Removed

28

 Deep brown, almost black eyes scrutinize me. Time seems to stand still as the woman, probably in her early twenties, motions towards my wrist. My limbs tremble and suddenly, I'm no longer sure if my legs can hold my weight.

I hear breaths catch behind my as I slowly roll up the sleeve of my sweater. The fabric feels too rough against my flesh. The sweater, the thing that is supposed to protect me with warmth, now feels like it's condemning me to my fate. It feels like my last layer of protection has failed me.

Most importantly, I've failed myself.

The woman's eyes widen, chocolate locks similar to Eva's escaping from her messy bun as a hand springs to her lips. Then, wordlessly, she reaches over the table and rolls my sleeve back down.

Heart thundering, I question the lady with my gaze. However, before my lips can collaborate with my tongue to form words, something is shoved into my grasp.

"You're clear," the lady whispers, uttering the words I never imagined I'd hear.

Confusion clouds my thoughts as a hand gently pushes me to the side. Everything seems to be going better than expected. That lady just helped me out. I'm okay. I haven't been caught. I-

"Why didn't you check her Chip?" An Etcher booms to the lady, causing her to cower in fear. She nearly drops the scanner she holds over Eva's wrist.

Eyes turn in our direction and my throat feels dry.

"Run!" The lady bellows.

Everything happens too fast for me to fully processes. One minute, I'm standing to the side of the table, dumbfounded. The next, I'm thrown over a muscular shoulder, which I assume is Cody's, and the rest are following us.

I stare with wide eyes at the guns trained on us. Or, more specifically, me. I open my mouth to scream, but all that comes out is a muffled sob.

The few students left notice us for sure. Panic ensues as I notice a figure block a barrel from my view. Harper trains a gun on the Etcher from before, taking him down before he can blink.

I'm not sure how she received the gun. We're almost to the door, almost away from it all. Yet, Harper is still behind. She ducks and twirls to dodge bullets, but I can tell she's in a plethora of pain.

Eventually, she falls to the floor, her face contorted in pain. The last thing I see before Cody exits the gym is a bullet pierce her chest.

Someone's screaming. Swiftly, I realize it's me. Even if I used to despise her, the girl basically just saved my life. She had been through so much, and that's how she met her end.

Maybe she had been dragged onto the wrong side of the fight, to The Others, believing they were righteous. Or, maybe she wasn't a great person at heart. Either way, she wasn't bad in the end.

Tears stream down my cheeks from the trauma of it all. I clutch at the fabric of Cody's shirt, breathing in his familiar scent. I know I should be strong. But I can't be.

Everything has begun to fall apart before my eyes.

Finally, my feet hit solid ground. I realize we're outside of the school. Trees sway in the gentle breeze, the peace only disturbed by the sound of sirens in the distance.

Eva and Jared bicker while I stare at Cody with tear-blurred vision. Everything swirls around me as I quickly open the scrunched note in my fist.

It's an address.

"Here," I choke out, handing Cody the slip of paper. He studies it for a moment, eyebrows furrowed as he clutches my arm in an attempt to support me.

"We have to run!" Eva screams, her voice echoing throughout the courtyard.

Cody goes to scoop me up again, yet I shake my head. Flashing lights greet my vision as I sprint in the opposite direction.

"Autumn, we don't even know where this place is!" Cody pants behind me.

"I do," I respond. Ignoring the throbbing of my legs and the feeling of my lungs yearning for air, I push myself forward. I've never run this fast in my life. Not during daily exercise. Not during a game. Never.

I'm not sure how I'm able to remain conscious. All I know is that my heart is on overdrive and adrenaline is the fuel. My hair slaps against my face but I ignore it. I don't have time to worry about trivial things. We don't have time.

My friends wouldn't be in this mess if they'd never met me. They wouldn't be running for their lives. They'd be safe and sound. Yet, I don't think I could do any of this without them.

Come to think of it, they didn't have to run with me. No one knew they were associated with me. However, without a second thought, they ran with me. They risked their lives, everything, for the sake of me and whatever miracle people think I can make happen.

As colors blur by me, as sirens chase us in the distance, a smile creeps upon my face. No matter what happens, the Chip Busters will always have my back.