Chapter 22

It's been two hours since we escaped from Ryan and escape from my almost death experience again. We were still riding and try to catch up with the others that I had already escaped while we made the distraction. I know it was stupid to fight Ryan since he ten times stronger than me and he has the 'Force' of some sort and kept saying that I have it too. However, I don't really know if I do have the Force. It just seems ironic that he would say something to me that I don't even know myself. I looked forward and saw three vehicles parked outside of an old gas station with a diner that looks very new. As we came up to the gas station, I saw everyone with worried faces and concerned looks. I could see Claire and her red hair shinning in the sunlight as she uses her hand to shield her eyes from the dirt flying everywhere. Alex stopped and parked the motorcycle away from the others so we could talk. Alex turned off the engines and got off the bike and jerks off his helmet.

"Unbelievable!" I knew he was pissed and I knew it was at me and the fact that I was almost killed by Ryan's hands. I got off the bike and took off my helmet, I didn't walk towards him. I simply leaned on the bike, crossed my arms across my chest and stared at the ground.

"I did what I had to do and I thought by taking out Ryan right there and then, I thought it was the best option and we all would be free from his terror. I guess I didn't think it through enough though."

"You're not wrong there."

"Look I made a mistake okay. I didn't know he was that strong and didn't know he has this power called the Force or whatever he called it. I was only thinking about everyone else's safety including yours." He looked towards me and I could see that dark, cold stern in his face. I didn't like that look at all so, I gave him one. The one that 'I saved your ass from killed again' look. It was like a death stare contest and either of us was going to lose. I didn't break eye contact with him because he needs to know that I was doing it for the greater good. He broke eye contact and sighed heavily.

"I know you were trying to help out and trying to end the terror that he caused for the both of us, but I can't stand the fact that he could have easily killed you when I didn't come and get you."

"I can take care of myself; I'm not the same awkward girl you met in freshman year! You need to realize I can take care of myself and I know my way around. I've been trained a higher level then you! I'm practically an assassin for Christ sake!"

"That doesn't mean you can risk your life for others!"

"You can't make my decisions Alex! I make my own and I will protect others that are in harm's way!"

"Anya, do you realize what Ryan said!? He said that you may have the Force inside of you! Do you realize what that means!?"

"Then you tell me what it means because I do sure as hell I don't!" I glared him down because I'm all confused about this whole Force and Alex seems to know about it. We both glare at each other for god knows how long, but this wasn't getting me answers. This time I broke eye contact. I sighed out a heavy breath; he knew when I sigh out heavy breathing. "This is getting us nowhere Alex. If we continue to argue with each other, then Ryan will win this war. I can't just sit on the sidelines while everyone else is fighting our enemy. You know how strong he's getting, you and I both know we can't take him on by ourselves, we can work together and we can end this once and for all." I looked up at Alex, who was still glaring at me, but his glare softened at me and he ran his hand through his hair. He knew I was right on point, we both can't take on Ryan alone no matter how hard we try, and we would both lose. He sighed and looked at me again.

"You're right, the more we argue about this, the stronger Ryan will become. I'm sorry for yelling at you, but you know how I get when you're life is in danger. I know you're mad that I didn't tell you I was alive, but I had to stay in hiding so I know what Ryan was planning and I still don't. Believe me I wish I could've told you I was alive, but I couldn't. If I did, Ryan would have found and kill you. I wasn't going to risk that, I couldn't." I walked over to Alex and hugged him tightly. He hugged my back and leaned his head against my shoulder. His red hair was tickling the sides of my cheeks and neck as the wind whipped through our hair. I could feel everyone's eyes on me including Leon's. Alex pulled away from the warm hug and rested his hand on my cheek. His skin was so soft, so warm I almost forgot that I had a crush on him when we were still in high school and I think I still do. "Promise me something."

"Okay."

"Promise me that you'll stay alive. No matter what happens to me promise me that you will stay alive to keep the legend alive. Keep the Crimson Rose Elite Squad alive."

