The pressure in Nole’s chest was almost enough to make him collapse, but he maintained his composure. Executing them today? His mind was going into a panic. He was already dead set on rescuing them. Execution was not an option.

“Where?” Zane demanded.

“Wait, Zane,” Valerie ordered, “you’re not in any shape to-”

“Where?” Zane demanded through clenched teeth.

For once, Nole was actually on the same page as Zane. They’re best chance was to act fast, especially given the circumstances. Tom, however, didn’t seem to agree. He let out a nasally breathe.

“Listen, our best course of action is to plan ahead. Don’t forget that they’re after you too. Jumping the gun will only get you killed,” he reasoned patiently. Despite the logic of Tom’s argument, Zane wasn’t backing down.

“Zane,” Valerie muttered, trying to calm him down.

“I’ll go too,” Nole urged. He felt Suri grab the sleeve of his shirt in apprehension of his words. “I have to go,” he told her, gently unraveling her fingers and freeing himself from her grasp.

“I’m going alone,” Zane asserted. “I don’t need any help.”

“Apparently you do,” Nole retorted, alluding to Zane’s disheveled appearance. “If I could land a blow on you, you’re just going to be target practice for the Enforcers.”

“Zane, you’re not going alone,” Valerie argued sternly. Her sudden change in attitude actually caught Zane’s attention. “If you’re going, it won’t be until I’ve treated your injuries. And then you can go as long as Nole goes with you.” She crossed her arms and raised her shoulders so that they brushed against her blonde bob. Although the strictness was out of character, it managed to work. Zane grunted in response, which was good enough for Valerie because moments later, she rushed to grab the first aid kit from the adjacent room and began treating the cuts on Zane’s face, arms, and leg.

“You guys are serious?” Tom broke in. “Nole, I thought I told you we would help. There’s no need to go off alone.”

“If they’re being executed today, we have to act now,” Nole contended. “You take Suri and Valerie and rendezvous with us at Central Station.” Grabbing the bag of pages from the floor, Nole handed them to Suri. “Suri, these are pages from the newspapers we used to read. They’re covered with notes handwritten by Caden, so they may tell us something about why he ran off. If you see anything that rings any bells, let me know. For now, just take them and do as Valerie says, okay?”

His little sister nodded vigorously. To feel included in the plan must have been a new experience for her, because she hugged the bag tightly as if it were a newborn baby. Tom grumbled when he saw his authority wasn’t being taken seriously.

“Fine,” he relented, “but don’t do anything reckless. I’ll get everyone together and head down there as soon as I can.”

Nole nodded at the instruction and waited for Valerie to complete the first aid treatment. Once all of Zane’s wounds were bandaged, he rose to his feet and glared at Nole.

“Don’t get in my way,” he murmured. Rolling his eyes in response, Nole bit his tongue and focused on the task at hand. “Let’s go.”

Both Zane and Nole approached the glass doors, the lingering screech of Enforcer’s sirens radiating in the outside air. Nole wouldn’t allow himself to look back at them, because if he did, the thought of it possibly being the last time he’d see them would undoubtedly cross his mind. Without a second thought, they exited the complex and sprinted for Central Station.

***

The high sun told Nole it was midday. He hadn’t bothered to check the time before heading out, not with the direness of the situation. Although he could keep up with Zane if he wanted, Nole lagged behind slightly in order to formulate a plan. With such vague information about the enemy, he couldn’t build a sufficient base for a plan of attack.

The idea of the entire Enforcers Unit being behind Murphy’s murder was absurd to Nole. The most obvious case against the assertion was Jett Maddox being Murphy’s nephew. If he had an outsider's perspective, Nole might find it possible that Captain Maddox was involved in killing his uncle, but after seeing the anger and unforgivable attitude he had toward Nole, the alleged murderer, it was almost certain that Maddox wasn’t included; at least not directly.

