Hi guys!

So a huge thank you to everyone who reviewed! I really appreciate it and I love the reviews! I know I always say it but thank you so much to everyone!

Answers to reviews –

- Some of the visions in the dreams are coming true, but I won't say which ones will :D

- Ella and Cody's relationship is going to be very up and down, but it's very interesting to write!

- Laadynaty – You're right, in the past story I had said that Sophia could control minds. I had forgotten that I had written that, and the comment in the last chapter was a simple mistake. Thank you for reminding me!

Also, I know that there isn't as much action going on at the moment, and no one is obliged to leave reviews (I hate it when people won't update unless they have a certain number of reviews), but I just want to make sure that everyone is still interested in this story? Just to make sure.

So a huge thank you and please read on!


Chapter 43 – The Capital's Revenge

Marina

I lie on my bed, staring at my ceiling. My cell is still cold, I'm starting to think it will always be cold, but not because of me this time. They've injected me with a different drug to calm me down and in the process it stopped my legacies. I can't even waste the time by making snowflakes or covering the walls with ice. I hope the drug wears out and they let me have my legacies back, but I'm starting to lose hope. After all, my interview was the day before yesterday and I've been on the drug ever since.

I can't remember much from my interview. I remember talking, but everything was so foggy, and it was so hard to think. Someone was talking in my ear and they were saying things that sounded good to my scrambled mind. I had repeated them, glad that someone had the words, and I didn't look stupid. Thinking back on it now, I know that they did that on purpose. Who knows what I said on the drug? I can't even remember and it was my interview!

The dress is itchy and I fidget, trying to find a more comfortable position. They've put me in the same white gown with the same plait and I know something else is going to happen today. Another interview? Will I be repeating more words that seem good to my jumbled brain? I hope not. I'll comply with anything they want me to do as long as I'm not injected with that hateful drug. I'll even take the one that blocks legacies. I just want to have my mind to myself.

I can hear approaching footsteps and I sit up, making sure that my dress isn't crumpled. I'm sure they'd make me pay for something like that; I'm going to have to be picture perfect. I straighten my plait, as the door is unlocked. I look up calmly and then my stomach turns when I see who it is. Smart mogadorian uniform, cropped hair, and an eye patch that seems at odds with the rest of his look. Cody.

"What are you going here?" I hiss, standing up. I want to attack him but I have no legacies. But my anger is still powerful enough and I can feel my hands curl into fists. Cody watches me carefully, but I can see the fear in his one remaining eye.

"I'm here to take you to Setrakus," he says formally. He reaches out and takes my arm, and I try to jerk away from him in disgust. But he pulls me close and then his lips are at my ear. I'm about to claw at his face in fury when his words stop me.

"I've seen Ella. She's…she's ok," he whispers. I stop, desperate to know more. It must have been just over a week since she came to visit and so much must have happened. The interview for me, and Ella must be working on her plan if she's seen Cody. I have to know how she is!

"And?" I reply. Cody shakes his head, pulling away and I notice some mog guards outside. They'll be watching carefully. I play along and shoot him a disdainful look, as if I can't bear to see him. "I still hate you, you pathetic liar!" I snarl. Cody smiles very quickly but then puts on a look of anger.

"Just follow me," he orders. I stare at him angrily, not having to fake too much but follow him all the same. After all, he knows where Ella is…what's happening to her. Maybe he knows where the others are.

I can feel the mogs behind us as we head away from my cell and to wherever Setrakus is waiting for us. My dress is long and I sometimes trip up in my haste to keep up with Cody. My mind is filled with thoughts of Ella. Is she all right? Why did Cody hesitate when he talked about her? I want to shoot a look behind me to see if the mogs can hear us but then that'll tip them off. I continue to follow Cody, burning with desperation and curiosity when he turns to the mogs.

"Leave us," he orders, looking regal. "I can escort Marina to Our Beloved Leader myself," he says. They look at him for a long moment but then nod all at once; it's not in mog nature to disobey orders it seems, no matter how odd they are. They turn and leave and then it's just Cody and I. We're in a pretty luxurious corridor and I know that we're near our destination.

