Rebel

Chapter 7

Maddy's heart pounded so loud, she was scared Jacob could hear it. They had carefully made their way through the long and winding corridors, making sure to avoid anyone Jacob knew. Pressed up against a wall and itching to get out of the tight, rough guard uniform, Maddy looked at him expectantly. "What now?" He smiled, his big, dark blue eyes seeming to pull her in.

"Well, if they were captured, they would have been brought to the underground section." He gestured towards the door he had led her to, his face turning from laughter to sinister. Maddy gulped, imagining the deadly traps and vicious guards that lay behind the doors. "But it's heavily guarded and we will need fingerprints to pass through some doors, because I'm just a lower-class soldier and I'm not allowed access. If they see us on the security cameras, it will take them approximately 35 minutes to get ahold of us." Maddy noticed the way Jacob moved when he spoke. His stance was straight, his jaw set evenly, and his eyes seemingly emotionless, yet holding kindness and laughter behind them if you looked close enough. Maddy knew this was because of the security cameras, so she tried to act more like a soldier. "We will need to be quick about it. It doesn't matter how much noise you make, they will see us anyway. Just be as fast and smooth as you can." Maddy nodded.

"Trust me, I know." Every time he smiled, dimples appeared on the sides of his mouth and his dark blue eyes brightened.

"Are you sure? These commanders are merciless. They've trained for years." Jacob told her, his expression concerned. Maddy looked at him as if he was crazy.

"Did they grow up scavenging for food and living on the streets of Brooklyn? " She snapped defensively, heat flushing her face and anger thumping in her veins. What was he thinking? He had no right to assume how her life had played out. Jacob's face crumpled, pity filling his eyes.

"N-no that's not what I-"

"Save it." Maddy interrupted him, straightening her posture and approaching the door that lead to where Leo hopefully was. A smile crept onto her lips, making the edges of her mouth curl up slightly. "Are you coming or not?" Jacob followed her into the damp, dark hallway. Shadows engulfed them, and Jacob leaned over and whispered into her ear,

"We need to run, just to be safe." Automatic lights flicked on the second Maddy took a step, blinding their eyes with white light. She peered down the hallway, only to see another bright red door at the end of it.

"Yeah, I know. c'mon." She sprinted down the hallway, surprised to realize Jacob was easily pace with her.

They reached the door, pressing their backs against the wall in case there was someone at the other side. Maddy's heart pounded a steady rhythm in her chest. "I told you, we're trained to run and fight." He whispered under his breath to her, crouching higher to peer through the keyhole in the door.

"Is someone there?" Maddy asked under her breath.

"Yeah, it's a guard. Its fine, they look easy to take out." Maddy sighed, relieved. The two stood, standing tall and fixing their expressions. Jacob grabbed the handle of the door, opening it without hesitation and walking past the guard with a mere nod. Maddy imitated his motions, passing the guard quickly and smiling, her pulse thumping in her ears with excitement for what she was about to do next. Suddenly, she turned around, bringing her fist to their cheek with full force. She watched as they turned to cover their face, but this was exactly what she was looking for. She leapt on top of their back, wrapping her hands around their neck until they collapsed onto the floor, taking gasping breaths.

"And don't you dare make a move to warn anyone." Maddy said harshly, her eyes angry and fierce. She stood up and turned back to Jacob, and he grinned goofily, even in the situation that they were in.