"I promise." He smiled and gently pecked my lips. I couldn't help, but smile because I've been waiting for a long time for him to kiss me and now he did. However, I felt a ping of guilt because I feel like I was with Leon which I was, but he never thought about us not in serious relationship. We haven't put a label on our relationship so to me there never was a relationship, I was just his next call I guess. I sighed and leaned against my motorcycle. "So what do we do from here now?" Alex shrugged and looked at me.

"At this point, I don't have a plan since I don't know what Ryan is planning at all."

"Well, we can always confront him about it, but that leads to suicide."

"Yeah and we can't go back and fight because we lose that fight."

"We would need reinforcement, but everyone from the elite squad is either dead or gone their separate ways and I don't want to bring them into this fight if it's between you, me and Ryan."

"That's one thing we can agree."

"And I don't want to bring newbies into this either because they don't know what Ryan can really do."

"The newbies wouldn't last long no offense, but with all the training that Leon has got, it still wouldn't be enough."

"None taken and I agree with you on that. Claire doesn't probably understand neither does Leon, we need to figure out a plan, but first we need to find a place to stay for the night."

"Right let's find a motel and then we can start a plan from there and see who can help us or not."

"I have a list of names that may be useful to use like weapons expert, master assassin, top engineer, special ops agent and others."

"We can go over that when we find a place to stay."

"Let's go tell the others what's the next plan." Alex nodded and we both walked over to the group. I saw dad looking over at us and gave us a smile along with Jenna, Mikey, Steve and Boss. Leon and Claire weren't really happy, I know Claire likes Alex and I honestly don't know what Leon has to be jealous about, but he never defined our relationship. So I don't have to be worry about that, at least I hope not. Dad walks up to us eager to know what we've been talking about.

"So what's the plan?" I looked over at Alex and he nodded.

"We need to find a place to stay over the night and figure out a plan." Dad nod and so did everyone else expect for Claire and Leon. I didn't like the expressions they were giving me and Alex. Claire stepped up in front of Leon and narrowed her eyes at me.

"What about Ryan? We can't just keep running away, we should fight him." Alex sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Do you want to get killed?"

"I think it's better if we take on Ryan now, we might as well be dead." Claire stay silenced and glares at me as I make my statement. "That's what Ryan wants; he wants you to think that he may not be a threat, but you don't know Ryan like we do. We fought against him before and only three of our teammates made it out alive." Everyone was silent, I felt a hand on my shoulder and saw it was Alex. He knew Ryan and I have a score to settle once and for all and I wasn't going to let him take the people I love. "Let's just find a motel or something and get out of the open. Who knows if Ryan sent one of his men after us and may be tracking us." They all nodded and started heading back to the vehicles. Claire and Leon were still standing there still having their eyes on me; I turned on my heels and walk towards Alex's motorcycle until Leon grabbed my wrist.

"We need to talk." I spun around and looked straight into Leon's eyes. I didn't want to talk to him; we actually don't have time to talk right now.

"There's nothing to talk about. Not now anyway."

"Then when?"

"I don't know Leon. I don't know." I snapped at him and glared at him. He glared at me back and I scowled at him and started to walk towards Alex's motorcycle. I turned around and met Leon's glare. "All I can tell you is, I'm not one to be messed with." With that Alex held out his arms and I reached for his arm. I climbed the back of the motorcycle and wrapped my arms around Alex's waist. He turned on the engine and took off first while everyone followed us. The wind hit against my skin, I tightened my grip on Alex's waist and he rested his right hand on my hands. I still couldn't get my mind off of what Ryan was telling me, that I have the Force. The question is what is the Force?

"Hey are you alright back there?" I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Alex's voice. I smiled and nodded.

"I'm doing alright, how far are we to the nearest town?"

"I don't know I haven't seen a sign yet, but I'll tell you as soon as I see a sign."

"I have eyes too you know." He laughed and so did I, Alex always know how to make me laugh and smile. It's been awhile since he made me laugh and smile, I think that's what I missed the most. I'm glad Alex is back and alive; I just hope it stays that way for awhile cause I have a feeling that it's about to end sooner then we think.