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“King and Boogie have been taken,” he said, his voice scratchy and deep.
“Alive?” I whispered, dreading the answer.
“That we know of,” he said somberly.
“Do we know the culprit?” He nodded, and I think I knew who it was before he even said who it was.
“Arthur.”
Now I had someone else to be mad at. Someone else to direct all this anger at and it centered me.
Fucking Arthur.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to come back,” he said as I stood up. “I had to track them and ran into trouble. I know they don’t deserve your help, but?—”
He took a deep breath. “I need your help, please.”
“Why not call the Mayor?” I asked, curious as to why he thought I could help him.
Mars stared at me, and I rolled my eyes.
“I wish the loyalty you have for Boogie and King was a fraction of the loyalty they had for me,” I sighed.
“It’s not just my loyalty to them,” he said, leaning back against the door. “We don’t know how she will react to all of us. I’m protecting you as much as I am them. She might have a soft spot for you, but if you're more trouble than you're worth, she might decide to kill you.
Many people had told me she was unpredictable. She always seemed level-headed with me. I could always try and figure this out on my own, and if all else failed, maybe I could plead my case.
“Do you know where they are?” I asked, as I walked up to him waiting for him to push me back into the room.
“Roman has found them up north in a small compound,” he said, stepping aside so I could step out.
“What do you expect from me?” I asked.
I didn’t have much to offer.
“King and Boogie didn’t trust you, but I’ve seen you, and what you've done with Christmas Town,” he said, stepping in line with me. “I need all the help I can get to get them back and you are my best hope. I’m a soldier and I need you to be our leader.”
We reached the landing and a few men stood there looking at me along with Roman and Lance. I froze seeing the last two men.
“Al—Noelle,” Lance kneeled.
All of the men followed, kneeling before me.
“Don’t insult me with your fake allegiance. You don’t need to kneel for me or butter me up,” I snapped, overwhelmed with heartache. “I will free King and Boogie then go my own way.”
I walked away as tears stung my eyes in search of the damn kitchen around here.
“Noelle.”
My steps quickened as I walked faster away from the men, from Lance, from my failure.
“Ally.”
Lance.
I didn’t stop. I wasn’t ready to face my problems and the reminder that I failed Lance.
“Alison.”