On the other hand, the Chief Caswell seemed like the most probable suspect. Not only was he in charge of the unit, but also his hasty orders regarding Olivia and Betty were a major red flag. The real question was, of the rest of the Enforcers, who was left out like Maddox and who was involved like Caswell.

Given the information in Betty’s acquired letter, it was also possible that the Pents and Quads were currently working together. Although the file containing the letter was retrieved in an errand a few days prior, it was likely that another round of negotiations had taken place. The worst case scenario would be that the two gangs reached an agreement and are currently working for Caswell in an attempt to obliterate the Paras.

The only thing that escaped Nole was why the Enforcers had already been keeping tabs on Betty and the others. Is their errand running really such a detriment to the city when all they go after are gangs? Nole couldn’t wrap his mind around it. Then again, if Caswell is as corrupt as he’s appearing to be, it may explain how the gangs have managed to run Nova City for so long.

“Hey,” Zane called over his shoulder, “you draw their attention while I look for Betty and Olivia.”

So he’s been planning too, Nole thought.

“So I’m the bait?” Nole rephrased.

“Things would go differently if I was alone, but since you’re here, you can make yourself useful. It's the best strategy.”

Nole scoffed at Zane’s mention of strategy. From their brief acquaintance, Nole hadn’t seen him enact a single form of strategy aside from hit, and then hit again. However, he had agreed to help, so if that meant Zane was in charge, he had to keep to his offer.

As they rushed by building after building, they grew closer to City Square, which was only a short distance from Central Station. Shallow puddles darkened the pavement from the previous night’s storm. The humid air lingered and the sky was a dull blue, almost gray.

The citizens around them wandered the streets. Many still seemed to be recovering from the frenzy caused by the storm. Surely it must have been a lucky night for them since many hadn’t tasted fresh water since the fountain was closed. Are the Paras being framed with the vandalism? Nole speculated every single conspiracy theory he could think of. Given the recent developments, there was no telling what was real and what wasn’t.

Screeching sirens signaled their proximity to Central Station. Without exchanging a word, both Zane and Nole hastened their pace, the soles of their shoes stomping the pavement from the sheer force of their footsteps. When they finally reached the Square, patrol cars filled nearly the whole area. A blockade?

“They’re shutting us out,” Nole whispered to Zane. They waited behind the corner of one of the Square’s outer buildings. “They knew we’d come.”

It wasn’t just patrol cars, armed Enforcers were scattered throughout the newly created maze of vehicles. Getting past all of them undetected would be close to impossible, and another route at that point was out of the question. Although safety was a major concern, the odds of them finding an unpatrolled route to the station was slim now that the Enforcers were on to them.

“There’s a way,” Zane replied. Before Nole could enlighten his cohort with the negatives of using a baiting strategy, Zane suggested an alternative plan. “We go in plain sight.” It took a decent amount of Nole’s self-restraint to keep from mocking the suggestion outright.

“You’re not serious, right?” Nole asked. Zane ignored Nole’s concern, staring aimlessly into the crowd of Enforcers before them and then at a few civilians loitering nearby. Leaving Nole by the corner, Zane approached a group of three bystanders and engaged in a calm conversation. Nole couldn’t hear what was being said, so he decided to focus on the intimidating Enforcers keeping them at bay. Not long after Zane’s temporary departure, he returned to his position without saying a word to Nole. “What was that all about?” Nole demanded. His impatience was beginning to show.

“Shut up and watch,” Zane quieted. As soon as he spoke, the three bystanders entered the Central Square and were heading towards the guarding Enforcers. Naturally, the Enforcers kept them at bay, but the three men Zane had conversed with became restless.

“The fountain’s on, isn’t it?” Nole heard one of the men shout. “Why are you guarding it from us?” Moments after hearing the man’s words, Nole recognized Zane’s strategy. Although it wasn’t a necessarily good plan, it was effective, because more citizens began marching in.

“The fountain is on?”

“Is there running water?”

“Why are there so many Enforcers?”

"Are they trying to keep us from the fountain?"

