I hear her screams, and it stops me dead in my tracks. I look over at the car ready to kill, but no Hunters are near her. My heart clenches in my chest as I see her in the back seat, as I feel the agony in her every scream, and I'm gutted. Pain courses through me, knowing I can't do anything to help her...knowing that I'm the cause. What have I done?

"Come on, man," Sanders says, pulling my attention away from her. There's sympathy in his eyes. Holding out his hand, he continues, "I'll drive. We'll handle it, Brennan. The sooner we get him to L.A.," he says, nodding towards the car, "the sooner we can get back to the Compound."

I hand him the keys and get into the passenger side of the car, slamming the door shut. He immediately follows. The kid in the back seat wastes no time laying into me. "You did this to her. Those screams were because of you, you fucking asshole!" he yells, slamming his shoulder into the seat behind me, and my body lunges forward.

Part of me wants to reach back and choke the kid out, shut him the hell up, but I don't.

Sanders starts the car and turns to face him. "Kid, it would be in your best interest to pipe the fuck down. Do you understand me?"

"Fuck you," he replies and shoves himself back in the seat.

"Get us out of here," I say to Sanders, my head remaining forward. He peels out onto the main road and the memories of what just occurred assault me. Everything happened so fucking fast. Seeing her again...seeing her see me...the look of relief I saw on her face. She looked at me like I was her knight in shining armor, like she had been waiting all this time for me to come save her.

And for me, to feel so much unbelievable relief and joy one moment, only to have it followed by such a range of emotions, one after the other...betrayal at seeing her entangled with another man, anger that he was even touching her in that way...in any way, then defeat, followed instantaneously by rage as I heard the other Hunters come in the door.

I never got the chance to tell her all the things I needed to say. I guess she needed to hear the words in order to trust me. She needed me to remind her of who I am...that there had to be another reason why I behaved the way I did and said the things I said, that I would never disrespect her in any way or allow anyone else to unless I had no other fucking choice, and that her greatest good is always the end game for me. Isn't that why I became a Hunter? So I could try to give her the life she deserves?

I think that's what hurts me most. How she so easily doubted me. Even her own dad saw the bigger picture when he saw me, why couldn't she? I understand that the events played out in a way that would make most people question the other's motives, but Maddie and I aren't most people. At least that's what I always believed to be true, that she knew me better than I knew myself sometimes, yet she actually thought I became a Hunter just so I could find her and turn her over to the government. How could she think I would ever do anything to intentionally hurt her that way?

I don't think I'll ever forget the way she looked at me when she was sitting inside that car. It's as though she didn't know me anymore. Maybe I've been wrong all this time, assuming so much about her feelings towards me. Since the day she left, my sole purpose became about finding her, protecting her, and letting her know through my actions how much she means to me. But maybe it's all too little too late. While holding on to her is what got me through the choice I made to become a Hunter and what that entails, it seems letting go of us, of me, is what's gotten her through life on the run.

Seeing her break free from Sanders so she could run to the kid sitting behind me, was the farthest scenario from my mind when I envisioned what would happen when we finally saw one another again. She ran to him for comfort. She kissed him. She cried to him. And she did it all in front of me.

Had the other Hunters not shown up things would have played out so differently. What the fuck were they doing there? How did Jim not know? Why didn't he warn us? I'm instantly enraged. "Pull over," I demand.

"What's up, man? Need to take a leak?" Sanders replies.

"No. Just stop the car. Now," I demand again.

He immediately pulls over. I grab the Jim issued cellphone out of the glove box and exit the car, slamming the door shut behind me.

Hitting the only number saved on the phone, I hold it to my ear, moving farther away from the car with every ring. No answer. I hit the call button again. "Answer the damn phone, Jim." It continues to ring and still, he doesn't answer. "How fucking convenient." I call again, and on the second ring, he finally answers.

"Travis," he says.

"What the fuck, Jim? How did this happen?" I growl into the phone.

"Calm down, son," he replies.

"Calm down?" I yell. "Do you understand what the fuck just went down? Maddie is on her way to the Compound, Jim! Do you understand what this means?"

"I understand you're upset," he replies, his voice calm and steady. Nothing riles this guy.

"Upset? Upset doesn't even begin to cover what I'm feeling!" I scream into the phone. "How did you let this happen? How did you not know other Hunters were coming? And I'm supposed to trust you? Your intel is shit, Jim. Shit."

"Where are you now?" he asks, and I take a breath trying to calm myself.

"We're on our way to the airstrip to fly the male back to L.A. We pulled over to call you," I respond.

