Page 80 of The Divide that Binds Us

“No...”My hitched breathing echoes softly down the hall.The flames rush back into Nicholas’s palm, growing until the last one behind my shoulder reluctantly joins the giant fireball waiting.Nicholas quivers as veins rise on his neck and forehead.

“It’s a trap,” he whispers bleakly, turning toward the metal entrance door that slowly groans open from the sketchy Guard staggering in.The walls wheeze around us with a metallic smell filling my nose.The gas caresses us, prickling my skin and creating an emptiness inside me.

Skylar?Are you there?

Silence.

“Solincium gas, clever” Nicholas whispers, staring at the Guard.He’s finally through the door, wearing his gas mask.“Without our powers now, eventually they’re going to outnumber us if he has backup lurking somewhere.”

“What?”I gasp, looking at him, but he’s focused on the man advancing.He outstretches his hand, so Nicholas grabs my shoulders and gives me a tight hug that I’m too startled to return.

“Listen to me, Alice,” he whispers.“When I let go, run.Don’t ask questions.Just do it.”

“N-Nick, no.”

His hug stiffens around me as he pulls away, eyes cloudy and distant.He twitches, grunts, and clenches his fist.The fireball near him vanishes.

“Run!”he growls through his teeth.

My heart’s panicked thumps propel me forward right when my mind wanders on how good of an idea it would be to join Mildred’s cause.

I am Alice, and I must stop Mildred.I am—

I freeze in mid-sprint, staring down at the man I must get past to leave.Nicholas is still shaking, trying to fight off the influence coming over him, and already infecting parts of my mind.

Mildred is...evil.No—she is doing a good thing.She’s helping people.

“It’s okay to give in,” the Guard encourages.“Just let go and let Mildred help you with your struggles.”

I...am...Alice.

A knife hurls by my head, causing the man to duck and roll out of the way as it hits the metal door and clangs against the ground.My muscles relax enough to look at Nicholas down on one knee, sweating.He meets my gaze and nods.

“It’s...okay, Azul knows.She told me...everything.You have to go before it’s—” He’s rigid again, but I don’t wait another second.The man is already up and approaching us down the tunnel’s hall.My thoughts whirl, conflicted about stopping Mildred.This is a bad idea, but I sprint head-on toward the Guard, blocking out all the thoughts to concentrate.

I pull out my dagger when I’m close enough to whip and slash the man’s arm.He winces and stumbles back, so I push him to the ground with the little strength I have left and continue for the door.I look back, wanting to grab Nicholas, but knowing I don’t have enough time.I have to leave him behind.

Azul knows.

But I didn’t.

My arms tingle from all the strength I shove into opening the door enough to slip through, scramble back to my feet, and race into the darkness until I can find the ladder to escape.

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