Back When the Lights Shined

Chapter Eight

The next morning, Ashton walks us the entire way to the fence, which is risky, being that they must have tripled the amount of cameras on the border. Jaydon still isn’t comfortable around Ashton. He’s better, though. Jaydon seems to understand that if I can be so trustworthy of someone said to be so dangerous, then it can’t be but so bad. Still, he thinks Ashton is untrustworthy, and isn’t quite enjoying the fact of me being around him so often.

            Ashton stops just a couple yards from the border and whispers his goodbyes to me. Before I can even begin to return the favor, Jaydon grabs my hand and pulls me the rest of the way to the border. Stumbling along behind him, I look back to Ashton, apologetically. I purse my lips, meaning to send a message of, “It’s going to take time. Give him a chance.” Ashton nods back in understanding.

            Jaydon and I walk along the border, hiding in the shadows so we are unseen. We take our places in like without saying another word. Both of us are thinking quietly to ourselves. I’m thinking about how long it will take Jaydon to accept this, and if he ever will at all. Jaydon is probably contemplating turning Ashton in, even though he and I both know he wouldn’t. That would mean giving me and himself up.

            Soon, we reach the palace wall. We give them our names, then receive our schedules. They’re normal, relaxing me a little. At least I know there’s going to be no intense questioning today. I compare my schedule with Jaydon’s, and realize we only have CT Training together.

            “Alright. Let’s go to breakfast,” he suggests. I agree and we begin to head to the mess hall. Suddenly, a CT stops me. Jaydon comes to a halt to, waiting for me just a couple feet away.

            “Miss, I’m going to need you to come with me,” the CT says. Confused, I hold up my pointer finger to Jaydon, asking him to give me a minute. I step aside with the CT.

            “What seems to be the problem, sir,” I ask.

            “Miss, we have evidence that you have crossed the border on several occasions with a Crazy by the name of Ashton. I’m going to need you to turn around,” he says.

            Suddenly, I go numb. He did not just say that. They world around me is an illusion. I can’t think straight. What’s that he said? I’m caught? My hands are trembling. I glance up at the fence, looking for something else to focus on. Ashton is there, perched in a tree just high enough to see. He’s worried for me, completely ignorant that he’s in just as much trouble. I return my attention to the CT.

            “Wha- what,” I ask, in complete shock.

            “Miss, I need you to turn around. You are under arrest,” he says.

            I realize I’m absolutely helpless rather quickly. I turn around slowly, facing Jaydon, and let the CT put me in handcuffs. Everyone, including Jaydon, watches the arrest in shock. I mouth to Jaydon, “Did you say anything?” He shakes his head, completely panicked. He puts his hands behind his head, obviously nervous. He looks around, looking confused and scared, like a little boy. Teary-eyed, I let the CT, along with another, grab my arms and lead me towards the palace walls. The walk is long and miserably embarrassing.

            “Zena,” I hear a voice call, panicked. I look up to the owner of the voice; Ashton.  He’s leaning forward on his branch, ready to jump over the fence to my rescue. If he does, we lose all hope. With tears flowing down my face, I shake my head frantically.

            “No, don’t! Just run,” I yell back. He seems to understand. Whether it be because of how urgent I made myself sound, or the sight of armed CTs galloping to the border, is unbeknown to me. I watch as Ashton jumps from the tree and disappears into the forest. Shots are fired in the general area, but there is no way they hit him. I would have heard something. He made it out, alive.