could I just go and say goodbye to my sister first? I'm not sure when I will see her next." Great. Something else I hadn't had time to think about: which ones of us weren't going to survive. 

"Sure - but be quick about it. Meet us all in the sanction room. The rest of you, follow me." Forming an orderly line, the Riley sisters, Marcus and myself began to make our way towards the sanction room - but I had no idea where it was. 

I tiny cough came from someone behind me. 

"I think it's best if I lead. Do you even know the way?" Shaking my head, Delia made her way in front of me, her glossy hair shimmering like a fairy wing. If it was blonde, I am sure it could have been an angel's wing. 

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We had made our way through the countless corridors of the bunker and were now inside the claustrophobic sanction room. I wasn't even sure how anyone else could fit in, but we managed. 

Being the leader of this mission, it was my job to give out the necessary equipment. So, with shaking hands, I picked up the massive pile of balaclavas by my side and handed them out to one person after another. Each and every one of them thanked me with a sympathetic smile - even they could see how nervous I was. I was pretty sure that if the wind blew hard enough, I would blow away. 

But that wasn't possible right now.  

Pearilia had begun to type in code after code on the computer keypad beside the trapdoor and you could hear the circuits whirring as it was unlocked. 

After the balaclavas, it was oxygen-bits and I made sure to give Delia as many as she could carry for the people of the arena above. 

Eventually, Ryan returned, but only to face the wrath of a very stressed Pearilia who didn't look kindly upon late comers. I still felt sorry for him, though, even though he kind of was holding back. 

Matthew entered the already cramped room a few minutes before Ryan was to set off and plant the all important bombs. "I hope that you have enough people power now - good luck. I'll be watching you all like a hawk on your personal cams attached to the insides of your jackets." 

No pressure. 

"Good luck, all of you." Pearilia blared out through the crowds. 

Alina, Delia and Louisa were enjoying one final hug - after their hug, Delia turned to Marcus. Secretly, I had been expecting the thing that came next and, due to their expressions, I think Alina and Louisa had been too. 

With an air of sophistication, Delia cupped her hands around Marcus's cheeks and pulled his face towards hers and kissed his lips, tenderly. Slowly, Marcus wrapped his hands around her waist and their lips parted and they beamed like small kids who were just about to be given sweets. 

Ryan paced his way towards Louisa, a blank look on his face as they embraced and kissed. But their kiss was nothing like Delia and Marcus's. it was only a peck but it perfectly outlined how anxious they both were. 

Alina rested her head on my shoulder as she sighed. 

A tiny flutter occurred in my stomach as she did so - but I wouldn't believe what I was feeling. 

And with that, Ryan took the first step out of the secret hatch, his pockets loaded with explosives.