1 Chapter 1 - Joshua

I stare out the window into the trees, covered with darkness. Rain constantly patters on the roof, making a noise, annoying when concentrated on, but relaxing when simply heard. I turn my head and face Sarah. She's sitting opposite from me, curled into her hoodie, crying.

I glance at Amelia and Brandon, who sit in the passenger and driver seat respectively. I can't see Brandon's face from where I'm sitting, but from the little I can see of Amy's face, she's a mix of furious and broken. As for me- I don't know...

I unbuckle my seatbelt and slide over to Sarah. I start hugging her, and she snuggles into my shoulder, returning the gesture. Eventually she releases, but I remain in the middle seat. I can now see Brandon's face. A tear is streaming down his face. He looks like he's in so much pain he almost can't bear it.

"A-are you two okay?" I ask. Normally, if I asked if I asked if they were okay after something bad happened, they'd respond with the legendary 'Sarcastic Shit-Storm,' but this time, they just nod.

"Brandon, where are we headed?"

"We're about an hour south of Mandurah," he replies. "I'm just gonna head south until I can't stay awake anymore."

"Dude, we should stop," I say. "It isn't safe."

"Yeah, it isn't safe to stop either, IS IT?" he replies.

"Brandon, calm down. You need sleep. I'll drive." He sighs, and the car skids to a stop on the side of the road. We both disembark, and stand in the darkness, being pelted with rain. He tries to walk past me, but I block his path.

"Are you okay?" I ask, wiping the rain out of my eyes. Despite all the water on his face, it's evident that he's crying.

"I didn't expect you to take this so hard."

"It's not the attacks," he replies. "I don't mind all this. Just get out of Perth until it all cools off. But seeing Sarah like this." He signals to Sarah, who, along with Amy, is watching us.

"I've never seen her so sad before. I don't know what to do. I feel like I need to do something, but I don't know what it is." I gasp. "What?" I hug him and whisper to him.

"All it is eight letters."

"Wh-" I'm already in the driver's seat.

We all sit in in blue Mustang, speeding down the road. I turn the radio on.

"-Following the assassination of Scott Morrison, authorities attempted to apprehend the assailants, but they lost them in a high-speed chase,, in which they commandeered a blue Mustang GT," states the reporter. "They would appear to be heading south, but their exact location is currently known."

"Forensics have found fingerprints and DNA on a sniper rifle, and several unused explosives," continues the reporter. "Analysis confirms that the assailants were the teenagers Sarah Black, Brandon Hughes, Joshua Bligh and Amelia Ava. Prime Minister Scott Morrison was shot in the head with a sniper round, before several explosives were detonated to secure their escape, causing many casualties, including Black's own family. The group is officially ranked three to six on Interpol's most wanted."

I slam on the brakes, skidding to a stop on the side of the road. Tears stream down my face. I jump out of the driver's seat and run to centre of the road. I then throw up.

Now Amelia is driving. Sarah and Brandon are snuggled together, both crying. I sit in the passenger seat. The radio continues to state the fact that we're 'criminals'. I clear my throat.

"Now what?" I ask. "We can't go back. Interpol rankings don't just go away. We either get caught, die, or never enter a civilised area again. We're considered a threat. Like terrorists."

"We have three options," Amy says. "We surrender, we hide, or we fight."

"What do you mean fight?" Brandon asks, sounding annoyed.

"We get evidence to prove that we're innocent."

"From where?"

"I don't know. Security cameras, maybe?"

"Yes!" I shout. "We were in the crowd, so we coul-"

"No. The police would've already checked what footage that they could find. So either there was none or it was tampered with. Out of the question."

"We need a TV."

"Why?"

"I have an idea..."