Freed

Blaze

Chapter 23

Blaze

I turn around to the penguin walking Edan. I hesitate to answer. All I know is we need to figure out how to stop Amers form their death wish.

"Well...we could..." Chrys stutters. "I don't know." Then I realize our families are endangered. I look Chrys right in the eye and say "They are gonna kill them." Everyone know what I meant by "them".

"Well we need to hurry if that's what they are doing." Edan looks at me then begins penguin walking again. I begin walking to and soon everyone else is.

Its silent for the first few minutes as we slowly walk to the living part of the city. "So what did I miss when I got beaten to a pulp at their headquarters?"

"Well, we had to admit who are family was and our loved ones." Wendell replies smiling. "Loved ones?" "Yep. And let me tell you it was embarrassing." Wendell chuckles.

Chrys punches him in the arm which makes the smile fade. "Oh really? What did you guys say?" "Honestly Wendell said nothing." Chrys says walking making his face full of shadows.

I just listen to them talk and hope Edan doesn't ask about what I said. "Oh." Edan looks down sadly. "What about you Chrys?" "Johna didn't really ask me." "Interesting. How 'bout you Blaze did you make an answer?" I stop making Chrys run into me and then I keep walking.

I know I have to give her an answer and why not tell them now. "I gave an answer." Edan gestures for more. Chrys shakes his head. "I said... I love..." "Me" Chrys jumps in smiling.

It's awkward so we don't talk. Edan clears her throat. "I saw you kissing last night." She says grinning. I glare at her. "It's kinda obvious that you guys are together. You are perfect!" Wendell says loudly.

"Shhhh!" Jade says which startles me. "It's true!" Wendell says making it echo. "Shhhh! I hear something." Jade whispers. I hear it to. It's like the thumping of many boots on the hard gravel.

"Hydras!" Jade does a silent yell. "Should we fight them?" Chrys says looking at her. "That depends." We finally see the black suited demons come around the corner with tranquilizer shooters.

"Nope. Split up." Jade says running off. I run the other direction and everyone scatters. I run around the corner and hide behind a dumpster.

Edan runs past me. I want to yell to her but that's suicide there are three Hydras behind her. I sit there and pray silently. There is a faint scream that sounds like Edan.

I curl up n a ball and begin to cry. Then there is the sound again. I peer around the rusty metal to see the aligned Hydras. The middle row is carrying the dead looking others.

I get back behind and wait till I can't hear them anymore. I slowly get out of behind the dumpster and look around. I am alone.

I break down on the gravel felling its loose pebbles. I silently say to myself. I can't do this. I can't do this. I get up and run.

I have never runned like this but I just keep running. I don't know where I'm heading till I get there.

The Space Needle. I don't know why its so important to me. I guess I admire its architecture. I walk inside the totaled place toward the elevator.

I press a button and it opens. I walk inside. Its so old and dusty. I press an up button and the old rickety thing lurches upward. I watch the scene below get smaller and smaller.

When the elevator stops I go to an old window. I have heard of legends where the space needle turned. People would put messages on it and people would write back. They would get it back because the thing just kept turning.

The old mahogany tables covered in dust make me smile. I see a slip of paper on a window. I pick it up and begin reading:

November 13, 2028

It's been a couple of years since the war has started. It's beginning to get out of hand, it's beginning to move to America and that's only the start. They are already calling it World War III. Maybe this is the end. This is the last day this place will open. Too many endangered lives have been compromised. They are executing people for nothing. Saying their shipments have been delayed and there is not enough food. I will be executed today as well. In exactly two hours. So I have decided to say goodbye as best I can. The thing that saddens me the most is it's my birthday. My dearest friends have been kind to me, trying to cheer me up at the darkest day of my life. I got the letter this morning. They have been showing me the things I have never seen, but then they break down crying, I try to tell them not to fear death for I am going home. Who ever is reading this if it's the future or the present please know that I am one of the innocent lives being taking from the horror and to never let this happen again.

Best Wishes,

Aaron Kotten

I notice tear has fallen on the old tan paper. I realize it's my own and begin crying even more. I just break down. I take the paper and fold in the pocket of my pants and promise to not this plan go through with its meaning.

They won't have me as a weapon if I am dead. I crawl through the nearest broken window. I begin climbing to the top. I slip a few times but never give up.

I hear wind whipping against my ears. I turn around to find a brand new hovercart. I look up to them and stand on the edge of the Space Needle and turn back to the hovercart. I put my hand on my heart.

A tear runs down my cheek as I slowly lean back off the building.