The Patrols

-DISCONTINUED-

She's always gone along with what is happening, let the world pass her by. But the deaths that are going on need to be stopped. Eve has no plan and no way to stop them. All she knows is that she needs to start what can never end.

Somebody sees two shapes, Eve and Darke, moving, and reports them. The Alphas send out patrols that direct everyone what to do. But when word spreads that Eve disobeyed them, she's sent into another pod.

The pod welcomes her, and, after her command, starts to fight back. She travels with her friends, undetected, trying not to be caught.

But after they capture one of her dearest friends and she learns news of a death, her heart isn't in it. Luckily, her friends know something she doesn't...

With the knowledge of her crew, can she save her entire pod and the rest of them from Jamaa's wrath, or will she be forced to live in slavery for the rest of her life?

Find out in The Patrols.

Darke

Eve

Prologue

"Hold on, I see one," Eve instructed, beckoning for Darke to come closer. He followed her and saw the deer. Eve lifted her arrow, as well as Darke, next to her, and shot it.

Darke admired the deer, as they split it into pieces. The rest they usually took home for their families. When Eve got home, her mother rushed to her, engulfing her in a gigantic hug. Her sister, across the room, smiled and waved shyly.

"Where's Dad?" Eve asked, looking around at them.

"Oh, he's out mining again," Eve's mom assured her as Eve pulled the food out of the sack. Her mom cooked it and set it on the table. Their father came home late after, covered in soot. Dirt buried itself in his fingernails as well as blood, and tiredness laced his movements while work laced his eyes.

Eve wanted to hug him, but held back. If she did, she'd ruin her nightgown and her mother would be furious. The costs were pricey here, and they had to spare money to pay the Alleges, people that came by every weekend to take all the pod's gold.

Eve lived in a pod, one of the 10 that there were. The Alleges worked for the Alphas and all the Jamaains, up in Jamaa in the center of the pods. The pods were scattered around there, and some other places, like Yeoni and Taka, stayed far away from them anyway. There was usually no danger, but recently, there had been reportings of many deaths because of people disobeying the Alleges.

The TV screen lit up, showcasing a man, looking rather old, with grayed hair and yellowed teeth. It said this person refused to hand over extra gold because of a 'shortage' in Jamaa, and so the Alleges had to take matters into their own hands. Like that meant anything.

Truth be told, there was never any sort of shortage in Jamaa. There was always plenty for them there, and, every Monday, they received "new fashion" which was why, every week, the Alphas would take more and more gold on Sundays.

That night, Eve sat outside, looking at all the stars that crowded the sky. And as she gazed into them, she wondered what it would like to be one of them, floating freely in the night sky.

And suddenly, she almost wished she was.

One ~ Two Sides

I put another berry in my mouth and then dropped the handful on the ground. Darke looked at me, then down at the food, and finally, put a hand on mine.

I looked up into his eyes and saw warmth and care as he asked me in a softer tone than a whisper, "What's wrong, Eve? You know you can tell me."

"Yeah," I replied distractedly, still gazing into the distance. Really, I didn't know what was on my mind. That was the confusing part. First it was Darke's hand, still resting on mine, then it was my future, then it was our house, and my dad, and my family. So as I looked back in Darke's eyes, I realized he was my family.

I cleared my throat and then began, not lifting my gaze from where I'd put it, at my feet. "I'm scared of the killers, Darke. I'm scared that nothing will ever be the same because-" My voice cracked and I found it exceptionally hard to continue. Finally, I looked him in the eyes. "Because I'm afraid. They're taking our money and our food. We have to hide to hunt all the time just so we can feed our families. What if we can't? And what if our pod dies? All of them? The Alleges won't care what happens to us."

"Why should they?" Darke responded, hatred in his movements now as he stood up and threw the rest of his berries over the cliff. "They don't and they never will. I'll bet you they'd only care because they lose the gold they take from us, the prey they take from us, and the life they take from us."

I was speechless, and he continued. "We're the main source for mining and food, Eve, just like everyone else is the main source for weapons, and riches, and fashion, and making sure they have enough to eat. But because of that, they can't abuse our life and the way we do things."

"They already have," I said quietly, and turned around and stalked away.

✯✯✯

"It's alright, trust me," Asha said to me.

"Thanks, sis," I responded, my eyes locked on the TV. There had been three more deaths today, two from Pod 5 and one from Pod 8.

I closed my eyes for a moment, imagining what it would be like to be their family. Everything just.. gone. Not there anymore. And I found out that I couldn't. I couldn't even begin to think what it was like.

I locked my fingers with Ash's, our nickname for her, and suddenly, the world was spinning around me. What was wrong with a little faith here and there? I knew I'd have to stop all these deaths. Especially if putting myself in their place was so hard.

But when I said this to Ash, all she responded with was, "If you want to stop them, you need to do it. And just you. Nobody else can do it for you."

Two ~ What Is Me?

So I need to do it. But what is me?

So I thought. I thought for a long time, and then I realized the only part of the puzzle that was me was Darke. So I walked over to his house.

It stood near the fence which we usually hopped, but it was pretty sturdy anyway. I knocked on the yellow-tan colored door, and Darke's older brother answered it. Darke had 6 siblings. And that was it. His parents had died in a mining accident.

"Hello?" He asked, suspicion decorating his tone. "Eve?"

"That's my name," I answered, letting an awkward smile appear on my face. He nodded, then turned away and closed the door.

Finally, it opened again, and Darke stood there, wearing his tattered hunting clothes. I was genuinely surprised that he'd wore his hunting clothes, for wherever we were going to go, but didn't really know where we were going myself.

"Ready to hunt again?" He asked, but I just shook my head and took his paw, leading him away.

"What's wrong?" He asked, concerned. Again, I was a bit flattered that he was concerned for me, but there was no reason not to be. In this time of greed and money shortage, plus people shortage, everyone was dying to get away. Unfortunate they couldn't, not with Alleges everywhere around the borders.

The town was swarming with people scurrying about, anyway. "C'mere," I said, taking his paw again. He followed me when I let go, but it was just for precaution.

The forest was the only place we could sneak around from our tragedies. Suddenly, it was as if we were kids again, running through the forest on high speed, not caring about anything, and then I was a teenager, my father teaching me to adjust my grip on the bow, and Darke, the position he aimed it for.

There was a lot more to our backstory than just friends, but it didn't matter now. None of that mattered anymore. After our little game of tag, I nuzzled myself into him and looked out onto the sunset.

"We should leave here," Darke whispered quietly.

"What?" I asked, sitting up and looking at him. "You know we can't do that. There's Alleges everywhere, and besides, we definitely can't live here."

"We need to feed our families," Darke said angrily back. "We need to keep them safe!"

"We are safe!"

"No, Eve, we're not, and you know it. Within a year, this entire pod will have no money and no food. There's no doubt all the prey will get scared away at the gunshots which you know will come!"

"No, they won't! We're fine-"

"You don't understand." Darke said, his voice quieter now, back to a whisper. "You never understood, Eve." And then he turned and walked away.

✯✯✯

"You've been crying all night," Ash said through the dark.

"I know," I whispered back. "Just try and get some sleep."

Ash got up on her elbows. "Is it about Darke?"

"Sleep, Ash. It's too late for this." Besides, I thought, No scolding you could give me would be better than the one I gave myself.

Then Ash stepped out of bed and crawled in next to me. I stroked her hair, singing a lullaby in her ear. Finally, her eyes closed and, resting my paws over my chest, curled up and slept.

When morning came, my mother and father weren't in their beds anymore. I walked out of the room curiously, only to find my mother cooking. "Where's dad?" I asked. "Should I fetch more meat for dinner?"

"Sweetie, I bought some fruit yesterday. We'll be fine." Then she added, "But you really should visit Darke."

I shook my head and walked back into my room, sitting cross-legged on my bed. I groaned and laid myself out flat. "What am I going to do, Ash?"

She looked over at me and smiled sympathetically. "Look, I know you and Darke had a fight. You haven't acted like this since three years. What did you do last time?"

I shrugged, and she pressed on. "Remember? You need to calm yourself. Whatever you do, I'll stand by you, even if I die trying to get up."

I nodded, pushing back the tears that came. Stay strong, I reminded myself. For Ash.

For Ash. That's the only person I was ever going to work for.

"I'll stand by you, even if I die trying to get up."

Yes.

This was for Ash.

Three ~ "Real Quick"

"Hey, sweetie can you grab something for lunch real quick?"

There were two problems with the things my mom asked.

1. You can't 'grab' prey, especially not 'real quick'. And, the other thing was that it wasn't even lunchtime. But despite that, of course I put on my coat and set out into the winds.

It was still fall, but it was getting close to winter. The chilly weather signaled that some of the prey would go out and hibernate. Luckily, we wouldn't have to try and avoid bear tracks anymore, so that was good.

I climbed the fence after checking to make sure nobody was around, or looking. It was early into the morning, about in the middle of breakfast, so I didn't really expect to see any faces. Even if I did, I'd recognize them. We had a small living space before, but now that the population was going down in other pods, you'd only expect that when they visited ours, last, then they'd do the exact same thing. That was the worst part; you'd feel like you knew whoever died.

I crept silently through the trees until I spotted something. It, alarmed, became alert of my presence and scattered away. I tried this approach two more times, the one Darke used, but it wouldn't work.

This happened sometimes, so it wasn't the end of the world, but still, I was reluctant to climb back over the fence and head for home. Though I was extremely lucky. My paws were almost numb, and my grip was off, but I still had tried.

"Hey, mom, I'm home from-"

"Hi!" My mom rushed in, outstretching her arms. "How was your morning walk?"

"Good," I said, "But-"

Then I realized the doors were open across from me. I walked in there, placing a paw on the door with each step. "Hello?" I called, but jumped back when a voice answered.

"Ah, come in. I've been waiting for you; your mom said it wouldn't be much longer."

"The Alleges aren't supposed to be here yet," I said. "They-"

The man put up a paw to stop my rambling. "I know, darling, I know. But here's the thing. We cannot wait much longer because we have found news."

"News?" I couldn't help but tremble. "What kind of news?"

"News of something.. strange going on here. Different. And I think you just may be at the bottom of it."

✯✯✯

He found out. He found out. He found out.

"Wha- what do you mean?" My voice was quivering as I asked him this, but he paid no mind to it if he did hear it, or he just didn't.

"I mean that someone has been breaking the rules by going over that fence. Can you tell me why you and this.. mystery boy did it? To have fun? To be ambitious? Just for the fun of it?"

"Are you going to kill me?" My voice was strong and firm now. "Are you going to kill me?"

"Darling, I am not going to kill you. Do you know who I am? I am not a killer. I am merciful. Fact, I make sure your pods are safe; I make amends. And after this, I've moved the patrols in farther- yes, that's right. They'll be right here in your town."

I didn't move for a long time. Then I said, "So what's my punishment? That? That we can suffer any more?"

"Suffer?" He looked slightly taken aback. "Why, we take care of you!"

"We did it to live," I said through gritted teeth. "With you taking our money claiming there's a 'shortage', we had to make our own amends. We had no food, no money, no lives, nothing to live for."

"Well, then I'll give you something to live for," He snarled.

"Mr. Allege?" The soldiers at the doors, on the inside, opened them and, as he turned to walk away, he said 11 faithful words.

"My way cannot be broken, but I can. So can you."

Four ~ Captured

Scared.

I walked out, my legs feeling numb, and I looked my mom straight in the eyes. My voice barely above a whisper, I said, "Did you send me away for that? Did you trick me?" Her eyes met mine finally, and my voice rose on the last question.

Softly, she said, "It was for your own good-"

"No it wasn't!" I yelled. "That's what you think, but-"

"They haven't left," Ash said in a soft voice, barely a whisper. I walked over to her place at the window, peering out, and realized she was right. "What else do they want?" I asked.

I saw an Allege get out and head over to Darke's place. My heart quickened and I raced outside, calling. "Hey- come back here!"

An Allege held their gun, but a hand pushed it down. I couldn't help but growl under my breath, "Alle..." I stared after it as he stepped out into the pouring rain and cackled. "We'll take you, too."

Instead, my mind raced. Say instead.

But they didn't. By this point, my mother and sister had raced out. I wondered what they'd tell my father, and his reaction. The doors slammed shut and I crammed myself into the corner and shut my eyes, whispering comfortingly to myself. What would Ash do? I asked myself.

Look for a way out? No, that doesn't sound like her. Accept the situation? Nah. Wait, and fight back when the time is right?

I took a deep breath. It was hard, and I didn't like it, but of course, I didn't exactly have a choice. I kept expecting Darke to come in, and my heart raced at the fact of what they must've done to him. Then I remembered the leader, Mr. Allege, had said. Alle's words were We'll take you too. Which means that they must've taken Darke, as well as me. Then I thought about it a little more, and realized they didn't know it was Darke. I breathed a sigh of relief for Darke.

I tried to think back, but I couldn't remember any more cards, and they certainly hadn't split the van into parts, I knew that much. The likely possibility was that they had more than one car. So they'd come prepared.

Rage flared through me as I remembered my mother telling me it was for my own good. But if she had helped them, she must've known I'd get captured. I remembered her screams echoing, and her pale face, streaked with tears and rainwater, as well as a little bit of dirt, and then Ash, her clothes soaked, dirt caked on her shoes as she begged Mom to follow it, to do something.

For once.

My eyes closed again, and taking a deep breath, I used the last willpower I had in me to open them again, watching the white of the van doors with fiery eyes.

Yes, I decided, Alle could be broken.

And I was going to be the one to break him.

Five ~ A Pig and a Coyote

I was yanked out of the car. The Alleges certainly didn't show any mercy as they pushed me to my knees and handcuffed me. They showed the entire pod, which had gathered there, me.

My head started to spin around to look for Darke, and I realized he wasn't there. Relief washed over me, but it didn't last long since an Allege pulled my head back. Quickly, I turned it, looking out of the corner of my eye.

