I run out of the room and down the empty hallway to the hatch I was brought down. There must be other exits scattered throughout the base. The door leading into the chamber with the stairs is sealed. I smash the scanner with my elbow as it's covered by my sleeve. The screen shatters, revealing multicolored wires. My fingers pick through them, reattaching and unplugging, glass scratch my knuckles. I plug the final one, a green wire, into a small slot, and the door slides open.

I climb the ladder, not knowing what awaits me at the top. The first set of explosions should be over. I have only a few minutes before my father's soldiers swarm over the surface overhead of me.

At the top I push open the hatch and squint, seeing only rebels on the grassy terrain. Woods are to my right. Cover.

I step onto the solid ground, my heart pounding.

"Well would you look at that? Maybe I should have locked the door."

I tense at Nate's voice.

"Which is more important? Having me as a prisoner or your life?"

He grabs onto me from behind. I jerk to the side and throw my fist at his face. He ducks and his eyes widen. He launches himself at my stomach, and as I fall I hear a gunshot.  Nate lands on top of me, something warm drips onto my skin. I sit up, and his head falls to my leg. He grits his teeth, holding his thigh where blood pools. A few curses escape through his teeth.

"Why would you do that?"

He took a shot meant for me.

"You aren't grateful, Princess?" He smiles before wincing, his eyes rolling back.

"Sir"-- a man runs up to us-- "I've already called for a medic. I swear I was aiming for her." His gun presses against my head. I swallow. After his miss, he won't shoot without Nate's order.

I address Nate, "Of course I am."

"I-- thought it'd be the chivalrous thing to do. Of course it goes and gets me shot." He manages to laugh. "A dead hostage isn't worth much."

The man retracts the gun.

I didn't want to have to go to war, because I didn't want to kill anyone. Now someone's dying because I wouldn't fight.

"I'm not dying"--he winces followed by a hoarse sigh-- "if that's what you're thinking."

I'm going to feel bad about this. . . I grab Nate's gun and whirl around, shooting the man in the abdomen. I'm sorry, I mouth as he collapses to the ground crying out in pain. My father always taught us to repay our debts. I now owe Nate the biggest one of all. My life.

But now I need to run.

I dart for the woods, Nate calling after me. I duck my head as I hear pops from a gun. One hundred feet more. My feet pound into the ground. I'm not going to die. I'm going to survive this. I push forward. Fifty feet. I concentrate on my breathing and the line of trees growing closer with each step.

Shouts. Cries.

I dive into the brush and don't stop running. The green bead in my pocket feels heavier than it should, weighted down my guilt and dread.

Hey, loves!

Thanks for reading Insurrection so far! I hope you're enjoying the story that got me writing on Wattpad <3