"Get back in the car and get to the airstrip. Once you land in L.A., you will be met by—"

"I'm not meeting anyone," I cut him off and continue, "Once we get to L.A., I'm dumping this kid off and going straight to the Compound. No delays."

"And do what when you get to there, Lieutenant? Grab Maddie and run? You and I both know you're not ready for that to happen," he says as a matter of fact.

As much as his words piss me off, he's absolutely right. I am in no way prepared to get Maddie out of the Compound undetected.

"We can help you, Travis. We can make sure Maddie is not harmed in any way," he continues, "You just need to hear us out."

"Fine," is my only reply before I slam the phone shut and head back towards the car.

On my approach, I notice that Sanders' eyes are closed, and his mouth won't stop moving. And what is he doing with his arms? I draw closer to the car, still trying to figure out what the hell I'm seeing, and that's when I hear him. He's singing. Wait. Is he singing "I'm A Little Tea Pot" or have I just lost my mind?

I get back into the car and slam the door, but even that doesn't faze him.

The kid in the back seat yells, "Make it stop!"

I'm staring at Sanders in disbelief, but undeterred, his eyes remain closed and he continues singing. He lifts his right arm and actually forms the shape of a spout, leaning towards me as he finishes the song.

Done with his performance, he opens his eyes to find me staring at him, eyebrow raised, shaking my head with a look on my face that could only scream, "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Sorry, man. I got a little carried away I guess. Brings me back to my childhood. My late Nina, may she rest in peace," his hand gestures the sign of the cross, and his face suddenly grows very solemn. Is he for real right now? "She'd sing that to me when I was a little bambino," he says as he mimics rocking himself as a baby. "I was so afraid man—" he suddenly stops, looks me dead in the eyes, and then cracks a huge ass smile. "I'm just messing with you, Brennan," he says, shoving me. "Bro, if only you could've seen the look on your face," he begins laughing. "When I busted into the story about my Nina—Priceless, man," he continues, cracking himself up until he registers that he's the only one in the car laughing. "I haven't lost my mind if that's what you're thinking," he adds, raising an eyebrow.

That's exactly what I'm thinking.

"Blame pretty boy," he continues, gesturing towards the back seat, "He was trying to listen in on your call."

"Bullshit," the kid in the back seat chimes in. "And though I'm flattered by your obvious attraction to me, douchebag, I'm not interested. And the name's Aiden."

"Aiden?" Sanders replies, so amused he turns in his seat just to look at him. "What kind of name is that? And what's with that hair, bro?" he asks on a chuckle, eyeballing the kid's dome. "You need to cut that shit, Goldie-locks. Ever heard of scissors?" Sanders quips as he turns back around, puts the car into drive, and gets back on the road.

"I need you to haul ass," I say, interrupting their bullshit banter.

"Yeah, Sandy, better listen to your master and haul ass. And my hair? I've had no complaints. Just ask Maddie," Aiden says, and I chuckle sarcastically in response. Clearly, the kid's trying to piss me off.

"Well, considering her options were limited. As in, you were the only option, you might not want to use her as an endorsement for you or that hair," Sanders replies.

This time, I chuckle, amused.

"Well, considering her opinion is the only one that matters to me, I'm good. And she made her feelings pretty clear. Don't you think? I didn't see her running to kiss anyone else," he pauses, "Did you, Travis? See her run to kiss anyone else?" he says sarcastically.

Laughing under my breath, I shift in my seat, gripping the cellphone still in my hand. This kid is definitely trying to antagonize me, but I force myself not to engage, even though every instinct is begging for me to knock the cocky straight off the smug grin I imagine playing across his fucking face right now.

"Didn't think so," he says, his tone dripping with arrogance. He continues. "You know, she's never going to forgive you. Maddie's not the kind of girl who—"

"Don't attempt to tell me what of kind of girl Maddie is. You don't know shit about Maddie," I reply. So much for not engaging.

"You get to know someone pretty well when you're with them twenty-four-seven. I know her in ways you never have and never will, Hunter," he replies.

That's it. Immediately, I twist in my seat and grab him by the fucking neck, pushing him back against the headrest.

"Dude," Sanders warns him. "Shut the fuck up."

Aiden ignores him. "Take these fucking cuffs off," he says, challenging me, "then attempt to put your fucking hands on me, tough guy," he says, looking me straight in the eyes.

"Do you have a death wish, bro?" Sanders chimes in again. "Cuz this mother fucker...he will kill you. Lights out for good, kinda kill you. Dead," he says.

"Not fucking worth it," I say, releasing his neck. I turn back around in my seat, pissed.

"Just what I thought. I knew something else was going on here. But regardless of your fucked up motives, she will never forgive you for what you've done to Alex and me. You fucked up." And under his breath, I hear him say, "But I fucked up too." He sighs and says nothing else the remainder of our drive. Neither do I.

