Cliffhangers suck:) I know:)

Now onward? I think so:P

To Unleash Your Inner Self: XD XD XD thank you for that. :) This chapter is dedicated to you, dearest:)

~NumberSixteen

Skye's breath hitched in her throat. Lucas hadn't spotted her yet. But he would if she didn't move. She ducked behind the Commander as Lucas continued to shout to them past the fence.

"I want Skye Tate! Bring her to me or I will kill this Shannon girl. And that would be a shame if she missed her wedding, wouldn't it?" Lucas was still holding Maddy at gunpoint. Tears streamed down her face. Mark was no where in sight.

Commander Taylor whirled to Jim, "How does he know about your daughter's engagement?"

Jim shrugged, "I have no idea!"

Taylor's attention was shifted back to Lucas as he called to them again. "You have one hour!" Lucas yanked Maddy away and he disappeared into the treeline a minute later.

The commander turned abruptly to Skye. "Skye..." He said softly. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to."

"She's not going!" A voice behind Skye shouted. Everyone turned their attention to none other than Josh Shannon.

"Josh!" Jim spoke up. "That is your sister out there! Your family!"

Josh marched forward and took Skye's hand possesively, "And I intend for Skye to be our family one day as well."

Skye watched as father and son had a slight stand off. Suddenly she ripped her hand away from Josh, "No. I'm going. I've dealt with Lucas before. It wasn't pretty, but I can survive until you guys come rescue me."

Taylor eyed her, "Skye, he's a genius. There isn't any way we will find you soon. Who knows what will happen."

Skye gave him a hard stare, "I've shot him before, I can do it again if I have to."

"I doubt he's going to let you have a gun, Skye." Josh hissed, reaching for her hand again but she pulled away.

"Then I'll take his. God. You all seem to have no belief in me. Maddy is much more defenseless in this situation than I and we need to help her or we will lose her. Mark would never forgive us." Skye spat. "Now we only have fifty-five more minutes until he returns. Let's not waste another moment. I am going to my house to get some things I'll need. Get me some medical supplies, food, and water to last for a week." Skye turned and stalked off toward her house.

"Skye!" Josh called and she heard him starting to come after her.

"Josh. Leave me alone right now. I need to focus." Skye shooed him away. She could almost see the hurt on his face, she was just glad he couldn't see the fear on hers.

Once at her house, she grabbed her bag and started to throw things she needed inside. A change of clothes, a jacket, a few ponytails, a bottle of shampoo, and a few other necessities she would need to survive. She left her house sadly and shut the door. As soon as she started back down toward the gates, her heart beat began to speed up due to fear. She still had twenty minutes until Lucas came back to get her. In the center of town, everyone had come out to see her off. Taylor approached her and handed her what she'd asked. He'd thrown in a knife, some rope, and a thin blanket. She handed him the blanket back. "I don't have room for it." She stuffed the rope into her bag, as well as the food, water, and medical supplies but she handed him the knife back. "I won't need this. I don't want him finding it and getting angry with me." Taylor took the knife back somberly.

"I am so sorry." Taylor spoke quietly. "I know that you never wanted to face him again. You have a life here with friends and familly." By family he reffered to himself. "Come home to us, okay Skye?"

She nodded as she heard someone from up in the towers shout down, "We've spotted him. He's coming out of the trees again, sir!"

"Lift the gates!" Taylor commanded. The gates began to lift and Skye could see him roughly pushing Maddy out of the trees again. He still had the gun pointed at her and at this point the tears were falling down her cheeks uncontrollably.

Skye stepped out of the gates as he came close enough to see her. She pulled on her thin jacket and her backpack as he arrived.

"Hey there, my dear sister. How are you since you ditched me?" His words were laced with venom.

"Well enough." She replied.

"So we are making the trade?" Lucas looked over at his father who nodded, his expression stoic, but his eyes betrayed his mixed emotions of anger and sadness.

"Wait!" Josh Shannon cried out. "Wait one second! Let me say goodbye!"

Lucas's eyes gleamed with anger, "Hurry up Shannon boy. You only have two minutes before I put a bullet through your lovely sister's head."

Josh nodded as he jogged up to Skye. "Be careful, okay?" He whispered.

"What are you doing?" She said, her tone etched with anger.

Josh ignored her comment, "Just promise me you'll come back to me in one piece."

She nodded, "I promise." He gave her a weak smile, knelt to her and kissed her sweetly, making it last as long as he dared.

"I love you." He whispered when he pulled away.

"Hurry it up, Lover boy!" Lucas sneered.

Skye pushed him away and turned to Lucas, "Okay. I'm ready."

Lucas tilted his head at her, "Come here."

"Not until you let Maddy go." Skye said forcefully, feeling the need to stay in some control.

"Fine." Lucas pushed Maddy away. He flung his gun to point at Skye. "Now come here."

Skye bit her lip nervously as she walked the few yards to him. He reached out and grabbed her arm, yanking her to him. "Never run away from me again, alright dear sister? And then we don't have to do things like this as often."

Skye nodded, refusing to meet his eyes. She saw Maddy had made it behind the gates. "Let's go before you get shot." She mumbled.

Lucas nodded agreement and he yanked her back into the trees. He tossed her in front of him and continued to point the gun at her, "Now get going. We have a long way to go tonight."

"Where are we going?" Skye asked.

"I was thinking the Badlands, but I don't want to be surrounded by all those people. I just want some alone time with you. After all, I did miss you dearly." His voice was mocking her. He reached his hand out to brush her cheek tenderly.

"So where are we going?" She brushed away his hand, starting forward.

"Far enough away that nobody will find you." Lucas sneered and followed her, letting the gun drop and be tucked away into his belt.

Haaa so how was that? I know, I know... It's super short. But I will update soon, I promise!:D I hope that that was twisty enough for you all!:) And yay! No more Josh for a while after this! Whoo! I hate writing him... -gag-

Merry Christmas Everyone! :D I hope you all got some awesome presents and will party hard in the next few days:) I for sure don't have plans:) This sixteen year old would rather stay in and write than go out and be crazy in the freezing weather. NO THANKS. It's too cold! Those people are CRAZYYY! But I hope you all have a good holiday!:D I made the last chapter a cliffhanger so you all could have a nice Christmas treat for when you all get on Fanfiction. Not that I expect you to on Christmas xDDD

And this story may experience a rating jump eventually. Idk for sure if it will, but it might. I feel a little more restricted when having to stay in the "T" range. So if it does need to jump ratings, I will let you all know:) But I don't think it will for some time. I have some very big plans for this story:D Very big:)

So leave a review please? mmkay! Thanks! See you laterrr! I will probably post again tonight! :D

~NumberSixteen