“They’re trying to keep the water all for themselves!”

Nole shook his head at the mass hysteria that spread amongst the crowd. The rain had replenished their basic desire for water. They were actually asserting their own needs, and fighting for them. Not long after the initial group of three citizens confronted the Enforcers, a large riotous group had formed and was rallying against the Enforcers within the Square.

“Let’s go,” Zane ordered, creeping out from the edge of the building. Nole gave an audible sigh and followed along with the dangerous plan. As the crowd of rowdy civilians grew larger and louder, Zane and Nole managed to slip by undetected, but it didn't last long.

“You two!” called an Enforcer. “No one’s allowed beyond this blockade. Return to the outside of the Square.” Nole made sure to keep his head down so that he couldn’t be identified. Luckily, no one knew who he was yet.

“Looks like we’ll need a new plan,” he whispered to Zane, turning around to heed the Enforcer’s directions.

“No,” Zane refused. “We press forward.”

“What are you saying?” Nole argued impatiently. “Don’t make a scene, let’s just regroup.”

Zane maintained his position while the observing Enforcer waited for their compliance. “There’s no time.” Before Nole could reason with him, Zane continued forward, not bothering to hide his defiance.

Nole noticed the Enforcer scowl, and make his way toward the disobedient Zane. Doesn’t he know they’re after him too? We’ll be caught at this rate. The group of civilians had grown larger, and were actually holding their own their against the peacefully mediating Enforcers.

“You!” the Enforcer persisted to an ignoring Zane. “Get behind the blockade!” Other Enforcers began to recognize the single individual penetrating the blockade. Nole stayed back, desperately trying to come up with a strategy to prevent being arrested right then and there. “Hey!” the same Enforcer roared, steps away from Zane. “I said, get ba-”

The man was cut off by Zane’s headlock. It took milliseconds for everyone to realize what was happening. In that brief instance, nearly all the Enforcers turned their attention to Zane and the man he was subduing. Batons and guns were withdrawn and held at the ready toward the impending threat. Dozens of orders were thrown Zane’s way, instructing him to release the Enforcer and surrender, but he didn’t move.

Nole stared, astounded by Zane’s outright attack. None of the surrounding Enforcers were approaching Zane, just standing at the ready. It wasn’t long before Nole realized why they had kept their distance. From Nole’s obscured position, he hadn’t seen Zane’s other hand. Only his right arm was wrapped around the hostage’s throat while his left arm was pulled up, pointing a pistol to the man’s temple.

Is he insane? We were supposed to move undetected, Nole thought in frustration. He couldn’t decide whether to stand alongside Zane or just get out of there and continue on his own. Zane had become a liability and his recklessness was about to cost them.

“Where are the ones you arrested?” Nole asked calmly, his eyes narrow and dead set on the army before him.

“Drop your weapon!” an Enforcer called in response. None of the men were taking Zane seriously; a mistake Nole had made a few times in the past. Zane flicked the hammer of the gun, inducing a cry from the hostage.

“We won’t ask again,” Zane uttered menacingly. Hearing him mention the word 'we' felt odd to Nole.

Other Enforcers from the crowd-control end began taking notice of the situation and jumped in to assist. Slowly, the rampaging civilians outnumbered the Enforcers. Soon enough, a few trickled past the law enforcement. That’s it.

“Everyone!” Nole shouted. He didn’t care if the Enforcers heard him. It would be an uphill battle whether they knew who he was or not. “There’s water at the fountain!” The holler reverberated in the air, causing an echo that seemed to spread across the entire inner city.

Sure enough, the horde of out of control citizens became too much for the Enforcers to handle, and the whole group stampeded into the blockade, completely overtaking the entire scene. Nole rushed in while the men were preoccupied with the raging residents. “Let’s go!” he ordered Zane, forcibly pulling the gun away from the weeping Enforcer’s head and throwing it weapon aside. He decided he couldn't afford to let Zane have a gun on him. He was too reckless.

