CHAPTER 9 : HIS TERRITORY

Erin was in a cage with other captives. Clutching one of the bars in her hand, she watched the road. She knew that above her, in those trees, rebels were watching the path the peacekeepers were taking. She turned back to the passenger seats of the truck. Coriolanus had insisted on going in this one. Although she felt a little safer because of him, she could not stop thinking that she should have refused this plan.

An hour or two later, the land suddenly became deserted. The vegetation had been completely razed. A few kilometers further, around ten barricades and vehicles blocked the way. Erin's eyes widened when she saw the enormous wall that outlined the perimeter of the military base. She was even more surprised by the number of guards and cameras. How did Ash hope to one day get in there without being seen ?

One of the soldiers posted on the wall walked down the stairs to join them. From his many medals on his uniform, Erin guessed that he had a high rank. Slowly, he approached the cages and looked at them with disgust.

"Search them." he ordered sternly.

Immediately, multiple soldiers headed towards the cages. They pushed the captives out and then lined them up next to each other. Without embarrassment, they touched every part of the body. Erin had noticed that Coriolanus had tried to come in her direction but another soldier had been faster. Gritting her teeth, she felt the wandering hands of the man in front of her. She did not fail to note his smile, he was taking a malicious pleasure in humiliating her. When he touched her boot and paused for a moment, Erin sighed mentally.

"I found something General," he indicated immediately.

The man stepped back and aimed his rifle at Erin. The high-ranking soldier, who was in reality the General, walked towards them calmly. He ordered his soldier to remove what she was hiding. Two other peacekeepers pointed their weapons at Erin when he removed a knife from her boot.

"Interesting," commented the General in a low voice.

The soldier gave the knife to his superior who curiously observed the weapon. Then, he looked at the young woman. He approached her and placed the knife in front of her face.

"Did you want to cut us ?" he asked her both coldly and sarcastically.

Erin did not answer. Instead, she continued to stare at him. A battle that he did not appreciate since after a moment his smile disappeared. He pressed the tip against Erin's cheek. Feeling the tingle on her skin, she jumped. Everyone was silent and all attention was on them. When the General started to cut her cheek, she felt an intense pain.

"Maybe this way ?" he continued, nervously clenching the weapon in his hand.

He was so close to her that Erin could smell his breath. The General dropped the knife while watching the young woman's blood dripping down her cheek. Despite the pain, she remained still and instead only gritted her teeth. She wanted to stand up to him, she did not want to show that she was afraid.

After this, they took the prisoners inside and then locked them in cells again. Erin, sitting against the bars, let her head fall against the wall behind her. For a moment, she scolded herself inwardly for agreeing to be part of the plan. Nikolas had explained that Ash wanted to know the path taken by the peacekeepers and to have more details regarding the location of the military base. At what price ? What if Erin never came out of this cell ? The more she thought about it, the more she felt the stress take over each of her limbs.

Suddenly, Erin heard footsteps coming towards her. Her heart raced when she saw Coriolanus approaching her. He looked anxious. Glancing furtively over his shoulder, he gave her a handkerchief through the bars. Initials were embroidered on it. Surprised, Erin realized it was the same one he had given to Lucy Gray but she pretended not to have noticed it.

"Does it hurt ?" he asked worriedly.

Gently, Erin placed the handkerchief on her cheek. She had not touched it once, the blood had already dried. Her wound was still burning.

"It's soft," she commented, closing her eyes and appreciating the fabric, "it's really nice of you."

"They want us to question each of you," the blond explained to her, approaching the bars. "Erin, I need you to promise me you're not a rebel."

Frowning sadly, Erin hesitated for a moment. Making such a promise to him was dangerous. Everyone could have their own interpretation regarding her actions. But for her, everything was clear.

"I'm not a rebel," she said in a firm and trembling voice,"I promise."

Coriolanus' blue irises stared at her intensely. He was probably trying to see if she was lying.

Coriolanus handcuffed Erin and took her inside a building. The young woman jumped when two soldiers opened a door, dragging a man by the arms. Noticing the blood left by the body on the floor, Erin's breathing began to become irregular.

"Everything will be fine," the blond whispered to her. "Just answer the questions."

Erin closed her eyes, forcing herself to breathe in and out deeply to release her stress. She entered the room and saw another peacekeeper in the corner. The blond pressed Erin's shoulder to make her sit on the chair. Emotionless, Coriolanus left the room. Erin was worried. Next to her, she noticed a one-way mirror. They were probably watching her right now.

The interrogation began instantly. Was she part of the rebels ? Did she know any ? Had she ever participated in an attack against the peacekeepers ? Erin tried her best to remain vague and hide the truth.

The interrogator got up and left Erin alone for a moment. Mentally she crossed her fingers, hoping that behind this glass the odds would be in her favor. A moment later he opened the door again. The soldier looked almost annoyed. Without another word, he pushed Erin out of the room. Confused, she looked up. Coriolanus, facing her, stepped aside to let her pass.

Worried, Erin moved forward to exit the building. Coriolanus had remained silent throughout. He finally put his hand around her handcuffs to guide her away.

"You can leave," he announced with a barely perceptible smile. "I managed to convince them during your interrogation that you were innocent. They will remove your handcuffs outside."

Erin's mood changed immediately. A huge smile was now hanging on her lips. Coriolanus had saved her. Not knowing how to thank him, she hesitated for a moment before raising her arms and wrapping them around his neck. The hug only lasted a few seconds but it was enough to show how grateful Erin was.