The Darkest Time

Children's League

After a while, Ryan woke me up. I looked around and noticed the car was hidden behind trees so that it wasn't viewable to the streets.  

"What's happening?" I asked. 

Layla looked at me, scared, and said, "We were being followed. It was an adult and were waiting to make sure we lost them." I understood.

We were being extremely quiet, so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. 

I heard a car door opening and I looked to Ryan. He motioned to keep quiet, in hope that they might leave. 

"Sasha! Ryan! Layla! I want to help you guys! I want to close the camps!" We hear a female voice say. We look at each other with doubt. 

"My name is Kate and I'm with the children's league. I understand If you don't trust me, but will you at least hear me out." I see Ryan's eyes widen at the mention of the children's league. 

I look out the window and in the distance I see a woman looking around. She doesn't look armed and if she looked in our direction, she would see the car. 

I look back at Layla and Ryan, who both look conflicted. I sigh and get out of the car hearing Layla and Ryan tell me to stop. 

I walk closer to this woman and when she sees me, she smiles. 

"You're Sasha, right? I can tell because of the gloves." I hear Ryan and Layla get out from behind me. 

"Yeah, I'm Sasha. How'd you find us?" Ryan walks up next to me and puts his hand on my waist, while Layla stands on the other side of me. 

"I was nearby when the mall, which you lived in, was attacked. I saw your car go by, recognized your faces, and knew I needed to follow so you wouldn't get taken by guards." 

"Why us? Their were many kids escaping that mall." Layla asks.

"You were from Caledonia. People are after them the most." She says all of that while looking at me. 

"You're from the children's league. Why should we trust you?" Ryan questions being protective of us. 

"You're Ryan. Liam told you bad things about the league, didn't he? We want the same goal." 

"I don't mean to be rude, but can I talk to Sasha alone?" Both Layla and Ryan say 'no' at the same time. 

"Sasha?" Kate asks me.

"Sure." I feel Ryan's grip get tighter. I look at him and say, "It'll only be for a minute. I can protect myself you know." He has a little smile after I said that and hesitantly nods. 

Ryan and Layla walk back to the car and lean against it. I look at Kate waiting for her to speak.

"They're after you the most, Sasha." was the first thing she said.

"Why?" I had a feeling I know why but I want to be sure.

"They know you're different. They want you to be their new guinea pig." And point for me on being right.

"My friends and I can protect ourselves." 

"Do they know? About you?" She looks at me questionally.

"No. They don't. I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't tell them." she nods as a 'I won't'. 

I wave my hand signaling that Ryan and Layla can come back. They walk over and look at me. I knew they were gonna ask me about this later.

"And?" Layla asks. 

"I'm sorry, Kate. You seem like a genuine person but we can't go with you. Thank you for the offer though." I say. She pulls something out of her pocket. A panic button. 

"If you ever change your minds. Press it and I'll come." She smiled and walked back to her car. 

We got into ours and drove off.