Chapter 8 [StopRewind]

Capricorn 15 / 2261 14:52

We eventually got to a dead end. I froze, sitting back and hitting my head on the low ceiling. I swore and rubbed the back of my head.

"I swear this had to be it," I whispered. I heard his breathing gradually get louder. I turned to face him. Because of how tight the tunnel was, Legend couldn't sit up. He remained on all fours, his back brushing the ceiling. Damn it. He's panicking again. I held my hand out to him. "Hey, it's okay. Give me a minute."

He gave a short nod. I stared at him for a moment to make sure he was calming down. Once I was satisfied, I turned my back and stared at the wall. Secret passage. Selene must have used the old lock trick. My bracelet had a scanner to find the button to unlock the door. I went to tapped open my bracelet and froze. The thin metal was dented into my skin, causing one of the more extensive wounds.

"There goes that plan..." I muttered. I looked at the oddly flat wall and took a breath. Old fashion way then. I started at the top corner, pressing as hard as I could on each spot. Eventually, a soft click told me I had found the button. Hidden in the middle, just left of the center. I looked at the Legend and forced a thin grin. "See."

I turned back and pressed it open a few quarters. I peered in and saw Greflin crouched against the wall. The tall man looked tiny with his hands tangled in his dark hair and curled into a ball. His eyes locked on the ground. I pushed it open a bit more and looked around the room. It was empty other than Greflin.

"Huh, some luck," I muttered as I stepped in. Greflin looked up, his eyes widening in confusion. My body jerked to a stop, and I stared at him. His dark eyes were the same as Isabelle's, with the same thin face and full lips. Seeing him in person sparked a memory.

Get down! I tackled the tall man as the gun fired. I felt the bullet strike my shoulder.

"You." I breathed. He stood. Recognition crossed his face, but he suppressed it. I thought back to when I first met him. The protest that turned violent. Him at the lead, begging the Master to listen.

"Help or arrest?" He asked. His voice shook me out of my daze. On his lips was a thin smile. I couldn't help but smirk at his question.

"Bit of both," I answered. Greflin chuckled, bowing his head. Legend crawled out of the tunnel and straightened to his full height. I looked at him and tilted my head. "Feel better?"

Legend looked at me and nodded. I smiled and nodded before turning to Greflin.

"I bet you feel pretty annoyed at the Legion," I said, bringing the handcuffs out. Greflin stood and held his hands out. A wary glance at Legend made it clear he was well aware of what they were capable of. He should, of all people, since his mother created them.

"Why would I be, other than being locked up." He asked. He looked at me and smiled. "You haven't changed a bit. How old are you now?"

"Don't worry about it." I snapped the handcuffs on. Part of me hoped he didn't remember me. "Try to break them, and you'll get shocked, got it?"

"Got it, princess." He smirked. My eyes jerked up at him. "How are you, Ryder?"

"How did—" I started before glancing at Legend. I shook my head and turned to glare at Greflin. "I recommend shutting up. Greflin."

"Don't worry. Most families go by the men's names." Greflin shrugged. He knew I didn't want to be known. "By the way, I never got to thank you."

"Thank me?" I turned to the door. I tried pressing the top left corner. Nothing. The door remained sealed. I swore and began pressing on different spots. Every door in every military base had the same hidden buttons. They were there as a backup in case the door's electronic locking mechanism failed. But over the years, people forgot about these buttons. Partly because there was no universal place for the switch.

"For saving me. Stopping Frederick." Greflin said. "Taking a bullet for me."

I touched my right shoulder without thinking. Under my shirt, a ragged white scar sat there, hidden amongst the rest. I swallowed and tried to focus on the door. Top left, about a foot from the sides. I pressed on the spot, feeling it sink in about a quarter.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I stated. I drew my dagger with my left hand. I jumped forward when the door hissed open. The Zerian turned, shock on his round face. I ducked under his swinging arm and stabbed him in the throat. I struggled to catch his body and pulled him into the room. When I did, I quickly hopped over him and peered into the hallway. It appeared deserted.

"So you're hiding? Still? I figured you would have grown out of it." Greflin looked at Legend and chuckled. "I'm sure he won't care about your past. Do you?"

"Shut it, Greflin." I glared at him. "You don't talk to him."