The blazing sun affected my skin and sent a horrible, stinging and hot feeling. My throat felt dry, and I couldn't move or I'd be whipped.

Leader Alle stepped out of the passenger side, a little while after, and addressed the pod. "Pod 1. This thing is from Pod 10. Yes, all the way from there. She has hunted in her- no, our territory. And guess what punishment she gets?"

I'd read about this before. These people worked for Jamaa itself, since they were so close. Closer than the rest of us, at least. They delivered things to trucks that carried them away, mainly clothes. As if that weren't enough, it was said that it was usually chilly and cold, not stuffy like it was at the moment. Apparently, the Alphas were on Alle's side. Definitely not ours, that's for sure.

"Now," Alle said, grinning, "Feel free to not make her feel welcome, and report any unusual behavior."

The workers saluted against their sweaty foreheads, and Allege's forced me to my feet, their hands on my shoulders as I walked, my hands still handcuffed behind me, gingerly against the sand, every step cautious and slow.

Finally, the cuffs were removed and I was pushed to the ground. The sandy floor itched against my skin and burned my knees. Still, nobody did anything to help me, just stood back. As soon as the van was out of sight, I looked up at the crowd, wondering if they got people like this every day. They stared back at me, and finally, I asked, "What are you going to do to me?"

"One by one, each person's paw went up. They ruffled their fur so it stood on end and then raised their paws higher. Like a ripple, the motion spread. They were showing respect.

But why?

✯✯✯

A coyote pulled me aside, supposedly ready to explain everything. She had a red coat, and her gray friend stepped over also. The light-colored pig introduced herself as May, the coyote April. I allowed myself a small laugh. "You're sisters, can I guess?"

"Adopted," May said, with a twinge of hurt. I knew how she felt; or at least, I thought I did. April visibly shrank back, and I sort of understood her- it was awkward.

"So, are you going to be my torturers or something?" I asked them, and a hint of a smile appeared on May's face, even despite the earlier events. I smiled smally too, then spoke again. "So, what do I do first, then?"

"We work."

"Are you guys.. from other pods?"

"Exactly," May and April said in unison. April added, "Yeah, we're from Pod 8." May nodded, and put her own speaking into the mix. "We tried to make an uprising. We've been trying, but we can't carry ourselves."

"Is that why you're being nice to me?" I asked, and both of the animals in front of me chuckled. May grabbed my paw, and then she led me away to a small square booth. She pointed inside. "There's only one more of us. She's a little... seasoned."

I wasn't sure what to think of that, but soon I saw what they meant. She looked rather old and dreary, as if all the life had been sucked out of her. I sat down next to her and put a cautious hand on her back. "Hi," I whispered. "How are you?"

She stared blankly into the distance, then back at me. Then she turned to the other girls and did a sign. They nodded, then looked back to me. "She- Ica- can't talk anymore," April explained. "She agreed to help us.. but she had an accident on the way. She looks as if there's nothing to live for anymore."

I silently agreed, but out loud, I just nodded and urged them to continue.

"Well, she's lived here. Barely ever goes outside," May said. "Even for excitement, like you. So, now, I guess we've got to do something."

"Do what?"

"You know, to fight back. You coming here must've been a good omen. A few paces away, there's a wishing well. I'm sure you must've saw it. Not only does it deliver shade in this heat, but we also like to make wishes."

"What kind of wishes?" I inquired.

"You know, about life." She shrugged. "We wished for something to tell us to move on, that Mom could move on."

So, their mom was the poor coyote? I stole a glance back at her. After I'd asked my question, I'd moved to listen by April. May continued, "And the day right after, you came. You're a symbol that there's still hope. Please, we need to fight back."

"I agree," I said hesitantly, then started to explain everything I knew about Alle, and his little visit with me. Their mom continued to stare blankly into the distance, but that was fine by me.

After that, they led me to full-body gear in a corner of the room. They explained it was crafted from Alpha skin, the skin of the fox Alpha. I'd never heard of such, but didn't care. I stuffed a lot of arrows in my pocket, hanging a few knives and a poorly-crafted bow from my belt. April explained that it was fireproof, and I could survive through anything. I asked her why she wouldn't wear the same one, but she just waved me off.

"So, when are we going to get started? We'll need all the pods together if we want to start an uprising." May said after I'd finished putting on the gear.

"Yeah, but how do we get them there?"

"Underground."

Six ~ Meeting The Wolf

"You're sure this is safe?" I asked uneasily, following May and April as they guided me toward a little hut on the end of a cul-de-sac. In my opinion, they were extremely lucky- who wouldn't like to have an actual cottage? Sure, mine was a lot, but still, this was more welcoming than the dreary atmosphere and tiring stairs. It sort of took the life out of it; but in this warm house, it felt airy and alive.

"Of course it is," April said, shooing me away, but even that couldn't calm my nerves. I'd barely known them for more than a day, but it was easy to trust them. I relaxed my shoulders and let my fur fall flat onto my body again.

A man opened the door. He was a wolf, like Darke and I, but his features were much different. "Hello," He invited warmly, despite his grim appearance. "Come on in."

I stepped into the house, and immediately the freshness of a heater washed over me. I sat in one of the chairs after being directed to do so, and before he could speak, I said, "Do you hate Alle?" Quickly, I covered my mouth, slightly embarrassed.

"Everyone here does," He said softly, then held his paw out to me. "Asher," He said. "Go ahead. I won't bite you." He chuckled heartily, and finally I connected my paw with his.

After shaking it, I mentioned the similarity in his name and my little sisters. He just smiled and nodded my head, and after I'd spoken, he took over.

"So, what do you need from me? I suppose-" He quickly nodded at me- "From your friend's question, you're up and at it again."

"Again?" I couldn't help but interrupt. "They've been here before?"

"Oh, sure," Asher replied. "Many times." He winked at the pig and coyote, before turning back to me. "Of course," He went on, "They've never brought a new person. Haven't seen one in years." I nodded, and he went back to speaking to the guests that led me here. "Well, I'm not sure if I can do much to help."

"We need the map," May confessed. "We need to get into your tunnels."

"To do what, exactly?" Asher's brow furrowed, and he looked at us, confused. Of course, he couldn't have been much older than me, but in the way he spoke, he almost seemed much older. Or at least more mature.

"We're going to connect the pods together," April explained. "It's dangerous work, but if we pull it off, we could fight against Jamaa."

"You probably couldn't," Asher said, "But still, I will help you. To make sure nothing happens to my map, I hope you do not mind if I follow you. That atlas took many years to make, and I couldn't risk it being in the fire of wars."

"We understand," May said. "Plus, it would be better not to take this journey with just the three of us. Where exactly is this atlas?"

"In here." Asher led us into a backroom, full of different artifacts. "My parents used to work in the Chamber of Knowledge," He explained, "Before Alle killed them. After that, I finished their work, even though I was still young."

"Are you older than us?" April asked.

"May and her," Asher said, pointing to me. "You're 17, correct?"

April nodded.

"Well, I'm 16. May's 14, I believe, and you look..."

"16," I answered. "Sorry I didn't tell you my name before; it's Eve."

"Beautiful name. Your name means 'living', did you know that?" He smiled at me, then inquired, "Is your name Evelyn or Eve?"

"Eve," I answered. There was a brief silence and then I added, "I believe my mother intended that to be the meaning. And I must live up to my name. I will live... until Alle is killed."

Seven ~ Sacrifice

I shook my paw off, hoping to get rid of some of the goo, but to no luck. As it stuck, so did my paws to the floor, and it was insanely uncomfortable, and stuffy, down in the tunnels. Not cramped enough we'd suffocate or get claustrophobic, but just enough that it almost drove you insane.

April heaved a gigantic sigh, many of the ones we'd all heaved since we climbed down the ladder and found ourself in the dark caves. I longed for fresh air, and the sense of security wasn't quite enough.

About a little more than halfway through, we sat down and breathed silently. I pulled a bottle out of my sack and we each took turns drinking from it. When we were done, I put the empty bottle back in the sack, handing it off to May. "Can you hold it for a while?" I pleaded. "I'm getting tired."

"Actually," May said, putting it at the edge of the circle we'd made, "I think we should take a quick rest. I think we're close to Pod 2, and besides, we could use it to help us through the journey." She cast a quick glance at Asher, but he merely nodded.

"I can take first watch," Ica offered through sign language- or at least, that was what May told me. April chuckled slightly and grabbed Ica's paw. "You've been walking a lot more than normal," She said, "And your breathing is slowing down a bit. Maybe you should get some shut-eye, and when we wake, you'll feel even more alive, alright?"

Ica nodded mutely, and resting her head on her paws, drifted off. As soon as her breathing had evened, I allowed myself to close my eyes and let darkness take me away.

✯✯✯

When I opened them again, I expected daylight streaming through a window, or even my mother's soft voice calling toward me, but I sensed neither. Widening them further, I squinted into the darkness. My eyes didn't have to adjust to much, but still, I had to blink rapidly a bit to get the blur and sleep out of my eyes.

I gave myself a quick washing, then gazed over to where April was sitting, perched up, eyes alert and darting around the place. On my other side, May dozed quietly. I felt a little bad for them. Had I dragged them into this mess?

Then I remembered it wasn't only for me. They'd wanted to stop them, too. I closed my eyes, my mind lingering on that thought. Unfortunately, it wasn't easy to fall asleep again, so I finally opened them and immediately shut them again.

Voices, muffled, could be heard, and I could barely make out whispering. I opened one eye, saw April and May arguing in a huddle, in hushed voices. I wondered what they could be arguing about. Groggy with sleep, I stood up and slowly made my way over.

May threw a move at her sister, tackling her over. Bits of rock flew everywhere, and I had a feeling April's sister had hurt her. I resisted the urge to run forward and tackle May herself, watching the pig with steady eyes. If she tried anything more dangerous, I couldn't hold back any longer.

Surprisingly, it was April that made the next move. She lunged on May, tackling her and pushing her over, just as May had done, but slightly better. Again, particles flew up into the air, and visions of Darke and I playing in the snow as snowflakes rained down on us drifted into my mind. Then the winters of hunting, where most of the prey had gone underground.

Underground.

I snapped my head up suddenly, wincing at the pain in my head from my abrupt movement. Carefully, I made my way over to the sleeping animals and nudged them quietly. "Shh!" I said, putting a talon to my lips. Getting the message, Asher nodded. Ica didn't need to; she wouldn't talk anyway.

We crept along the wall, and I realized the fuel for the fight had died out and they were back to whispering harshly to each other. Finally, after a few moments of this, Asher stepped into the scene, yelling at them to stop bickering.

"I know you like training, but this is not how we behave. We can't handle another scar on any of us. Now, let's get moving."

April turned bright red at the confrontation, and a thought popped into my mind, but I quickly dismissed it. I knew we couldn't let affections get in the way of the journey, and I was sure April was aware of it, too. Besides, even from the same pod, we had to be set up. We couldn't choose who we liked, or when we liked them.

May followed along glumly, sticking to her adoptive mother's side. Ica didn't seem to notice, but trailed alongside her nevertheless. I didn't want to carry out the caboose, so I went in the middle.

Bad idea.

There was a crash, and then a shaking, and then an explosion somewhere off in the distance. I whipped toward the sound, Asher and I waving everyone behind our protective arms.

"Stay back," I warned cautiously, "And keep Ica out of the way."

Ica moved her hands to her daughters and then stepped forward, taking Asher's paw. He didn't protest, and I whispered harshly to him. "Make her stay back!" I hissed.

"No," He said coolly. "She wants this, and we'd best give it to her."

My eyes widened. "No," I whispered.

For the first time, (or at least that I knew of), Ica spoke. It was three delicate, soft words, followed by a set of another: "I love you. I'll go check." She winced weakly, as if simply moving hurt her, especially without a crutch. Immediately I stepped forward, but Asher pulled me back.

Moments later, we heard an explosion. I spotted tears in everyone's eyes. I rubbed Asher on the back comfortingly, staring into the ash where Ica once stood.

Eight ~ Fire Really Hurts

"Go, go, go!" Asher yelled, pushing us along. The explosions got nearer, and everywhere we stepped seemed to cause more fire. Finally, panting, we crawled into a hole and heaved.

We looked down and saw the fire spreading. "We might be able to go at it in a few days," Asher said, panting, "But it won't be safe until then. The flames might go on for as long as the source is there."

"So we need to go look for it." May whispered, standing up. "I'll do it."

"We appreciate the offer, but if you did that, it would be suicide. We can't just run into fire. What we need to do is just wait it out."

"I'm tired of waiting," I spoke in a calm, quiet voice. "I've waited all my life for someone to save us, to defeat Alle, but the truth is, it was trash. My wish. It would never come true, and all hope was fading. And then I met you guys, and you explained what you were doing. Ica sacrificed her life. Without her, we'd all go up in flames."

"Yeah," April said, tears in her eyes. "My mother was a fighter until the end, Asher, and we can't give up now. We're all vital to Alle's end, but that's why we need to trap the fire."

"With what?" Asher snapped. "You two are stupid. While I understand your speech, we can't run into fire."

"Yeah, we can," I argued.

"Eve," Asher said angrily, "I know you think you can survive that, but you can't. There's no way. And if you try, you'll be dead within a minute." Then he rounded on April. "You, too. I expected more sense from you. You're too desperate. We can't go, and if Eve goes, you can't follow her."

"You mean... I can go?" I said at the same time April wondered why she couldn't.

"Exactly," Asher said. "April, May needs you. But for Eve?"

"Nobody loves me," I finished. "Nobody here, at least. My father might kill himself when Darke tells him, and even if he didn't, my sister and mother will be horrified. They couldn't carry on that way, and I need to feed my family. Darke can't do it all by himself."

"Who's Darke?" May asked in a hushed tone.

"The person I hunt with," I said, defensively, though I wasn't sure why. May nodded, and April glanced at me. "I wish you luck," She said.

