Fuck.

This was not according to plan.

Okay sure our plan had been a mess but I really had never expected this to happen.

Remember when I said that the headquarters of Baltia was also in the wall the city had built?

That's where we were currently being held. High in a heavily sanitized white tower we waited in front of the Baltia's dictator for our death sentence.

I searched the desk for the button that would open the gates outside. The pounded of heavy footsteps echoed as guards rushed in.

I had no choice but to drop my weapon.

Like I said, it wasn't exactly a great plan.

They rushed at me. Armed and dangerous. One of the guards panicked, while two more grabbed me.

BANG!

"LOCKE!"

Oh yeah... I was bleeding from my left arm, just below my shoulder. And damn did it sting like a bitch.

The four of us stood in the office of a stone faced slim man. Jacob kept sending me worried glances and struggling against the two guards who held him. For once, he didn't look anywhere close to humorous or cheerful. Nicole just tried her best to silently comfort young Callie.

The man glared at us. I couldn't figure out why he wasn't speaking or doing anything but stare.

We sat in silent punishment instead.

I glanced around the office, trying to apply pressure with my other hand as I did so. A band aid would have been appreciated, even if the wound was a little more intense than that.

It was clean, too clean. The amount of white and gray made all the color in the room, the people, stick out horribly.

The slim man fit in perfectly with the with the color scheme of his office, with his pale skin, white suit, and dark hair. A tag sat upon his desk that read Dick Billerson.

From outside the gray door footsteps could be heard pounding up the stairs to the office. The door flung open and Carter tumbled inside.

"I came as fast as I heard- NICOLE?"

Carter stared at the young teen. Nicole glared at him.

"Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse." She grumbled.

"Davis, why are you here?" Mr. Billerson said. "Where's Bentley? I sent for him, not you."

"Bentley has been sick with the flu, so I've been training new soldiers. So really, your business is with me." He pointed his thumb at himself as he spoke. At Billerson's glare he added, "Sir."

Carter turned back to Nicole. "I'm sorry but what are you doing here? Where's Xander?"

"Dead." Jacob answered, oddly enough scowling at Carter. "What's it to you?"

"My cousin always was a reckless idiot. But I happen to care a great deal about what happens to my family."

"Bullshit." Nicole muttered under her breath. "I wouldn't have left to go off with Xander if you had cared."

"Both of you shut up!" Billerson rubbed his temples. "You're giving me a headache. So, Davis, you're telling me that you're to blame for these two new recruits being insubordinate?"

"Well no... But I was trying to train them, sir."

"But it's not your fault they were trying to break out of Baltia?" Billerson's menacing gaze said otherwise.

Carter turned to his sister. "Nicole Eileen Davis, you what?"

She gave him the middle finger.

I winced as the sharp pain stung my arm once more. "Hey, this all sucks and all, but do you think I could get some gauze or something?"

Carter ran to me, gently grabbing my arm. "You shot her?"

"It was an accident." Grumbled one of the guards holding Jacob. He began squirming again, glaring at Carter as if he had laser vision.

"I just want to know who I have to punish." Billerson stated.

"If you want my opinion," Carter began, pulling out a wad of gauze from a first aid kit he seemed to keep on him. As he was supposed to be a medic there it made sense. "I think you should have let them all escape."

"What?" I gasped in unison wither Billerson.

"Jacob's been causing nonstop trouble for us since he got here." Carter said, wrapping my wound in gauze. I gave him a slight smile in appreciation.

Jacob rolled his eyes. "Nonstop seems like a bit of a stretch."

"Nicole is generally a rebellious kid and I don't think she gives a shit about what you want from her, she won't listen."

"Damn straight."

"Language, missy. As for the other two here, I don't know much except they're a package deal with the trouble makers."

"So why shouldn't I just send them to our brainwashing facility?" Billerson puffed out his chest.

Carter groaned. "First off, you shouldn't brainwash people into following you, it's wrong."

The guards nodded in agreement.

"Second off, we haven't even built it yet, because we've been stretched too thin with other projects and it's a stupid idea!"

"Well they wouldn't try and escape if we had one would they."

Carter's face turned stoney. "They're supposed to be your people, not your prisoners. When I decided to help create Baltia the important part was supposed to be helping people, not creating another system for them to fear. If people don't want to be here they shouldn't have to be."

Billerson's eye twitched. "You got something against the way I do things?"

Carter straightened up. "I think you heard me."

Billerson deflated slightly. "Fine, what do you suggest we do with them?"

"Let them go. They aren't contributing to Baltia and they don't want to be here. Just get them out of our hair!"

Billerson scratches his chin. "I don't know... We always need more youths here. And the other two could contribute in some way I'm sure. R Program maybe."

I glared at him. "Again with the stupid R program. Listen here, buddy-"

Carter's blue eyes grew wide and he shook his head, silencing me. "Let me."

He turned to Billerson. "You really can't capitalize off them. Just let them go."

Billerson groaned. "I'll turn my back, just this once. Only because they are the most annoying kids I have ever met."

He swiveled his chair so his back was to us and shooed us away.

The guards released us. Almost instinctively I pulled Carter into a hug.

"I don't exactly know why you did it but thank you for that."

Jacob rushed to me. "Locke, are you okay?" He quickly checked over both my gunshot wounds. I nodded.

"Look, I know you don't care what I have to say but I really recommend #711 here stay and get proper medical treatment." Carter stated.

I laughed, tucking a stray strand behind my ear. "The name's Erica actually."

Jacob let out a hmph of annoyance.

I realized what exactly he was saying and my expression grew stormy. "And I'm fine. I'm not leaving them."

"I figured you wouldn't. So do me a favor and stay alive, will you," He smiled. "Erica."

"Ugh." Nicole groaned.

"Keep her safe, please." Carter whispered to me as he opened the door to back down the stairs. We began walking.

"I will, but not for you. I happened to genuinely like the kid."

"Fair enough." He shrugged.

We hit the bottom floor. He turned to all of us. "Well the two of you have been pains in my rear, since we met. Please, leave. Jacob, I genuinely hope we never meet again."

"Right back at ya."

"Nicole, I... I'm sorry."

Nicole huffed and turned away.

"Erica, good luck with these three. You'll need it." His eyes lingered on my arm. "You're welcome back anytime."

He passed over Callie rather quickly, which made sense. He strode to the looking out desk was, his finger hovering above a button.

"I suggest you get in your car. I'll open the gate for you."

Finally freedom.

Geez we've been in Baltia since *checks publishing dates* August, wow. And we're finally out! I know this chapter is a bit weird, a bit long, a bit all over the place but I think it's still a fairly decent chapter. I hoped you liked it and don't be afraid to vote, comment, and share if you did! Thanks!
~Oz