Broken Apart

Chapter 4

"You know I didn't want to hurt him. It was self-defense." I began to pace, one had rubbing my chin and the other across my chest.

"We know but they don't." Ash appeared from behind a pillar. My hand found the bag on my back. I ripped it off and threw it at the ground, crouching.

"What do we do now?" James whined. He was sitting in one corner of the building, an old clothes shop, fiddling with a piece of cloth and a wire.

"Certainly, we can't leave until all the Lineman leave." I crouched beside my bag and pulled out a canteen. Holding it to my lips, I tilted it back until water filled my mouth.

"It's only an escort, they shouldn't be there long. Right?" Ash leaned against the pillar.

"Of course." I stood and passed the canteen to Corinna. "Let's see if we can get a clear view of the road. Maybe climb up to the roof?" I offered.

"Sounds good." Corinna grinned, unslinging the rope that was across her body. "Robin and I will climb. Ash, you stay down here and keep watch, yell if they enter the building."

"What about me?" James crept from the shadows, cautious of his surroundings.

"Just stay in the corner." She pointed to it with her free hand.

"I think I can manage that." He slid back into the dark.

Corinna and I made our way behind an old, dusted counter to a ladder. I began to climb, my feet finding one rung as my hand found one. Memories of my climbing the ladder at home flooded my mind. Would I ever climb that ladder again? Surely, I would.

Above me was a steel door that opened to the roof. I reached up and pushed. It whined and grunted, but opened, letting light flow into the darkness of the building. I went out first, my body trembling. My feet found the gravel quickly, breaking into a run.

I crouched, trying not to be seen, by the ledge. A black metal car in the shape of a box, was moving slowly between the Linemen. Stunned, I motioned for Corinna to join me. Gravel crunched when I shifted, afraid and nervous. My hand shot to my hair and I began to twirl it. The car pulled to a stop.

"It's Adira, isn't it?" I whispered, leaning closer to Corinna.

"I'm afraid so."

A tall woman dressed in a tight knee length skirt and trench coat stepped from the car. I could see the malice in her brown eyes. Her ginger hair hung in curls, reaching down to her mid back. Freckles sprinkled her face; her beautifully evil face.

"No." Moaned Corinna. Her head dropped into her hands and she let out a sob.

"What is it?" I widened my eyes, not letting my gaze waver from Adira.

"She's looking for me." The gravel crunched, and Corinna stood.

"Why would she be looking for you?" I leapt to my feet, careful not to make too much noise.

"I'll tell you later. We need to get out here right now." She grabbed my wrist and started to drag my toward the ladder.

"Corinna!" I protested, yanking her back. "It'd be best if you told me now." I gripped her shoulders. Her eyes averted mine. She swallowed and shook her head; I've never seen her so weak.

"It's Adira..." sirens blared before she could finish. I threw my hands over my ears and closed my eyes. They rung in my head, in my chest. I felt them shake the building.

"What's going on?" I shouted, opening my eyes. Corinna was gone, and the ladder was shaking with movement. I crouched beside the hatch and peered inside. A lilac blob was making its way down the ladder, slowly getting smaller. I did the same and made my way down. The sirens were quieter in the building. All I heard was shouts.

"What's going on?" James wailed, running from the corner with his glasses in hand.

"We have to get back home!" Ash ran to the bottom of the ladder, catching Corinna when she leapt into his arms, and setting her down. I moved my hands in feet quietly, descending. I pushed off and landed in Ash's arms, my hands on his shoulders. I gave him a nod and stood, slinging my bag back on.

"How do we get home?" I shouted. Everyone was standing in a circle, I took a second and studied them. Ash was calm, standing straight; James was rapidly rubbing his glasses with his sweater, trembling; and Corinna was shifting nervously, her body tense and her cheeks wet from tears.

Ash pulled his wrist closer to himself, checking his watch. He tapped it a few times before a small square shot upward, showing an image. It was a man sitting at a desk, The Colonies hidden by a wall behind him. Colony 15's governor.

A Holo-Watch. Special tech that lets you chat and get live tv messages in holographic form. Most kids had them, I did, I just couldn't call anyone.

"Good evening, Colony 15." The man spoke smoothly. "Coming from Adira Cane herself, we have a very important message. Everyone must remain calm, theirs is a lock down in part of the Colony die to Adira's arrival."

"What?" I shifted closer to Ash.

"Shh." Ash touched his finger to his lip. "Watch."

"We are In search of a thief, a Renegade who has commited crimes. The suspect is thought to be related to Adira. We believe she's out here, causing more havoc. Causing an uprising."

"Are you talking about me?" I rested my elbow on Ash's shoulder and pointed to myself.

"No, Robin. They aren't." Corinna face was slack.

"Oh god, we need to go. Now." I turned toward the door, but it was shut with two Linemen on the other side.

"The basement! Hide!" James yelled from a few feet away.

"What?" heat rushed into my body. There were Linemen surrounding the building now. Slowly, I made my way toward the steps; Corinna in between Ash and I. I raised an eyebrow and James and he dived underground.

"Go." I breathed into Corinna's ear, pushing her. She stumbled but gained her balance. I looped my arm around Ash's and we took another step. The stairs were at my feet, all I had to do was dive and I'd be safe from being shot.

Buzzing was all I heard before I felt my body go limp and the air around me go still. Nothing, just darkness.