Page 118 of The Divide that Binds Us

Skylar’s presence shivers within me as I turn in time, whipping my dagger out to slash the Guard and kick her assault rifle out of her hands.The Guard falters and lunges for me, but I grab her arms when she grabs me and twist myself to toss her in the fountain.My lower back screams as I gather myself to find my friends okay and defend the citizens these Guards have turned against.The one I threw in the fountain has the red A on her hand.

A flash of blue catches my eye for me to concentrate on the movement of the runner heading toward the bridge.She’s short enough to lose in this kind of crowd, but her aura is brilliant enough to find her no matter how many times someone looks away.

“Fae,” I whisper, realizing it’s her.“FAE!”

I shove through people to catch up, but she’s fast.Sliding under people’s legs, hopping over shoulders, and slipping through narrow spaces.All the screaming drowns out my voice every time I call her name, and my ears ache from the high volume of distress coming from everyone.A teenager is puking blood on the bridge, but I don’t have time to stop and help her; I need to get to Fae.

Halfway through the bridge, I stop short and look back at Central Square.Amongst the fighting and petrifying, Billie scans the area until her snake eyes calm down into a blue hue enough to meet mine.We give a parting nod before I turn back and sprint across the rest of the bridge.

More people pour into the streets, halting traffic in a chaotic horn-blaring-wheels-screeching-from-heavy-braking style.The gunfire hasn’t happened since Central Square, but everyone is distressed beyond reasoning at this point.More Guards enter the scene which drives the civilians wild as they wail and change the directions they’re running in.Even if these are the good people who’re trying to control the situation, no one will know or understand because of the corrupted ones Mildred has blended with the others.

I keep close to the buildings and avoid the streets or open areas to maneuver through.I try to keep up with the bright blue marker that I know is Fae running, ducking, and running again but I have to tango through this mess too.A man grabs my bare ankle with bloody hands, his legs look limp and twisted in the wrong way.

“Pl-please...”he whimpers.“I fell while running and then...and then—”

“Shh, I can help, just relax.”I crouch beside him and turn his body over gently so he’s sitting on his butt.His legs roll over with him but stiffly.I don’t know how bad his legs are, but if he was trampled to the point where they twisted, I don’t have much hope.

I can’t heal broken bones, but I can ease the pain.

I’ve lost my trailof Fae, but I continue in the same direction down the main street until I reach the highway or a road branching off toward a botanical garden and forest.The further I travel from Central Square, the quieter it gets.The shops closed once the pandemonium started, and the news station vans came flying down the street for media coverage.I stay on the sidewalk and realize my phone is buzzing.I left Billie, Azul, and Rachel, but I’m hoping they’ll be able to help get the public together since the Guards can’t.This is how Elite can restore its reputation, if they don’t blame me for cursing the event.

I sprint toward the botanical garden, dry heaving in my throat and my ankle throbbing from the tightness of the monitor.This has to be at least three miles from Central Square, no way anyone would be in the park, but I’m hoping Fae will.I saw her.I know that hair.Very few people have that color, so I’m praying it’s her.

Rio was also at Central Square, but I don’t know where.I heard his voice right before the gunshots started.I...hope he’s okay, too.I’m not done bickering with that idiot yet.

I bypass the garden path and admission building and divert to the towering forest.The trees quake in worry as I dive in, eyes strained and alert after a long day.Being alone sucks; this creeping feeling slithers up my body because it’s exposed if someone is here.I always have Skylar, but the nagging suspicion is potent in my cloudy head.

The foliage in this forest is rotting in sporadic areas while a blooming canopy above me crumbles as twisted black leaves sink to the ground.I approach the clearing, unsure of how far I’ve gone.The forest reminds me of the one by Elite—half dead, half alive and struggling to thrive.My ankle monitor feels extra tight, a subtle reminder of staying put on this island.

Leaves crunching and twigs snapping alert my ears as I brace myself.Hairs rise on the back of my neck as Skylar’s anticipation flows through me.Someone else is here.It may not be Fae though.

What if I’m too late?

A thin tree shudders with a squirrel leaping off and scurrying up another tree next to it.The screams from the event’s mayhem are distant but persistent.So many people were hurt and even killed.I couldn’t save them all.

That’s why I have to stop Mildred, no matter what it takes.

---