"Ella?" I demand, crossing my arms. Cody sighs, looking around, and I grab his arm, needing to know. He jumps looking at me in shock. "What's going on with Ella?" I demand. "Tell me!"

"She's ok," he whispers. "But…Setrakus aged her. He needed her legacies," he adds. I frown, not understanding. How can you age someone?

"Aged her…how?" I whisper. Cody looks around again, his face worried.

"He turned her to the age that she would be when she would have all of her legacies, including her master one. She's seventeen now!" he hisses. "She's ok though. Setrakus is desperate for her to be on his side so he won't hurt her," he explains.

I shake my head, horrified. Ella is older? The thought of the little girl being older seems so alien to me, but it must be even harder for her. But the fact that she has her legacies now is good. She'll be so strong and so dangerous once she turns against the mogs. They have inadvertently helped us. Yet…Ella being seventeen seems so weird. It's like a violation on every level. Her age and mind were one of the only things she had to herself in here but even now that's been warped.

"She won't be here today," Cody adds. "But she's all right," Relief rushes through me and I barely notice Cody straighten up. He grabs my arm, dragging me down the corridor. I see two mogs marching towards the same door and I know my time with Cody is almost up.

"Why are you telling me this?" I whisper as he marches me to a door at the end of the corridor. He looks at me briefly; his face conflicted.

"I still hate Stanley more than anything. I'm still with the mogs. They respect me, obey me…" he whispers. "But that doesn't mean anyone should be treated the way that you and Ella have been," He opens the door and pushes me through.

The first thing I notice is Stanley and Sophia. Stanley is kneeling on the ground, tied up and with a bruised face, but he's alive. Sophia stands nearby, her face as blank as I felt when they drugged me and I notice her black trousers and shirt combo, which is different to mine. When Stanley sees me his face lights up, his relief matching mine. Sophia just doesn't seem to notice but I don't even care. I feel tears flood my eyes to see that they're all right, that they're safe and not dead. I had been so worried and I hadn't even realised it. I had been so focused on Joseph that I hadn't realised how scared I was for the others.

"Drug her," Setrakus orders. Before I can react, I'm grabbed and a needle sinks into my arm. I cry out, trying to free myself, but it's too late. The hated liquid is already in my veins and I feel the same weakness, the same sleepy feeling flooding through me. But this time I can think clearly. They must have a range of drugs for different things. Stanley watches me, looking appalled but it's more to do with what's going to happen, not what just happened. Sophia looks as blank as ever, and that's when I see the sword on her belt.

"Let's go," Setrakus grins at the look on my face. "We have a show to begin,"

Xxx

The wind whistles down the Promenade, the same long route that I took for the chariot ride before the Games. The stage that has been set up below the speaking podium at the end of the Promenade is the same stage that they used for the Pairing Ceremony for the 14th Games and the Calling for the 15th Games. There's a huge crowd of mogs that stretches for miles down the promenade, either sat or standing, all desperate to watch the show. Setrakus Ra sits on his throne, looking like some sick king with an annoying smirk. There's a block for executions on the centre of the stage.

I watch as the prisoners are dragged up onto the stage, the cameras zoomed in on their faces to take in every emotion. Every moment will be filmed; every moment will be broadcast to the world. This is the height of entertainment for a population that enjoys watching children kill other children.

I shudder in the cold wind, wishing I could move or speak or do something. But I'm frozen in the stupid chair, not able to fight against the drug that won't let me do anything. I want to intervene, to save the poor people that are going to be executed, but I can't. My body is betraying me when I need it the most. Worst of all, I'm sat next to Setrakus like his little pet in a matching chair and I know that even if I could move, he would freeze me before I could do anything. I'm helpless to watch this.

At least Ella isn't here. At least she's safe in her rooms, not being forced to endure this horror. Cody is nearby, his face blank, but I wonder what he thinks of everything. Whether he supports this or not. I don't know what to think about him anymore, not now that he's told me about Ella. I look around, glad that Stanley isn't here either. He was dragged back to his rooms, but he had put up a fight beforehand. He had been kicking and screaming, desperate to save us from whatever was going to happen, but he couldn't. Not even Stanley can save us from this.