"Protective. At least that hasn't changed." Greflin said. His eyes flickered down to my stomach. "What happened to your arm?"

"Greflin. Shut. The. Hell. Up." I growled. Greflin chuckled and looked at Legend. Legend only shook his head. "Come on, we need to get out of here."

Legend grabbed Greflin's arm and pushed him forward. I gave my Legend a nod of thanks. I turned back to the hallway and hesitated. I looked back at my arm and bit my lip.

"Legend, you lead." I flipped my knife around and held the handle out to him. I gritted my teeth and stared at his chest. He tilted his head left. Questioning if I was sure. "I can't fight very well with only my left. You're stronger than me."

He gave a slow nod and took my knife. The minute the blade left my skin, my body turned cold. I was never without my knife. Without it, I felt defenceless. I swallowed and took Greflin's arm instead.

"Giving up your knife?" Greflin raised an eyebrow. I tightened my grip on his arm and shot him the darkest look possible.

"Shut up." I hissed. Legend led the way down the hall as we followed. I watched Legend, pulling Greflin with me.

"So, how long you two been partnered?" Greflin looked down at me. I tightened my hand around his arm until it bruised. He winched. "Right, sorry."

"Don't act like you know me." I snapped. My stomach twisted into knots. The entire base was falling apart, which made me nervous just walking. The walls crumbling and cracking. They held stains from bullets and grenade blasts. My mind scrambled to recall what happened here. The Legion marched on the base, crashing through the enormous gates. Somehow no one noticed until the Legion were at the gates. "Legend, take us to the wall, we can jump down and head into the woods."

Legend gave a slow nod. Greflin scanned the hall.

"When did you get a partner? You work alone." Greflin looked back at me. He tilted his head, and his brows furrowed slightly.

"Don't even get me started," I muttered. Greflin glanced behind us, his brow furrowed.

"I have guns hidden just outside the base," he said. I narrowed my eyes and looked behind us to see the hallway empty. I looked back at him. "I know you don't trust people, but you're injured, and your Legend won't be able to protect both of us. If we can get to the guns, we might be able to take back this base."

"My orders are to bring you in. Not take back the base." I said. Greflin took a breath and glanced at the Legend. I saw his fear. He must have grown up learning about Legends like me. But, where I was raised to admire them, he was raised to fear them. "What is it? Talk."

"Do you trust him?" Leo asked. I paused and looked at my Legend. He looked back at me as if wondering the same thing. My mind screamed no, but my voice decided otherwise.

"With my life," I answered. Acid filled my mouth. My Legend bowed his head before continuing to walk. He could sense the lie. I knew that. I bit my lip and looked at the Leo. "I trust him."

"I'm shocked you'd admit that," Leo said. A sad smile played on his lips. He leaned close to my ear and whispered. "You're lying."

I lowered my eyes and looked away. My mind screamed, wondering how he knew that. I stared at the Legend's back. From the moment I saw him, I knew that he wouldn't hurt me. That he would protect me, with or without Jermia's orders. It was those orders that made me not want to trust the Legend. But if Jermia hadn't said anything... I'm not sure how I would have felt.

"... treated like shit." Leo said. I tuned back in and gave him a confused look. He gave me a knowing look before repeating himself. "The Jareians are incredibly smart and strong, yet the Legion treat them like shit. Most of them fight only because the Legion will kill their families if they don't. If we can save those families, we can get the Jareians on our side."

"So that's your plan?" I asked. He nodded. "How do we do that?"

"We? You agree?" he blinked. I realized what I had said and shook my head.

"Uh, no. I'm just wondering." I flushed red at my mistake.

"I plan to free the Jareians. But I need help."

"Me."

"If you will." Leo tilted his head at me. I bit my lip and shook my head.

"No. You're under arrest," I stated, more to myself than him. My mind recalled sub-commander Jaxon who had teamed up with a Jareian before. The Jareian went to free his family, and no one heard from him again. It's happened in the past. Why, not again? "No. I can't."

"Are you telling me that or yourself?" he asked. I looked at him and opened my mouth, but no sound came out. I didn't know. I had no idea who I was trying to convince. We got to a small door where Legend stopped.

