Chapter 21

Kyle Writer, Six, Clermont

Kyle was beyond relieved when he saw Mimi walk through the safe room doors. As soon as he'd seen her, he hugged her, not caring what others thought. She was his, and there was no way he'd be letting her out of his sight any time soon.

Mimi had taken her computer with her, but Kyle hadn't expected any less. She immediately found a corner, and opened her laptop, typing away. Kyle took a seat next to her, and kept watch as she worked.

He glanced at Mimi's screen, but she quickly leaned away so he couldn't see. He sighed, "What are you up to? Any news on….you know."

Mimi never took her eyes off the screen as she replied, "I am doing the usual. Besides, the team is doing pretty well on their own. Pleasantly surprised."

"Really? How much profit?" Kyle asked, glancing at the other Selected to make sure they weren't listening.

Mimi grimaced, "Not much today, only at about 5."

Kyle grimaced too, "Why? Do they know?"

Mimi shrugged, "There is just less being traded around today."

Kyle nodded. His eyes landed on the royals across the room. The king, queen, and second prince were huddled together talking, while Prince Ray was sitting across the room by himself, staring blankly at the floor.

Kyle felt a little bad for him, he had to admit, he'd heard the argument him and his family had just had. That could have just as easily been Mimi out there, and certainly Kyle would want to fight to have her inside.

Mimi groaned from beside him, "This is so boring, what do you say we pick things up a little?"

Kyle glanced back to Mimi curiously, "How so?"

Mimi smirked, her hands flying over her keyboard. Suddenly, from outside of the safe room, music could be heard playing over speakers hidden in the castle walls.

The room silenced, trying to listen. As one by one they began to realize what lyrics it was, there were collective groans. Let it Go had just began playing, and no one wanted it. However, the royal family looked at each other, in a panic that their speaker system had been hacked.

"Mimi come on, they might catch you." Kyle whispered, hoping she'd stop.

"Relax, I have it disguised. You act like I do not know what I am doing." Mimi replied, raising a brow.

"I wasn't saying-" Kyle began, but Mimi turned back to her computer screen, shutting off the music anyway.

People seemed to take the stopping of the music in different ways. He saw panic, caution, and relief in faces. The royals were on edge, which was understandable.

Kyle glanced to Mimi, who was now shutting off her laptop, and looking around the room. She seemed to be thinking, counting, and finally said, "Evie, the ex, isn't here."

Kyle glanced around, she was right. So Evie was one of the Selected not in the room. Kyle did a quick scan to see if all of the boys were there. They weren't.

Jed Maddox was missing. Kyle grimaced, so he was missing selected number two. Kyle had to wonder where Jed was, and how he hadn't reached the room in time. Was he with the other Selected? Maybe he was with Endra?

Kyle subtly scooted himself closer to Mimi, feeling more protective over her. What if Jed was just in the Selection to be close to Endra? Or any Selected girl, really? He certainly didn't want that boy around his Mimi.

Kyle leaned his head against the wall behind him, and found himself drifting off to sleep, who knew how long they'd be in here? Might as well sleep it off.

Evie Charconay, Two, Angeles

Evie was panicking, she felt tears stinging at her eyes, but refused to let herself cry. Otherwise what were all those therapy sessions when she was younger for? She stumbled down the halls. She'd heard that siren once before when she was dating Ray, but it was just a drill.

She knew what it was for though, and that she needed to find a safe room as quickly as possible. Ray had told her if she couldn't find the big safe room, to find the nearest and stay there until it opened on its own, or a guard found you.

She felt along the walls, searching for a latch. She gasped as she found one, now she just had to find someone who could open it….

It must have been her lucky day, because just then Endra turned the corner, face flushed, and eyes wild. She spotted Evie, and let out a sob of relief, before running to her.

"Evie! Thank god someone I know." Endra said, then noticed the latch. Endra quickly shoved her thumb on the hidden scanner, and the door popped open. "Quickly, quickly, get in."