Sophia stands emotionlessly by the block, the huge sword in her hand. She doesn't seem to notice the cheering crowd, the mogs desperate for the show to start. She doesn't even bat an eyelid as the first of her victims is dragged forwards, an old man that can't seem to walk. I see Stanley's features in him at once and I realise with horror that this isn't just a normal execution. This is my friends' family.

"Kneel," the man is forced in front of Setrakus. He's gasping, wheezing, and I feel tears in my eyes. I want to protect him, heal him but I can't. I hope he can at least read the disgust in my eyes and know that I'm a prisoner too.

Three more prisoners are dragged forwards and I shudder as I take in the familiar faces. Stanley's mum, Maren's mum and then I gasp when I see the last prisoner. It's Maren's sister, Catia. She looks so similar to Maren, but the fighting look I'm used to isn't there. She looks scared, and she's shaking as she peers around, as if hoping her sister will come and save her. I think of how much Maren loves her sisters: more than she loves anyone else in the world. This is going to kill her. But her youngest sister isn't here and I wonder if she's being kept as bait.

I hope the mogs burn in hell for this.

My hands shake as the prisoners are forced to kneel in front of Setrakus. The crowd are booing and jeering and I watch, feeling sick, as objects are thrown from the crowd. A rotten tomato hits Stanley's dad and he falls forwards, as tomato juice dribbles down his back. I want to throw up at this display. This is so wrong, so wrong. And I can't do a damn thing! I try to move my arms but they feel so sluggish and won't obey me. I'm forced to sit here on this stupid throne that makes me look like an accomplice and watch this horror show.

Setrakus stands and there's a sudden silence. I watch as Maren's mother tries to reach out for Catia, but she can't reach her daughter because of the handcuffs. I feel a lump in my throat and I watch as Setrakus stands in front of them, a cruel smile on his face. He looks at them, one by one, and they all look at the ground, unable to stare him down.

"Two weeks ago, the tributes of the Games successfully completed their mission of breaking down the arena for the 15th Annual Funeral Games, ending the show abruptly," Setrakus begins to speak and his cold voice sends chills down my spine. "Some have seen the light and begged for forgiveness for their actions," I feel the camera focus on me and I want to scream out that he's lying. But I can only stare ahead.

"Others have not," Setrakus says. He stands in front of Stanley's family. "Your son has refused to accept the merciful pardoning from the Mogadorians and has vowed to burn our population to the ground. He has committed high treason and must be punished," he moves away from them and it is clear that their death will be Stanley's punishment. His mother bursts into tears and the crowd starts to laugh, their jeering louder. I feel bile in my throat.

"And your daughter, your sister," Setrakus stands in front of Maren's family. "Has openly proclaimed herself a leader of a band of rebels. She has produced a video to support the murder of Mogadorian citizens!" The crowd are booing but Maren's mother simply smiles, as if proud of Marne. I would be if I were her.

"As we are unable to punish the rebel herself, we have no other option but to punish you," Setrakus turns from them and heads back to his throne where he sits regally, enjoying his power. I want to kill him. If I could move I would kill him now, no matter what they do to me.

"The punishment is death!" he announces and then crowd start to cheer. I stare at them, unbelieving, not understanding them. What is wrong with them? "Begin!" Setrakus orders.

Sophia comes to life as the mogs drag Stanley's father over to the block. She moves into position, her movements slower than I remember. They've done something to her to make her like this because she's not the girl I know. She grips her sword and the crowd are screaming, cheering. Stanley's father can't even struggle as he's forced into position and I feel tears slipping down my cheeks. Sophia raises the sword over her head.

I shut my eyes when the sword is brought down.

Xxx

John

We're back in Commandment once more and I'm sick of it. I swear I seem to spend every day in this room even though every meeting is essential. After being here for nearly two weeks things are starting to heat up in the cities and in the Capital. But still, it would be nice to have the meeting somewhere else. I'm getting sick of being in this cold room, the holographic map of Lorien reflecting how bad things are.

