"When you decided to do something, do it whole souled."  - Kate. 

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That morning, I didn't have any dreams of Julia. So, I went for a run. I had to familiarize myself with this place, map out any exit routes or routes that would lead to dead ends and possibly get us killed. 

The air was crisp as it filled my lungs. I don't remember being this fit in a long time, but I had to make it a habit. I needed to stay in top so as to help myself. Last night I had written a letter to Betty. I didn't want them to worry, so I left out the mistreatment. However, whether they knew about it or not, it wouldn't really make a difference. Maybe mom would worry every night and cry herself to sleep, but what good would it do. I was too far away and the system that we lived under wouldn't bat an eye towards a mother crying over her daughter being mistreated by some royal family, let alone The Axis. With each step, my plan became clearer. I was going to find out how and why Julia died. Her death was still a real mystery to me, however I'm sure that in that big library there must be some sort of history that they kept about the time just before The Axis got into power, or before the meteor hit earth. 

I turn to on a steady slope and slowly make my way up. This slope was like a reflection of my life. I had started at the bottom and hopefully one day I would be standing at the very top. 

I slowly dragged my near-to-give up body on the final stretch and stood in awe. It was just past five and just before six, so the sun was still rising. I watched as my breaths came in steady rhythms, my heartbeat echoing the cadence of my steps. The world around me was cloaked in the quiet stillness of dawn, the air crisp and cool against my skin, carrying with it the promise of a new day.

As I turned to face the horizon, a sense of anticipation stirred within me, like a silent symphony building to its crescendo. And then, in a blaze of golden hues, the first light of dawn broke free from the horizon, painting the sky in a palette of fiery oranges and soft pinks.

The world below was bathed in a gentle glow, casting long shadows across the landscape as it slowly emerged from the darkness of night. The hills rolled out before me like waves upon the ocean, their verdant slopes awash in the warm embrace of the rising sun. Today was going to be a good day.

Turning to leave I am stopped by a shadow and voices approaching the heel. I take cover being a bush and wait patiently. Soon the voices become more audible. 

"I don't trust the new bodyguard. She seems like she has an alternative agenda." 

"I don't know, she has a great eye and her skills are quite impressive. I am sure she could beat you to a pulp if you messed with her." 

"Shut up."

"I'm just saying bro, women are not that charming when they are angry." 

"We will soon find out why mum and dad bought her here." 

"Gosh, its cold up here, can we go now?" 

Soon the footsteps were receding. I waited until they were completely gone or unheard before I came out of my hiding place. 

I quickly ran home, making sure not to run into any other suspecting people. I locked the door and took a shower before sitting on my bed, hair dripping and a towel around my body. My brain which should have been rushing was surprisingly calm. I didn't know what to make of their conversation. However that was the least of my concern. I stood up and changed into some pants and a top. I put on my boot and was about to leave when I dropped the bag of money given by Jakes and the coins rolled on the floor and under the bed. Picking each one up I slowly returned it in the bag before getting on all fours to retrieve the one from under the bed. I bent down my yes trying to adjust to the darkness. Feeling around, I felt a piece of paper brush against my finger. I tried to close my hand around it but it wasn't moving. 

Getting up I pushed the bed aside. There was a crack on the wall with a bit of the paper sticking out. I picked up the coin that had fallen and walked into the kitchen looking for a tool to open the crack. Finding a flat screw, I positioned it and soon cracked the space slightly open. The folded paper fell out. Unfolding it, I looked at the neatly but hurried handwritten note. 

"To the reader, 

Whoever you are, and wherever you have come from I hope you can take this as a warning. You are in great danger. It might not seem like it but, I was also a bodyguard at one point. Please DON'T TRUST ANYONE. The people here are like leeches. They will feed off you, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Please be warned. If you are reading this, I am probably dead, however this doesn't have to be the case for you. I hope you heed the warning." 

The sign of made me stumble backwards. 

-Julia. 

Now my mind was racing. That wasn't possible. Julia had died before the meteor had hit. I was at her funeral. I cried. The coffin went into the ground. We covered it. I remembered it vividly. This wasn't making sense. I looked at the clock. I didn't have a lot of time before work. I folded the note and stuffed it back into the crack, pushing my bed back to the way it was. I exited the apartment making sure to lock my doors. Using the map Jake showed me I made it to the palace. The bruise on my stomach was still healing, so I was praying for no secret attack today. I carefully entered the palace gates and was relieved when I made it to the door without any attack. 

Walking into the palace, everything felt different now. The walls that I had ones admired seemed to be closing in on me, like they were watching my every move. I slowly made my way to the equipment room which I had figured out about yesterday during my search but it was locked. I walked back. Looking for the throne room, I knocked to make my presence known. 

"Come in." 

Walking in this time, I held my head high and my shoulders back. No more looking down and avoiding eye-contact. 

"Just the person we were looking for. Kate, meet Emma, your new buddy." King Arthur introduced. 

I extended a hand and the blonde girl who I assumed to be Emma shook it. 

"Why did you walk in here" The queen asked.

"I wanted to ask how to access the weapon room please?" I asked. 

"Damon, show her the room, make sure she is safe." The queen ordered. And like an obedient little child, Damon walked out. 

I followed him. Without exchanging a word, he led me to the room. Unlocking the door with a series of biometrics, the door sprang open and revealed a neatly organized room. I walked in a looked at the gun on the table. It was neatly polished, almost brand new. 

"Do you even know how to use that thing?" Damon scoffed. 

"Do you want to be my test object?" I asked back. 

"No but Sianna will be" He said. He carried out a series of calls and a little girl probably 12 years old walked into the room. You could read the fear in her eyes. 

"Sianna, go and stand against the wall." Damon ordered, a sickening smile forming on his face. The girl obeyed without a question. "Ok aim at the able above her head." 

With that Damon placed an apple on Sianna's head and stood back watching. I contemplated if he was very serious. The girl was young, and I felt like she could move at the sound of the bullet. However I needed to prove myself, so I prepared to take a shot. I looked at the girl and winked at her before firing my shot. Indeed, she did move, crouching into a ball. Wrapping her arms around her knee and forming a ball. I looked back at the apple. A perfect bullet struck into the wall. 

Damon clapped. "Well I guess you know what you are doing." 

Without thinking I aimed the gun to him and fired, its slightly missing his shoulder and hitting the board behind him. He looked at me, his eyes darkening. 

"Third is a charm." I shrugged putting down the gun and walking toward Sianna. She was shaking. I picked her up and whispered in her ears before sending her running off. I looked back at Damon and his eyes blazed with confusion and anger. The first one was confusing to me. 

"EMMA!" Damon exclaimed. "Get in here." 

In less then a minute, Emma appeared, seeming to have run. I watched her and could see her chest huffing from the distance. 

"Yes sir." She said. 

"Explain to Kate, the agenda for today and let her know what communication tools we will be using." 

Emma took a minute to look at me, but I would assume that she was using that time to catch her breath. 

"Hi Emma, nice to meet you." I said. 

She nodded before pulling at an edge which revealed a table, which she laid down a very detailed blueprint.  

"Welcome to the last day of your life." She stated.