"Funny, how quickly dogs return to their owners," came a deep voice from directly behind me.

I silently swore.

"Well, go on. I'm not going to wait here all day."

I hadn't even heard him come in. I thought he'd left. I should've been paying more attention...I should have realized they never would've simply told a guard to abandon his post.

Somehow, Agent Mika knew. And now, thinking back on my journey here, I realized how stupid of a plan I'd had.

Of course somebody would recognize me. I'd gone straight into the wasp's nest and expected not to be stung.

My heart sunk low in my chest, as I looked over my shoulder at the tall, impenetrable body of Agent Mika. Same shaved hair, same pockmarked face. Not a wrinkle or crease in his green suit.

I noted the variety of pins and badges upon his lapel. It seemed he'd gained some power since we'd escaped.

I turned completely to face him.

The urge to obey was strong, but my spite was stronger.

A grin spread across his face as he crossed his arms, simply entertained by my immediate disobedience. I hoped I looked angry enough to mask the fear that made me want to run and hide.

But I would not be locked up again. I did not come all this way just to be shoved in a cell and told to stay. I would never allow anyone to have that sort of power over me. Never again.

And if someone wanted to lock me up, they'd have to do it themselves. I wasn't about to kneel for anyone.

"You've got nerve, kid. A lot more than when you trained here."

Something may have been seriously screwed up in my brain because at that moment, I smiled.

That was definitely not the appropriate response, but I couldn't help the giddy feeling inside my chest. I hadn't come all this way for nothing.

The thought repeated like a mantra in my mind.

I'd lost my friends, my home, my family, everything. I'd barely escaped this hellhole last time. And I hadn't gone through the desert, through storm, through the rebellion just to be locked up once more.

I never thought Mika could be disturbed. Even when I trained for him, he was an immobile rock. But in spite of his hard exterior, I was sure I saw a quick note of concern in his eyes.

That was before he pulled the gun out of his back pocket. "Or maybe it's not nerve. Maybe you're out of your mind." Slowly, he aimed the gun at me. "Now get in."

It was my turn to be confused. Why threaten me with a gun and not shoot me? Why herd me into a prison cell rather than kill me outright?

And if his main goal was to get me into the cell...he definitely wasn't planning on killing me anyway. Which meant his gun had no purpose other than to scare me.

Rather than listen to him, I stood my ground. I wasn't going to move. He could threaten me...but he seemed to want me alive. And as long as he wanted me alive, his threats were pointless.

I glared him down, daring him to do it. To pull the trigger and send a bullet to my brain.

It was a bit of a guess on my part, but apparently I was right. His finger twitched...but didn't go any further.

In that moment, I thought I'd won.

Winning was so rare that even the smallest battles were huge victories. Even though I'd hit a dead end and possibly ruined all of our plans, this was something. Not moving. Not giving in. Being as invincible as Agent Mika seemed.

Hope soared in me. If he couldn't kill me, I could get away. I glanced at the door -- the gate that led to the rest of the compound. If I could just escape through there, I would be out. And hopefully, there would still be enough time on the clock for me to double-check everywhere in this wing.

And if I were really lucky, maybe one of the others had already found and freed our friends.

But hope was fleeting. Not only that, but it put you off guard. It allowed you to relax and expect something good to come, even if the odds weren't in your favor.

I wasn't ready.

Most people view guns as lethal, deadly. If someone pulls a gun on you, they want you dead. Simple as that.

But sometimes they weren't used to kill.

And when Agent Mika changed his aim slightly, it took me too long to understand.

I barely comprehended him pulling the trigger.