The meeting started off with compliments about how well the video went. After two days of having the video circulated around Lorien, it's clear that it had an even better impact than we hoped. Even Marina's interview hadn't been able to damage the mood and now things are on fire. Literally. The Loric are fighting hard now for freedom and I've heard that Navaria is close to being won by the Loric. And every city counts towards a bigger and bigger victory. We're not close to winning yet but it seems that every Loric has been infected with the desire to fight and I know if we continue to make the right promos, then this feeling will only intensify.

The other videos are coming along well too. In between our training today, we were called out to say a few words about the fallen tributes that we knew. The Mentors had said a few words, but the biggest impact had been from Joseph, Maren and I, about our fellow tributes. I had to speak about Sarah and it had been so painful to talk about her, about our love. Remembering her…remembering everything about her. Thinking of a future without her had broken me. I had been in tears after a few minutes and I'd taken the rest of the afternoon off, Henri joining me for moral support.

And yet…despite the emotion, despite the pain, I feel better. Finally having broken down over Sarah's death has made me feel better, not worse. Being able to speak about her has started to help me heal. I will always miss her, always feel the pain of her presence, will probably always love her, yet it's starting to become easier to deal with. It still hurts but I'm used to the pain now. And the pain is motivation to fight. Because no one should feel like this.

"We're planning on releasing a few videos a day, a constant stream of reminders of what we're fighting for," Henri is saying to Laws, who nods along. "We were also thinking of filming the Elders during their training, to show them working towards a greater good," he explains.

Laws frowns. "I don't mind what videos you make, but we need a lot," she frowns. "The mogs are going to retaliate against the video of the Elders in Navaria and we'll need a constant stream of promos ready for when they do," she sighs, rubbing her temples. "Henri, I'm putting you in charge of the videos: filming, themes, everything," she says. Henri nods and I shoot him a proud grin. He's perfect for the role; he's so organised and controlled, even when things are going badly.

"I also would like to put Katarina in charge of training the Elders," Laws continues. "You'll be working with Mentors Reynolds, Crayton and Sandor," she says. Kat blushes a little with pride, and Maren shoots her a grin.

"How are the weapons coming along?" Laws turns to Sandor next.

"They're almost completed," Sandor replies. "Adam and I will finalise them tomorrow and then we're going to introduce them to training soon," he says. A shiver of excitement races through me at the thought of my very own weapon. I have no idea what it is, what tricks it'll have…but it'll be great to start training with it.

"Good," Laws nods. "Then I believe we're done for today. Keep training," she nods at Maren, Joseph and I, "And keep making the videos. We'll arrange a meeting in a few days to decide whether another trip out to a city is necessary," she nods to Henri. She stands upright, but Maren puts her hand up in a demanding way. I know at once what she wants and a fission of nerves races through me. This is it, the moment to demand a bargain and I'm ready.

"That's all very well," Maren scowls. "Only I have a problem," Laws sighs and sits down, her eyes watching Maren warily. I can tell there's no love lost between either of them and they've only known each other just less than two weeks.

"And what is that?" Laws asks. Maren sets her jaw and I can see real anger in her eyes.

"Why have our friends in the Capital not been granted immediate immunity?" Maren snaps. Laws pales and I can see her hands tighten on her folder, but apart from that there's no outward sign of anger.

"How do you know about that?" she asks coolly. Maren scowls, clenching her hands on the table.

"That's not the point. Why are they even being held responsible? We should be thinking about saving them, not judging them!" I protest before Maren can beat someone up. I can see Henri smiling thinly and some of the other mentors look pretty relieved, even though they're not supposed to. They must have been worried about this too.

"They have committed war crimes!" One of the high-ranking Resistance members protests. I think his name is Commander Whitehall. I often forget about them because they're usually silent, like Laws' shadows. "Particularly Elder Marina! She spoke out for a ceasefire! Who knows what the others will be made to do?"

"She was forced!" Joseph bursts out. "I know her and I know that they made her say it!" Laws raises her eyebrows, crossing her arms.

