It was close to midnight in the cells and most of the kids seem to be sleeping. Or at least trying to attempt to.
Tensions were high in the group. With Carter fighting with Max and Jaime and the fact that they have to escape AGAIN with more injuries then they had the first time is setting everyone's nerves on fire.
While the argument raged on both Liam and Maia coaxed the rest of the children to get some sleep so they're somewhat rested for tomorrow. Once they got the kids to sleep the turned back to the three that have been arguing since the grouping discussion came up. Liam didn't really understand why they wanted Carter on a leash but he wasn't just gonna stand there and let them control his friend, regardless of if they thought they were helping.
"Okay shouting match over, please and thank you." Liam said while rubbing his forehead gently. Great. Another thing to worsen his mood. "Can we please talk at a regular volume like the adults that we're forced to be?"
Though still tense and irritated, they lowered their voices down a bit.
"I still don't get why I need to be put into a group. This thing is my idea so why am I being put under surveillance?" Carter crossed her arms as she looked between Jaime and Max with narrowed eyes.
Jaime let out a long suffering sigh and before giving Carter a pleading look. "Carter we're just trying to protect you. You're still a kid-"
"IT DOESN'T MATTER THAT I'M STILL A KID!"
Liam let out a soft wince at the exclamation and gave Maia his thanks as she went to calm the kids.
Carter took a deep breath before repeating in a much softer voice, "It doesn't matter that I'm still a kid."
"It doesn't matter how old I am cause do I act my age? I want you to answer this question because I truly don't know." She waited a beat for an answer before continuing with a vengeance. "You two use the same exuse everytime. 'I'm just a kid' I don't know if you've noticed but I'm the last person you should be putting limits on just cause I'm a kid. I've been here for what feels like my whole life, and I know what I'm doing! I may be nine but I am NOT and can't afford to be defenseless. I can protect myself and I don't need you two suffocating me to do so."
There was a tense silence in the air that seemed to cover them like a thick blanket. Max made the first move to placate the raging child.
"Carter-"
"No."
Carter snapped her head towards Max and took a few steps towards her. "You're the last person I want to hear from. You've been trying to take control of my operation and put me on stand by since you've been back. You. Have. No. Right."
Once she was an inch or two away from her she jabbed a finger into her chest and punctuated each one with her next words. "You don't get to boss me around."
After a minute of silence Maia decided to step in.
"She does have a point you know." She said while moving to stand up. "You guys have been putting her on a leash since we started planning our next escape. I hate to break it to you but that isn't helping anyone."
Max dragged a hand down her face as she tried to keep her anger down. She just wants to do what's best for Carter, is that so bad?
"Look." She held her hands out in a placating manner. "I understand that your frustrated. I understand-"
"No you don't."
Max gave Carter a small frown before continuing. "I understand." She repeated. "I get how me coming in and messing up your whole role is jarring to you but please, trust me. This is for the best, even if you don't think so now you will when we get out of here."
Carter only answered her with a glare before heading over to her bed. She laid down and faced away from them.
Liam sighed softly and ran a hand through his hair. "You guys do know that Carter doesn't need to be coddled, I thought you at least realized this Jaime." He whispered with a tired frown.
Jaime bristled slightly though kept his ground. "You have to understand that if she continues leading her 'organization' she has a higher chance of being killed. She shouldn't have to act like this. She should be able to act like her age." He messed with the edge of his sleeve as he continued. "We're supposed to keep the kids safe, that's our top priority and even if she doesn't think so she's a kid too."
"I get that I really do but we're supposed to protect the younger kids." Liam said before motioning to himself and all the other kids in the room. "If you were to put restrictions on all the kids to protect them then we wouldn't be doing anything. We can't afford to protect all the kids cause we ARE kids. We're just acting like we're older cause we have to."
"I get your concerned but now is not the time to act on them. We can deal with that when there's less of a chance we'll die by the end of the week." He crossed his arms and gave a face of stubborn defiance.
"Carter has proven time and time again that she is a leader and a damn good one at that. So if anything goes wrong and she says to do something, I'm following her." Liam said before turning to face Max. "Cause even though your older doesn't mean you know best."
With that he turned and headed over to his bed. Maia gave them one last withering look before heading to bed herself.
The next day the conversation was dropped though the groups didn't interact much until their escape.
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If you don't like how I wrote your character please tell me so I can edit this and make it b e t t e r
Credits
Carter belongs to Zetsubo_no_joo
Maia belongs to -K_A_R_M_A-
Jaime belongs to argentum-campanis
Max belongs to LilBabyApple