Evie didn't need to be told twice, as she crawled into the small safe room, the princess following closely. Endra pulled the door closed behind them, and sat on the ground, catching her breath.

How far away had Endra been from Evie in the first place? Had she really found no open safe room? The poor girl, she cared dearly for Endra, they'd been quite good friends while Evie was dating Ray.

Endra glanced to Evie, "Thanks, if you weren't standing there I might have forgotten this room exists."

"You're welcome, I'm lucky that you were there, or I wouldn't have been able to get in." Evie replied, smiling at Endra.

Evie bit her lip, glancing to the young princess. "Do you think it's a real attack?"

Endra grimaced, "I'm afraid so, word spreads quickly."

Evie took a shaky breath, "So now what?"

Endra sighed, "Well, the door will automatically open in 48 hours if no one can find us. But once the threat is neutralized, guards will come around and check each safe room, and then we can leave." She glanced to Evie, "But for now, we're stuck together."

Evie nodded, "What do you think the others are going to think of us being gone?"

Endra shrugged, "I'm sure they'll be worried out of their minds, but hopefully they have enough common sense not to linger too long."

Evie raised a brow, "What do you mean?"

"I mean the rest of the royal family and Selected versus one princess and one Selected." Endra replied, "Seems pretty obvious who to protect. No offense."

Evie pursed her lips, but nodded, "Of course, I suppose we're not the future of the country."

Endra smirked, "You're right, we're not. Oh man, if I had a drink I'd toast to that."

Evie raised a brow again, "You're allowed to drink?"

Endra shrugged, "Not officially."

Evie chuckled, and settled on the floor next to Endra, "So, how have things been going since Ray and I broke up? How is everyone?"

Endra's eyes flickered, and she smiled softly, "You really do like him still, don't you?" Evie smiled and nodded, so Endra began to tell Evie everything that's been going on at the castle since she left Ray's side.

Evie realized she actually missed a lot, and suddenly felt as though Ray needed her more now than ever.

Jed Maddox, Four, Kent

Jed was in the greenhouse, checking on his seedlings when the siren from inside the castle went off. Jed was pretty sure he knew what it meant, but what was he supposed to do since he was outside? Did he stay in the greenhouse and hope for the best? Did he run away? What to do, what to do?

Jed decided he'd stay in the greenhouse. He ran to the door, and made sure it was closed, then put a table in front of the door to keep it closed should someone try to enter. He looked around for anything he might be able to use to defend himself, spotting to broken glass on the ground.

Jed grimaced, deciding he'd pick it up when he needed it, rather than picking it up now. He looked around the green house, while keeping his ears open for any out of place sounds. He began to clean up some of the greenhouse, little by little, until some of the tables were cleared off.

He found a small trash can he could dispose broken pots in, clearing space for new pots. Jed sighed, glancing out of one of the windows towards the castle.

He wondered how the others were doing. Were they worried about him? Did they even notice? What about the royal family? Were they all okay?

What about Ray? Jed found himself cracking his knuckles, and shook out his hands. He didn't want to think about Ray being in danger. He didn't want to think about anyone being in danger. He wasn't a fighter, and certainly didn't condone violence.

He bit his lip, trying to keep himself busy by looking around at some of the flowers that still managed to stay alive. Jed found a canister of water, and frowned as he saw how stale it seemed, growing a layer bugs and leaves.

He looked around for a water tap, but couldn't find one, drawing the conclusion that it was outside. Jed sighed, and glanced towards the green house doors. He slowly made his way to the door, climbing over the table, and peeking out of the door.

He saw what looked like two figures running away from the castle, and quickly shut the door, climbing under the table, and hugging the ground as much as possible. He heard the figures stop on the side of the greenhouse. They were close enough for him to overhear some of their conversation.

"-think they know?" One asked.

"Of course not! They-" Their words muffled, and Jed tried his best to focus on the words, but nothing came to him.

"Well….. " The other began, then silenced, "Whatever, if they ever find out we're busted. Let's just go."

