Chosen Legacy (Book Five of the Chosen Universe)

Chapter Thirty-Four

AUTHOR'S NOTE: There are some big (actually kind of huge) revelations coming in this chapter regarding a certain crazy old Shaman. If you want the full backstory, read Chapter Twenty-Six of Tales from the Rebellion, entitled Haven. Also, the more I'm writing this fic, the more I realize it's getting bigger and bigger... It's already very long, and I don't think the story's ending any time soon. With Zell's new inner conflict and everything that's coming out, the story took on a whole new direction, and I think it's going to continue for a while. So, there may be a final sequel coming, after the major plot points of this fic and Zell's arc are resolved. It's that, or this fic is never going to end, LOL. We'll see, but I think that's the direction things are heading in. If that is the case, then this fic should be wrapping up sometime in the near future.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

CALLIE
She had finally come up with an escape plan. The Rangers were distracted and grieving. It was the perfect opportunity.

"We're leaving," she said to Sharon in the dead of the night.

"Callie? What's wrong?" Sharon asked in confusion. She sat up in her bed and pulled on her glasses.

"It's time to blow this place, Sharon. I'm sick and tired of our prison guards."

"This isn'a prison, Callie. They're good people. They've taken care of us."

Callie packed a bag of essentials for her as Sharon protested. "We need to get back to Great Zell. That's where we belong, not playing house with these goody-two-shoes morons."

"But... I like them, Cal... They knew my ma."

"So did Maya and Damon. They were her best friends."

Sharon seemed to consider this. "I just hate ta run off on them when they've been so hospitable..."

"So send them a fruit basket or something... But we don't belong here, Sharon. I stuck around to keep you safe, but this is our chance. We need to go. Now."

Sharon sighed. "Okay," she agreed.

Callie was relieved. "Good. I packed enough clothes and supplies for a few days while we search for the new base."

They snuck out while everyone was fast asleep. It was easy... Too easy. Callie kept her guard up.

Sure enough, they ran into trouble moments later. "Going somewhere?" Astronema, or Karone, or whatever she wanted to call herself asked.

"Just felt like taking a stroll," Callie replied dryly.

"Stroll's over. Get your ass back to the house."

"Eat shit."

"Callie!" Sharon said in horror.

"Watch your mouth, Little Girl," Karone said sharply.

"Don't call me that," Callie said.

"Then quit acting like one. Knock off the temper tantrum and go back to the house."

"You kidnapped us. That doesn't mean we have to respect you."

"We took you in after our friends rescued you. A little gratitude might be in order."

"Miss Karone, o' course we're grateful," Sharon said nervously.

"You are. This brat's not, and frankly, I'm sick of her teen angst bullshit. You think you're a big badass, Callie? Guess what... I was the biggest evil in the galaxy for a while. Trust me, you don't even come close. You're just a scared little girl beneath all that rage. I know. I was the same way."