Chapter 7: Confrontation

Somewhere in the middle of the woods near Philly

Miles and Jason quietly moved together, navigating the woods without really much talking between the two. It has been almost a week since they had left the others at camp, and if they keep this pace up they'll be at Philadelphia's front gates by nightfall. The only thing that kept them going at this pace is Charlie and how she is doing.

Miles stool a glance at the boy that his niece loves, and sees that look in his face of pure determination, but also with reminisces of fear at the same time. He saw that same look for the past week and also that day when they walked into the camp. And with that he flashes back to that day, when they had to leave everyone behind.

Back at base camp, nearly a week ago

Miles POV

Jason went off to talk to Aaron, Rachael was still sleeping so less people to contain, but I see Nora by a big bolder staring at both of us as we entered the camp. I motioned for her to follow me into the woods of the clearing. She surprisingly complied without a fight. I think she was courteous of where we just were. I stop when I am sure no one can hear us and turn to face her and those judgmental eyes of her that's gotten me into so much trouble before. She was about to open her mouth to talk, but I swiftly cut her off.

"Nora, me and Jason came up with a plan to get Charlie back, and you're not going to like it one bit but I need you to listen and do as I say or else this will never work." I say almost pleading into her eyes. She nodded and motioned for me to continue. "Jason and I are going to go in alone. Don't worry we have that part handled, but I need you to go straight into Georgia and somehow convince President Foster to help us. I am going to give you an envelope to give you, and we need her to say yes. And then just wait with the others for all of us to come home."

"Miles I can see 100 reasons why that won't work. You are going in there with just Jason as back up. And what if you guys get separated, or what if he won't let you see Charlie. And on top of that how in the hells are you going to sneak her out of the city without being caught. What makes you think if all of that happens how are you going to get down to the border fast enough, and you know that he will go after her…" Nora just kept rambling on, on why this was such a bad idea, I was getting a headache and didn't feel like listening to it anymore.

"Nora, if I don't at least try this she will never forgive me. There is a possibility for all of that stuff but that's what Jason and I made plans and back up plans for. As for the border the letter to President Foster will certainly fixed that. Nora I need you on my side to convince the others to do this. If Monroe got ahold of you or Rachael he would be able to break me with everything." I say as we stare into each other's eyes. There's something else there this time, not only fear, but realization that we all could come back or none at all. But she seemed to accept this was the plan with her next words.

"Ok, fine, whatever, but you promise me one this Miles. That you will bring her, Jason, and yourself home no matter what." She says on the verge of tears. I just nodded not wanting to say it wasn't an idiot proof plan. That would be adding lighter fluid to a roaring fire that I somewhat contained. "Now what are we going to do about Rachael, she will not leave with me knowing you're going after her daughter. I know Aaron will understand, but Rachael is a different story. She has been really territorial lately over the topic of Charlie, and she will do any single underhanded thing to get her back." I nodded contemplating this, and pull Nora into a tight hug and kissed the crown of her head.

"Rachael will be a problem, but we have to convince her that this is the best chance for Charlie. And if she won't let us do it we'll drug her until we are far enough away that she can't track us." Nora just nodded and quickly kisses my lips and we walk hand-in-hand back to camp.

We arrive and see Jason standing with Aaron giving a nodded to let me know that he had agreed, and I nodded back. I turn my head to where Rachael was starting to stir in her make-shift bed, and I walk over and lightly griping her arm to wake her up. She wakes up and looks straight into my eyes, I gear myself up knowing that this was going to be a tough conversation.

"Rachael, Jason and I are leaving to go get Charlie back. I can't explain everything to you right now but I need you to go with Nora and Aaron down to Georgia where I know you all will be safe." I try to say calmly, but apparently it didn't come out this way because she looked between the emotions of very pissed off, anger, and hurt.

"No, you are not going into Philly without me. I am her mother I have to save her from a mess that we got her in." she shouts right at my face.

"I don't have time for this Rachael. You can't come because that would be another thing Bass has to use against me. You would be helping your daughter by being in Georgia; I'll let Nora explain that to you after you leave. Now please packs up you guys are moving out now." She finally seemed to realize that she wasn't winning this conversation, and got up to pack her stuff.

"Fine, but miles here me, don't you dare come back without my daughter in tow. You got it?!" I simply nod and she stalks off in the totally opposite way of which Jason and I were going.

I turn around to see Aaron and Nora packed and ready to go. Aaron stalks past me to go after Rachael, but I caught Nora by the wrist and turn her to me and passionately kiss her. She breaks it after a few seconds and we look into each other's eyes, out of the blue she says "Be Careful please." I nod and kiss her on her forehead and they all leave into the dark dense forest line.

Back to Present

Miles POV

After recalling when the last time I held and kissed Nora. I notice that we are just outside Philly near the front gate to, good thing because it was starting to get dark. Jason and I stop just at the tree line, staring at the gate and then each other.

"Good luck, kid, you remember what we promised, 'get Charlie out no matter what'." I say and he just nodes. "Well this is it no turning back."

"Good luck Miles, I trust you when it comes to her. Just remember none of this is your fault." He says. And as I nod we both step from the tree line, to our cruel dark fates.

I know I am a horrible author for making you wait. But hey here's another chapter. So comment, follow, write suggestions. I just have so many classes right now it's hard to find time to write for me and not an English paper. So yeah, hope you love it. Bye