The footsteps hurried away, and Jed crawled out from under the table. He waited a few minutes, then opened the greenhouse door again. He bit his lip, debating going back to the castle. If those were the rebels, then they're gone. But what if there's more of them?

Jed grimaced, The guards will take care of it. He countered, then another small voice in his mind said, But no one knows you're out here. They won't come get you or anything.

Jed cursed himself, then moved the table in front of the greenhouse doors, and left the greenhouse, making his way back towards the looming castle before him. There was only a 50% chance- roughly- that he'd be walking back into danger.

Jed figured those odds were small enough compared to finding it safe.

Ray's POV

Ray wasn't sure how long they'd been in the safe room by now. It felt like hours, but then again it could just be the silence. He stared at the ground in front of him, his thoughts consuming him.

Where was Endra? Was she okay? Did she find a safe room? What about Jed and Evie? Sure, he didn't much care for Evie right now, but he didn't want her dead! And Jed. Jed who was so considerate and calming, if he lost Jed he certainly wouldn't feel like he could rely on one of the Selected at any given moment.

Ray promised himself if Jed and Evie were found alive he would have to have a talk with each of them individually. Just to let them know that if they ever pulled a stunt like this again they were going to have a heap of trouble coming for them.

Hey, it's not their fault rebels decided to attack at a random moment. Ray sighed, knowing that reasoning was right. How are you so sure it was even rebels? Could have been anyone.

Dammit.

Ray shook out his shoulders, releasing some of the tension in them. Ray didn't notice one of the Selected approach him until they sat next to him.

Kira.

She sat silently, and glanced to him, waiting for him to make the first move. Ray sighed, "I can't believe he closed the door."

Kira grimaced, nodding, "I know, it doesn't seem like a good decision, but I can see where he came from. He needed to protect you, and the rest of your family. Plus, you have plenty of other Selected people here. So, no offense, but it seems he thought it would be the right choice."

"But, it's just so-" Ray's train of thought died off, and he sighed, shaking his head.

"I know, just, try to see it from his view. One day you'll be in his shoes, then you'll be making the tough decisions." Kira replied, gently taking Ray's hand in her own.

Ray sighed again, and leaned his head into Kira's shoulder. It felt so refreshing to have someone who wasn't Christian there to listen to him. She didn't exactly take Ray's side, but she offered a new perspective.

"Kira? How are you so kind?" Ray asked.

Kira was silent for a moment, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you're so nice, and it's like you never look on the bad side." Ray replied, looking up at her.

Kira scrunched her nose in thought, "I don't know? I just am. I guess I'm naturally a 'glass-half-full' person."

"I can't relate." Ray replied, grimacing.

"What do you mean? You're so nice! You're sweet, and considerate, and patient, and you're seem so calm about everything." Kira said, raising her brows in surprise at his lack of reason.

Ray scoffed internally, wishing he could say: If only you knew the daily battle in my mind, you wouldn't think I was so calm and collected.

Instead, he replied with, "I don't know. Being prince is a lot more stressful than one would think."

Kira nodded sympathetically, "I can't imagine. But I believe you're strong enough to get through it, and come out stronger on the other side."

Ray stared at her, considering her words. Had she been this wise when they'd been on their date? He couldn't remember. All he knew is that he had the opportunity to kiss her once, and missed it.

He wouldn't be missing it again.

Ray leaned forward, and his lips connected with Kira's. Kira seemed surprised, but kissed him back, her hand moving to cradle his head.

They broke apart, and Ray smiled at Kira, butterflies beating against his stomach as she smiled back.

"Will you stay and talk to me more?" Ray asked, not wanting her to leave anytime soon.

Kira nodded, "Of course."

Ray smiled softly, and began asking her questions to get to know her better.

Hello everyone! I loved the chaos I put you all through, not gonna lie. I hope you have some closure from this chapter, although not everyone is safe quite yet. We have Endra and Evie sticking together, Jed over here being cinnamon roll bear grillz, and Ray….well, he's got the love bug. I wonder what will happen next?