10.

Hal insisted that Ben and Jimmy be in on this before anyone else got involved. I didn't like the idea, but I knew why Hal was doing it. They were the only ones that could control me. And knowing my temper, we needed that. We found Ben and Jimmy in Ben's room and beckoned them to follow us outside so we could have some privacy. Then Mike and Hal informed them of the days events and the plan we had. It was risky though. And the timing was going to have to be precise.

After dinner, Hal and Mike went room to room and informed people. At midnight the whole group was gathered outside and we set out. We didn't get far until the locals found out and opened fire. Mike, some other adults, and Hal forced the older kids - Ben, Jimmy, and I included - to lead the younger ones away and told us they'd cover us. But Rick and Ben wouldn't leave their family, I couldn't leave Ben and Jimmy couldn't leave me. So we all stood our ground as we watched the kids run off into the dark. Eventually Mike and another adult made the rest of us go. While Hal, Jimmy, Ben, and I began to follow a few other men we noticed Rick wouldn't move. He finally came to terms with the fact that he was back with father - the family he loved, only to follow us and watch him die a few moments later.

Another person had to carry him the rest of the way.

After we had all grouped together Hal began to lead us back to the school. Eventually younger kids couldn't keep up with the pace from lack of sleep and food so when we stumbled upon a house we let them rest. After they were asleep and some other people were assigned to watch them, Ben, Jimmy, Hal, Rick, and three others sat in the living room with me trying to determine what to do next.

As I listened to the boys toss ideas back and forth sleep decided to take me.

I didn't like what I found when I woke though.

.

My eyes opened slowly and I subconsciously stretched. Instead of waking up on Ben's shoulder though, my head was in Jimmy's lap. The boys hushed when they saw me move and gave each other glances that instantly made me know I wasn't going to be happy with them.

I fixed my hair as I sat up and mumbled a 'go ahead and tell me' as I straightened my shirt.

"Estella.." Jimmy's voice sounded hesitant and one of his hands touched my shoulder.

"Wait, where's Ben?" I cut him off as I noticed the boy I loved wasn't here.

Jimmy sighed and gave Hal a begging look.

I looked over to Hal. "What?"

Hal sat down on the stool that sat in front of the kitchen island.

"We sent Ben ahead to go get dad. We couldn't waste anymore time sitting here unprotected so he went to get help. There's no chance a group of kids this size would get back in time. And we'd be no match since they'd have the element of surprise next time."

I sat there with my eyes to the floor for a second before grabbing my gun and running out the door.

"Estella!" Jimmy and Hal yelled after me as they watched me run down the road, "Estella come back!"

I didn't even know my feet could move this fast until now. My breathing was being difficult from my asthma not liking the cold air I was inhaling. My mind only focused on the road ahead and I didn't even notice the pain in the soles of my feet and my chest. My hand gripped the gun so tight that I was sweating despite the fall air. I reached Ben within ten minutes and almost tackled him.

"Ohmygod," I rushed out as my hand clung to his shoulder. He had stopped once he heard my footsteps behind him and I was so thankful to stop running.

"I.. can't.. believe… you… just… left… me…" My words came out between deep breaths. I began to feel light headed.

Once I was okay I stood up and hit him in the chest.

"You jerk!"

He looked at me a little stunned before laughing.

"You ran all the way here just so you could hit me?"

I pouted a little, "Don't make fun of me. I'm dying here."

He shook his head, "Your asthma isn't that bad. You're fine, don't use that excuse on me. Now c'mon."

He gave me another charming smile and kissed my forehead before heading off again, this time with me right beside him.

When we arrived, Mr. Mason was starring at us extremely confused. We explained the situation and he knew instantly what to do.

"'Stella, run back ahead. We'll be there soon. You're better on foot when you're alone." I gave Mr. Mason a kind of sad look and he sighed.

"We'll be right there, okay?" He put his hand on my head before running to get Weaver.

Ben kissed me quickly.

"Go."

I nodded and ran off.

I didn't like this. It didn't feel right. It felt like something was going to go wrong. And knowing me, it was going to be even worse.

I ran on the edge of the street this time, just inside the tree line that started the woods. I didn't want to risk getting seen if someone that didn't really like me was sent to get the kids back.

But that didn't really help the situation once I reached the house.

The house was just across the street. All I had to do was cross it and I'd be close to the door. But as I stopped to cross a hand covered my mouth.

Great…

I closed my eyes as someone wrapped their arm around my waist from behind and someone else took my gun.

"I know about you. You're the one that everyone underestimates. But I'm not that stupid," someone's voice rang in my ear. I could feel his breath and for once I was a little worried.

As they let go of my waist and uncovered my mouth, their hands found my wrists and clung to them a little too tight. I was then led to the front yard of the house with Clayton and some of his group. Every one of them was armed. There went any escape plan unless I could get hold of a gun.

"Alright kiddies, come on out. Or your beautiful friend here is in for a fun surprise," Clayton yelled as his fingers went through my bangs to push them out of my face. His smile absolutely disturbed me. But not because he was being a creeper like I used to call him. It was a type of twisted smile that meant the surprise was something far more horrifying than anything a child could face.

This time it was his voice that rang in my ear.

"The skitters always get what they want, dear."