Hope is such a powerful thing. It can't be touched, bought, or sold...it's priceless. Hope sets us free. It empowers our dreams and eases our sorrow. It allows us to believe good things are possible for ourselves and those we love, even when life keeps showing us otherwise.

Twisting the bracelet around my wrist, I fight to understand why it's now, after Maddie finally gets why I'm here, that I seem to have lost the hope I've been holding onto all this time.

My mind keeps replaying the moment Maddie saw her bracelet tied to my wrist. I haven't taken it off once since the day I found it, promising myself that the only time I would ever remove it was when I placed it back on her. The sentimental value it holds for her spoke volumes about how much I meant to her when she left it for me, and thankfully, seeing it on me seemed to do the same for her. It bridged the gap, closing some of the distance that stretched out between us, reminding her of who I am and what we once meant to each other.

Yet, I'm struggling to make sense of why what I felt then is so different from what I'm feeling now, because that moment we shared was real. But the relief I felt when she finally understood seems to have disappeared somewhere between then and now, and I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I'm not as happy as I thought I'd be once Maddie figured out why I'm really here.

More than anything, it all feels pretty fucking bittersweet, because while that moment may have quieted her doubts, it seems to have magnified mine.

I hear someone clear their throat as they enter the room, and I'm immediately annoyed when I see it's Jenkins. He's the last fucking person I want to deal with right now, especially considering the smirk he has plastered upon his black and blue face. Does this guy ever learn?

"So," he begins as he saunters across the room, heading towards the kitchen counter. "I wanted to believe you when you said there was nothing between you and that Breeder, but," he pauses, "I'm starting to think you lied to me." He grabs a coffee cup from the cabinet and moves to pour himself a cup.

Saying nothing in response, I just smirk and shake my head as though he's completely delusional, but of course the asshole continues. "There was a code blue called on her earlier. It was pretty pathetic actually. She was so upset," he says, stepping in front of the table I'm sitting at. "I just happened to be downstairs when it occurred, so, of course I ran to help."

There was a code blue called on Maddie? Hot Doctor said she had started to panic a little so they administered a mild sedative to help relax her, but she made no mention of a code blue.

"That kind of thing happens all the time around here with those poor girls," he continues, feigning concern. "So that's not surprising."

Mindfully forcing myself not to react to what's being said, again I don't respond. And instead of looking him dead in the eyes like I always have, my focus remains steady on his busted up looking cheekbone while making sure a subtle smirk plays across my lips.

But inside? I feel the stirrings of my rage as it begins to ripple within my veins. I continue to talk myself down, reminding myself repeatedly that he's just not worth it. Remaining passive has to be my only revenge. I can't let this asshole see me sweat or it will hurt much more than just Maddie. Too many lives are at stake, lives that are my responsibility now.

"What's surprising, though," he continues in a sarcastic tone, "is what I heard her say when I was restraining her so the Doc could slam the sedative in her neck. At first, she cried out asking for anyone to help her, then just before going nighty night, she cried out for someone specifically, and it wasn't mommy or daddy like most of 'em do. No. She cried out...for you."

He's not worth it.

"Travis, please help me," he mocks in a female tone.

He's not fucking worth it.

Pushing my chair back as I come to a stand, I look away from him. Grabbing my empty coffee cup off the table, I take a few steps towards the sink, rinse it, and set it down. I remind myself one last time to stay calm and head towards the door. Passing him on my way out, I say only four words, "You're a fucking idiot," shaking my head as I exit the room.

I'd planned to stay here longer, but as I walk down the hallway, I suddenly feel an overwhelming need to get the hell out of this place. I need to clear my fucking head, gain some perspective. Like I said, there are too many lives at stake, and I'm feeling way too off balance to deal.

Heading to the locker room, I grab my things. I want to beat the shit out of something, blow off some steam. I'm going to the gym on base. It should be fairly empty this late at night, which is when I usually workout anyway, because the release of energy seems to be the only thing that calms me these days.

Left, right, left, knee.

Left, right, left, knee.

Left, right, left, knee.

The rhythmic sound my fists and knee make as they pound into the bag becomes my meditation. It pulls me back into myself, away from the world outside and the constant stream of static it brings. I need clarity...focus. In order to be effective, I've got to compartmentalize all the random thoughts racing through my head, find perspective and put them in their place. I can't keep giving my heart the front seat. It blurs the lines, and with so much to lose, it's becoming too much of a risk. I need to rule with my head so no one gets hurt or worse, killed. They're my responsibility.