"And why should we take your word for it?" she asks. "You are a traumatised survivor of the Games. I can hardly call you a credible witness," she remarks calmly. "Besides, I hardly see how she was forced. No one held a gun to her head," Joseph turns red with anger but I lay a hand on his arm, an idea springing to my mind.

"We can't hold them responsible when they had no choice," I say calmly. "Marina spoke directly to Maren and I, but not Joseph. Why?" I ask. There's a silence and then Adelina speaks up, her voice raspy. I think I can see tears in her eyes.

"Because she thinks Joseph is dead," she realises. I nod, the thought that's been plaguing me finally making sense.

"If she thought Joseph was alive, she would appeal directly to him!" I explain. "After all, they're so close, Marina knows that he would listen to her. She knows that if anyone were going to pay attention, it would be him! But the fact that she didn't even say his name makes me think she she's been told he's dead," Laws purses her lips, not believing me, but Maren jumps in before Laws can disregard my theory.

"And if she thinks that, then who knows what else they've told her? That we've given up on her? That we're going to kill her?" she shrugs. "Marina thinks that all she has left is Hector and Ella. Of course she's going to try to keep them alive. They've probably done the same thing to Sophia, Stanley and Ella too," she reasons. Laws sighs, as Commander Whitehall frowns.

"Despite this little theory, that makes no difference," he snaps. "She and the other Elders will be tried in a trial for treason, like ordinary Loric would. Being an Elder does not exempt them from this," he adds. Maren slams her hand on the table, clearly fed up with this discussion.

"Then I'm out!" she yells. "I'm out of this Resistance group that claims to want freedom but won't fight for it!" she snarls. Laws looks shocked and I see that she never ever expected this to happen.

"You would abandon your planet like that?" she asks, her voice barely hiding her anger. Maren flushes, her eyes flashing with rage. "You would give up on the Loric and let the mogs rule?"

"I would leave this place and raise my own army. And they would follow me because they know me. They don't know you. They won't follow you," she hisses. Laws winces and I know that Maren is right of course. The Loric would follow her anywhere because she's the symbol of this fight. Laws isn't; she's might be the President of the Resistance, but outside of this base, she is unknown and just an impressive figure. She's not Maren.

"And I'll join her," Joseph says, his voice hard. I nod, naturally aligning myself with my friends.

"Me too," I feel powerful, especially when I see the disbelief on Laws' face. "Good luck finding Elders for your Revolution," Henri winks at me and I can tell he's glad. Maybe he thought Laws was getting too powerful. Maybe he was just as worried about the other captives as much as I am.

"Fine," Laws purses her lips, and I can read her obvious agitation. "It seems I have no other choice," she rubs her face, and I can tell right now she would be more than fine if we suddenly dropped dead. "We will grant the Captives and your families immunity if they rescued," she sighs.

"Once," Maren interrupts. "Once they are rescued," Laws nods, a resigned look on her face.

"Once they are rescued," she agrees. "They will be granted complete immunity. But they will only be rescued if there is no other choice," she says. I nod, knowing this is the best bet we can get. Maren considers but then nods, a triumphant light in her eyes.

"Deal," I agree. Joseph shakes his head; a firm look on his face.

"You have to make an announcement," he says. "You have to make an announcement in front of the whole of the Resistance," he says. "So everyone can hold you to your word," Maren grins, liking the idea, but I can tell that Laws could quite frankly kill us all right now.

"Fine, I'll make the announcement tomorrow," she stands up, her face pinched. "I now conclude this meeting over," she sweeps away from us and out of the room before we can make her agree to another deal. I share a grin with Maren and Joseph, feeling like for the first time since we got here that we're finally in control.

Xxx

"Man, I'm starving," Joseph grabs his tray from the cafeteria side. "Bargaining really works up an appetite," he grins. I laugh, scanning my ID card and watching as my tray is pushed forwards on the machine. Every meal is catered entirely to each individual person so that we get exactly what we need. Maren always gets a smaller amount than Joseph and I because she doesn't need as many calories apparently but we always slip her some of our food.

