Ummmmmm...so I might update Captive but, IDK. I was SUPPOSED to update 2 days ago but then I got grounded. Yeah, sorry. Anyway, I hope you like this and ENJOY! Ok, the most embarrassing thing happened a couple days ago. Ok so my friends and I were talking about how cute this guy was, who was sitting behind me. And we were SUPPOSED to be doing our math but I was like, nah, man. Let's talk. So we were talking and the guy kept coming over to our table. He kept asking us what we were talking about and WE kept saying "Nothing." So the teacher finally came and the guy said to her, "Mrs. (I'm going to leave out her name)! Those girls keep talking about me!"

And I was like, "Oh crap. We're dead." But no...do you know what she said? She said, "You know, if they were talking about you, that means they like you." And I was soooooo done. All of our faces were beet red and we were crying from giggling and horror. Like, you did NOT just say that. So yeah. That's the time I almost died from embarrassment and horror. Sorry this is long. I just felt like I should tell you guys.

Rowan's POV

I enter Alden's office and feel my mouth fall open. One wall was an aquarium. Fish's scales glinted in the dying light coming through the windows. I trained my eyes on a black colored fish swimming the opposite way than all the other fish. I feel just like him. Being different. Swimming away from all my problems and the things I've seen. The black fish finally gave up and started swimming the other way. An ache gripped my heart and wouldn't let go. The fish gave up being different. Failed going one way so he switched back to the easier path. I don't know how a fish made me feel such a deep sadness. But he did. And now it wouldn't go away.

Someone cleared their throat and I snapped out of my thoughts. With a pang of embarrassment I realize that I was staring at that fish so long, I didn't notice the others sat down. I sheepishly look at the ground and nod a thank you when Alden pulled up an extra chair for me. I sit down beside Fitz and keep my eyes to Alden. The Councilors sit down at chairs beside Alden's. Emery clears his throat and folds his hands on the table. I stare at them, memorizing every crease.

"So, Rowan, is it?" he starts out.

I reluctantly look up into his face and nod. He smiles.

"So how did you come to be with the Vackers?"

"Umm...well...we went...home and-" Emery interrupts me.

"Where is home, exactly?"

I get the feeling he already knows where 'home' is. But I answer his question anyway.

"At the Neverseen base."

None of them seemed surprised. But, I did. I still think of that awful place as home? Yes, Dad, Mom, and Kayla were still there. They are my family. Well, Kayla feels like family. Bronte face transforms into a scowl.

"What?" I ask him, a little angry.

He startles and glares at me.

"Excuse me?"

"You looked disgusted. Is there a problem?" I answer.

"Yes, there is. You are an enemy. And you should be exiled right this second. In fact, I don't know why you aren't in a cell already," Bronte retorts.

"Bronte!" Oralie gasps.

"What?" he snaps. "All I did was state the obvious."

I feel my face harden and right then and there, I knew I wasn't going to give them the answers they want. Exile me, see if I care. I was trained for this. I wanted to smirk but I fought the urge to.

"Enough," Emery scolds. Turning to face me he gives an obviously fake smile.

"Anyway, Rowan, I have some more questions for you. Oralie, if you can move to sit by Miss Rowan."

Fitz hesitantly stands up when Oralie comes to his chair.

"Thank you," she says to him.

"Now, Rowan. Councilor Oralie here is an Empath. She knows when people are lying. So, we would greatly appreciate if you would answer all these questions honestly," Emery informs me.

I make no move to acknowledge Oralie gently grabbing my hand. Her hands are soft and warm and she kind of reminds me of Mom. I try to shove down the lump that formed in my throat, but I fail. Oralie feels my shift of emotions and squeezes my hand. I quickly try to mask my sadness with anger. Oralie softly gasps. I allow myself a small smirk. Well, Oralie, this now sixteen year-old has a lot of pent up anger. I feel like I should have a sign. 'Beware! Teenage girl with a lot of anger! Approach at your own risk!'

"Ok, question number one," Emery starts.

I immediately feel myself tense. He sounds just like Mr. Interrogator. My heart speeds up and pounds against my ribcage. Ignoring my earlier anger it's now replaced with fear. I try to shield my intensely growing fear from Oralie by ripping my hand out of her grasp. I wasn't fast enough. Oralie shrieks and bolts up from her chair. Everyone startles and Bronte and Emery stand. I sit there shaking, gripping the chairs armrest. Memories of the fear, pain, and anger swirl around my brain. Bronte turns away from a panting Oralie and stalks towards me. He grabs my forearms and leans in, his breath hot on my face.

"What did you do?"

His grip tightens when I don't answer.

"Answer me!" He yells.

"Bronte-" I cut Alden off.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I whisper.

Even though I try not to, I start to cry. Not like a couple tears. Like, full out sobbing. A surprised Bronte lets go and steps away. I stand and sprint out the door, trying to escape the fear and pain in my head. I hear the others yell and start to follow. I rush past a startled Della and Biana and right out the door. I try to wipe the quickly flowing tears, but I'm unsuccessful. I stumble into the woods behind Everglen. I collapse under a tree and bury my head into my arms. I want to claw the horrid memories out of my head. But it's impossible to forget the way the branding iron felt. The way Dad's face blistered from Mr. Interrogator's fire. Jake's bare chest covered in bruises and gashes.

I hear a twig snap and look up to find Jake standing there. I can tell he knew what happened. That the pain of our time at home was too overwhelming. I scramble up and rush to him. He wraps his strong arms around me and I cry into his chest. My chest heaves and I start to shake.

"It's okay. Rowan, it's okay, he can't hurt us anymore. We're safe," he soothes.

Nobody will know the pain Jake and I felt. The fear of being caught. Being a prisoner in your own home. I know I don't like Jake like that, but just him being here comforted me. Both of us didn't see Fitz watching us with a pained expression. Or see him stalk away angrily. All we noticed was that our presence calmed the memories surging in our minds.

HHEEEYYYYYY! I hoped you like this chapter! Love you and TILL NEXT CHAPTER!

Oh and review if you want Jake/Rowan or Fitz/Rowan