Asher bowed his head. "I was wrong about you having nobody, but they'll survive."

"They'll survive? So my father, mother, sister, and friend, and entire pod that was counting on me- I was the only one that dared to bend the rules, and we got away with it for a long time. They saw me as the face of something new. They'll suspect I'm dead already. If I don't return soon, their hope will be lost." Without thinking, I shoved Asher a little farther into the hole.

He growled. "I'm helping you!"

"Well," I said, "You're not doing a very good job at it. Besides, I don't take orders from you. So in the powers of me, my family, and the Alphas- let me live or let me die proud."

With that, I jumped into the flames.

✯✯✯

Red and orange blazed around me as I dodged the dancing flames, my heart racing. I thought I hit a few, and the heat almost killed me, but still, whether tail on fire or not, I was racing through the fire, and I had lived.

But what was I meant to stop it with? Suddenly, I realized the arrow I'd tucked into my belt some time ago, along with a poorly-crafted bow, were hanging from it. I felt them, and, grinning, shot everywhere I could.

The arrows lit on fire, but did not burn. Instead, they stood, fiery, in the flames. I reached for one and pulled back immediately. I hurt, but it did not do any severe damage. I put another normal one and I hit the first hole I saw, near the edge of the cave.

There was a loud boom, and the fire began to dissolve. I watched in awe as it did so, then I remembered April's suit. She'd told me it was fireproof, and almost deathproof.

I stood in the middle of a ring of falling flames, they gripped the ground and pulled themselves into it. I got a singing pain every time I set paw on the stone, but after a while I got used to the slight pain and fell into a jog, then a steady sprint.

I called for them every minute of the way, and when I found the hole, I peered inside. Asher and April were sleeping already, and May was frozen, her face a mixture of shock and fear. "Did my gear work?" She whispered.

"Your gear?"

"Yeah," She whispered, her voice still remarkably quiet. Once she recovered, she explained a little more. "I invent things. I was saving them for people that were special, in case they ever could defeat Alle. I had faith in you, so I gave one of them to you."

"Why do you save them?"

"Because it took my mom 20 years to start them. When people found out, they shot her- the Alleges did. I tracked them and ended up near Ica's house. She welcomed me in as a part of their family, and I continued my work until I was finished. Since my mother's death was one of betrayal, I got sent here. April and Ica followed, and we built a hut to keep my things secret. Since then, we welcomed other people just in case they were rebels, like we were. All of them died. It was tragic."

By now, April was beginning to wake, and quickly, I ducked out of sight, processing this new information. "Well, that changes everything," I thought, chuckling out loud.

Oops.

"Eve?" April exclaimed, peering out of the crevice. I nodded and put a talon to my lips. She smiled and pointed to the floor. I grinned back, then signaled for her not to wake Asher.

They got a bit more rest, as did I, and then May woke me up, saying that Asher told them to get a move on. I nodded, and then listened to what he was saying about me. If he said I was probably dead, I'd jump up. To my surprise, he didn't. "She's alive," He said. "She wished on the Alphas, and they won't let her down, not with that armor."

"You're right," I said, popping up. I'd planned to surprise, or even shock, him, but he didn't move a muscule, merely nodded at me. "I know," He said. "I knew they would save you."

"Who?" I asked, confused.

He pointed upward. "The Alphas. You spoke to them, and they listened, partly why you survived. Now, as you let that sink in, we'd better get walking. Pod 2 isn't much farther from here, and we've got to get there by nightfall."

Nodding, we snuck out of the hole and started stealthily down the path. I spotted many more holes, but no opening and no light. Finally, Asher stopped and said, "Right here."

"What?" I looked around me. Ceiling. Wall. Floor. "This can't be it."

"Sure it can," He said, pulling a knife from my belt. I didn't bother protesting, and my fur resisted from sticking straight up. He cut a hole and it easily dropped, revealing a small hole. "Could we have done that the whole time?" I asked in disbelief.

Asher shook his head for an answer, and I gazed wonderingly up at it. "So... you're telling me that this spot is special for some reason?"

"Yeah," He answered. "In fact, the Phantom Hunters were right here."

"Phantom Hunters?" I asked in disbelief. "I thought those were the Alphas."

"Wrong. They're rebels, people that rebelled against the phantoms. More like neutral. They didn't like phantoms, but they didn't side with the Alphas. Get it?"

"Yeah..." April said. "So, why were they here?"

"To try and recruit more people, like we did. Whoever had that idea is smart."

I nodded and climbed out first, hauling people up by their paws. I offered Asher one last, and he gratefully took it. He shielded his eyes from the sun with his paws and looked around, squinting to see better in the sudden light. Once my eyes adjusted, they widened again.

"Whoa..." I whispered. There wasn't a burning heat, but the sun was out. It must've been about 56 degrees, because it didn't feel too hot, and it was pretty cool, even in summer. I blinked.

People were catching fish by the shore, and I stepped along the concrete. Some people stopped and stared at us, but no alarm rang. Every pod had one, in case there was trouble. Somebody must've called for the Alleges- my mother- because of our trespassing, and I wasn't sure if I could forgive her. Apparently, Alle wanted to deliver the news to me himself, because he'd gone through all the trouble to come there.

May made a loud sound behind us, and we turned around. I expected to see Alleges and braced myself for the worst, or a fight, but to my surprise, I saw nothing. We turned back around. Everyone had stopped what they were doing.

"We can explain," I started loudly, a bit hesitant. Finally, I continued, more determined now. "We're here to stop the Alleges. You can join us.." I held out my paw, and then, taking a deep breath, continued, "Or you can not, and be destroyed by the fiery bombs of us wanting peace."

Some people growled and whispered.

"Look," I said, everyone looking up at my words. "They've trapped us here, used us as their pawns, and we're just going to let them? No! We're not going to stand by and let them kill us off, little by little. They've took over control of us, they're using us for their benefit. Do you know what that means? It means that every day we sit here like slaves, doing their work, and working hard to earn us a living, also. And if we can stop them, we can move to Jamaa, and we can all work together."

"What about the animals that live in Jamaa?" Someone shouted out. "What will we do with them?"

"We'll figure it out," I assured them, feeling stronger now after my speech. Now, Asher stepped forward to speak to the watching crowd. "You think we don't believe that we can? We can be Phantom Hunters... and Alpha Hunters. We can stop this once and for all. And if we can join together to bomb Jamaa, we can destroy the real enemy."

✯✯✯

"Where'd you learn to tie a knot like that?" I asked, fascinated at Lat's power. He merely shrugged. "My mother, before he died."

I nodded. "Amazing, isn't it?"

"What is?"

"Art. Knots. Tying them. Everything in between. It just takes your mind off things. And I don't mean the 'real enemy', as Asher called them."

"Was that Asher?" There was a hint of hatred, jealousy, and sadness in his tone and eyes, and I wondered why. It had been about a month since I spoke in Pod 2, and we'd already visited three other pods. In Pod 5, I'd met Lat, who agreed to take the journey with us.

We hadn't left yet, but we did plan to. We'd stayed a little more time in each pod purposely, to get used to the animals and people and study what each could do. Pod 1 had outstanding strength from hauling things on trucks, Pod 2 was good with tridents, and so on.

Once we reached Pod 6, I gave a little speech, and then Pod 7, and Pod 8, and Pod 9. Another two months. And then we had to travel to Pod 10.

It was supposed to be the safest, mainly because it was the farthest away, but it wasn't, because of the patrols that were so far inland. If we tried to talk to the others, we'd be gunned down. I presented this to Lat, May, April, and Asher, but they all shrugged.

"Look," Asher said, "If you have the power of the Alphas- they might as well drop at your feet."

"But I don't," I insisted. "I just need to get back to my family, okay? Perhaps they can help us along the way. Wouldn't that be sweet? Huh?"

Lat nodded. "She's right. We can't just sit here. She can try, but she'll obviously fall to their feet."

"You saw what happened last time," Asher argued. "Well, Lat, you didn't, but the others did. It was practically a miracle. And besides, that gear will last her pretty long. She won't get fired at once they see it's me."

"Why, are you important?" I sneered.

"Maybe I am," He said coolly. "One of the Alleges used to be my dad, before Alle, and then he got elected. That was how it used to work. But now that he's one of them, they won't stand killing me. My father will be furious, and he's one of the best soldiers Alle's got. He can't kill him, so he'll have to kill the one that killed me."

"That's exactly what we're trying to stop," May said sadly. "All the killing."

"Yeah," April agreed. "Those people have experience."

"So you want me to talk my way out of it?" I asked in disbelief.

"Sure," Lat said. "You have a way with words. You convinced 9 pods to join you. This is the final one, and everyone that loved you will see you as their idol."

"Yeah," Asher put in. "Remember how you said they were counting on you? This is your chance."

"Alright," I agreed. "I'll do it."

Nine ~ Hold Your Alleges

I stepped out, and immediately, all guns turned, but they didn't fire, mostly because Asher was standing in front of me. Or at least, that was what he'd said. I peered at the shapes in front of us awkwardly. I stepped forward, next to Asher, just like we planned. The guns turned toward me, but no triggers were pulled.

"Listen to what I have to say," I said shakily, "And then, if you do not like it, kill me." I took a deep breath. Every word was risky. "Look, the people from the pods have all been tortured enough. Even Alleges suffer the wrath of Alle. It was all better when we worked together, when we had a bright, lively world, and nobody was trying to kill each other!"

I saw my mom's pale face in the distance, and ignored it and turned back to the Alleges I was speaking to. "Listen, guys, for just a moment. We know what's happening here. He's using us. And eventually, we're going to die, and your sons and daughters will become Alleges, and you'll be tossed down to workers until you die." I spat it out. "Do you know what my name means?" I took a dangerous step forward, and guns slowly lowered.

I took a deep breath. My voice rang out through the pod. "I bet you don't. It means living. And I am living, and everyone here is living. But not for long, not with Alle beating us up until we die!"

I trembled slightly as the weapons dropped into the dust. I was almost relieved until a shot rang out behind me. Many people screamed and raced under trees. I squinted in the distance, where a helicopter was emerging into the dust. Alle stepped out, dirty, and clapping sarcastically.

"Nice try," He spat. "You think we don't know every element of your stupid plan? There will be some people that rat you out in the pods. And those people will be the only survivors."

"You wouldn't kill," I said through gritted teeth. The Alleges behind him raised their guns, but without turning around, Alle held up his hand. "No," He said. "I wouldn't. That's why these guys do it for me." He chuckled a hard, cold laugh, and slowly, put his raised hand down. "You won't win for long."

With that, he boarded the helicopter and flew away, leaving the Alleges there in the clearing dust cloud. I started to speak, but May screamed and Asher pulled me aside just in time. Shots rang into the air as the Alleges charged at my family.

Frantically, Darke found me and ushered me over to the weapons room. "You're alive," I said breathlessly. He nodded without words at me. "Of course I am." He smiled, pulled me in for a passionate second, and then released me. "Alright. Let's do this."

I breathed in, and loaded everyone. Then we ran back out. I ushered all the elders into the market, some away from here. I found the little kids also, and grabbed my mom and my sister. "Take care of the elders," I ordered to them. My mom kissed me on the forehead, sticking the sweaty fur especially to that spot, and Ash hugged me quickly before they ran off.

Darke had already gone to help other people, and I fired at one person as hard as I could. I didn't have much experience with a gun, but I could probably learn quickly, and then I might be sweet at it.

"You alright?" I gasped, running into a teenager. She nodded without speaking and ran off another direction. I had seen her at the bakery before, but I couldn't quite remember her name.

An Allege ran toward me and whipped me aside. I struggled and screamed, but he held tight. "Promise me," he said, "You'll kill Alle if I join you."

I breathed hard before saying. "How do I know it is you?"

"This." He stuck a small green pin with a leaf on it onto his chest, then nodded. "Now go." I scurried off at his command, though he wasn't my leader. I mercilessly shot at Allege after Allege.

I whipped my head around, looking for Darke so May, April, Asher, and... whoever the Allege was could board a plane and we could help haul everyone else on. Quickly, I gathered people, spinning my head around. I saw Darke fighting. Bleeding scars ran down his back, and I called for him frantically. "Darke! Hurry!" I called. There was no response.

I saw him whip his head around, his frantic eyes, the eyes that were connected to so many memories. All the times he'd shot game with me, laughed with me, argued with me, fought with me, played with me, and the time just recently that he'd hugged me.

And then it was over, the fragile eyes were whipped around and the head that held them was torn. I screamed in pain, but one of the elders covered their ears. My mom rushed out, saw Darke's crumpled body, and kneeled next to me. Ash hauled the elders in and drove them off.

The world crumbled around me, and darkness enclosed me, then I felt a pig's hoof grab my arm. "Come on!" She screamed. "Everyone's already waiting!"

My mother and Ash rushed over to the plane, and I stumbled to my knees. "Him," I breathed. I spotted the Allege, and called for him, motioning him to come over.

Dang, how could anybody in a white full-body suit run that fast?

Finally, he reached us and before anybody could protest, ran onto the plane. I ran after him, urging everyone to stop shooting him. I explained everything and he gave me the pin. "One moment," He said, walking out of the room.

"You can't trust him to-" April protested, but May shushed her. "If what Eve says is true, we must believe her. She's led us, after all."

"Let's just hope they'll showcase the fighting on TV," I said. Everyone looked at me and I shook my head. "Not that battle, but other ones. You know. I hope people from other pods fight back."

"What you said was enough," Asher said, but I just shook my head. "How do we know that? More people would rather live in horror than die in pride. Stupid, I know, but it's fine."

Moments after my words, the Allege walked in. He was wearing fresh Jamaa clothes, far fresher than the rags we wore. He sat down, pressed his forehead to his paws for a little while, and then looked up again. "Hello," he said hesitantly. "I'm Cole. There's no reason for you to kill me, really."

