The Truth In Lies

by Krisdaughter of Athena

Paige has a happy life in Xenon, despite the fact that the beginning of the war had misplaced her and many others to the capital. After all, she is safe because of the Royal Army's efforts. And perhaps now, she'll have her chance to offer her thanks as a spy. Her mission: Uncover the identity of the Renegade, and bring the rebels to their knees. (March challenge 2017)

26. Chapter 26

Her head aches when she wakes with a groan. Her vision blurs for a moment, before it clears out and she finds the silence almost deafening.

What...what happened?

Grunting, she shakily pushes to a sitting position, spitting out the taste of blood before sighing. She turns to a scene she should know until to find the two key characters...gone.

He's gone.

This is enough motivation for her to push to her feet, and, in noticing the other bodies, stumbles off to each. She doesn't pause for Clu's army, but instead for the dark of the rebels, searching for friends among the bodies. Yet it seems those dead soldiers took many with them. A heaviness sets in her stomach. What if Zed and Mara are…?

She pauses at the shock blue among the black. Gasping, she stumbles on shaky form to where Mara's eyes are closed and she's limp. Kneeling, Paige presses two fingers against Mara's neck, and feels a slow pulse. She's alive.

"Mara." She whispers, shaking her friend's shoulder. "Mara, wake up."

Her brow furrows, but her eyes slowly open. "...What…?"

"You're alive." Paige feels as if she's stating the obvious, but relief fills her and she catches Mara's attention.

"Paige…? You came back, I thought I saw you and….oh my god, your face…"

"Got kicked in the face. My nose is probably broken."

"You came back." Mara whispers again as Paige helps her to her feet.

"I couldn't just stand by and watch."

"That means…" Her eyes widen. "If Beck sees you, he'll have to kill you!"

"Mara." She sets her hand on Mara's shoulder, slowly turning her around. "We've got bigger problems."

She gasps, covering her mouth at the view of the bodies.

"What's even worse is that before I was knocked out, Beck had been fighting someone. And now, he's gone."

"He can't be dead." Mara decides after a pause. "He has to be alive."

"I hope so." Paige sighs. "But we also need to prepare for the worst."

She feels Mara tense beneath her grip, and so she lets go.

"I'm sorry, but second-in-command will need to take over until he is found."

And if he's not? The question hangs between the two, before Mara nods.

"I know." She turns to Paige. "I'm his second-in-command."

Paige nods. Understandable choice. "What do we need to do?