The Insiders

Chapter 44

Chapter 44- Sharlene
I hear a knock on the door. No, that can't be right. It's at least 3 in the morning. I hear the knock again. I sit up and look around the room. The room is dark except for the light pouring in from the crack between the doors and the floor. There's just enough light to see Thomas sitting up in his bed wearing a loose grey t-shirt.
'Did you hear that knocking?' I place in his head. He nods in return.
'Should I get it?' He asks me through thought.
'No, just be ready to back me up.' I reply as I quietly slide out of the covers. When I begin to walk Coren's blue t-shirt that I am wearing falls past my shorts. I hear the knock, only this is the loudest I've heard it. My hand reaches the door handle and I begin to turn it.
I stop. What if it's an Outsider? I let go of the door handle and go to my closet. I open it and find the knife I've been keeping here. I swiftly move back to the door.
"What are you doing?" I hear Coren ask me sleepily. I turn around and give him a nervous smile as I grip the knife in my hand. I whip the door open with the knife raised.
"Sheesh," Steve says leaning against the wall across the hall. "That took you long enough." He walks into the room and turns the lights on. Everyone groans from the sudden light.
"Everybody up," Steve instructs loudly. "Sharlene, shut the door please." I do as he says and walk towards him.
"Steve," Bryce sits up in his bed rubbing his eyes. "Why did you wake us up?" I look back at Steve who is wearing dark jeans and a black warm up sweater.
"Everyone get up and dress in dark layers." He says.
"So you woke us up because you couldn't decide what to wear?" Coren teases him.
"I know this might be hard for you to understand, but I think you should go with less black." Bryce continues the joke. The boys look at each other and laugh.
"Ha-ha," Steve says seriously, killing our smiles. "Now get up and dress in dark layers." Steve rips the blankets off of Coren revealing his plaid pyjama bottoms and toned abs. Coren begins to stand up.
"Why, Steve?" Amy questions. "Why do you want us to put dark layers on at three in the morning?" Bryce jumps over her to get off the bed, but Amy stays there waiting for her answer.
"Because you guys are going to leave headquarters." I gasp. My brain rushes through so many thoughts that I can hardly focus on anything.
"I heard what you said Shar," Steve turns to me. "And you were right." A smile appears on my lips. We're leaving. I run up to Steve and hug him tight.
"Thank you." I whisper, holding back tears of happiness. I can't stop smiling. I don't want to.
"You're welcome," Steve breaks the hug. "Now hurry up. We need to leave before Liane wakes." We all spring into actions, ripping through our closets for clothes.
"The safe house will have clothes, food, and everything your room had, so no need to pack," Steve tells us. "Just wear dark layers. It will help you hide if needed and adapt to the weather easily."

We quickly finish getting our stuff on and line up in front of Steve, except for Amy of course.
"Amy, remember I said no packing." Steve teases her.
"I'm just grabbing a few things." Amy continues to rip through her closet. While she's doing this, I glance at the rest of us. Coren looks great in his black pants and black hoodie. Unlike Thomas who looks nothing like himself in a dark blue sweater and dark jeans, Bryce just looks like himself in a dark green zip up and black pants. Finally, Amy joins us in line wearing the exact thing that I am; a black athletic sweater and black leggings.
"Alright," Steve says. "Ready?" I mentally go through my closet.
"Alright, let's go-"
"Wait!" I run to my closet and open the door, revealing the group picture we took weeks ago. I unzip my sweater pocket and fold the picture in it. I walk back to the line.
"Now I'm ready." I smile. Everyone smiles at me too. The excitement fills me like a balloon.
"Let's go then." Steve starts towards the door. I follow closely behind; everyone else behind me.
We don't make a sound as we move through the vacant hallways. Memories of battles passed threaten to come back, but I push them away, needing to focus on the task at hand. After a long nerve racking walk, we make it to the warehouse. Steve opens the door revealing a man standing by a black helicopter in the now roofless warehouse. The man has curly black hair and tan skin. He is also wearing black. I guess black is the new colour for the Insiders.
"Everyone, this is Azriel." Steve introduces the man. Azriel gives us a warm smiles.
"I know Sharlene," he kisses my hand. "But I don't believe I know the rest of you." He looks at Amy, Bryce, Thomas, and Coren. They all say their names, but Azriel doesn't kiss their hands.
"How did you know who I was?" I ask him. He opens his mouth to answer me, but Steve interrupts.
"No time for that," Steve walks toward Azriel. "Liane wakes up at five, and it's already four thirty."
"Alright, I'll get her started," Azriel says. "You guys can say your good-byes." Azriel turns toward the helicopter.
"Thank you Azriel." Steve shouts after him, but Azriel does not turn. We all look at Steve now.
"You're not coming?" Thomas asks with sadness.
"Somebody has to keep an eye on Liane." Steve smiles slightly. with that, Amy jumps and wraps her arms around Steve.
"Thank you." Amy says. He hugs her back and smiles. Bryce comes after a minute and takes Amy off of Steve. Bryce wraps his arm around Amy. He gives Steve a nod and then guides Amy to the helicopter. Thomas gives Steve a smile then follows Amy and Bryce. Their short good-byes bother me, but I think they're planning on seeing him again, unlike me. Coren wraps his arms tightly around Steve and pats his back.
"Coren." Steve chokes out under his breath.
"Sorry." Coren loosens his grip around Steve. Steve hugs him back. After a moment Coren lets go. He walks to the helicopter. He glances back at me. I give him a smile to get him to board the helicopter. As soon as he does, I turn my attention back to Steve. Right away he opens his arms for a hug. I dive into his arms and wrap mine around his body.
"You'll have to guide them out there," He tells me in a quiet tone. "You know more than them. Help them in every way you can." This makes me nervous. How is it that I, the youngest of the group, has to take care of everyone.
"I will," I part our hug. "But you have to take care of yourself and everyone here. Liane won't be happy that you let us go, and the Outsiders will come soon-"
"Sharlene." Steve stops my rambling.
"Sorry." I laugh slightly. We stand there for a minute in silence.
"You better get going." Steve breaks the silence. I nod and quickly walk toward the helicopter, knowing that if I stay, I will cry like a baby.
The inside of the helicopter is like the one I came to headquarters in. The inside is all metal and has a black bench on each side. I shut the door and buckle myself in beside Coren. His hand finds mine and we grip each other tightly.
"Everyone ready?" Azriel turns around and asks us. I nod my head yes, never being more sure of any decision in my life. The helicopter makes loud sounds. Coren passes me a headset and I put it on. I feel us lift off the ground and begin to leave headquarters. I sit back in my seat as I watch headquarters slowly disappears through the window.

END OF BOOK ONE