Chapter 30

After what feels like a lifetime, the door finally opens. I'm wound so tight that I don't even look to see who it is, I just attack. I let the rage flow through me again and jump at the person like a manic serial killer. Even though I had the element of surprise, I don't get a single stab before I'm pinned on the ground.

That's when my mind clears and I see what's going on. I'm shocked, Jackson is standing right in front of me. Without thinking, I throw my arms around his neck and bury my face into him, forgetting about the filth that is all over me for just a moment. He returns my iron-clad hug before pulling back and cupping my face in his hands.

"What in the hell happened to you? Did my father do this?" His voice is heated and forceful though quiet.

I wince, the pressure of his hands painful on my fresh bruises. He backs up a bit, waiting for my response.

"No. I'm so sorry, I just wasn't sure who to expect," I have to pause because my throat is burning and my watering eyes aren't helping the situation.

He moves closer to me, grabbing my hands in his warm ones. I welcome the comforting feeling of physical affection. Relief washes over me just being near him.

"Your dad told me he got rid of you."

The pressure of his grip tightens a bit and I wince, causing him to back off. He hangs his head a bit, clearly angry, before gently helping me sit up. "Let's move and talk at the same time."

He pulls me to standing and we exit the room. The hallway is just as lit as the room we were just in, and I faintly recognize a few of the doors as Jackson maneuvers us around.

"Where are we going?" I whisper to him as I look around, the thought of being caught at any moment has my nerves on high alert.

He pauses, looking around for a moment. "I know a way out. We have to get out before they realize that you are missing."

I pull my hand from his and I can tell he is confused as to why I am shocked that we are leaving.

"We can't just leave." I say to him heatedly. "There could be other people trapped here and we don't know what they have planned!"

He pushes his hair back, momentarily distracting me. "That is exactly why we are leaving," his voice exasperated. "There is no telling how many men they have and what they are doing and there is no way we are going to be able to do anything on our own."

I mull it over in my head but I know he is right. We wouldn't be of any help to anyone dead and I have a feeling that his dad won't give us another chance to get away.

"I have an idea." I look around to be sure we aren't caught yet and no one is listening before I lean in to whisper to him. "If they are advertising this place as a sanctuary then maybe we can stick close on the outside and try to recruit people making their way here."

He nods, "Yeah, that's actually a really good idea. The worst that will happen is they will not believe us and make it here anyways. What will we do if they say something about us recruiting people once they get here?"

"Ugh, I didn't think of that," I sit down in the cramped hallway and try to think. "We will have to keep moving and be prepared for the chance we might get ambushed. If we get enough people then it won't be so bad if we have to fight back."

Jackson holds his hand out once again, "Alright, it's settled. We have a plan, now let's get out of here so we can get to work."

I grab his hand and smile when he pulls me up. We are totally silent as we sneak through the halls on our way to the exit. Jackson signals that we are almost there and we begin to move faster. Just as we reach and open the double doors leading outside we are spotted. There is only one man on guard and he immediately radios for help before reaching for his gun. Jackson is faster than him though. He tackles the man, sending them both to the ground. It is a power struggle and the guard has the upper hand. Before he can fire off a round, Jackson pulls the rifle up and slams it back down right on the guard's face. His body goes limp and Jackson stands, still holding the rifle.

I move towards the body and begin searching his pockets. I grab his radio and am looking through his pants pockets hoping to find a set of keys when Jackson yells.

"We have to go, NOW."

I look up and see three men running down the hallway through the door's window.

"Hold on, I just need a second." I tell him as I continue fumbling through the man's belongings.

He has a pack of cheap cigarettes and a worn leather wallet on him that I toss to the side as I keep searching. My ears ring as Jackson begins firing the rifle through the window sending glass shards flying. I keep my head low and focus on the task at hand but I can hear the men advancing and firing their own weapons now.

My fingers touch metal and I am about to yell to Jackson that we can go when he forcibly pulls me from the man's body. The metal keyring slides from my fingers as I am pulled away from the area by Jackson. I struggle for a moment, desperate to get the keys, his cries not registering over the ringing in my head but then the door bursts open and I am forced to turn away and run as well.