Chapter Twenty Eight: Rescuing The Guardian

Despite Ashala's lack of training, her life spent underground taught her to be quiet. They had no problems avoiding the few guards who patrolled so late at night. By the time they made it to the tower, Aiden was feeling a renewed sense of confidence that had left him the moment his parents disappeared into a flash of light.

Aiden was quick to unlock Reacher's door. They found him curled into a ball in the far corner of his bunk, shaking and humming to himself. His huge blue eyes were the only colorful thing about him. The ground-in filth covered all his exposed skin, caked into his matted hair and beard, his scraps of clothing fouled by his own waste and the dirt of his cell. Aiden forced himself to breathe through his mouth, his own filthy shirt pulled up over his nose as his stomach heaved, unhappy at the stench. He was amazed Ashala ignored it, going right to the damaged Guardian.

"It's all right," she said, her voice soothing. "We're here to take you home."