Passing beyond the caution tape and mass hysteria, the two managed to escape their pursuers. The rallying shouts of thirsty individuals could be heard above anything else. “What were you thinking?” Nole replayed the entire scenario in his head, undoubtedly sure that Zane was serious about pulling the trigger. Even from the sinister look in his cold eyes, Nole knew his cohort would have murdered the Enforcer on the spot.

“I’m doing what I have to,” Zane defended angrily. “You didn’t need to get involved.”

“We’re trying to prevent Betty and Olivia’s assassination, not murder innocent people!” Nole immediately checked the surrounding area for anyone overhearing his rant. He couldn’t help but get heated in the situation. Zane was taking unnecessary risk and wasn’t thinking clearly; a trait he himself used to have.

“You heard Tom, the Enforcers are the ones behind all this. They were going to shoot us down,” Zane spat back.

“That doesn’t mean the entire unit is the enemy,” Nole retorted. “You’re lucky the crowd broke through the barricade. I may be here to help, but I’m not going to stand by while you kill innocent people.”

“You’re no saint,” Zane accused, daring Nole to interfere with his methods.

A breeze broke the awkward stillness between them. Stray pieces of newspaper and trash swept the ground near them. Brown strands of hair smacked against Nole’s forehead and Zane’s tousled black locks submitted to the strong wind as well. Seeing Zane’s tarnished clothing ruffling in the breeze made Nole ease back.

“Listen,” Nole sighed, “let me handle the planning for now. We can’t afford any retaliation from Chief Caswell.”

His words appeared to have broken through to Zane, as he didn’t argue. Nodding at his apparent acquiescence, Nole peered around the wall they were hidden behind and motioned for Zane to follow his lead.

Only a few blocks stood between them and their comrades. With every passing second, Nole racked his brain trying to come up with every scenario that could potentially unfold. As difficult as it was, it was an even bigger problem not knowing if they would make it in time. Living at the cost of innocent lives was not something Nole could accept for himself.

I’ll do whatever it takes, he thought adamantly. No one’s dying on my watch. His mind flashed back to the day he found his mother dead, and then an image of Murphy’s bloodied corpse flashed before his eyes. No, he affirmed, not again.

“I see it,” Zane mentioned, referring to the large Central Station building.

A rising trepidation made its way through Nole when he saw the dozens of parked patrol cars and stationed Enforcers standing guard before the station. The formation in front of them made the blockade in City Square look like child’s play. They stopped moving and hid in an obscured area about one hundred feet from the main entrance. How many of these Enforcers are uninvolved in the conspiracy? And where’s the Chief?

“How are we getting through that?” Nole wondered out loud, inducing a dirty look from Zane. “Let me think,” he defended, scanning the area. No matter how he looked at it, getting past all of the guards unscathed was impossible. “Maybe we’ll have to resort to your original plan.” Zane raised an eyebrow at Nole, confused by his statement. “I’ll be the bait,” Nole clarified. “Wait for my cue.”

The high chance of being shot made Nole grow quiet. In fact, he had to stop himself from analyzing the possible outcomes due to most of them ending in his death. He pressed his eyes shut, coming to terms with the plan and telling himself it was the only way. “Just,” he clenched his teeth between the words. “Just get my brother too.”

When he finally managed to open his eyes, he saw Zane’s expressionless face; his unapologetic, unsympathetic face. Typical, he thought, getting on his feet. Just as he was about to put his plan into action, Zane spoke up.

“What was his name?”

Surprised, Nole returned his gaze to Zane, who was now staring at him with a determined look in his eyes. His gaze was straight and unfaltering, his jaw clenched rigidly. Internally, Nole breathed a sigh of relief after seeing that his fellow errand runner intended to honor the request. Turning his face to smirk, Nole regretted getting off on the wrong foot with Zane, even though it was mostly due to the attitude of the latter.

Nole wandered out into the middle of the open space in front of the station. "Caden," he answered.