The things I've learned, the things I've seen, and the things I've done since Maddie left is beginning to take its toll, pushing me off center. I went into this with one plan and one plan only...to save Maddie and no one else. I didn't think I'd become so invested. I didn't know the emotional toll all of this would take.

I didn't know that the nameless faces of all the girls I've seen would leave a lasting imprint, or that I'd meet someone like Danielle and so quickly feel a sense of responsibility towards her... That her screams would always haunt me, and the weight of all the guilt I feel for leaving her there would press down on me every single day.

I didn't know that becoming a Hunter would so swiftly alter my perception of the world. It's hard not to lose faith in humanity when you spend most of your time surrounded by people who have none.

Hell truly exists here on earth. If anyone needs proof of that statement, they just need to spend some time inside the Compound. You can feel the shift in energy when you step inside those steel doors. How could you not, when it houses so much despair and pain? If this is our legacy, our best effort to save the human race, then we deserve extinction. We deserve to be wiped the fuck out.

But still, I don't regret my choice to become a Hunter. I knew the risks coming in; I knew it wouldn't be easy. I guess I just never imagined it would be this fucking hard.

It's all of this that makes my situation with Maddie that much harder to swallow because I didn't know that when I finally found her, she'd be entangled in the arms of another man. Not for even a second did I consider that I might be left to wonder how she feels about me or whether or not her heart belongs to him. None of that's her fault. She doesn't owe me her heart. In fact, she owes me nothing for the choice I made to become a Hunter. Still, a part of me can't help but wonder if all of this will have been worth it. Will she and I survive?

But the truth is, regardless of what the future holds for us, it wouldn't stop me from making the same choice again. I will protect Maddie always...even if she's in love with someone else. The thought fucking hurts, but what guts me still...is her doubt in me and how quickly she believed I had betrayed her and everything I always thought we were to one another. My heart clenches tightly within my chest.

And this is exactly what I'm fucking talking about. I can't deal with this right now. I need to remain objective, and the only way I can do that is to stop allowing what's happening between Maddie and I to take up any more space in my head. It's already consuming my heart. So until we're all safely away from the Compound, I need to lock all that shit down. I can't take any chances. I've got to keep it together. There's too many lives at stake.

With sweat pouring off of me, I intensify my assault, pounding the bag harder with every kick and punch.

Focus Brennan.

Focus.

Right, left, right, knee.

Right, left, right, knee.

My breaths echo in the quiet of the room.

Right, left, right, knee.

Right, left, right, knee.

The shrill ring of my cellphone cuts through the silence. I try to ignore it, but every time it stops, it starts again.

I still the bag within my grip, resting my forehead against it as I catch my breath.

Walking across the room, I reach inside my bag and grab my phone. A voicemail from Jim asks Sanders and me to meet him at his office ASAP. I hop in the shower and head straight over to the hospital, calling Sanders on my way. He's visiting with some family but said he'd be there as soon as he can. I'm sure he's anxious, hoping to finally get some news about his sister, Anna.

This will be the first time I've seen Jim since finding out he set me up and ruined my plan to run with Maddie. I'm still pissed about it, but right now I don't have the luxury of dealing with my feelings. I take the elevator down to the basement and head straight into his office where I find him and Brad looking over some blueprints.

"Come on in, son, and shut the door behind you, unless Sanders followed you in," Jim offers as he steps forward to shake my hand. I offer mine in return.

"No, he's not, but he'll be here shortly. Let's not waste any time, though, I can fill him in on anything he's missed," I respond as I take my place beside Brad, whose focus remains on the schematics of the Compound I see lying on the table before him.

"Hey, Travis," he says, looking over at me with a slight nod. "Let's get to it then," he continues, shifting his focus to Jim who's now standing across from us at the table.

Jim clears his throat and begins, "Brad and I have been trying to find the best way to get you and the girls out of the Compound with as little interference as possible. The soundest option we've come up with is risky, but we knew this wasn't going to be easy going in."

"Right," I chime in.

Leaning forward, Jim points towards the location of the Breeder's residence on the blueprint. "This is the one place we can count on Becca and Maddie being in close proximity to one another for at least ninety percent of the day. They have only one room separating the two of them," he says, tapping the specific location on the diagram.

"And Alex?" I ask, looking up at Jim, deciding this is the perfect time to inform them that she's part of the escape plan as well.

"Alex?" Brad intervenes, looking over at me. "Travis, she was never a part of the plan. The more people involved, the greater the risk of being caught. It's a complication we don't need."

