Chapter 28

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She sat in the back of the car sobbing silently. The tears she'd desperately tried to hold back now sliding down her face as they headed away from the city. She had barely been able to speak when she got into the car. An emotional goodbye with Barsad had not helped. His kind words and gentle embrace finally tipping her over the edge.

She wondered if it would have been easier never knowing the truth – that she cared for Bane. At least then she would have come up with some poor excuse as to why she felt this way. As to why there was a hole in her heart that she could not ignore. But now that she had admitted it, there was no escaping it and it cut her even deeper.

Overwhelmed she broke down. Her silent sobs now wracking through her entire body causing her frame to shake. She knew she should feel relieved but there was none. Only pain. All she could think about was Bane, wondering if she would ever see him again. Her chest ached at the thought. How was she supposed to move on from this – from him? How was she supposed to go back to normal life? What would she tell people?

She could feel the driver's eyes upon her. Watching her in the rear-view mirror with prying eyes. She turned away. Burying her face in her coat, trying to find what little privacy she could but she could still feel his eyes burning into her.

"Why don't you keep your eyes on the road" she growled, glaring at him.

He averted his gaze. Seeming embarrassed he had been caught out.

"Apologises Miss" he mumbled "I didn't mean to upset you"

"Then stop looking at me"

"I'm sorry" he apologised "It's just that -"

"What?"

"It's strange. Seeing you I mean, it doesn't seem real."

Lauren sat up; "What are you talking about?"

"I'd heard about you. Some of the others, they said they'd heard of a girl living in camp, but I didn't believe them. I didn't think you were real."

"Well here I am" she snapped "now quit looking at me."

"I'm sorry miss. It's just seeing you – seeing that you're real. It makes me wonder if what else they said was true."

Laurens eyes narrowed.

"Like what? What else did they say?"

The man bit his lip anxiously, debating whether to tell her or not before meeting her gaze.

"That Bane and the others…they're walking into a trap."

Lauren froze. Her blood turning cold as she stared at him.

"Who told you this?" she asked. Her voice sounding steadier than she felt.

"No one. I don't even know if it's true. It was just a rumour going around, like you were."

"Did they say what kind of trap?"

The man shook his head; "No. Only that if we marched with them, then we would die too."

She felt sick as she processed what he was saying. The words sinking in.

"Why are you telling me this?"

The man said nothing. But the fear in his eyes told her all she needed to know.

"You're not going back."

It wasn't a question. She could see the terror in his face as she had so many times before. He knew the risk. He was aware what would happen to him should he be found out.

"I'll take you anywhere you wish" he said "but I'm not going back there"

She understood his fear but was filled with a much graver one. What if it was true? What if they were walking into a trap? They would be slaughtered before they even had a chance. She needed to warn them.

"Stop the car."

"What?"

"Stop the car!"

He did as she said and pulled over. Grabbing her things, she scrambled over the back seat and threw open the door. The wind causing her hair to whip round her as she climbed out of the car, realising they had stopped on a bridge.

"You go wherever you wish" she said, "but leave me here."

"Are you crazy?!"

"Maybe. But I'm staying here."

"Are you sure? I mean You only just got out of that place. Are you sure you want to go back?"

She hesitated for a moment. He had a point. She had just been freed. She had the chance to go home, to start again. Was she really ready to give that up?

"I'm sure. You go ahead, get out of here."

"You won't tell anyone?" He asked sounding surprised.

"No. Now go on."

He let out a sigh of relief. His features relaxing.

"Thank you Miss"

She smiled softly, about to slam the door shut when he suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand.

"Wait!" he exclaimed "Here. Take this."

He fumbled into his pocket before pulling something out and handed it to her. Its shape easily recognisable even sheathed.

"Just in case" he warned her.

Her stomach rolled. The reality of the situation quickly sinking in as she took the knife from him. The handle heavy and unfamiliar in hand as she stuffed it into her coat pocket.

"Thank you" she breathed.

"Good luck."

She smiled softly before slamming the door shut. Watching as he drove off into the distance leaving her alone on the sidewalk. Standing there, in the middle of the bridge she realised that she had a choice. She could go forward and never look back. Despite everything that had happened, she could go on to try and lead a somewhat normal life. She could go home – or she could go back.

Conflicted she turned around. Her eyes widening as she saw the black smoke rising from the City.

Before running as fast as she could towards it.

XXXX

Her legs ached, her chest heaving with effort as she raced towards the Capitol building. She could see it ahead of her, the dome so close and yet so far. She ran on, wishing she knew a shortcut but knowing none. Rushing down the steps she headed into the concrete jungle, trying to get her bearings. Everything looked so similar. Grey buildings towered above her, enclosing her on all sides. The dome now concealed from her view.

Sprinting down yet another unfamiliar street she ducked into an alley way gasping for breath. Her lung screaming for oxygen as she panted hard. Exhausted, she leant against the wall for support as she tried to catch her breath. It was no use. She wasn't going to make it. She had no idea where she was or where she was going. They were all going to die.

All because of her.

Tears welled in her eyes as she collapsed in a heap, defeated. Clutching her head in her hands as she wept.

Suddenly the air erupted with an almighty roar. The ground vibrating with the sound of their bellows. Ignoring the pain that shot through her knees she clambered to her feet. Limping as she followed the war cries to the mouth of the alley. That was when she saw them. Swarms of men marching the streets. Their faces brandished with yellow and black war paint.

The Crawlers.

She watched them from the safety of the alley as they strode by unaware. There was nothing militant about them. They were disjointed, uncoordinated and rowdy. More Militia than Military. They were nothing like Bane's highly organised Battalion but there were many of them and in the game of war every man counts. She watched them for a moment longer before realising that they were heading right were she needed to go, and their overconfident displays of prowess insinuated that they were close. Meaning she still had time to warn them. She needed to move and quickly.

Taking a deep breath, she backed up. Preparing herself for what she was about to do. It was foolish. It was reckless. But she had to try.

Without stopping to think she lunged out of the dark lane and into the wall of flesh. Pushing bodies out of her way as she shoved her way the crowd. Ducking away of the arms that tried to grab her she pushed on, forcing her way forward. She could see the dome up ahead, but she was too small to be seen. She needed to get higher. With a last burst of energy, she wrenched herself through the throng with screams for them to get out of her way as she threw herself against a parked car, knocking the wind out of her. Heaving herself up she scrambled onto the bonnet. Her feet sliding, causing her to almost fall as she clambered onto the roof.

They were stood at the foot of the Domes steps. An unnerving silence surrounding them as they faced the oncoming mob with a cold, calm demeanour. That was when she saw him. Her heart faltering as he strode into view. His head held high as he came to a stop, flanked by Barsad.

She wouldn't make it to him in time. The Crawlers were nearly upon them. He couldn't see her. But maybe he could hear her.

She opened her mouth as the earth began to rumble. Her scream just reaching him as the ground opened beneath her, swallowing her whole.

"BANE!"

Hello :)

I'back again! (I know I'm as shocked as you are!)
Three chapters in three weeks and I'm already halfway through the next one?!
Not going to lie though the next one is proving to be be a little difficult so it maybe a bit longer than a week.
Just like to say hello to all my new readers. You guys have been flooding in! So hello and welcome. I hope you enjoy reading.
Thank you as always to all you out there reading and reviewing. I appreciate the support.

Hope you are all staying safe and well.
Until next time!
xoxoxoxo