Nora read through the letter as fast as she could, then read it back over again.

You don't need to worry about me. I made it out and it was worth the trip back. I got into Monroe's office and stole something pretty important. When I left, he still hadn't figured out that I had it. It's only a matter of time before he finds out and comes looking, so I think it's safer for everyone if it just disappears and I disappear with it for a while too.

Connor's with me, but you don't have to worry about what he's going to do with what he knows about the base anymore. Monroe found out who I was on his own and Connor helped me break out. He doesn't know what I took and I'm going to keep it that way. The less people who know means the less people Monroe can torture the answer out of. That's why I'm leaving this note for just you. Don't tell anyone about what I took. It'll only make things worse if the militia gets to them. Just tell them that I'm safe and I needed some time away to figure things out.

Tell my family I love them and I'll miss them. Tell Miles I'm sorry for not listening to him and, if you can, convince him not to be upset with me. I hope you'll at least understand and I'll miss you too.

- Charlie

Nora let out a sigh. Sure, she was happy that Charlie had managed to turn her mission into a success and had gotten out safely, but she wasn't thrilled that she had been left behind to pick up the pieces with Charlie and Miles both gone.

How the hell was she going to tell Rachel and Danny?

Miles slowly strolled up to the entrance of militia headquarters, armed with only a sword that remained sheathed in his weapons belt, and gave a nonchalant glance at the armed guards outside.

One's eyes darted towards the other, as if looking for confirmation that what he suspected was true.

"I'm here to turn myself in," Miles told them as he stopped in front of them. "So which one of you wants the credit for bringing Miles Matheson in?"

"I have good news and bad news," Nora stated as she took a seat across from Rachel at the table where she and Danny had been sitting together, doing little more than worrying and fretting about their family members. "The good news is that Charlie got out and she's safe. Or at least as safe as any of us can ever really be."

Rachel's features seemed to microscopically relax, but her gaze was still grim as she added, "But Miles just handed himself over to Monroe for nothing."

"There's that," Nora agreed. "But that's not all."

"So where is Charlie if she got away?" Danny interjected.

"That's the part I'm trying to tell you." Nora hesitated for a moment before adding, "She's happy and safe, but she also isn't here. I found a note in my room. Apparently Connor helped her escape after Monroe found out who she was. She's taking off with him, but the note doesn't say where. It just said to tell you guys not to worry about her and that she loves you."

Somehow it didn't feel like she was really delivering good news. Sure, Charlie was alive and well. But she had also run off with Monroe's son without even saying goodbye in person. Plus, Monroe wasn't just going to let her get away with Connor and whatever she took. If what Charlie stole was really as important as she believed it to be, he was bound to have all his resources after her.

"So where exactly are we going?" Charlie questioned, if only to break the silence. They had been walking in one direction through the trees for what felt like hours and Charlie was none too eager to be out in the open anywhere near the rebel base or militia headquarters.

"Why?" Connor asked her in a teasing tone. "Don't you trust me?"

"I kind of have to after you helped me escape. Don't I?" She insisted, not entirely joking. "Unless you already changed your mind and decided to turn me back in."

"You've gone back and forth between your base and Independence Hall a lot more times than I have," he pointed out. "Somehow I doubt leading you back without you noticing would work."

"Well wherever we're going better be far away," she commented. "I wasn't that fond of getting caught last time and somehow I doubt it would be any more pleasant the second time around."

"Oh, it's definitely far," Connor responded. "Especially on foot."

"I'll just be glad once we get a couple of days ahead of them," Charlie insisted. "The longer we move, the wider their search radius becomes and the more likely we are to actually stay off their radar."

A/N: Please read and review! A big thanks goes out to TheLateNightWriter93 and The cat with blue eyes for being awesome and reviewing last chapter! :)