Mia's POV

"It's what we do, protect each other."

I told him that after he said my name. Yes, he said it. It wasn't forced, it wasn't encouraged, it was him saying my name. He thanked me for saving his life.

Which I did.

If I came a minute later, Archer would've been...gone. Burned alive. The thought makes me sick, but it didn't happen. I saved him.

And he thanked me for it.

This is the first tint of sanity I've seen in him since he came back, really. I can't explain how badly I want to kiss those lips. He's-beautiful. Even with burn marks and old scars and a skinny frame, I wanted him.

Especially now. I wish I did it, I wished I just took the chance and kissed him, but I can't. He almost died, and he knows it. His eyes are wide, but very blue. So blue and bright I can see my reflection right through them. His hair is dark and all over the place, and his body is skinny yet still toned.

I didn't kiss him. I've scared him enough. So, I told him something that he could hopefully remember.

It's what we do. Protect each other.

And that is exactly what we do. We've done it since Archer was a prisoner in my dome. I helped him escape, and he helped me leave a home I never liked.

And now, here we are. Archer, scared shitless because of me, and me, scared shitless that I'll lose him.

I walk away. He needs time to think and rest, and I need time to give him just that. I walk over to Dave, and we both watch as Adam is talking to Archer.

"You locked him in." I say.

"I know." Is all he says.

We watch Archer and Adam for a while. Adam always knows how to make Archer feel better. I see Archer smile a little bit, and Adam walks him to what it looks like the doctor. He needs it, too. He got some pretty bad burns.

"It was the mayors, who else would it be?" I ask, and I know I'm right. Somehow, they planted a bomb right in that building.

"It was exactly where Archer was-"

"Don't you dare blame this on Archer. You just put him in that building, there's no way he could have possibly done that-"

"Maybe they are trying to kill him." He says, and I fall silent.

"They want all of us dead." I say, "besides, they had the chance."

"Why wouldn't they go for a more important building, then?" Dave asks.

"That building is important. People sleep there." I say, and he nods.

"They could have put more somewhere. We'll have to check it out. Good thing nobody got too hurt. I don't know how they got in here, it makes no sense."

"You think we would've saw someone." I say.

"That's why I'm afraid." Dave says. "They could be right under our noses and we didn't even realize it."

"What now?" I ask.

"We kick their asses, that's what-"

I look back and see Casper, his hands closed into fists as he looks at the now burnt down building.

"They could've kill Archer. They could've kill others. They're asking for it." Casper says.

"We have to plan this out. We can't just go in and kill-"

"Why not?" Casper says, "that's what their doing."

"They aren't, though." I say, "they planned that bomb. They aren't just winging it."

"Just be careful, and tell everyone else to lay low till I think of something." Dave says, and Casper and I head to the hospital to peek and see how Archer is.

Adam is in the waiting room, and smiles as he sees us.

"He's okay. Just some burns. I also went and saw Dana. She's doing good." Adam says.

"Good." I smile.

"You saved his life, Mia. He even told me."

"He did?" I ask Adam.

He nods. "He told me like three times just in these few minutes. He's confused. He thought you wanted him dead, and now you saved his life. He's lost, but I almost think you saving his life is helping him realize some things." He says.

"I hope it clicks," I say, "he seemed normal for a little bit."

"Yeah, then they almost fucking burned him alive." Casper mumbles.

"How the hell did that bomb even get there?" Adam asks, and Casper and I shrug.

"Dave almost blamed Archer for that, believe it or not." I say, but Adam looks at me seriously.

"Oh, come on. You don't believe that, would you? How could be possibly have done that?" I say.

"Archer wouldn't of done that to himself." Casper chimes in, and I nod.

"Maybe he didn't do it to himself. Maybe they're using him somehow." Adam says, his eyes fixed on the wall behind us.

"What do you mean?" Casper asks.

"I don't know how, but maybe they brought Archer back here, alive, for a reason. I doubt he planted the bombs himself, but maybe he's a part of it in some way, you know?"

"No. I don't." I snap, offended that Adam would even think to accuse Archer.

"Archer would have never done this himself. He was in the mayors hands for a long time. They could've done something to him." Adam says.

I don't believe it. Archer would never had planted a bomb. Plus he's been locked up this whole time, pretty much. How could he have done it?

"He won't tell us what they did to him." Casper says.

"Which means they did something bad, right? They could've used Archer as a weapon against us."

"We can't kill Archer-" I begin, but Adam cuts me off.

"And the mayors know that. They know we wouldn't kill him, and that's why they used him as a weapon. A living weapon." Adam says.

"What is it they could have done then?" I ask, and Adam shrugs. "That I don't know. Evelyn is tricky, who knows what she could have done."

I still don't believe it. Us three walk out, and Adam wants to tell Dave his theory.

Archer would never do this.

But something happens that totally turns my thoughts around.

Another bomb.

Where?

In the hospital.

It's only a corner, but it's the corner Archer is in.

I stand there, watching the flames ride up just as the other buildings flames go down.

Archer was in both buildings.

Now I believe what Adam was thinking. Somehow wherever Archer is, the bomb is.

He trigged the bombs.

••••••

Hello!!!!

So I randomly felt inspiration to write a chapter for you all!!!

Hope you enjoyed! And also, thoughts on what the heck is happening?! Comment!!!!!

Thank you :)