"What is it?" I asked, pulling Greflin closer. Legend pushed the door open a bit and peered through. He looked back at me and shook his head slowly. I slipped in front of him and peered through, my hand still gripping on Greflin's arm. The wall was crowded with Legion. It would be impossible to jump away without being caught. I took a slow breath, my mind racing. I stepped back, hitting Legend. I closed the door before turning and slipping away. I stared at the ground and thought. Maybe we need to get noticed. I raised my head and looked at Legend. I pushed Greflin to him and drew my sidearm. I had that, and some knives left. Not enough to win, but maybe enough to distract. "Wait until they're on me, then run."

"What!" Greflin hissed. "No. That's suicide."

"Maybe." I bit the inside of my cheek and watched Legend's reaction. He stared at me before looking slowly at the door. "Follow my order, Legend."

He gave a slow nod. I slipped out. The minute I did, the nearest Zerian saw me. I jumped down into the courtyard. My feet sent dust up as I landed. I spun and fired at the Legion.

"Hey, uglies," I shouted. Bullets rained around me. I darted behind an old jeep, listening to the energy bullets strike the old metal. I glanced over and saw Legend and Greflin jump the wall to the other side. I took a breath of relief. I clicked out the magazine and looked at the clip. Four bullets left. Four against at least fifty Legion. Okay, play it smart. I jerked up and looked around before hiding again. Two barrels of oil at the far end of the courtyard. The bullets in my gun had an after fire, implemented after Cleo and I found that shells alone couldn't light oil. We got bored one weekend. The shell would explode on contact with the barrel and then the after the fire would light it. The only issue was my left hand. I had a 75 percent hit rate on my left.

I jolted up and fire a single shot at the barrel furthest from me. I ducked down and waited. Nothing. I missed. I gave a frustrated growl. I heard the metal weakening behind me. I peered over and saw some of the Legion had jumped off the wall. They were trying to get around the jeep. A flash of gold blew past me. Pain spread through the side of my head. I ducked back down. I pressed the back of my hand to my head. When it pulled away, it was red with fresh blood. The wound wasn't deep, but since it was a head wound, it would bleed a lot. I could smell burnt hair. That was way too close. I jumped up and fired at the barrel. I jerked my hand and shot at the second. I dropped to the ground again.

This time I was rewarded with two explosions and a collection of Legion screaming. Bullets still rained down on the jeep, mixing with flesh and blood. A few energy bullets started to burn through. One stung my arm. Molten metal splatter across my face. It felt like my skin was on fire. I bit on my tongue, fighting down my scream. I cast a quick look at my arm and saw the burn. My sleeve was on fire, making the injury worse. I quickly patted it out.

Legend and Greflin must be about halfway to the pickup point. One bullet left and three throwing knives. I glanced over the edge of the jeep. There was about twenty Legion left, all of them firing at my shield. I sunk to the ground and closed my eyes. Fear pounded in my veins. I can't win. I can't win this. Suddenly I felt very alone.

My chest burned. My breathing caught in my throat every few seconds. My entire body hurt. My head felt cloudy. I couldn't focus my vision on anything for more than a few seconds.

"Bloody hell," I whispered to myself. I rolled to my knees and forced myself to my feet. Get up. Get up. I walked out from behind the ruined jeep. I raised my hands, my eyes looking at the team of Legion. Mostly Zerians with a few Jareians and Lunias mixed in. A bullet went through my right shoulder before a Zerian barked an order. All firing ceased. I met the gaze of the lead Zerian. He jumped off the wall and strode towards me. Behind him, I could see the trees stretching over the walls. The trees and... two large shapes. I jerked my gaze back to the Zerian. He was close to me. He unwound his tail, giving it a few flicks. The sound barrier broke with each movement. "Good fight..."

He tilted his head and raised his tail. A faint smile played on my lips. I saw the two shapes move. One jumped down while the others stayed up and fired. The Zerian's tail flashed towards me.

"But you lose," I whispered. I stepped inside his attack, so only his tail hit me. I jerked my pistol up and fire the last shot into his neck. The Zerian stiffened. His tail fell limp first, then his body followed. I jumped back behind the jeep. I could only sit there. Listening to the bullets fly and hit. Screams filled my ears. Screeching and barks of the Legion. My heart pounded in my chest. My veins burn under my skin. I could only sit there, feeling the pain rushing through my body. Even with my eyes open, the darkness surround me. Then I gave in to it.