I looked at him for more, but that was it. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. April put a hand on her sword hilt, but I raised a paw and my head in warning in her direction. "No, April," I insisted. "He'll help us. And besides, the last thing we need is the smell of blood."

"It's strong enough," Asher grunted. I explained what had happened to my mom and Ash. About halfway through, Cole woke up and decided to listen to the entire thing from a little farther from the middle.

I took a deep breath when I finished, looking around at my friends. "So, what's next?" I asked.

"Next? We need a plan."

Ten ~ Barriers Are No Match For Arrows

"A safe spot," I added, and Asher marked it down on the sheet of paper he was using.

It had been two days since Darke's death, and finally, the other crew members agreed to let me put up a memorial in our plane. Unfortunately, we might not be able to use it again, since they'll recognize it. Thinking about this gave me a good idea. "Guys, what if we made that ship our own?"

"It'll cost a lot of money," April said, tilting her head. "Why would we do that?"

"If we disguise it, perhaps they won't know it's ours. Depending on what we paint it with, of course."

"Wait, no," Asher said, laughing. "We can use the same ship. But of course, money doesn't matter. I've stolen before, and that's besides the point- it was only for good, alright?"

I shrugged, then got back to what I'd said earlier. "Anyway, we need a safe spot where the channels can connect through. Surely the Alleges will be on their way to Pod 9 by now, and even if they aren't, we need to be prepared. They probably have a lot of tricks up their sleeve."

"You're right," Ash agreed. "So how do we find it?"

Asher blushed. "Well, what district is safe so far?" He looked around at us. Nobody answered, and then I spoke up. "None."

"We've already gone low. So where can we go?"

"Up," I said, realization hitting me. "Gosh, Asher, you're right!" I did a quick cheer, and stopped when everybody looked at me. "What?" I said innocently, and Mom laughed and hugged me quickly.

I couldn't help but remember the other day. Nervously, I said, "Mom, why'd you drag us into this mess?"

"Me?" She looked taken aback. "No. When you stormed out that day, I was going to tell you I didn't expect this. Now's a great time, because you probably won't yell at me now."

"Got that right," I agreed, and my friends laughed slightly.

"Well, I didn't mean for them to come at all. Somebody told me that people were coming over, and I had to get ready, so after you left, I switched for Ash making sure everything was straightened up while I cooked. I hoped you'd be back in time for the soup with the meat you caught. I didn't know it was someone special."

"So who ratted me out, then?"

"I guess just a bystander," May spoke up. "Someone that saw you. From what I hear, you were hunting in the woods. If you did this openly, without any cover, what would you expect to happen?" She blushed when I didn't respond. "Sorry," She mumbled.

"You're right!" I said suddenly. "Of course! The answer- the key to finding peace- has been there the entire time!"

"Say what now?"

"Yeah," I said, turning to my mom. "Mom, you know how there seemed to never be an end? The barrier makes it look like that. The barrier. When really, the forest is the key. When you can't be on land, and you've already gone down, there's no place but..."

"Up," Asher finished, fascinated. "So, can you shoot one of your arrows into the forest forcefield and it'll break?"

"It should," I responded. "But we'd better get to work on that." I nodded my head to the plane and smiled. "We're taking it, after all, aren't we?"

"Right," Asher answered, smiling. "I hope someone can fly."

"How do you think we got here?" I joked back, but quickly closed my mouth again. A pang in my stomach stopped me from getting too laughy, especially when Darke might still be laying there, unless Alle wanted him for whatever reason. To show his stupid friends, probably.

"You okay?" My mom asked, rubbing my back. I nodded, unable to speak after the thought of his motionless body.

"Well, we should go out," Ash said, "Quickly."

"Good idea," I said, clearing my throat. "Let's do that right away."

"But... after we get the other pods out safely, we still need somewhere to stay, plus we still have to kill them. Or at least, I want to. I'm done with Alle living and torturing us as we speak, and something needs to be done about it. Quickly, too."

Asher shrugged, and that decided it.

We were off.

✯✯✯

I sat up in bed, blinking. It was about 3 in the morning. My eyes were moist as was my face. I looked up and saw Asher coming up. He climbed up the ladder and sat next to me. He looked me in the eyes. "What's wrong?"

"N- nothing."

"You miss him, don't you?"

"Yeah," I said quietly. "I should've gone back for him. He might still be here if I did."

"You did what you had to, and he helped those people."

"But it wasn't enough, Asher," I said, tears leaking from my eyes. I rubbed them away. "It's never enough. I said I'd live. Never that my friends would live. And the Alphas? What have they done for us?"

"More than you'll know," Asher said as I rested my head on his chest, crying softly. He looked down at me. "More than you'll ever know."

"What have I done, though? Nothing. He's gone, and he's not coming back."

"No," Asher said. "What if he's still here? Darke. He'll never truly be gone, will he?"

"No," I said finally. "He never will."

✯✯✯

"Guys," Cole said, "I have a pretty crazy idea, but it just may work."

"What's that?" I asked, turning to look at him.

"We can overdo one of the Allege's little barriers in one of the pods, and move the things to somewhere a bit farther from there, so they won't know where we are. Our best chance is underground, and it may take years to build, though, so we've got to hide in each of our pods and connect underground systems."

"Good idea!" I said.

Cole nodded proudly, and Lat patted him on the back. "So, where are we going now?"

"Mmm.. well, obviously, to free the pods, we need to break the forest's forcefield, right? Well, now that they each trust us and shouldn't fight us, we can easily break it and free them, explaining our plan in the process." I said hopefully, looking around at the faces.

"Alright. So.. do we have a plan?" Ash asked, smiling.

"I think we do."

✯✯✯

Cheers chorused loudly around, but still, like a melody, they filled my ears and my heart almost exploded. My eyes were uneasy as I looked around, then suddenly, Lat appeared behind me. Leaning in, he whispered, "They're cheering for you, girl," He said. "Not the elephants."

I ran forward steadily, but eventually got lost in the crowd. Immediately, I felt Lat grip my paw from behind and spin me around. "Having fun?" He whispered, laughing, before dancing off again.

I groaned. Sometimes, he was as annoying to untie as one of his knots.

Finally, I found my mother and Ash again. "We've got to get moving," I said decidedly. "Where are the others?"

"One step ahead of you," My mom said, pointing to the plane, where they were boarding. Before I'd freed them from the barrier, I'd gradually given my speech. Of course, I couldn't speak too quickly, or some of the elders wouldn't understand. Nevertheless, it was effective.

When we got to Pod 5, I gave my speech and as they cleared the way so I could get to the forest, I realized Lat was smiling profusely at another girl. I smiled, but it wasn't for me. All of us were triumphant. We'd gotten here together, through everything, we still did.

I shouted as I released the arrow. And just like that, the end was gone. There was no end, no limit to what we had done.

And Lat and the girl ran toward each other, as if it were nothing but them, running across different worlds to get there, and finally, they reached their destination, and the hug that was shared made sure that nobody could doubt them or what they felt. And for the first time in.. a long time, I enjoyed myself.

✯✯✯

"This is the last one, kid," Cole said, smiling. "Give it your all."

"Give it my all," I repeated that night. "Give it my all. What does that mean?"

"I think," Ash replied, "It means to just wait. Let the music play out. Nothing happens at once. There's the past, the present, and the future. We're not to worry about the past, or the future. We can only plan for what's here and now, and that's the best part of life."

Don't judge me

"How do I, though?" I asked. "I have to stay strong, but I don't know how. I never knew how."

"No." She said. "You always knew how. You just never believed you did."

"Goodnight, Ash."

"Goodnight."

Eleven ~ Too Bossy

"So," I said, folding my hands and putting them on the table seriously, looking around at my friends, "You're telling me that our plan won't work because there are protestors that supposedly, you tried to stop, but failed, and then saying we can just pick this mess back up and mold it together with our bare hands?"

"I never said that," Cole replied. "This knot may take a while to tie, but that doesn't mean we'll never get it done. The most unsuccessful people are the ones that quit at every mistake."

"Ah, yes, wise words," I said sarcastically.

"No," Lat replied from the other end of the table. "Cole, I think Eve's right. We crashed the plane. So what are we gonna do about it? Who cares that you messed up the controls in the first place? This is now, remember? So we can't dwell on that. Buutt.." He turned to me. "Eve's pretty right, also. Your fault. But so what? We need to have a plan."

"So what's our plan?" Cole asked. "Can you come up with it just like that?" He was confident now. "We have to work for it, and that's exactly why I stepped up."

"Maybe you shouldn't try to take charge all the time," April said. My mom and her exchanged a glance that said what they were feeling all too well. During the meeting, I'd asked May, the youngest of the ones allowed to overhear, to watch Ash, since we didn't feel that she should be a witness during the talk. She'd protested, but eventually, gave up on the fight she was never going to win.

"Exactly!" I said, throwing my hands up in the air dramatically. A few people laughed, and Asher looked at me, amused, and I ducked my head, laughing too.

"Alright, fine," Cole said sharply. "So. What are we going to do?"

"Easy," I said, all traces of humor gone from my snout. "We're going to fight to get them back on board. I can speak, correct? Move them. Make them feel what we feel. Talk. Words are the most powerful thing, believe it or not, stronger than the pierce of a trident and stronger than the hatred of a battle."

"Beautifully spoken," Asher agreed, and there was a short-lived silence before he added, "So, let's travel there, I suggest. Fairly sure 10's been all burned up, so we've no chance there. We'd better move in with the other pods, or something."

"I have an idea, if you may," Lat said. "We can split up most of them. Women can stay with daughters and sons, and men can fight in others; we've got plenty of true warriors, elders can stay with the stronger pods, and young young children must stay with their fathers, or something along the lines of that."

"True," I said. "We'll figure it out." Then, turning to Cole, I cleared my throat and spoke clearly, "Anything you'd like to add, Mr. Smartypants?"

"Sure," He said. "How about we let the women fight, too? They have more power than you think."

"Of course," I said through gritted teeth. "And the elders can handle all the children, also. We never underestimated them. It's the best chance we have. The women have got to take care of them, we know how, and they can cook better than men can. Some of the unpregnant ones that are adults can fight. They're more athletic and most likely quick. Nothing wrong with that set-up, huh?"

"Alright, good. So it's settled, then." Asher pushed his chair backwards, standing up and clapping his hands together. "My friends... it looks like we're headed for Pod 4."

✯✯✯

"Nothing new," Ash whispered in my ear, followed by a hesitant, "You got th

is. Or not. It's really up to you."

I smiled. "Alrighty." Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself through my thoughts.. "Here we go."

"People of Pod 4!" I shouted, and all heads whipped toward me, the heads of unarmed people. I was in no danger. Asher, as planned, stepped next to me, as well as Lat. Pod people had a much better chance than a former Allege or a small girl, or outcasts, however much I loved all of them.

"We come to mean no harm. But Alle does. So you can stand there, doing nothing, or you can fight back. He has no right to us. He can't control us. Does he have power over us? Not anymore. If you stand out here, you'll either get killed or taking into custody to be a slave. That's what Alle is.

But listen to me. We can be stronger than him. We can fight back. All we need is a little courage. Can you give that to me? Can you help the other pods escape this torture? My entire pod got burned in the flames of battle. It's all ash now, and for what? To have one pod give up? No. We are one. We stick together, and we never give up. That is what it means. So who's with me?"

In that short speech, I changed their lives forever, and they knew it. I had made history, actual history, and though it may not be remembered forever, it was remembered in this moment.

And honestly, that was all that mattered.

✯✯✯

After discussing it late into the night with the people the pod picked to choose their fate, Pod 4's 'official officials' decided that their community would be kept underground where they were safe from Alle. I breathed a sigh of relief, and noted that they accepted the offer of some women and men to live there, on the younger side, 18-21 year olds, mostly. Since it was a small year range, not many were placed there, just in case the pod backed out at more sign of responsibility or mouths to feed, which they'd been trying to avoid for a while now.

"Try something different next time," Lat suggested as we were walking out. As he crossed to board the plane, he stopped for a minute, a thoughtful and hesitant look plastered on his face. Finally, it was replaced with an expressionless mask, and he said, "Hey, can the crew stay in 5? We have plenty of food, it's right in the middle and..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but I could tell what he was thinking, the way the two wolves crashed against each other as if nothing else mattered.

"Alright," I agreed at last. "Fair enough. W- who was she?"

"Angelica," He answered. "Ann for short. She's my sister's close friend. Or was."

I nodded, as if I understood, but I felt nothing. I had no idea what it was like to lose a sister. Of course, I knew what it was like to lose the only person you'd ever grown to love, but I didn't have experience with dealing with it, especially when my heart was still crooked from the event.

"What's the point?" He whispered suddenly. "Of all these dead bodies. What is the point?"

Fierce determination burned in my eyes that I didn't know had been lying in the depths. "The point is to make sure that Alle is dead. This isn't for nothing. We are fighting for-"

"No. What does this mean?" He gestured his hands around. "All of it. The deaths. Everything. What does it mean?"

"We're fighting," I said hesitantly, "For... freedom. We're tired of being pushed around. Freedom."

"Freedom. And what did this all start with? Not Alle. Somebody else."

I gaped at him a moment. "What?"

"You," He answered for me. "Not only did you have the motivation, but where did you get it from? Your wrongs. You walk around, you talk, like everything in the world will go your way. Have you even considered if it doesn't? Or how many people we'll lose? Is it really worth it? We'll all die at some point. Let it be easy. I saw the way you looked at Darke. There was pain and hurt in your eyes. But who did that? YOU. And that laugh Asher did, the way you looked away to laugh too? And before. You've felt something all these times. But my life, and Ann's, is in danger. Because of who? You."

