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Chapter 29

   Zane couldn't speak. He couldn't move. He couldn't think. He could only stand there, blood caked on his clothes. "Look at you", the president exclaimed. "You are a mess. You should not have been left in here."

   President Ben-Judah took Zane by the hand and led him out of the small room back to the white room. Guards in black uniforms were standing at the ready, guns raised. That wasn't what worried Zane. Where's Josh?, Zane wondered, looking around for any sign of his friend. Where'd they take him?

   "You all should know better than to keep a guest locked up", President Ben-Judah scolded, "especially in a room like that. That is... how do you say it? Low? Yes, that was very low of you. All of you."

   The guards lowered their guns. Zane could sense that they seemed confused at the president's actions. Zane couldn't help but feel the same way. How did he know I was in there? Why is he helping me? Is he one of the good guys?

   "Everyone leave us", President Ben-Judah ordered. "I need to fix what you all ruined."

   The guards were hesitant, but they left, filing out of the room and up the stairs.

   Zane looked up at President Ben-Judah, his confusion only growing. "How did you know I was down here?", he managed to ask.

   The president turned his attention back to Zane, his stern gaze turning soft. "I always know when my people are in need", he answered, "and you were in trouble, so I came down as fast as I could."

   Zane couldn't help but sigh in relief. He was more than happy to have the president here to save his neck, especially from his own security. "How did you know where I was?", Zane asked.

   President Ben-Judah chuckled. "I told you, I know when my people are in need." He paused, "That includes you, Josh, and your quest to find Erin. That's why you came down here, right?"

   Zane's heart almost stopped. "How did you know that?", he asked slowly.

   "Well first, I know everything, and second, I knew you and Josh would jump at any clues or hints to find your friend, so I had you come down here."

   Zane took a step back from the president. "You had the painting tilted?", he asked hesitantly. It couldn't actually be true. Could it?

   "I wanted to talk to you", President Ben-Judah said gently, "the both of you. I needed to tell you the truth."

   "The truth about what?", Zane asked, taking another step back.

   "About Erin", President Ben-Judah answered. "About the guillotine. About the room you were locked in, which I am very sorry for."

   Zane stared at the president, his heart beating against his shaking chest. "What about them?", he asked slowly, trying his best to suppress his ever growing fear.

   The president stared at Zane with this look of sadness and what seemed like compassion. "Your friend, Erin, was a wonderful creature. A good child and friend." He paused, giving a soft, sad sigh. "It pains me to say this, Zane- to you especially, but you should know."

   "Know what?", Zane asked, the suspense almost killing him.

   "Zane, Erin was a terrorist."

   Zane had to stop himself from passing out. "W-What?"

   "It is true", the president nodded sadly. "She and her whole family were part of the terrorist group that has been threatening our country for years."

   Zane's body begged him to sit down, but his legs wouldn't budge. He wanted to breathe, but his heart disagreed. "That... That can't be right", he managed to get out. "She... She couldn't have..."