"I have an idea. I don't like it much but..." Nicole trailed off. The look of disgust was understood by both Callie and I instantly. She didn't need to elaborate on how desperate we were.

We were back in my room, the one Baltia had "allowed" me to stay in while we enjoyed our permanent stay in the walled city.

"You've got a plan?" I asked.

"Not a plan. Just an idea. Like, just the one idea."

"What is it?" Callie asked.

"I hate to say it, but... We're gonna need Carter." Nicole sighed as she spoke, as if announcing it took all her energy to admit.

"Why Carter?" I asked.

"Jacob's doing everything in his power to annoy the crap out of him. Carter has a certain amount of sway in the community and at this point, he'll probably do anything to get rid of Jacob. The kid's going to give him gray hairs before he hits twenty-two."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not sure that's a good enough reason for Carter to betray Baltia."

"You'd be surprised. He's the kind of guy who'd ditch his family for personal gain." Nicole folded her arms.

Callie and I stared at her, making sure she knew how odd that sounded.

"...I assume." Nicole added.

"Have you been stalking him?" I asked.

Nicole shrugged, but didn't answer my question.

"When's Jacob getting back?" Callie asked.

I checked my watch. "Soon, I think."

Perfect timing. There was a knock at the door.

"Knock knock!" Called the familiar humorous voice.

I rolled my eyes. "Who's there?"

"Adore." Oh god, this was going to be horrible.

"Adore who?" Callie piped up.

Clearly, adore you. After all everyone liked Callie.

"Adore is between us. Open up!" Jacob laughed.

I scoffed, striding over to the door and throwing it open. He stood there wearing that same annoying smirk on his face, like he thought he was so hilarious.

"If I let you in will you promise never to tell another horrible joke?" I asked.

His grin broadened. "No can do, Grey. My jokes are amazing and here to stay."

I stood in front of the doorway, blocking him from entering. He threw me a wink.

Jacob grabbed me by the waist and hoisted me over his shoulders before sauntering inside.

"Wha- PUT ME DOWN!"

This only made him laugh harder. He kicked the door closed.

"Okay I think it's time we get some exploring done. Find Baltia's weakness and such. Who's with me?"

Nicole jumped up from my bed. "Yeah!"

Callie nodded.

I was too busy pounding my fists against his back to answer.

"I have a gun you know." I muttered.

"No you don't. They confiscated it, remember?" Jacob rolled his eyes as if my threatening him somehow caused his exasperation. "Besides you wouldn't shoot me after all we've been through, would you, Locke?"

I stopped fussing. "I still have a pocket knife."

Nicole smiled. "You mean that pocket knife? Over there, far away on the dresser?"

"I hate you all."

Jacob threw me on the bed. I landed with a thump as the mattress bounced.

"Everyone in agreement? Alright, let's go on our little field trip."

I contemplated kicking his ass. Stupid that he had six inches on me.

In the end I decided to follow him out the door. We'd tell him Nicole's idea along the way.

It was a fun and silly chapter to write. Let me know what you think! Please, authors survive on feedback.

Thanks for reading!