Story 3

Betrayal

Betrayed. I felt myself collapsing inside. He had betrayed us all. And it was my fault for giving him the secrets.

I raised my head and looked out the window. Men in body armor were standing down below. They were the Enforcers. In quick fashion, they prepared to storm the building. Behind me, all the other Resistors were crouched low in deep, agitated conversation. I was set on watch. They didn’t want to talk to me at the moment.

The expected flurry of activity ensued in the courtyard. “They’re coming,” I said quietly.

Brad, our leader, stood up slowly. “Time’s up,” he commented sadly. “Scatter,” he commanded, and was gone.

I stood and ran deeper into the building. As if on their own, my feet carried me to the room. A hand tightened over my heart, but I had to hide somewhere so I stepped inside. This was the room he had first kissed me. The whole time he had been planning the betrayal.

As I backed away from the door, a hand slapped over my face from behind. An arm wrapped itself securely around my waist.

“I knew I’d find you here,” Damien whispered dryly.

My heart beat began to race.

“Trust me,” he whispered.

That set me off. I pushed his hand away from my mouth. “Trust you? What reason have you given me to trust you? You betrayed us!”

His hand was covering my mouth again. Footsteps went running beyond the door. “There are bigger things happening than you understand.” He turned me around in the circle of his arm and looked pleadingly into my eyes. “I need you to trust me.”

I couldn’t break away from the chains his eyes bond me with. I knew what I had to do. Slowly, I nodded.

Relief broke out across his face, and he pulled me into a tight hug. “Follow my lead.”

He held both my hands behind his back with one of his. After opening the door, he put his hand on my shoulder, leading me down the hall.

We passed by Enforcers searching the building, but the paid us no mind. I began to fell nervous as we reached ground floor. Damien could sense my agitation. He leaned close to my ear. “Be still. Trust me.”

I clung to his words.

We stepped outside. I blinked as my eyes adjusted. Damien walked me over to a man who appeared to be in charge. My nervousness increased. Damien’s hand tightened over my wrists.

“Is this her?” the man asked.

“Yes,” Damien said, and my heart crumbled. “This is their leader, as promised.”

“What?!” I exclaimed.

The man signaled, and Enforcers seized me from either side.

“Damien!” I called as they dragged me away.

He looked me straight in the eye. “It’s what has to happen.”

My crumbled heart wrenched in half as the men threw me into the back of a truck, and drove away.