I could only repeat the same word, as if the world had collapsed around me. Everything started to blur, blocking out all sounds except the same voice over and over, scolding me, telling me all about my wrongs, and finally, I blurted out, in the cold air, I screamed at him, practically, "I TRIED! I AM TRYING. I am.. I am.. I am trying to save our land and our people, and you're making it awfully hard! I did not put us here. His MURDERS put us here. And are you helping? No. So go join the rebels. Go join the Alleges and kill innocent people, and see if I care!"

We were both speechless for a moment, staring at each other, and I knew he wanted the last word, so as soon as he opened his mouth, I jabbed a talon at his chest. "Don't even. I know what you're going to say. My home was burned to ash, the only person I've ever loved killed, and who did all that? Ha. Not me. The Alleges. ALLE DID ALL THAT. So go eat and sit around and watch while I try hard to fight back, and see what happens. You wouldn't have done anything, either. So don't even. Don't even." Panting hard, I climbed on the plane and raced into the room I shared with Asher, my mom, and Ash, collapsing on the bed, crying.

A few minutes later, Ash came into the room, her head down. "They're expecting you," She said, and when she looked up, saw my eyes. "I can walk you down there," She offered. "What's wrong?"

"Everything," I replied. "Tell them they can work out our next move without me, but that I suggest splitting up groups first thing tomorrow. They can debate or vote over it and decide."

Ash nodded without even asking why, or saying anything more, and I hid underneath the covers and waited. After a few hours, I heard the door open, and three pawsteps filled the room, each crossing to different places, Asher underneath me on the bunk bed, Ash across from me on the first one against the wall, Mom underneath her. I heard laughing and peeked out.

They were smiling and talking eagerly, and I wondered what I'd missed, and I remembered all the moods after I'd spoken. They were usually fired up inside but on the outside, just tired. I got them thinking. They by themselves got people laughing. People could say together, we made a good team, but I just put people down in the dumps. That was all I was good for, apparently.

After a while, the talking faded, and I was faintly aware of slight snoring noises and steady breathing filled my ears. I rolled over on my stomach, exasperated and annoyed with myself. I sat there, thinking, for a while, before I turned back around on my back and hoped that sleep would find me.

Because I always seemed to have to look for it.

Twelve ~ I Unfriended You On Life

The next day, Lat ignored me, but of course, he was obligated to talk to others and mostly me, because he was a part of the team, and he knew it. Still, he never looked me in the eyes, and that was good because he couldn't see me rolling my eyes.

"Alright, can we hold for a minute?" I asked as everyone was seated. "Lat? A moment?"

Back in the other room, I could hear Cole say, "They've been glaring at each other all day. Bet Lat finally realized all he cares about is Ann. Good grief."

"Well, it's not his fault," Another male said, and I identified Asher's tone in his voice. "Though I agree. It's time we have our leader step up. She's doing a good job. Then everything was silent and the voices faded as we got farther away. Finally, I stopped.

"What?" He snapped, suddenly interested in a hole in the wall.

I grabbed his face and embraced him, and he rubbed my back reassuringly. After a while, he said in a low voice, "Was that it?"

"What?" I looked up at him.

He laughed, then his paws lifted into the air like yesterday, moving around to form a gesture. I shrugged. "Not sure what that means, but yes, it's it. I'm quite fond of hugging when I'm in distress, and you were the only person around to hug." My face brightened and in a cheerful voice, I mocked, "Snuggle time!"

"No," He said, failing to hide a smile, "That's not what I meant. What I meant was... is that supposed to fix it? You can give speeches, yes, but what else? Nothing?"

I thought for a moment. "Alright, list my wrongs, but make it quick, cause we've got a meeting to attend to."

His hearty laugh filled the room and hung in the air for a moment before he grabbed my paw and we raced out of the room. Following a sign, we ran to the meeting room. Yeah, it was one of those planes that had rooms, but usually we did other things in trailers parked by the sides.

"All good?" My mom asked, hesitantly.

I gave her a paws-up, then frowned seriously and sat down. "Take your seats, everyone," I requested. "So, what did we talk about last time we met?"

April raised her paw. "We talked about which elders can take care of some women's children, and were arguing about where pregnant women could have their babies and how much time they needed to recover. Of course, Eve, we still need to have diggers, not only fighters."

"True," I said. "Thank you, April. So, everyone, any ideas?"

"I've got one," Mom said, blushing. "How about the pregnant ones stay with doctors, and they can live with their babies until they're about a few months old, and then we can pass them over to the doctors. The women that just had their kits can stay with the elders and occasionally check in on the hospital, which of course will be near there."

"Good plan." I nodded approvingly. "Any other suggestions or disagreements?"

Nobody raised their paw, so I nodded again. "Alright, then we've got work to do. First, we've got to decide where these will be placed. What pod and where in the pod. We've got a lot of work to do."

"Wait," Asher said. "I've got something to say. We could start the diggers-"

"Not yet. We have no idea where they're going." I interrupted, then dipped my head in apology. "Deeply sorry, Asher. Any other things you'd like to share?"

"Hmm... ooh, I've got it! How about we split up into teams, and everyone can switch before the final idea so they can make sure that it's okay. One can do the diggers, one can do the placing for items, and one can see the consents of the Pod we're looking to use. And some people can do the math.. I don't know, in their free time or something."

"Well, let's see. There's 8 people here, including me, right?"

"No," Lat spoke up, furrowing his brow. "Lacey- your mom- Asher, me, Cole, May, April, and you. That's only seven, if I can count right."

"No," I insisted. "What about my sister? She can help. She's outstanding at math and science. She could probably help with where to put things." After he frowned more, my confidence drifted to the floor and I had to plead with him to satisfy it to the roof again. "My sister's really strong, trust me."

"Fine," He said at last. "Your sister can help. So how are we meant to divide these, then?"

"Eight into thirds. Hmm... alright. Let's see... I'll sort of count as an 'extra', roaming around sometimes and switching stations often, so if we had... ahh, great. Well... alright, my sister will help where to put things." I smiled in satisfaction and we agreed on a list after a while.

Recruiting Men: Asher, Cole, Eve

Placing Buildings and People: Ash, Lat, Lacey

Searching For Consents: May, April

"What about switching?" Asher inquired, looking over my shoulder. "Fairly sure those need to be included, too, but I may be wrong. Not sure."

"True," I replied. "Mmm.. well, I have an idea." Quickly, I crossed out the old list and made another one, this time including my idea.

Recruiting Team: Asher, Cole

Buildings: Lacey, Ash

Consents: May, April

Debating People's Living Pods: Eve, Lat

Immediately after I wrote the last names down, I reached forward to erase it nervously and quickly, obviously, but the movement was cut short as Asher bent down to pick up the paper. His eyes quickly scanned the page and his eyebrows rose towards the end. "These sound like steps." He thought for a minute, then took the pencil from my paw and kneeled beside the table to make it easier to write on a flat, hard surface.

1. Eve, Lat: Debating Living
2. May, April: Consenting
3. Asher, Cole: Recruits
4. Lacey, Ash: Buildings

"Mmm, nice," I said, then took the page and clapped my hands for attention. The light mumbles and sounds faded away completely, and I began my sentence, putting the paper in the air. "This says exactly who will be doing what. First, Lat and I-"

I tried to ignore the disgusted look I recieved, though it wasn't from Lat. Ash raised her eyebrows at me, as well as Mom, and I blinked and continued. "We'll be seeing what people will go here and when."

"Not the place for me," Cole whispered for Lat. "You're lucky." But Lat's face stayed stone cold as he observed me and the object in my hand. Swaying a bit at the set of eyes firmly locked onto me, I continued speaking again. "May and April will be trying to get consents, obviously. After the interaction, if it's not approved, we'll move back to step one."

"I think you should come," May shouted out, then covered her mouth a bit. She raised a paw, and I nodded in her direction. "They'll like to see you, not us. April can work with Lat."

"Sure, I'm fine with that," April agreed, and scooted closer to Lat. I felt jealousy bubble up inside of me, but I wasn't sure why. Quickly, I swatted the feeling away and cleared my throat. "Alright, then." I showed the changes on the paper, and then returned to what I was saying before. "If it is approved, Asher and Cole will look for diggers. They must volunteer, though. We know how it feels to be ripped out of our homes and used for someone else's benefit."

"Good idea," Asher agreed. "They might react sharply to Cole, though. How about we adjust that to someone else? Lacey, can you try it?"

"I'm pretty big and strong," Cole said. "I can work with Ash while watching over her."

"Speaking of Ash, apparently, Cole and Ash will now design the buildings. Cole, if you need help, feel free to ask my sister. She's practically a genius in that department, no matter how old you are. I'm not sure what type of education Alleges get, but either way, she'll be useful. Then, the plans will be passed down to each person and once all the signatures, including the one's May and I got from the new Pod Officials, which we might have to elect- or them, depends- and after we've all signed it, we'll send it into progress."

"Sounds like a few week process," Cole observed. "Are we sure this is the way to go?"

I reached over to scribble the new positions while Asher answered other people's questions.

1. April And Lat: Debating Living
2. May, Eve: Getting Consents
3. Asher, Lacey: Recruits
4. Ash, Cole: Buildings

"The only fair way, yes," Asher replied to another person that asked a question regarding the stability of the situation, then clapped his hands together like I always did. "Meeting dismissed." He blushed a little at me.

I stopped him, since he was the last person in the hall, as the first one out holds the door for the rest. I pulled him aside, out of earshot, and Ash turned around and screamed, "Coming, sis?"

"Yeah!" I called back. "One sec!"

"Gosh," Asher said, covering his ears. His paw went up and down repeatedly. "What's wrong with not breaking my eardrums? Anyway, what do you want?"

I shook my head. "What gave you the authority to dismiss meetings?"

"Sorry, boss," Asher said. "But you don't want to pick anymore battles, just saying. Of course it's not my right to do anything you haven't approved of, but think of it this way. You're practically like Alle all the time, really bossy, and it's boring and tiring. Sure, you're a boss, but aren't you just like Alle? And you can stop getting into arguments. Watch what you do."

I knew he was right, but taking advice from him had no appeal to me, so I just shook my head. "Be at the meeting tomorrow," I said honestly, and hurried to catch up with Ash, who was heading towards our trailer.

She peeled off her pants, tossing them into the bin. "What was that talk all about?" She asked. "Nothing," I replied. "Just a bit annoyed at what Asher did today. You know, telling them to leave. I mean, I know it sounds crazy like I'm hungry to be the leader, but it just bothered me. He said I was just like Alle. I hated it a lot. He doesn't have the right!"

"Maybe you are," Ash replied. I tossed my discarded shirt and her, and she ducked and it hit the wall behind her. Laughing, she said, "I was just kidding. Chillax."

I rolled my eyes, but laughed too.

That night after dinner, we headed back to the plane to sleep. I walked briskly into the evening air, but slowed down to take a gigantic breath of my surroundings. "It's beautiful," I acknowledged sweetly.

"Definitely," Ash said behind me. I saw Lacey walk out, giggling, next to Cole, and I coughed and pointed softly behind me. Ash turned slightly and saw what I coughed about. She started laughing. "Well, at least someone found true love."

"No such thing," I said, trying to be defiant, but Ash just laughed.

Thirteen ~ That Was A Bad Idea

The pair laughed before April and Lat disappeared around the corner. Feelings erupted inside of me, and I tried to keep them from spilling over. May, from behind me, piped up. "Hey, what's wrong? Let's grab some breakfast or something! Team C!"

"I'd love to, but I can't," I said, still staring at that space.

"You love him, don't you?" May said. "It's obvious in the way you look at him and then turn away, like he wouldn't accept you, or like you know that they're destined to be together."

"I know it," I replied in a whisper. "He'll never love me, will he?"

"He does," May replied. "You may not think it. I may have judged you at first, then. You don't just like him. You love him. The way you talk to him, sneak glances at him, you know he'll never be yours. So why do you do it?"

"You know how life seems to never have a point? Well, the point is to find the point. All my life, I've been searching, you know that? And just when I've found something, it goes away again. Darke. Pod 10. Lat. Ica. All these things, most people... they're all just... gone."

"That's the question then, isn't it?" May asked, gathering up her bags. "When will you finally find the right thing? It'll always be right in front of your eyes and you never notice it."

I looked in front of me. "I have no idea, May. No idea."

✯✯✯

I looked at the portion of pancakes in front of me. I couldn't resist, and as I took the first bite in honor of my grumbling, hungry stomach, Ash spoke up. "How'd your talk go with May?"

"What talk?" I asked, my head snapping toward her.

Ash laughed. "What do you mean? Didn't you meet together this morning? I saw you. In a huddle, almost. And then she left. What for? It seemed pretty short to me." She looked down at her plate and took the final bite of breakfast before wiping her mouth with her napkin and then worrying over a talon. The question hovered in the air for a few more seconds before I answered, "It went well. May I be excused?"

"Sure, sweetie," Mom said, but I was already halfway to the bathroom.

I sat on the floor of a stall for a long time before I heard someone come in. Quickly, I climbed onto the toilet seat and put my paws on the top edge of the stall, peering over the side just enough to see my mom. "I haven't seen her," She said to someone behind her. Lat.

Oh, crud.

I fumbled and tumbled down onto the toilet seat, my paws and body still out of reach, but the bang just happened to be loud. "There," Lat said, I assumed he pointed to my stall. My mom pressed against the one next to me. It swung forward. Suddenly, I got an idea. I silently unlocked the latch and climbed into the next one.

They couldn't know I'd been thinking about our conversation. How could I explain it? I twirled around the corner, heart racing, and ran out of that bathroom.

I made it to our table casually. Most of the others had cleared. Ash looked up, a worried expression plastered on her face. When she saw me, it fell in relief. "Hey. We were looking everywhere for you!" She tried to look behind me, but I blocked her view multiple times until she looked up at me sternly. "Where's mom, and what were you doing? Not some Lat business again, right? Oh, wait, he went with Mom." She looked thoughtful a minute, but I didn't let her begin speaking again.