"You didn't even do most of the bargaining," Maren argues, but she's grinning at him. She grabs our normal table, sitting down.

"Yeah, well, I'm a 'traumatised victim of the Games'," he quotes. "I'm not stable enough to make deals," I roll my eyes, shovelling some food into my mouth as I take in the cafeteria.

There are rows upon rows of tales, and everyone is assigned to one depending on which group of rooms they live in. Since I live close to Maren and Sam's room they share our table. Adam, Sam, and Alicia still aren't here at the moment; they're moving into their new rooms. Alicia and Maren will be together, whilst Adam and Sam will share another room. It's a good arrangement and I know Maren doesn't even mind that much. She doesn't care who she shares with as long as it's not a mog.

Along one wall of the cafeteria is the large buffet bar that scans our IDs and then gives us our tray, and behind the bar are the kitchens where the meals are prepared. There are screens on the walls everywhere so that announcements can be played, or like the other day, our video can be shown. They also show the Capital's promos too, and it works to rile everyone up. I know that the Loric are wound up whenever the Capital broadcasts something.

"What the hell is this supposed to be?" Maren dunks her spoon into the gruel and lifts it up, the food slopping back into the bowel. I shrug, not even caring about the taste. It's warm and fills me up and that's what counts.

There's a burst of noise and I jump up, noticing the screens on the walls come to life. The Loric in the cafeteria look up in interest, it's another promo. It could be one of ours about the fallen tributes but I have a sick feeling that it's not one of our promos. My fears are confirmed when the sign of the Capital appears: it's one of their videos. Laws was right; the mogs are retaliating for the video of Navaria we released only a few days ago. Dread pools in my stomach and I try to keep calm, knowing that the Loric will be looking at us for reactions. We have to set an example.

"What is it this time?" Joseph whispers, his eyes glued to the screen. All good humour has gone and all three of us watch the screen in dread.

I shake my head, watching as the sign disappears and then the camera zooms over a huge crowd, stretching for miles along the promenade in the Capital. It finally draws to a stop when it reaches a stage by the Temple, but what I see doesn't make sense. Setrakus is sitting on a throne with Marina sitting on one next to him. But that doesn't look like Marina; she's so silent and still and her face is blank. Joseph's hands clench into fists and I see Maren gently wrap her arm around him, to comfort him.

Cody stands on the stage too, an eye patch over his eye. I wonder how he got that but then I don't have time to care because the camera zooms in on Sophia, who stands nearby. She's stood by an execution block and has a sword in her hand. She looks as blank as Marina, her face cold and emotionless. A horrible feeling starts to hit me, especially when I notice mogs moving forwards, dragging prisoners between them. But it's not Stanley or Ella.

"Come on, let's go," I say, grabbing Maren's arm. I have to get them out of here now. She shakes me off, her own face filled with morbid curiosity and she moves closer to one of the screens, barely aware of the crowd watching her. They don't know what to think, but they can tell something bad is happening.

On the screen, four prisoners are forced to kneel in front of Setrakus as he says some words. We can't see their faces but I can hear every word Setrakus says and I realise that the older pair are Stanley's parents. And the woman and girl…Maren's face suddenly freezes when she recognises her mother and sister on the stage. She takes in the execution block and the sword in Sophia's hand and she stumbles.

"What's going on?" she turns to me, her eyes frantic. She's swaying, unsteady, and I grab her arm to keep her upright. "John, what are they going to do?" her voice verges on hysteria but I can only shake my head, tears in my eyes. She knows exactly what they're going to do.

Setrakus finishes his speech and then Sophia moves into action, positioning herself for the kill as Stanley's father is dragged forwards. I can't watch, no matter how much of an example I have to set. I turn away, bile in my throat as she kills him, the sound making me feel sick. The Loric in here are shouting, yelling angrily as Stanley's mum is dragged forwards and then murdered. This is too far, too bad. The mogs will never be able to come back from this. But none of that matters when I see Maren next to me. She stands as still as a statue, her face white. She must know what's coming.

