Removed

35

 I race towards the house, pushing myself to move. My breaths come out in ragged gasps, everything swimming before me. I can still feel myself trembling, my fingers squeezed around the cool metal of the gun.

I slam the sliding door open, glass squealing against glass. "Cody?" My voice cracks as I rush into the small space, searching for any sign of him.

"Cody!" I scream, shaking as I point the gun every which way. Are they in the house too? Does someone have him? I'll never forgive myself if something happens to him.

"Cody Simon, answer me," I shout, tears cascading now my face. I sink to my knees, small sobs escaping my lips.

"Autumn, what's wrong. Is that-"

I don't let him finish his sentence before I pick myself off the ground and throw myself at him. He stumbles back, catching me in his arms as I bury my face in his neck. The gun is firmly clutched in one hand while the other is tightly wrapped around him, never wanting to let go.

"Never scare me like that again, you idiot!" I choke.

He rubs circles in my back. "I'm sorry, I was using the bathroom." Or, more like the disgusting bucket in the bathroom.

"You scared me," I whisper, gasping for air as my tears soak his shirt. I never want to let him go, even if he smells like he hasn't showered in a week.

He pulls away, causing me to whimper. His fingers dig into my shoulder, hazel eyes wide with concern and fear. "What happened? Why do you have a gun?"

I shake my head, lips trembling. "It doesn't matter. We need to make sure the others are okay!"

He shakes his head, gently lifting one hand to wipe way my tears. "No, tell me."

"T-there was the leader of the AntiChips dressed as Ash. She tried to kill me, then your mom-"

His gaze hardens. "My mom? She found you?"

I shake my head, taking a step away from him. "You don't understand! She saved my life! She gave me this gun for protection! She's just an instrument in this. She isn't the one we need to worry about."

His eyes widen, fear and surprise swimming within them. "Then who do we need to worry about?" I have a feeling he already knows an answer.

I shrug, pushing my own fear aside. "It doesn't matter. What does is that people have found us! We're not safe anymore. Not with all these people chasing after me! We have to do something!"

As Cody opens his mouth to speak, we hear the front door slam against the wall. We both jump, whipping around to face the source of the noise. There stands Jared and Teresa, hair disheveled and tears cascading down Jared's face.

"What happened?" I ask, rushing towards them. I make sure to keep the gun pointed towards the ground. My blood runs cold as I stop a few feet from them, watching Teresa's shoulder shake and Jared let out a sob. "Where's Eva?"

Jared's eyes widen as he sniffs. "W-where'd you get the-"

"Eva first!" I snap.

I'm not sure if he fears the gun or is just too upset, but he obeys. "S-She was taken!"

My heart stops. I'd sob again, but I've run out of tears to shed. "By who? Where?" I move towards the door but Teresa holds up her hand, halting me in my tracks.

"We don't know. We heard a scream, rushed over, and she was gone. We tried to find her, but to no avail."

"And w- we didn't even get t- the water," Jared lamely jokes, pressing the palms of his hands against his eyes. "Gosh, I'm the stupidest person ever! She's gone, and she'll last remember me angry at her."

I sigh, adrenaline rushing through me. "She's not going to be gone for long."

As I rush for the door, a hand wraps around my arm, pulling me into a solid chest. "Autumn, you're not going anywhere!"

I spin around to face him, muddy strands clinging to my tears. "Who are we gonna call? The Etchers?"

"No. We're going to calm down and think about this rationally. We can't just run out there without a plan. We'll either be killed by whoever took Eva or the government!"

I gulp in a deep breath, attempting to calm myself down. My eyes bore into his, searching for something other than sadness and fear. "We're talking about my best friend. I'm not going to stand by while she's hurt."

"Me neither!" Jared chimes in, walking forward and stopping beside me. "Cody, I have to get her back. What would you do if it were Autumn?"

He narrows his eyes and grits his teeth. "You can go, but I'm not letting Autumn leave this house. Not when people are after her!"

Jared sighs, turning to face me. "I guess he's right. I don't want to see you hurt either. I'm going to look for her."

He shoves past us and walks out the open door, gently closing it behind him. Hurriedly, Teresa slides the bolts into place, her breathing rapid. Then, blonde braid flying off her shoulder, she turns to face us. Her eyes are wide and her eyes are red.

"I'm so sorry you lost her," she whispers, sliding down the door. "You know, I've come to like her too."

Instead of comforting her, I stare straight ahead. Everything is too much. My brain is unable to process all that's occurred in under an hour. I feel myself shutting down, my breathing returning to normal. My feet lead me out of the room and into Eva and I's bedroom.

I amble towards the mattress, slowly lowering myself onto it. My arms wrap around my knees, which I pull up to my chest. No tears slip from my eyes, but I sit in silence, enjoying the ringing in my ears and the darkness that engulfs me. The gun clatters to the ground and I hug myself tighter.

Warm arms wrap around me and I lean into them. Thankfully, he doesn't try to console me, but leaves me to my thoughts. Honestly, there's nothing he could say to make it better. His words can't make Eva come back. They can't insert my Chip back into my wrist.

This is all my fault.

Eva would have never gotten into this mess if it wasn't for me. I dragged her into this. I should have gone with them. They would have taken me instead. I would have made them. They could have shot me for all I care, just not someone I care about.

After I while, I hear snoring from beside me. My lips tilt upward. Even in the midst of chaos, he's still adorable. Sighing, I gently push him away. I unwrap his arms from around me and lean him back against the bed.

"I love you," I whisper, my throat tightening.

After planting a kiss on his forehead and grabbing the gun, I exit the room.

I glance at the front door. Teresa is no longer leaning against it. I hope she's gone to bed. A single tear I didn't know was left slides down my cheek. I know if I go out there, I might not come back alive.

"Goodbye," I whisper, turning to unlock the bolts. "I have to save you guys, even if it means I lose my life in the process."