"How come everyone thinks I like Lat?" I asked in disgust, but Ash pointed to my right. "There they are!" She started to scream, but I covered her mouth with my hand. "Stop!" I hissed. "Look, just let them know that I got distracted by some boy and went back to the room, okay?"

Ash nodded, obviously bewildered, and I let her be. What did it mean to me? I left to go to the trailer and sat cross-legged on the bed, my head in my paws. I tried to think and set myself straight. I didn't have time for stupid, small crushes. I didn't.

"Eve?"

"Darke?" My head shot up. I knew that voice anywhere. "Darke?" My heart raced. I stood up and pushed the covers aside, climbing down the ladder. I shook my head. "Darke?"

"Eve?"

"Where are you?" I cried. "Oh, Darke..."

Before I knew it, I had sat on the floor and started talking. I told him everything that was happening, how everyone thought I was bossy, how I couldn't handle falling in love if he was there. I took a deep breath. A really deep breath. I had told him everything. "Darke?" I whispered into the dark, hoping for an answer. An answer didn't come, but instead Asher.

"I didn't know you felt that way," He said, walking in the door.

I fumbled and fell against the wall. "How long have you been there?" I asked.

"A long time," He confessed. "You're not bossy. And I just saw April and Lat. They're working over blueprints and things. And..."

"Don't say it," I said. "I know I lost my chance."

"Don't be so hard on yourself. You know, it's not so easy to try and keep a rebellion together. But we've got to be like April and Lat. May and you, I mean. You've got to get to work, once they finish, which seems to be soon. Unless they delay to-"

"Please don't," I said softly. "What did people say at dinner?"

"They talked about you a little bit," Asher admitted kindly.

~~~~~

Lacey: Where did Eve go, Ash?

Ash: Don't ask me.

April: She probably ran away to go be with Cole. He's not here either. Or he could be with the enemies, telling on us. Eve doesn't know anything, taking that stupid Allege into here.

Lat: April, she wasn't thinking. Her boyfriend died.

Asher: Technically, he wasn't her boyfriend. They were just close friends.

April: They got us into this whole mess in the first place! If they hadn't done that hunting and had just worked for money like the rest of us do, it wouldn't be a problem.

May: April, you technically did the same thing for Ica. Eve wanted to help her family, and there's nothing wrong with that. You used to be so kind, and now you're just being selfish.

Lacey: I'm gonna go find Cole.

Ash: Be careful, Mom.

Asher: Is something going on between them, Ash?

April: Probably. Come on, Lat, we've got hours of work to do.

Lat: Bye, guys. Oof- I didn't even get to eat that much and now I'm probably going to be- / trails off as he walks out the door. /

~~~~~

"That's it?" I said. "They think I've..."

"Plenty of people defended you," Asher replied. I laid on my back and he joined me. "This ground is hard, but smooth. It's confusing."

"Not really," I replied with uncertainty. "So, where's my mother? And where'd Ash go?"

"To go hang out with May. They're likely still eating or something, or watching TV in the plane. No reason to go to the trailers so soon."

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

There was silence for a little while as I went over every event of this in my head. I hadn't prepared for us to feel so connected, but we did. I smiled and looked over at Asher. "You're good company."

"Let's go for a boat ride," Asher said suddenly, grabbing my paw. We went outside to the dock near our trailer. "What if this leads to Jamaa waters?" I asked. "We're too in between right now."

"We won't go far," Asher promised, so we picked a boat. Asher started rowing. I looked at the way he leaned against the oars after a while. "Could I take over now, do you think? To spare you some trouble." Asher looked over at me and nodded. "Come sit next to me and take the other oar, will you?"

"Sure."

We started rowing, and after a while, I stopped the boat and said, "Do you think April has a chance with Lat? Or is it just like me? He loves Ann."

"I have no idea," Asher replied.

"Yeah," I agreed, and we burst out laughing.

Thirteen ~ Why Do You Like Him?

"Spent all night making it," April replied smugly. "Where were you last night? I was so worried about you. Asher, unfortunately, wasn't. He was head-to-toe on making sure you took the blame for all that happened." She sighed as she went through her bag again to check that all the blueprints were out. Lat stood behind her, cold written clearly on his face. Both of us refused to look at each other.

"I know the truth, April," I said. "Boy, how you change for love. Too bad that you can't have Lat. He loves somebody else. Bet you haven't been turned down before."

April looked bewildered, and finally, I looked up at Lat. "You don't have to be here," I said. "It's not too late to go to the Alleges and find your Ann and keep her safe. But it is too late to apologize." With that, I tipped my flower crown and left the room, leaving two shocked animals behind.

✯✯✯

"So we're going to Pod 1 first, then," May said. "Wouldn't that be a little dangerous, though? I mean, with all the people around and things."

"It's useless to give up when what you want is right in front of you. You just have to reach for it."

"Where'd you get that?"

"My father."

"Where is he?"

"Dead."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. You deserve better."

"Well," I said, stuffing the last of the papers in the bag and hauling it over my shoulder, "It's better than him becoming an Allege."

May was silent after that, so the trip to Pod 1 by paw took a while. In Pod 9, they lended us a small motor that would drive us to Pod 1. When we got there, I stepped off and prepared myself. General Stock answered and motioned us in. The street was an uproar. People were fighting for foods and goods, others were locking their doors or gates, one old lady was gardening, and somebody was praying in a courtyard nearby, some working on schoolwork, from the teaching their school did.

"This is a nice community," I said.

"Ish," May added quietly. I followed her gaze to see two men fighting carelessly for a bag filled with scones, bread, and cakes. One man's fur got clawed and he started to bleed from the untreated scratches. I looked ahead. General Stock was moving quickly. I followed him.

When we reached his office, we each took a seat and started to discuss the underground plans that we'd gone over in the plane. Stock nodded. "And why is this?"

"To keep everyone safe," I answered readily. Beside me, May squirmed a bit.

"Alright then," Stock said, folding his paws. "Looks like it's a deal. Are all expenses paid?" After I said no, we started discussing the money to be spent and the economics. Finally, he shook our paws. "Pleasure doing business with you," He said. "If you give us our share right now, we'll get to work immediately."

"Oh, no, we're going to get people."

"I think we can handle it by ourselves." So when May and I returned with the empty bag and our motor, Asher was waiting for me. He embraced me. "How was it?"

"Okay," I responded, remembering the moment we'd had last night. In a quiet breath, I mumbled, "Are we a thing now?"

"I guess so," He responded. "I'm ready, and so is your Mom."

"Oh, no, they're doing it by themselves," I responded. "Have Lat and April gotten to work yet?"

"Of course," Asher said, "But they haven't finished."

I peeked into their study room as soon as I got on the plane. April was laughing at something Lat had said. He was smiling. They turned back to their work, scribbling things onto the papers. I decided not to intrude and stood there for a long time, watching them laugh and play around. "So that's why it's taking so long," I said at my spot at the doorway. "Who should tell Ann?"

"Eve, it's not like that-" Lat started, but I cut him off. "It is like that," I said. "I thought you were low, but not this low. I'm impressed."

April scowled. "It's none of your business."

"You've changed," I said, admiring her a moment. "What happened to the old you? The fire I saw here apparently burned you for life, because you're messed up. Nobody can put those flames out. I'm disappointed in you." Shaking my head one last time, I walked away- and bumped right into May.

"Hey!" She said nervously. "Um-"

I pushed past her, looking into the closest doorway. What I saw nearly stopped my heart. I collapsed near the wall, and May came back and sat next to me. "I'm sorry she gave up on your father," May said. "But everyone moves on sometime. You can't expect your mom to not love anybody anymore."

"I know," I said. "I got us into this entire mess. How am I meant to get us out of it?"

"By trying," May said. "By trying."

So that's what I did.

Fourteen ~ Let's Talk About Death to Lighten The Mood, Shall We?

Things went smoothly the next couple of days. None of us missed meals, but nobody talked. As soon as Lat and April sat down, usually 20 minutes late, I knew exactly why and left the table altogether.

When we finally finished with Pod 9, we all had a quick fizzy drink to celebrate. We all toasted, but I went out of my way to avoid Lat and April's. I knew it was ridiculous, and that I was acting like a kid, but I couldn't handle it anymore. After I'd taken a sip and the festivities were over, I left.

Asher followed me out the door. "Where are you going?" He asked.

"To be by myself," I answered. "I can't go on like this, but there's no other choice. I know I might've done this, but there's no way I can make it up to you guys, and even if I tried, April's just a jerk and Lat is flat-out rude. I can't do this anymore."

"Hey," Asher said. "We're going underground with Pod 5."

"Pod 5?" My heart almost stopped.

"Is that a problem?" Asher asked, looking worried.

"Oh- uh, no, not a problem," I replied. "It's totally fine. Just... it's Ann. The girl Lat loves? Um, with April and Lat unofficially lovers, I have no idea how he'll react. The first time I saw them reunite, I felt really happy. I don't know why. Because someone could love like I couldn't."

"Do you not love me?" Asher asked, bewildered.

"Of course I love you," I said, laughing, with tears in my eyes. I rested my head on Asher's shoulder, and he let me cry into it. "Let it out," He said. "It'll be okay."

Even though I doubted that, I just let myself melt into his warmth and I felt my eyes slowly closing and before I knew it, I was asleep.

✯✯✯

"Eve."

"Darke?" My eyes flew open. I was in a white box. There he was. "Darke!" I said, running to him. When we hugged, it didn't feel the same. "I'm sorry," I whispered.

"Don't be," He replied. "I want you to move on."

My eyes widened. "Are you sure?"

"Of course. Humans fear death because they can't bear the thought of someone they've known and loved gone forever."

"I miss you," I said. "I miss you."

"Don't burden your lover with that," Darke replied. "You've gone so far without me. You'll grow up, defeat Alle, and all the Alleges will share Jamaa. Everyone will be happy. But you have to understand that Asher doesn't have all the answers."

"Do you?"

"No."

"Will my questions ever be answered, then?"

"No. Some never are. Some keep people awake, some drive them crazy, and some set some people up for crazy adventures. Rollercoasters they never knew existed."

"So..."

"So there's no need to worry. Eve, please don't worry. I'm okay. You're okay. You were born to live. We all were.

"Everybody has to leave this Earth at one point, Eve, but you'll always be mine. I will never forget you, but you've got to learn to forgive the world. You've got to learn to push me to the back of your mind. When you need me most, I'll be there. In your mind. But Asher is there, too. So don't worry."

"Eve," Said a different voice.

"No!" I screamed. "Darke, please don't go."

"I have to," He replied. "But Eve, go save the world. Go do what you were born to do. You were born with a name. A name that means something. So no matter what, keep-"

I was knocked to reality by Ash shaking me. I whispered the word to finish Darke's sentence. "Living. No matter what, keep living."

"There's no time!" Ash said. "Come on, we've got to pack. The plane's taking off."

"To Pod 5?"

"No. We're all tired of hiding. It's going for Jamaa. We're going to conquer Alle."

✯✯✯

I finished getting dressed, stuffed the apple in my mouth, and grabbed my stuff. I boarded the plane and frantically looked around. "Asher?" I yelled. I put the apple back in my mouth and started walking through each room. Finally, I found him in an empty one.

I threw the apple core in the trash. "Asher?" I whispered. He turned around, startled. "Oh, yes, come." He pointed out the window once I'd sat next to him. "What about it?"

"Isn't it miraculous?"

"All I see is clouds."

"Of course, but sometimes you have to look farther into something to see its true beauty. It's the sky. It's a sign of freedom."

"The clouds are changing," I said suddenly. "We're moving too fast."

Nothing happened though, and we broke free of the clouds. We were landing. I opened the window despite Asher yelling at me. "Come feel this," I screamed over the wind. I stuck my head out the window. I felt as light as a cloud, like I was being carried through the sky. I closed my eyes and let the wind strike my face.

Until it stopped.

Asher grabbed my hand and pulled me along, and we raced to the front of the plane, where everyone was standing. Cole was hiding near the front entrance, not wanting to risk being found and recognized.

"Come out," Alle said, appearing with seven different Alleges, each armored.

I looked frantically at my friends. They all nodded, so we each stepped out, the wind blowing our face, even though we weren't in the sky anymore. "Seize them. Except the girl."

I stopped in my tracks. Beside me, the seven Alleges took Ash, April, May, Mother, Lat, and Asher. I realized something. Six people plus me meant there was no Allege for Cole. Surely they would care, or would they not care and they'd just assume that he was dead?

"How'd you know we were coming?" I yelled.

"Obviously, your head was poking out the window, and Jamaa is securely protected with cameras. We can't risk another Alpha invasion. As soon as I kill you and all your friends, the heart of the uprisings will die."

"Or," I said, "They'd fight harder. You've killed and made slaves of too many people."

"So I should trap you and keep you prisoner, then, to leave you to find a way to escape with your stupid powerful brains?"

"Maybe," I said. "I'd sure like to get out of here. It's very orderly, isn't it?" I twisted my head around. Cole had my arrows, but he ducked under in time to avoid everyone's gaze. I decided to stall best I could. "And why should we stop fighting?"

As Alle chuckled and began a lecture, I turned around one more time.

"Trying to get a last look at the plane? No." I turned around and he continued. One part caught my ears. "I was controlled by love. I lost someone that I wanted, and suddenly, I thought it was the Alphas that did that to me. But they gave me a robot brain. They changed the way I thought so I'd become more powerful, so I took over and split everyone into Pods."

"I do not seek power," I interrupted.

"My dear, we'll kill everyone else, and program you to talk like I do, and to follow my example. I'm getting old." He touched his gray fur. "I cannot go on much longer, and this is a perfect time, for you're a perfect replacement. A fighter, tough, and soft where love goes."

"Wrong," I replied. "You'll take all of that out when you try to turn me from good to evil."

I almost wanted to keep talking to Alle, but just then, Cole popped out of the ship, armed, and started shooting at the Alleges. In all the shock, everyone broke free. Somebody tossed me arrows and a bow, and mindlessly, I started shooting. I looked at Alle. His face, frozen in shock and unaware.

