CHAPTER 11 : HIS ABSENCE

The peacekeepers released the captives near the square a few hours later. Erin, with sadness, noted that barely half of the group had returned to district twelve. She did not dare imagine what had happened to the others and especially what could have happened to her. Alone, she hurried back to the Hob. On her way, she wondered if anyone had been worried about her disappearance.

In front of the building, she stopped for a moment. The surroundings were deserted. She heard no noise from outside, only the wind rising. To her surprise, the Hob seemed closed. No one was waiting for her at the door, which saddened her more than she expected. She delicately placed her hand on it and then pushed it. When she entered, she saw Ruby and Nikolas waiting silently at the counter. Even more astonishing, Ash was sitting at a table while staring blankly at the ground. Hearing Erin enter the Hob, they all looked up in her direction.

"Erin !" Ruby called, relieved.

Ruby, ready to join her friend, bumped into the man who had rushed to join Erin. Ash, worried, placed his hands on Erin's shoulders. Confused by her own emotions, she backed away slightly out of embarrassment. Ash stepped back as well, recognizing Erin's habitual attitude towards him for several years now. Nevertheless, his eyes moved to the young woman's cheek and suddenly he became angry.

"Who did this to you ?" he shouted, angry. "Are you in pain ?"

"You did this to me !" Erin answered back, moving further away. "You sent me there !"

"What ?" Ash replied with a frown. "I didn't even know you were involved in the plan !"

"Then.. how ?"

Lost, Erin observed Nikolas. The boy crossed his arms in silence. Nervously moving his tongue between his lips, Ash turned towards him. He tilted his head, realizing along with Erin what had really happened.

"Why did you lie to me ?" Erin asked, suddenly very sad.

"I saw an opportunity," Nikolas explained, emotionless. "As a successor."

"Why involve Erin ?" Ash asked, still staring at the ground.

"I thought that was something you would have done."

Chuckling, Ash lifted his chin. With lightning speed, he removed a knife from his belt and threw it in Nikolas' direction. The boy, barely having time to react, widened his eyes and remained completely still. He did not immediately realize that the knife had touched his face before crashing into the wall behind him. With two fingers he touched his cheek. Blood instantly flowed down his nails.

"This is the last time you make a decision for me," Ash threatened. "As for my succession, I haven't decided anything yet. Ruby, please help Erin."

Her friend rushed towards her to place her arm on her shoulders. Erin ignored her, still watching the icy exchange between Ash and Nikolas. She could not believe Nikolas had manipulated her. Then, she stared at the knife stuck in the wall. Although he was getting older, Ash had not lost his dexterity. And although he tried to deny it, Nikolas was right. In the past, Ash had also used Erin.

A few days later, Erin had already started again her services at the Hob. Nothing had changed, only her smile was now ruined by the huge bandage on her cheek. One evening, following her escapade with Coriolanus, she surprised herself by revealing to him the truth about her parents. She had dared to hope that he would have done the same. Unfortunately, as guessed, he had not said anything about his past. On the way home, she had thought long and hard and was almost certain for some reason that she trusted him. She had simply been disappointed when he left to have only a simple smile as a goodbye.

After Coriolanus left, Erin entered the Hob. Without giving her time to reach the counter, Robin called her. Erin rolled her eyes, already annoyed at the words that were about to come out of his mouth. As usual, he forced a conversation with her. Laughing nervously, she also sighed in annoyance. Still with a forced smile, she told him to stop following her and leave her alone. Hopeless, Robin stared at her and eventually left.

Erin suddenly shivered and rubbed her hands against her arms. Then she touched her neck, looking for her scarf. She quickly realized that she had probably dropped it outside. Erin headed towards the exit while hiding her smile.

On her way, Erin almost tripped over her scarf. Confused, she reached down to pick it up. She looked at the door, wondering if Coriolanus had tried to bring it back to her. If she had actually dropped it inside, someone would have seen it and told her.

The days passed and Erin did not see Coriolanus for a while. She had a bad feeling.

One evening, Erin was sitting on the bar stool facing the counter. With a slow movement, she swirled the spoon in her hot chocolate. Her gaze was empty, it was drowning in the whirlwind she was creating in her cup. Two weeks had passed since she had last seen Coriolanus. The atmosphere at the Hob had deteriorated. Erin categorically refused to speak to Nikolas. Although he had tried to make amends, her decision was final. Observing her friend's almost depressive behavior, Ruby placed her elbows on the counter to move closer to Erin.

"What if he discovered that I infiltrated the captives ?" Erin asked her instantly.

"Sejanus would have warned us, he regularly sends us letters."

Erin began to worry about Sejanus as well. He was the one who had warned them about the peacekeepers' raid inside the church. It was for this reason that they had not found anything or captured any rebels.

"You know," Ruby continued suddenly cold, "I'm doing my best not to judge you even though I know why you're sad. He's a peacekeepern he's not your friend. We need you to be with us."

Lost, Erin stared at Ruby with a sad look. Lowering her shoulders, she lowered her head as well. Ruby was telling the truth. She could no longer concentrate on the mission. She pretended to be part of it but she never really intended to follow it.

Suddenly, the Hob's door slammed against the wall. Erin turned around, watching in surprise a dozen peacekeepers walking inside. Heavily armed, they began to destroy everything : chairs, tables, dishes. Erin covered her ears. Ruby positioned her arms above her to protect her. Little by little, other individuals from the Hob joined the scene.

"We are looking for Robin Benis," shouted one of the soldiers in the middle of the room. "Bring him to us immediately."

A heavy silence followed the peacekeeper's request. Then, emerging from the crowd, Robin showed himself.

"What do you want from me ?" he questioned them with a frown.

"You are accused of conspiracy and treason against the Capitol," explained the peacekeeper. "And for these crimes, you will be executed."

While Erin was still in shock, the others yelled at the peacekeepers to leave. Clearly annoyed at this lack of respect, they headed towards Robin. Several individuals stood in front of him to block them but the peacekeepers quickly hit them with their weapons. A general fight began, Ruby immediately took her friend away. In panic, Erin watched two peacekeepers grabbed Robin. He struggled body and soul, shouting to release him. Through the crowd, Erin watched as they threw him to the ground. Robin was now on his knees. With one last wish, he looked around for his former lover. As Erin and Robin stared at each other, a peacekeeper positioned his gun behind the boy's head. And in a second, he pulled the trigger.