- 5.
After Paisley was kidnapped last time, I’d
begged everyone for help.
Only Ben had offered me a hand, even though
he was badly wounded.
He’d been attacked on his way to the
Governor’s mansion, left for dead.
He died after that attack, and the guilt has
gnawed at me ever since.
This time, I’d avoided that fate, but I wasn’t
going to let him die.
With the riots raging, the area outside the city
く
was probably safer.
I settled Paisley outside the city, then headed
in to warn Ben.
Ethan, helping Brenda and Tiffany into the
wagon, saw me heading into the city and
sneered,
“Well, Chloe, have you thought this through?
If you beg me now, I might take you to
Wisconsin with us.”
“If you go into that city, we’re done. Forever.”
I didn’t even look at him, just kept walking
towards the city gates.
He stormed out of the wagon, trying to stop
- me.
But a group of soldiers stopped him and the
wagon.
“General Ben’s orders! Everyone leaving the
city is suspected of colluding with the rioters!
You’re all under arrest!”
Ethan turned on me, screaming,
<
“Chloe! You planned this with him, didn’t
you?!”
I ignored him, heading into the city.
Ben had already captured most of the rioters
and saved the city.
If I remembered correctly, he was on his way
to the Governor’s mansion!
I raced towards the mansion, spotting him
outside the gates.
He was showing his badge when I yelled,
“Wait! I’m coming with you!”
Ben froze, his eyes lighting up.
“Chloe, it’s dangerous inside. The city is safer
now…‘
“No! I’m going with you!”
Before he could answer, I grabbed his hand.
Only if I went with him could I prevent the
attack.
He looked at our hands, his face turning red.
After a long moment, he looked away,
<
embarrassed, and led me into the mansion.
I scanned our surroundings, trying to
remember when the attack happened.
Ben seemed to sense something was wrong.
He squeezed my hand.
“Chloe, stay close. Something’s not right.”
I nodded, counting down the seconds.
Five minutes. The attack would happen in five
minutes!
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the
room.
I grabbed Ben’s arm, throwing him into a
nearby alcove, but a blade sliced across my
back!
The assassin, missing Ben, lunged at us
again.
Ben drew his sword, rage exploding in his
eyes as he looked at my wound.
Swords clashed, and Ben quickly wounded
the assassin.
The assassin, barely alive, was pinned to the
wall as Ben demanded,
“Who sent you?!”
The assassin threw himself forward, impaling
himself on Ben’s sword!
Ben helped me up, his voice full of worry.
“I’m taking you to the doctor.”
I shook my head, struggling to my feet.
“The worst of it is over. You need to report to
the Governor. I have to get back to Paisley!”
Paisley was still hiding in the woods outside
the city. I couldn’t leave her alone any longer.
Ben hesitated, then agreed.
Paisley was waiting for me in a shack,
terrified.
Seeing my wound, she panicked.
“Mommy, did he hurt you?! Did he hand you
over to the bad guys?!”
My throat tightened.
I’d thought escaping Chicago would save us,
put Etnan naq ies a mark on Paisley s soul.
I hugged her, whispering,
“No, honey. He can’t hurt us anymore.”
