Protected Slaves

13. Execution

The Innovates were excited. A buzz of voices ran through the crowd as Miles and I entered the training room. Michael walked over to us so that he could speak with Miles. Michael gave me a look that suggested that I should disappear. I rolled my eyes at him and made my way towards the group I would be working with tonight. They greeted me warmly and I was happy to know that I had made some friends tonight. Andrew came up beside me with my mother and Alex on his heels. He grabbed my arm and dragged me away from the groups and Michael.

My mother and Alex glanced around the area while Andrew continued to stare at me. Once everything seemed to be okay they moved closer to me and spoke in low urgent whispers.

"You need to be careful tonight," Alex warned.

"Watch your back," Andrew said.

"Concentrate on using your power instead of fighting," my mother advised.

"Why?" I demanded.

"Don't trust Michael," was my reply from all three.

"Why?" I repeated.

Andrew, Alex and my mother walked away from me. Ignoring my question again. I went to follow them but Michael's voice stopped me in my tracks. I gazed up at him to see that Miles stood beside him, rigid like a solider.

"Everyone I want you back into your groups. It's time for us to leave," Michael said. He turned and said something to Miles which caused him to nod.

Miles darted down the stairs towards his group but on his way there he grabbed me and pulled me in for a hug. I threw my arms around him as if this was our final embrace. Tears welled in my eyes but I swallowed them back. I had to be brave. I had to be brave.

Miles pulled away from me and kissed my forehead before he went to join his group. I watched him leave with longing. I wanted to be near him, I wanted to be with him. A strange pull came from his direction but I knew that I couldn't go with him. I was stuck here with my group.

We all made our way out of the building and we began to run with our weapons in our hands. I took the lead for my group because I knew my way through the Restricted and Protected Zone better than they did. It took all my strength to keep running beside the Innovates I had been assigned to stay with. I wanted to run with Miles. I could feel his hand in mine as I ran. I missed the real feeling of his hand in mine as we ran. It felt like a game when Miles and I ran together. We would both laugh and I would watch as Miles somersaulted in the air before reaching out to grab my hand and run with me once again.

I hated knowing that the reason why I was running was because I was on a mission to bring the Officials down. Sure I wanted to bring Viktor and the Officials down but I would rather be with Miles and Michael knew that. He knew all too well how much I depended on Miles and he split us up.

We reached the Protected Zone which caused unease to replace the excitement. I felt at ease here knowing that this was my home even though I never wanted it to be my home. We continued to run until we reached the place where the meeting was being held.

The groups split in half. Miles' group darted ahead of us so that they could break into the building and my group hung back behind me. Since I had the most important power I was supposed to go in first. I switched the safety off of my gun and I gave the group in front of us a ten minute lead before taking off after them. Anticipation shot through the group as we waited for the time period we were allotted to wait for to pass.

"Calm down and stay silent!" I commanded. "Stealth is our best advantage right now and we need to remain silent so we don't get caught. If we get caught that means that people we care about die!"