"A complication we don't need?" I say on a sarcastic chuckle. "That's funny," I continue, my eyes now making direct contact with his. Reminding myself to leave emotions out of this, regardless of their justification, I look back down at the schematics and continue, "Maddie won't leave without Alex. She comes with or the deal's off. It's non-negotiable."

In my peripheral vision, I see Brad nod in response, then shift his focus back to Jim, who picks up right where he left off. Knowing where these two stand with Alex, there's no way I'm mentioning my desire to take Danielle too. I can't trust them not to sabotage shit again.

"We need to create a diversion," Jim says. "Something that pulls attention elsewhere."

Brad takes over, "Have you taken part in a fire drill at the Compound yet?"

"Yes, a few," I respond. During the drill, the Compound is evacuated and all personnel and Breeders exit towards the back of the building. It leads to a large, open field which lies between the facility and a mountain. "Why? Is there one scheduled to happen soon?" I inquire.

"You can say that, except this time it won't be a drill," Jim replies and continues, "A fire is going to be set here." He points to a room located within the residential portion of the Compound, but just beyond the steel doors. "Which will keep anyone else from entering the residential area. They'll be forced to cross the facility on the floor above, so they can take the stairs that run along the back side of the facility. Those already on the residential side will do as they've always done and exit towards the back."

Brad takes over, "This will provide you and Sanders the best opportunity to take the girls and head towards the front of the Compound."

A knock sounds at the door, and we all turn to see Sanders enter the room. "Hope I haven't missed too much," he says as he comes to stand beside me, bumping his fist against mine. He extends his hand to Jim first and then to Brad.

Jim quickly runs everything down to Sanders, and I immediately sense his concern once their plan to set a fire within the Compound comes into play. Starting a fire isn't safe for anyone, and I can't deny that it's a legitimate concern for me too. We need to get these girls out, but not at the expense of the ones left behind.

Sanders speaks up for the both of us. "Hold up. What kind of fire are we talking here?" he inquires. "A trashcan fire? Or the whole room?" he says, clearly uncomfortable with their plan. "Look, I don't give a shit if that place burns to the fucking ground, but we can't risk any of the girls inside getting hurt."

"We understand, and that's why we chose that specific room to start the fire in," Jim responds. "It's become a makeshift computer room, and because we'll need a larger diversion than just a trashcan fire to ensure evacuation, it'll be made to look like an electrical fire, beginning here at a floor outlet, behind the heavy equipment," Jim continues, pointing to its location on the diagram.

"While everyone is evacuating towards the back of the Compound," Brad takes over, "you two will take the girls and head towards the steel doors next to the fire. Should anyone ask any questions, you'll say that you were forced to turn around because one of the girls had to be wheeled out on her bed, causing delays which sent Maddie into a panic."

"By the time you clear the steel doors," Jim begins, "the area beyond them should be clear of personnel. You will then exit the main door of the Compound where an SUV will be waiting just outside of the facility. Should everything go as planned, it will give you anywhere between fifteen to twenty minutes before anyone realizes you and the girls are gone."

"You boys need to remember, the two lives most in jeopardy will be your own," Brad begins, looking between Sanders and I. "As you know, Hunters are trained to protect the lives of Breeders at any and all costs. Should any of them believe you're attempting to escape with the girls, they will shoot to kill. No exceptions, especially with a fellow Hunter who's gone rogue."

"Understood, but there's an important detail we're failing to discuss here," I interrupt, speaking up for Sanders. "Anna, Sanders sister. Because once we do this and have made the Militia's most wanted list, we won't be able to go back for her. What have you found out?"

Feeling the energy in the room shift in a direction I'm immediately uncomfortable with, I look to Brad who speaks up, "Let's all take a seat," and he gestures towards the table next to us.

Shit, this isn't good.

"What's going on?" Sanders remains in place. "Where's Anna?" he inquires, his eyes darting between Brad and Jim, unwilling to move from where he stands.

My heart begins to pick up speed as I see Jim move closer to him. Looking over at Brad, his eyes remain down.

Please God, let her be okay.

"Son," Jim begins. Reaching out, he places his hand on Sanders' shoulder. "She didn't make it. Anna died from complications while giving birth a few years back."

"Fuck," I sigh.

Sanders pulls away from Jim. His eyes begin shifting frantically around the room, then his focus is suddenly directed towards the table in front of us. He grabs it, and flipping it over, it crashes to the floor, blueprints scattering everywhere. His growl fills the room as he grabs the chair closest to him and begins bashing it into the wall. A tiny, splintered piece of wood is all that remains in his hand when his knees hit the ground.

And while shaking his head, he begins to repeat the same words over and over again, "No...no...no. Not Anna. No...no...no."