"John, we need to get her out of here!" I turn to see Joseph standing upright, looking frantic. He's right; Maren can't see this. She's shaking and looks like she's about to breakdown when her mother is dragged forwards. I grab her arm and try to drag her away, but she fights back, as if suddenly coming to her senses.

"Let me go!" she screams. She turns back to the screen, her face horrified. Her mother is dragged forwards towards Sophia. I grab her again, trying to get her out of here, and Joseph joins me about to teleport her out. I try to force Maren's head away from the screen so she can't see. Joseph teleports in front of her, blocking her view.

Then there's the sound of a sword hitting the block on the screen. Maren breaks free of my grip. We all look up to see Maren's mother falling to the ground, dead.

Maren loses it. She starts to scream, a horrible wailing sound, and I lift her up to get her out of here. She thrashes around, her efforts intensified when she sees her sister on the screen, dragged forwards. I try to drag Maren away but she was always so strong. Joseph tries to teleport her out but she hits him so hard that he falls to the ground, dazed. I grab her around the waist, trying to heave her onto my shoulder as Loric run towards us to help. I see some try to turn the screens off but it's too late of course.

I can't stop Maren watching as her sister is killed. All I can see on the screen is blood.

She suddenly loses all fight in her and sags towards the floor, in a half-faint. I catch her at once, shooting a look of alarm towards Joseph, who watches helplessly. She starts to scream, putting her head in her hands and I kneel in front of her, desperate to help, desperate to stop the heart-breaking sound. I think she's really lost it this time. So I just act as I would have done if it was Sarah in front of me. I wrap my arms around her and she clings to me, her tears soaking into my shirt.

Xxx

Adam

Despite the seriousness of the situation, I feel honoured. I'm sat in John and Joseph's room, with Alicia and Sam nearby, and it feels pretty normal. I thought the Garde had started to accept me but being invited to their room for their small evening conferences makes me feel as if I've joined a special club. It's the first time in my life where I feel like I've truly belonged somewhere.

"I spoke to Henri," John enters the room, looking exhausted. He has faint scratches on his face and a bruise on his cheek, probably from when he was trying to secure Maren. "He says they're going to keep Maren in the hospital for the next few days, make sure she's stable," he sits down heavily.

"Katarina's with her," Sam adds. "I think she's the one person Maren would listen to when she wakes up anyway," he shrugs, rubbing his temples.

"She'll be fine," Alicia straightens up, knowing what it's like to lose a sister. "Maren is tough, if anyone can handle it, it'll be her," Joseph shakes his head, rubbing his face. He's got a killer bruise from where Maren hit him and John heads over, healing him within seconds. Whenever I see a legacy it always awes me, even though I know that I technically have one now.

"I don't know," Joseph sighs. "She was so close to her sisters…seeing them killed on TV…I don't know how she'll cope," Alicia scowls, looking down at her hands, and I know how personal this conversation is for her. She's been through the same thing.

"Yeah, well she's not the only person to watch their sister being murdered on TV," she snaps, standing upright. "At least she gets support and sympathy," she marches out of the room, slamming the door behind her, making us jump. John watches her go, a confused look on his face.

"Should we go and talk to her?" he asks me. I wonder why he thinks I would know and then I realise that none of us really know her apart from me. And even that's because of Hannah. Alicia is as much a stranger as I am.

"No, let her mope," I shrug. "If she's anything like Hannah, nothing anyone will say will make her happier. I'll talk to her in the morning," Joseph smiles, looking the tiniest bit amused.

"Well I guess there goes our plan for heading to another city soon for another promo video," he quips. Sam laughs without thinking, before trying to look serious again. Maybe he feels guilty for laughing when Maren is so miserable right now.

"We should have known," John sits down, looking guilty. It's as if he blames himself for what has happened. "We should have known that the mogs would do this," he shakes his head.

"It's not your fault," I say at once. "The mogs always do this. They know how to exploit people's weaknesses. There's nothing you could have done," I sigh. John's chimaera jumps up and curls up next to his Garde, comforting him. I wish I had a chimaera; they look like a great companion to have. Now that Hannah's left me, I feel so lonely, even now in a room full of people. I just want to share my mind with something again.

