A continuous beeping sound infiltrated my ears; it matched the stoic beating of my heart. A strong, lemony scent whisked past my nostrils, making my closed eyes water. I heard whispers, but couldn't make out the words being said. Pain shot up my chest, causing me to attempt an unintelligible scream.

"Wake up. Felicity." My eyes shot open. Thea was standing over me, her hands on both my bare shoulders.

"Thea?" My voice was a broken, muffled whisper.

"Oliver is talking with some outsiders. We need you to be alert." I nodded and watched Thea leave my tent. It had been two months from when I initially took refuge at this camp. Two months of constant fear of identification and realization.

"You need to leave, before things turn ugly." I heard Oliver's abrupt voice as I walked out of my tent, placing my jacket on my shoulders in the process.

"I just want to have a look around." The man had an accent. I didn't have time to distinguish the origin before a hand was placed on my forearm, dragging me behind some crates laying next to the tent.

"You can't be out in the open like this." It was John Diggle. He had a gun strapped to his pants, and a brown leather jacket. An earpiece was placed inside his ear.

"I don't follow." The sudden urge of everyone to protect me startled my conscience. Why did everyone care so suddenly?

"That man, that's speaking with Oliver, heard of a resident of The Tower that managed to escape. He's in charge of bringing any outsiders back to where they came from, otherwise they face a fate worse than death."

I winced at the pain in my stomach, which managed to dissipate within seconds.

"What's the plan, Diggle? I can't just hide out here all day."

He never made eye contact with me, but just by the way he was carrying himself, you could tell a plan was already set in stone.

"Keeping you safe. You are not to leave this camp."

The tall man, clad in all black, weapons strapped to every crevice, eventually left the camp, a warning issued Oliver's way. He left without a look back.

Oliver turned around and locked eyes with mine. He slightly motioned his head towards my tent. Diggle and I followed him seconds later.

"I was afraid this was going to happen." He placed his calloused hands on the table in front of us, and hung his head.

"Why did you take the chance, then?" His head shot up. His eyes glued to mine; my heart started beating rapidly.

"What?" Diggle crossed his arms, preparing for an eruption of fire and brimstone.

"Why did you take me in if you had a feeling this was going to happen? Why did you take that chance, Oliver?"

A few moments passed before a response was sent my way. After the words spilled from my mouth, his face automatically softened. Diggle left shortly after.

"Felicity…"

I came to his side, staring at him with my closed off demeanor. My arms were crossed, and I felt dismissive.

"You need to be open with me, Oliver. You made the decision to bring me here. YOU. No one else. There had to have been some reason behind it, besides wanting me… wanting me to fix your stupid computer."

Suddenly, he looked at me with all the care in the world. His voice was almost inaudible. It was soft and almost defeated.

"It's going to sound crazy…"

I laughed. "I come from The Tower, Oliver. Crazy is practically my middle name. I can handle it."

A gloved hand came to my shoulder. He squeezed it. His eyes never left mine.

"I felt like I knew you, like we had met before. You're different than your friends from The Tower. You have heart."

"I don't follow."

There was still eye contact. There was still power emanating from his face.

"I wanted to give you your best chance."

With that, he was gone. He left in a flash, without even a look back in my direction.

I went to my tent and got in bed. My eyes slowly closed, and I drifted off to sleep.

I was standing on a balcony; a city skyline enveloped me on all sides. The sounds of cars and sirens decorated the air. Lights flickered on and off. I was looking out at the city, smiling to myself. Moments later, the sound of footsteps erupted behind me.

"I probably shouldn't be surprised that you're late." There was laughter in my voice.

"Hello, Miss Smoak."

That voice.

I abruptly turned. It wasn't who I was expecting. It was him; the person that had caused me terror and fear for months. He was donned in a black hood, and had arrows and a quiver strapped to his back. The city had given him a nickname that innately stuck: The Dark Archer.

"What the hell are you doing here?" The laughter had dissipated. All that was left was fear. I didn't know how this was going to end.

"I'm here to do something I should've done a long time ago."

"Get down!" I heard a familiar voice yell. It was Oliver.

I ducked as Oliver jumped down from the roof. Him and my enemy started fighting, green hood against black. Arrows flew around me.

Oliver managed to grab me, and we zip lined to the ground. Not much time passed before the Dark Archer followed us.

We were only on Oliver's motorcycle for two minutes before a loud gunshot erupted, and I was sent to the ground.

Blood seeped through my dress. Pain sourced through my chest. My eyes were riddled with tears.

Oliver quickly came over and picked me up, sending me to the nearest ally.

"No no no no no. You're okay. Everything's going to be okay." His tone was fearful and broken.

My manicured nails slowly met his face. I managed to scrape out a smile.

"Thank you for giving me my best chance."

My eyes closed, and darkness filled my mind.