The Year 3000

Chapter 22: Making Decisions

Scarlett's POV

Previously:

"We need to go, I'll explain everything later," Michael said, almost reluctantly breaking away from Niall's embrace. Niall nodded affirmatively and ran off to catch up with Harry and his advisors. Then we were off, following the crowd to some place I didn't even know existed. The safe rooms.

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Michael grabbed my hand once again and began running while Niall left with Harry and his many advisors. We were forced to run at a normal speed, due to all of the people crowding the area. My whole body was shaking, even though I knew that I shouldn't have been frightened in the least.

It was the Rebellion on the other side after all!

A shudder ripped through my body as more explosions wracked the Palace, debris falling down from the vaulted ceilings far above. Thankfully though, in only a few short minutes, we arrived at a small entrance everyone was frantically trying to force themselves into. When Michael and I were finally next in line to go down the stairs into one of the safe rooms, I was just about to step through behind Michael, but someone grabbed my arm and forcefully pulled me back. Michael's frightened face was all I could see as he whipped around and tried to push past all the people to come get me, but the tsunami of vampires just washed over him and forced him back.

I was about to let out a loud scream, when my captor covered my mouth with a white gloved hand. I let out a muffled noise of surprise as I caught sight of his red uniform. This was a guard. My breathing caught in my throat as he continued to drag me into a small abandoned corner, far away from everyone and out of their line of vision.

"Stop struggling!" my captor commanded, and I froze.

I knew that voice.

I knew that voice.

"Ashton?" His name came out distorted because of his hand, but I knew that he could understand. Still, it was only until we were in the far corner out of sight did he finally let his hand fall from my mouth.

"What are you doing?" I tried my best to sound angry, but my heart just wasn't in it. It was such a relief to see him, alive and well. Warily, I glanced down at his Palace Guard uniform, "And where did you get that?"

Ashton completely ignored me and wrapped his arms around my torso.

"I'm so happy you're okay," he sighed. I tried to hold my breath the best I could, but I could still hear his heart rigorously pumping blood throughout his body. I hesitantly broke myself away from his warm embrace.

"You need to get out of here! If Harry finds you, you're dead. And so am I," I insisted, grabbing his arm.

"No, not without you. I told you I was going to get you out of here. Listen, this isn't the actual attack. Calum and-" Ashton was cut off as two figures came into view. One of which I knew all too well.

"Luke," I whispered. I felt my eyes begin to water. No, no, no! This could not be happening. He had just escaped. What the hell was he doing back? If Harry found him here, with me, he would have him strung up in the dungeons until the end of time. He would torture him and force me to watch. He would—

I wasn't able to dwell further before I was being pulled into Luke's chest.

Despite how much danger he was putting himself in just to be standing here, I couldn't deny how good it felt to be in his arms. But I knew this couldn't last forever; before long, someone would recognize Luke, and then it would all go downhill from there.