"Well there's nothing we can do about it now, apart from making a great promo video for the Resistance," Joseph says, looking determined. His chimaera is already asleep on his bed, apparently not concerned by the fuss. "Maren will want to take revenge for this,"

"They didn't kill her youngest sister either," Sam points out. "They'll be keeping her as bait,"

"That's probably the one thing that'll keep Maren going," John says. "I guess the only thing we can do now is be supportive and make great promos," he sighs.

"She's not the only one I'm worried about though," Sam sighs. "Sophia just obeyed the orders, as if all her conscience had gone! It was crazy!" I shake my head, not surprised. I don't know this Sophia girl but I do know the mogs.

"Trust me, if the mogs want to control someone and make them do something, they can get it done if they have the right motivation," I say. "Or, if they need to, the right drugs,"

"Did you see Marina's face?" Joseph sighs. "I didn't want to mention it earlier because of the whole Maren situation, but I can't help but be worried about her. She didn't even react," he chews on his lip.

"They've definitely drugged her," I say. "The mogs have developed these drugs to control you so you obey orders but don't think," I shrug. "And drugs to block legacies for short amount of times," I explain. Joseph's hands are shaking slightly, and I can see just how much he's trying to hide his fear.

"Hey, it'll be ok," John tries to reassure him. "She's smart, and knows how to handle herself," Sam nods in agreement, an earnest look on his face.

"Besides, they won't want to hurt her for Ella's sake," he adds. Joseph looks at me and I can see it's my reassurance he really wants because I know the mogs. I know why they're doing this. I know their reasons, their ideas and their beliefs.

"I'd be glad that they're putting her on camera," I say. "Because that means they think she can be easily controlled. And that means that she's not a danger to them, which means she'll stay alive," Joseph nods, relaxing back onto his bed, and John shoots me a smile. It seems that my reassurance was the most effective.

"And Stanley?" Sam asks. "No one has seen him," Their faces turn serious again and I decide to change the subject. They all look so down, so miserable and I can understand. Every time they think something is finally going their way, the mogs fight back and make their lives hell, by hurting or threatening their friends, or killing people they love.

"Your weapons will be ready for tomorrow's training session," I say. "Sandor says you can start to use them in training," Joseph's face lights up at once.

"What are they?" he asks curiously.

"Oh no, you'll have to wait for the grand reveal," I grin. John groans comically and Joseph chucks a pillow at me but I dodge. The teasing is so friendly, and so light-hearted; I'm not used to it. Ivan and I never would joke around like this. Joking for Ivan was punching and hitting.

"Are you going to join us in training now?" John asks. "You have legacies, you should learn how to use them," he insists. I shrug, unsure of where I stand now that I'm done with the weapons.

"I'm not sure. Sandor and I haven't had new commissions yet, but from now on he's working with you guys," I say uncertainly. John strokes his chimaera's head, a smile on his face.

"Don't worry, we'll make sure that you join us. You have legacies and Laws needs to accept that, even if she doesn't like it," he says determined. "Besides, it's what Hannah would want," I ignore the flash of pain at the sound of her name. Hannah. I haven't had time to think about her in so long but the pain is always there, always constant. I don't think it will ever leave. Is that how it feels for John and Joseph too? Because then we have more in common then they might think.

"Thanks, that would be great," I push my thoughts to the side for now. Joseph sits upright, his chimaera sitting on his lap now, in the shape of a Labrador.

"Reynolds could work with you if I ask him," he offers. "He's great at honing legacies, and would probably love working with a new one. If you want of course," he grins. I blush, feeling overwhelmed at their generosity and I smile, nodding eagerly.

"Yeah, that would be great," I smile. Sam smiles too, standing upright.

"Come on, time to go to bed," he sighs. "It's been another long day and I'm sure tomorrow will be hell when Maren wakes up," The mood sobers up at once and I feel awkward, desperate to leave and I can tell I'm not the only one. Deep down, I wish Hannah were here, to make a joke or something to lighten up the mood. Everything that happened today just reminded me about her more than ever. I just want her back.

That's impossible of course. Which makes it worse.


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