Then I looked around, at all this beautiful land which had been turned evil by the one person I had a chance to kill. The future lay in my hands. The seven Alleges had strong armor, so only layers were knocked off. Everyone was looking at me now. "Killing isn't the answer," I said decidedly. "It never was. That's what got us into this mess in the first place. It's my job to get us out." My back was still to my friends.

"Give me one reason to keep you alive," I said, looking at Alle.

"I have a granddaughter," He replied. "Please, if I die, look after her. I wanted to give her a good life, and I failed to do so. If she sees her grandfather die... she'll be devastated. Take care of her, and tell her I went on a trip. When she's old enough, explain the truth."

Now, I did turn to my friends. My eyes searched theirs, and finally, there was an answer, strong and clear. I turned around, loaded my bow, and shot.

✯✯✯

We hoarded the child on board. "When we get close to Jamaa," I directed the Alleges, "Remember to act like you're escorting us around. Correct? Oh, and one more policy. Unless we're outside..." I pressed a button on the side of their helmets and their masks came off. "That's better," I said softly, putting them by the doorway.

The animals looked confused, and then Ash took them and brought them to where they'd sleep and eat. Asher grabbed my arm. "You were brave out there," He said, "But everyone needs to back down."

"We need to kill the Alphas first," April chimed in, who was busy taking off her gear. "I know you don't forgive me, but after that, we'd better stick together."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, but that doesn't mean I like you." I muttered curses under my breath until Asher slipped his paw down to mine and said, "Okay, that's enough," As we walked out of the room.

"We've got a few things to do," I said that night. "I'll make a list."

1. Kill the alphas.
2. Send word to the pods.
3. Get all the Jamaains on our side.
4. Find them a pod to be in... perhaps Pod 10?
5. Rebuild Pod 10.

"Is that good?" I asked them all. They crowded over my shoulder to read it, and Mom nodded. "Looks like a good plan. Let's start off by killing the Alphas. Then we can possibly do one and three at the same time."

"Good thinking, Mom," I said, "But we'll need to plan that. Some of us will plan that and some of us will think about the rebuild. We'll head there tonight and take turns. Whoever volunteers each day can do the work or do the brainstorming. And keep a list on the table so we can read it tomorrow night."

"Gotcha," Mom replied.

"I'll go tell the pilot," May offered, and April said she'd go with her. Lat and Cole went away to talk about some things, and my mom and Ash went to go to bed.

"So, it's just you and me, huh?" Asher asked, relaxing and leaning back in his chair. "How's stuff with-"

I jumped up. "Let's go check on the Alleges," I said, and Asher took my paw immediately and stood up. "Phew," He said. "That was over fast."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," I replied.

"Something on your mind?" He asked finally.

"Sorta," I said. "I was just thinking about seeing my pod crushed to rubble again. Our entire house is lost, isn't it?" I felt in my pocket for my father's pearl. I was certain he was dead, so the pearl he'd owned gave me a sense of feeling that he was still with me.

"I'm sorry," He said. "Pod 1 wasn't affected, but I've heard the heat is so hard they've cancelled work for five weeks in a row, sometimes getting whipped for it, but telling the victims it's worth it."

"They must've been pretty brave to go up there. I certainly wouldn't."

"You could, though, if you tried," Asher replied, but fortunately he didn't say more and there was no awkward silence to share because a large bell rang. As April passed us in the hall, she gave a smile and said, "This is apparently the way Alleges do it." She curtsied mockingly and I laughed and followed after her.

I felt around in my pocket some more and felt something else. It was cold, like metal, but seemed to be of shape of a button. After I'd pulled behind, I inspected it closely, turning it over in my hands. I smiled, memories rushing toward me like a tidal wave. I tried to dodge the water by blinking, and reality came to the shore.

It was a leaf pin, the same one Cole had wore the day we met him. It seemed like forever ago. I stopped to let April and Asher pass, engrossed in an argument about which sandwich tasted better at what times, and they barely noticed I was gone. I'd catch up with them, anyway. I walked back down the hallway to find Mom. When I did, she was folding laundry.

"Hey, mom," I said awkwardly from the doorway. "Gonna come eat?"

"In a second, dear. Sit down, there's something I'd like to tell you."

"Oh. Okay."

"Cole and I are engaged."

I almost choked on nothing right there. I shook my head. "I'd believe it." I smiled. "You two would make a great couple. I'm sorry your wedding won't be so great."

"Of course it will," She replied. "I can celebrate our accomplishments with my little girl, be proud of all of you guys. We've come so far, and there's nothing I love more than seeing your sweet face, next to Asher, next to Lat, or next to Ash. You're beautiful, honey, and we're so close to stopping Alle."

"Thank you, Mom," I said. "But our soup must be getting cold." I pretended to be dramatically horrified by the sight, earning a laugh. As we walked down the hallway, arm in arm, my mom said, "You know, soup is always better when it's hot."

That got us both laughing for a while.

"Where have you been?" Asher asked in a low whisper when I got seated. After dinner, I finally worked up the nerve to tell my mom about the pin. I explained where it had come from and handed it to her. "After all," I said, "You're the one getting married, right?"

She smiled at me. "I guess I am, huh?"

"Yup," I smiled broadly at her until she put a paw on mine and said, "Sweetie, I know things have been hard, but you've really pulled through. After everything, you might have superpowers." She laughed as she said this, but I wondered what was so funny. After all, my father was dead, Darke was dead, Alle was dead, we were trying to kill the Alphas, and my emotions were way mixed up.

I awkwardly shared a little laugh and then excused myself. As I was at the doorway, my mom said, "And Eve?"

"Hmm?"

"Don't let anything stop you. Especially fear."

I nodded and headed out the door.

Fifteen ~ Ashes- It All Came Down

"So, what are we planning here?" I asked, walking into the room. I looked around at Lat, Asher, and May seated before me.

"For the rebuild?" Asher asked, seeming striken. "Oh, right. Sorry, we just got caught up in discussing everything we'd be the first to do when we got home."

"If we ever get home," Lat added, and I grimaced. "What a positive attitude," I said, hoping he'd get the sarcasm, but apparently he didn't. He just shrugged and looked away.

"Maybe we should get there first and take some notes," I said. May offered to go see the pilot, and Lat excused himself for a drink of water. "Probably sneaking off to see April," Asher muttered under his breath, and I stifled a laugh. "Teenagers, right?" I asked, staring into Asher's eyes.

"Exactly!" He said, pretending to be exasperated. "Finally, someone gets me."

"Maybe he wasn't lying after all," I said. "I just saw him get water at the fountain. He's heading back now." Asher shrugged. I knew he wasn't serious, but still, the idea had me laughing as soon as Lat walked in the room. He gave me a strange look, like he'd never seen me, or seen me laugh that way before, as if I were doing something extremely weird.

Sharing a quick glance, their eyes quickly agreed there must've been something in the water. I fell over laughing so when May came back she knelt beside me and put a hoof on my back, looking up at the boys. "Is she dying?" She asked.

"Of laughter, maybe," Asher replied, giving a laugh of his own.

"Maybe," May replied, standing up and reclaiming her place at the table. "Eve, if you'd manage to stop laughing for a few seconds, we could discuss what information I've gathered."

"Information?" I asked. "Is there a lot?" I finally straightened myself and regained my proper posture and look.

"Not really," May said. "All I found out was that it'll only be a short while, two minutes at the least. He sent me away with this for our work." She pulled out a loaf of bread and cheese. May tore off a hunk of bread and put some cheese on it.

As she handed us each our piece, Lat said around a mouthful of food, "As soon as we get there, we'll split to take notes of where buildings and things were. Got it?"

"Sure," I said.

"You might need tissues, or at least a friend to accompany you," May said. "I can go with, if that isn't too much trouble for you and the rest of the team to handle."

"Oh, don't worry about me; I've seen it before, and I'll probably be fine. You should commit to all of us, not just me." I gave her a smile.

I was so wrong.

I got there and my heart felt slow and heavy in my chest. I blinked, trying to process the fires and the flames that had destroyed my home. The flames of war. That was why I killed Alle. Or was it? Was it just plain greed, that I as well as my friends had shone? I didn't have one clue.

I almost wished I hadn't eaten before, starving as I was, because the dead animals almost stopped my breathing. My throat was tight and my breathing was shallow as I stepped into the markets. I looked at the first one, a crumpled assortment of tarts and pastries, burnt, made delicately with so much care I felt bad for the baker. What had happened to him? Had he burned as well? I shook my head and blinked. Hopefully, he was still alive, fighting the battle with all of us.

I picked up a piece of burnt chicken from the place nearby. Somebody had once sold in that stand, trying desperately to earn money for coins, and now they were burnt to ash, all their fortune, their life works burnt and dead with themselves. I dropped it, since it had started to dissolve and felt weird to hold.

Through the crumple, she finally got done making a map of the place and what and where to have it, what character traits, gender, and overall expectations and exceeded abilities each worker needed. Within a few hours, I was done.

I walked back to the plane, where May already waited. "Was it fun?" She asked.

"No," I replied. "To be honest with you, it was scary." I shuddered, remembering the chicken. "And the foods and animals were horrifying."

"I bet," May said. "Seeing all that amazing stuff on the ground... it was really hard."

"It wasn't even your pod," I said softly. "But you still care about what they lost in the fire? Why?"

"That's just the way I am," May replied, but just then, Lat came and sat down next to us, so we were all very silent for a long time. When Asher finally came, Lat confronted him, asking him questions, as I moved them all to the room where we'd discuss.

By nighttime, I felt like that bread was nothing. My stomach growled so loudly I thought Asher would turn and yell at me. Thankfully, the food came soon. I didn't seem to have an appetite, which I strictly hated, especially with the chicken, since before was horrifying.

Still, I managed to stuff myself full. After dinner, I washed up and got into bed. Since the trailers were left behind, all of us had been sleeping with the same arrangements, just in the plane beds. It was by far more comfortable, but it was pretty cool getting to sleep in the trailers.

I closed my eyes and had thoughts to when Asher and I first met. Apparently, I'd survived because of the armor and me wishing on the Alphas. But if we seeked to kill the Alphas, why did they keep me alive? Did they want Alle dead, or did they know their time was coming to a close? Either way, I couldn't sleep for a full hour before my eyes finally closed and I fell fast asleep.

✯✯✯

"And the baby is okay and safe?" I asked the Alleges. Then, I added, since one was beginning to look agitated, "Last question."

"Of course," The female one answered. "We've been feeding it and giving it the attention it needs. Soon, it will be ready for anything!"

"Anything, eh?" Asher next to me raised an eyebrow. "Not for what we're doing, surely, correct?" He and I shared a laugh until we finally left the Alleges alone. I remembered Alle's promise, but somehow I didn't feel like following through with it. The woman seemed extremely happy to have a baby of her own, so I let her keep it. "It's" name was A. Just A.

Hey, I didn't choose it.

Later, we all gathered together to share notes. Since it was only lunchtime, everyone was pretty reluctant to leave, but nevertheless, we did. Asher showcased our map of Pod 10 and I passed around the notes of what we'd like to change and do. Lat was in charge of the money it would cost, and May was getting to work on making gear for the builders.

"But who will the builders be?" April asked.

"Probably anybody from Pod 10 that we can find. They're scattered within a lot of different pods, so we can make trips to the nearest ones and when we get back, we'll start working. How about you guys?" I answered. My mother took a deep breath.

"We've uncovered a big secret. According to our research and proof-driven theories, the Alphas lost their powers long ago, at the fight with Pod 10. Nobody knows how or why, but suddenly, they did, and their brains seemed to lose connection to reality."

"Alle poisoned them, no doubt," I said. "Remember back where we got cornered and he said that he was controlled by something he took, and that he wanted me to have it, too?"

Everyone nodded.

"Well, maybe he did the same thing to the Alphas. They must've been good before, because they helped us when May, April, Asher and I were in the tunnels. They kept me alive. So is there any antidote for this? Because if there is, we can reverse the brain poison instead of killing."

"An antidote would take years to find," Cole said. "We don't have that kind of time, not if you want to end this here and now."

"Okay," I said, "But still, killing isn't the answer. We'd have to come up with another way. Otherwise, we're just as bad as Alle was. Killing innocent people with the wrong idea in their head."

"She's right," Asher said. "We can't afford to lose any more of the population. Do you think the antidote would be easy to find? Could we talk them out of it?"

"That's it!" I said. "Maybe the antidote is inside us. All we have to do is try and make them realize and remember the things they did before! Alright, everyone in the Alpha Team, find whatever good things you can about their past and make six different posters. (Tavie is dead now). Maybe then, they'll believe us!"

"Maybe," April said, sinking back into her chair, clearly disappointed she'd lost.

"Mom? Ash? Anything to share about what you gathered?" They both shook their heads. I guessed they'd all been working together to find this out. "Cole, Mom, Ash, and April. Get to work!" I dismissed them and collapsed back into my chair.

"What now?" May asked.

"Now, let's go get some builders. Everyone will probably work for free, no questions asked." I shuddered. "But Pod 1 is not where we're going. Pod 9 was generous enough to lend us the motor, so we can ask them."

"Then what are we waiting for?"

✯✯✯

When we reached Pod 9 (finally), it took a while to get an appointment situated with Throne Kenny, as they called him. First, we got there and there was an entire electric machine powered to try and keep criminals and thieves out. It made sense, since they had a lot of that kind of resource that they didn't use.

There were also two Alleges guarding it. I almost pulled my bow and arrow from my belt, but thought better of it. We'd best not shoot somebody that might have been their slaves now, as we had to them for many days and countless years.

"My name is Eve," I said. "The leader of the uprisings?"

One of the Alleges nodded, and to my surprise, clicked a button on a remote control he had that opened the gate the machine was attached to. I shrugged and my friends followed me in.

The streets were busy, but it looked like a lively town, as it should be. I was almost stunned at how perfectly taken care of it was. It looked... far better than Pod 10 ever had. Of course, Pod 10 looked almost the same, since it was indeed a town and everyone knew each other, but everyone had a mail system, there was a small lake nearby where workers were already collecting the water that flowed from the lakes and maybe oceans, or water sources nearby.

Some people sat on the sand, no blankets or anything, but just talking, with some meat pies and bread. I looked over to a few stands where vendors were selling iced water, tea, and coffee, and some were selling meat pies, bread, and there was even a pastry stand.

All were decorated beautifully. Moving on, we saw few buildings and more houses than anything. Everyone seemed to be busy doing something. It looked like a real town. I was speechless when we reached the big building where Throne Kenny was, so I let Asher do the talking.

An Allege, fully clothed in Alle's armor, pointed across the hall and gave us directions to a waiting room. When we got there, there were books to read and little worksheets that probably cost a lot of money to make, so they'd made them reusable. You could cross the words out in your mind.

There were only 5 copies, so I took the last two. Asher and Lat went over one, and May and I went over the other. Once we were finished, we sat back and relaxed. Finally, the room cleared out and we were back in a line. When it was finally our turn, Throne Kenny looked tired. When he saw us, his face lit up. "Why, hello!" He said. "If I had known you were coming, I simply could've just let you skip the line!"

At this news, our faces darkened, but he paid no mind. "So, what have you all come here for?"

"We'd like to have builders to help rebuild Pod 10," I said hesitantly. "We know you might not like to help Pod 10, but now that Alle is dead, we're hoping to bring the pods and Jamaa together, so we can visit whenever we'd like, and everyone will be happy."

"Of course we'll help," Kenny said, "But please repeat that- Alle is dead?"

"Shot by my own arrow," I said, proud and at the same time nervous. I knew he would approve, of course, but his reaction to my tone might not have been as sharp or kindly.

"Huh," Was all he said. "Well, if you don't mind staying a night or two, we've got a hotel nearby. By afternoon, you'll be heading back with our finest builders. 10 or so should do."

"Twenty is probably all we need," I whispered to Asher. "It sounds like an extremely low number, but we can always get more, and the other Pods might not be this generous."

As we were walking to our hotel, May said, "What if the Alpha Team doesn't know where we've gone and they get worried?"

"They'll probably guess we were staying here," I said, and I was right. When we returned to the plane, they didn't so much as lift a talon to welcome us back, so I simply plopped down on the nearest couch and sat thinking a while. Maybe what I need is a journal, I thought to myself. Or a book or something.

I thought for a minute. And indeed, I did start a book, of course.

This one.

Sixteen ~ I Didn't Choose The Dream, It Chose Me

"Hey, Eve, c'mere!" Asher said, waving me over. "You've got to see this."

I followed him into the hall, and he led me to some sort of room. I looked curiously at Asher, and he nodded, motioning for me to step inside. I shrugged and walked into the room.

I'd never been here before. There was a marble ceiling and floor, and the walls were covered with sparkling emeralds. In front of me, three candles had been lit to make the room have a dim light. My mother was standing with her arm around Cole's backside, and they were holding paws as they danced to music that seemed to come out of April. I walked over to her and whispered, "What's happening?"

She held up a tiny device which I guessed was playing the music. Then she answered, "They're having a wedding. Duh." Since I didn't have any intention to deal with her, I went over to sit by April. I was speechless. "Already? Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"Shh," Lat said. He had a book open in front of him, and April was next to him. I looked at him in disgust. How rude was it to be at my mother's wedding, and his friend's, and be reading?

When the song ended, an Allege with the baby in hand practically threw roses at them. I was transfixed. What was happening? With a sigh and a shake of my head, I started to rock back and forth. The tunes stopped immediately and now all we could hear was each other's breathing. I whispered to Asher, "This seems like a dream."

Suddenly, the other Allege tore in. "The Alphas are here!" He screamed. Then another voice yelled, "Hey, Eve, we've found the way to defeat the Alphas! Eve! Wake up-"

Suddenly, I realized this was no dream. Asher was shaking me awake. Shivering from the memory of the weird dream I'd had, I followed him into the hall, just like before. Luckily, we went right instead of left, but tonight, I'd be exploring every inch of the left wing until I found the marble, small room I'd imagined.

"What did you say again?" I asked, rubbing sleep from my eyes. "Like, before, what did you say?"

"I said we've found a way to defeat the Alphas." His pace quickened and he looked at me through the corner of his eye. I stared back. "You know we need to defeat the brain poison Alle gave them, right, not them?"

"It's the only way," He responded defiantly.

"I can't handle any more arguments," I said, then calmly, "You still should've checked with me first. I thought I was the leader of the pack, and even if I'm not and I'm just being selfish, I have an opinion too."

"It was unexpected," Asher said. I looked over at him. His face was an expressionless mask, but it softened when he looked over at me. "Sometimes you're hard to read," He said.

"I am?" I raised my eyebrows. By now we'd stopped outside the closed doorway. We leaned against the stone wall. "I've always thought you could read me perfectly."

"I'm good with pretending," He said.

"Even with love?" I looked up at him and loved the way he turned red.

"You're different, Eve, you really are. You got us into this mess- well, we all did- but still, you want to get us out. You almost got brain poisoned by Alle. You killed Alle. You convinced three Alleges to join us. You had beautiful ideas, you tried your best not to fight, and when you were mad about April and Lat, it was because of Ann. You're beautiful on the inside and the outside. Not many people have that."

I was speechless, so even if I wanted to talk, I couldn't, because the door flew open, narrowly missing me. If I hadn't jumped out of the way, Asher and I both would've been squished. Thankfully, my fast reflexes prevented that. My mother stood in the doorway. "Oh," She said when she saw us. "Um- come in."

I looked nervously at Asher, and we both agreed to walk in. The room looked scarily just like the one in my dream. I told myself it must've been a coincidence. It got scarier when I saw April setting up that same device. I closed my eyes and told myself to calm down.

"Eve?"

I jumped. It was just Asher. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." I brushed myself off, even though I wasn't dirty. I took a deep breath. "Okay. I'm okay."

Asher looked doubtful, but still he took my paw and led me to the seats on the other side. "So... how are we meant to stop the Alphas?"

"We're trying to find an antidote, but for right now, this is all we have." May held up a paper. "If you can convince the entire pod population, you can use words to stop them, too."

I thought for a minute. "And if that doesn't work, and we haven't found an antidote?"

"They lost their powers, remember?" April asked. Her head was resting in Lat's lap. I grinded my teeth together. "Sure," I replied. "And that's supposed to make it easier to defeat them?"

She shrugged. "It should. There's more of us."

"But we're smaller," I insisted. "If we tried, we'd likely fail, and-"

"Let's just try what we have," Cole interrupted. "Our wedding is tomorrow, and we're going to announce some ladies right now."

"Wait, guys, while we're on this topic," I said, "I had a really weird dream last night."

"You spent all night working on that book," April pointed out, on the last few words spitting it out. I nodded. "I know, but..." I explained all the events, the crazy resemblance in both the rooms, though I left out Asher and I's discussion, saying as we arrived my mom threw open door.

May looked so pale it was almost disturbing. I looked over at her and tilted my head questioningly.

"It's just... I'm hoping this is okay. It couldn't be a vision, could it? These tell you the future, and most people try to change the outcome if it's bad, though it's impossible to do so unless you tried very hard."

"If it's a vision, that would be good."

"What happened at the end of your dream, before Asher woke you up?"

"The Alphas were coming, I believe. At least, that's what the male Alpha told me."

"Okay, it must be a dream, probably a sign that you're nervous about our decision, and what we actually did. So, relax. And let's let them announce the stuff about the wedding." She concluded. I tried to rub my temples. It was fine, just that I was worried.

And I was. This entire time, I'd been pretending I was someone else. I wasn't really good at fighting inside. It was instinct. I wouldn't let the Alleges win. And I wouldn't let my friends kill anyone.

Of course, that would take time.

And effort.

My mom called my name, and I proudly walked up to her, smiling fakely. Inside, I felt tattered, worn, and broken, but didn't we all? I was just another person. Anybody could've done this. I looked forward at my friends and sighed. Sure, anybody could do it, but I had.

May had tried. April had tried. May's mother had tried. Many people, with no success. Nobody had gotten as far as I had. I tried not to grimace when I realized my mother had also picked April, with May. But of course. Ash was living with the female Allege. I forgot to mention that.

She'd had a lot of good meals, and I trusted the female, her name Ema. Ash and the baby, as well as the two Alleges, were going to come out with us.

That night, after the wedding plans, I went to visit Ash. I walked up to her with a smile plastered on my face. "Hey, sis!" I said. "Are you gonna be there tomorrow?"

"Of course," She said. "You look like something's worrying you."

"You too," I said, sitting next to her on the bed. "What's going on with you? Mine is just I'm worried about the Alphas. Typical me." I muttered, then looked up at her.

"Well..." She began... "I'm almost sixteen, Eve. You've grown and learned, you'd be in college right now. But me? I need to learn all the things I'll use for life. And I can't learn that with you guys. I've already talked to Ema, and she tells me not to worry, that it'll be best. She can't give me it, either."

"No!" I said. "You- you can't leave."

"Sis," Ash said, "You've been with me for so long. You're always there for me. We've grown up together, and that's more than I could ever hope for. But I've got to carry on with my life."

"When are you leaving?" I asked quietly.

"I'll go with someone named Kaylee when I'm ready. Is- is that okay?"

"You'll be ready," I decided, "But I won't. I'll always have you in my heart." I smiled, tears welling in my eyes. "You're an amazing sister, Ash."

"I'll never forget you, I promise," Ash said. "And if anything ever happens to me-"

"No." I grabbed her paw. "Ash, don't talk like that." I smiled through the tears. "You're my sister. And a heck of a good one at that."

Her smile sent warmness through my entire body.

✯✯✯

"Today's the day," Asher whispered to me. He winked. "Good luck."

"Shush or I'll catch that bouquet," I whispered back.

"I'll be waiting for that moment." He smiled at me and walked away. I located Ash, who was sitting next to Ema and the baby, Alexa. She looked happy, happier than I'd seen her in a long time. I took a deep breath.

I was dressed in a white cloth, fit for weddings, with my usual flower crown. Everyone else was dressed up, of course. To skip to the main point, they got married, and it was a good, happy moment. For a moment, I forgot about everything else. But we didn't have our happy ending yet.

"Enjoying yourself?" Asher asked, spinning me around. "Maybe we should do this more often."

"That's the thing," I said, rubbing my paw against my arm. "I'm not sure we can. It's not safe for everyone in our pod, Asher. I'm sorry. I wish it could be different..."

"...but it can't. That's all you had to say, Eve."

"Do you understand?" I pressed. "Please, just say you do..."

"No!" Asher said, turning around. "I don't understand why... why you won't just accept anybody. I know I'm being selfish. But that doesn't change the fact that you're just not ready. You may be ready for everything else, but not this, not just yet."

"I know," I replied. "I know it."

(sorry for the short chapter)

Seventeen ~ So, Who Do You Think Will Catch The Bouquet?

Today was the day.

We'd been preparing all week, and finally, the wedding was actually here. About to happen. It was mostly just hard to believe since, well, I wasn't prepared, mostly.

Next, it's worse. Why Cole? Almost every time I looked at him, I winced. And how was I to know he wasn't the one that killed Darke? Well, that one was easy. But what about the others? Were we ever safe? I hated being near an Allege.

It didn't show, did it?

I'm glad I've gotten better at doing that. It's not that I was disgusted with him, or had a grudge against him, but he wasn't my favorite.

Seriously, he really wasn't.

"Wait, did they even get engaged?" April asked me that night as I was putting on my dress.

"They must've," I responded. "Otherwise, how would they be getting married?" But her comment still made be uneasy, since I didn't quite remember if my mother had mentioned it. Everyone was calling her Lacey now, but I'd always think of her as "Mom", even if I didn't say it out loud.

"Well, are you excited?" May nudged me from the other side.

"Sorta," I said. "It just feels weird watching it. An enemy and a friend getting... married? It just seems wrong to me."

"You know he's good, right?" May seemed upset and concerned now.

"Of course, of course," I assured her. "It just makes me feel a bit weird. I've obviously been looking forward to seeing my mom, and I know Cole makes her happy, but-"

"May I make a suggestion?"

I turned around to the noise. A white wolf with a cream-colored flower crown and cream-colored worn was standing there with a warm smile. I felt protected just with her aroma in the room, which, by the way, reminded me of the calm, salty waves crashing along the shoreline.

Thankfully, she introduced herself- and me?

"My name is Kaylee," She said. "I'm here to take your sister. Wait, that sounds wrong." She laughed silkily. "I'm here to bring her to a better home, once everything is sorted out. I want to be friends. You must be Eve, correct? Otherwise, I just made a big fool out of myself."

"No, I'm Eve," I told her, grinning like a little kid.

She tilted her head at me, and then turned to April. "I've heard about you." Suddenly her tone was firm and a bit, annoyed, if you may.

"Yes..." April looked a bit upset at this confrontation. Since her earlier attitude was very rude, she must've guessed her reputation wasn't too good with the friends around here. I whispered in her ear, "Asher must've spilled the tea."

"He may've," She spat. Then, softening, she said, "I'm sorry. I know better now."

"Your whispers are loud," Kaylee observed over her shoulder. I blushed, embarrassed.

"So, who do you think will catch the bouquet?" Kaylee asked, laughing. "Are you trying to make me turn all red and purple before the wedding even starts?" I asked angrily, but it was in a joking kind of way.

Kaylee smiled, and she and May began talking.

The ceremony was epic, to say the least. Everyone had such a great time, and I was so proud of us all. Lacey decided not to throw the flowers, for reasons she and I couldn't possibly explain in words. It was just emotions.