I don't know what the deal is with him and Maddie, and I can't let it be my focus. But the kid's right, Maddie is obviously invested with him and his sister. As much as she'll want to escape from the Compound, she won't do so without her friend, and that definitely complicates things. Especially since I planned to do everything I could to get Danielle out of there as well.

My head is spinning, and I'm exhausted. Sanders and I are running off minimal sleep. Laying my head back, I close my eyes. I see Maddie and the look on her face when she first saw me, the smile that formed across her lips, the tears that welled in her eyes. And that's what I hold onto, until sleep finally takes me.

Sanders wakes me when we arrive at the airstrip. We exit the vehicle and immediately board a small plane that will bring us to L.A. Sanders heads to the cockpit to talk to the pilot, and I bring Aiden to his seat. Protocol says he should remain cuffed, but I un-cuff him anyway and toss them on the seat behind him. He looks at me surprised.

"Don't make me regret this decision. Take a seat," I say as I pat my gun, reminding him not to do anything stupid. He offers me a slight nod and complies.

As much I want to hate the kid, how can I? He looked after Maddie when I couldn't. I don't like him or his mouth, but that doesn't change the fact that he's here because he did right by his sister and Maddie. Gotta respect the kid for that much at least.

I take the seat directly behind him and buckle up. Within seconds, Sanders is taking the seat across the aisle from me. He and I haven't had the opportunity to talk about what transpired or what went down when I spoke with Jim. Not giving anything away, I say, "When we get to L.A. I'll be meeting with a higher up for further instruction."

He looks at me with a questioning face but accepts my answer anyway since we clearly have no privacy. Aiden may be inadvertently playing for the same team as Sanders and I, but even the best of people sell out when their back's against the wall. I don't know shit about this kid, and I take no chances when it comes to Maddie's wellbeing.

Even though the flight to L.A. was relatively short, it felt like it took forever. I get out of my seat and hand Sanders Aiden's cuffs. "You handle him. I'll meet you at the car."

  Upon exiting the plane, I'm immediately greeted by some guy wearing what looks like a mechanics uniform. "Lieutenant Brennan?" he inquires.

"Yes," I reply.

"Follow me," he says. He leads me across the airstrip and into one of the three large hangers sitting before us. I have no idea who I'm meeting up with since I never gave Jim the opportunity to tell me. But all I can say is that this better not be a fucking waste of my time.

  He brings me to a small room, located in the very back of the hanger. It's empty when I enter, and this thoroughly annoys me. As the guy begins to close the door, I grab it, stopping him. "This meeting needs to happen now. Relay the message."

He nods and shuts the door.

I look at my watch and begin pacing. The room is set up with the basics, a small oval table with chairs, and against the back wall sits a table with coffee brewing. I immediately help myself to a cup, and it tastes like shit. I bend down to open the cabinet below in search of some sugar, and that's when someone enters the room.

  I turn to look, and I cannot believe who is standing before me. It's Brad, the guy who interrogated me after Maddie's disappearance. "You've got to be fucking kidding me," I say, shaking my head in disbelief. 

  "I see you remember me, Lieutenant," he replies. He crosses the room and offers me his hand to shake.

  "How could I forget?" I respond, and eyeing him suspiciously, I shake his hand.

  Gesturing towards the table, he replies, "How 'bout we take a seat and get right to it. Jim said you're anxious to get to the Compound."

  I take a seat across from him, shitty coffee still in hand. I'm not willing to offer him anything. He can talk. I'll listen.

  "I realize you're upset. Things didn't go as planned earlier. I apologize for that. On a rare occasion, things slip through the cracks," he offers as some sort of consolation.

  "Spare me your bullshit apologies, Brad. Tell me, how is it that Jim already knew what went down before I even called him? How is it that you two already had it planned that I'd meet you here? Yet you expect me to believe that pivotal intel, like the fact that other Hunters and my Colonel, who were trailing so closely behind us, managed to slip through the fucking cracks? If that's the case, your cracks are black holes Brad, and your operation will fail." I lean towards him. "So do yourself a favor, don't insult my fucking intelligence. Jim set me up. That's why we're sitting here, isn't it? And I want the truth or this conversation is over."

  Brad leans back in his chair and sighs. "The truth. Jim and I go back a long way. We served together for many years until he lost his daughter, Hannah, and went civilian." He pauses at the mention of her name as though it pains him, then continues, "My daughter, Becca, is a Breeder too. Like Jim, I believed in the cause. I believed wholeheartedly in my government...in my country. Hell, that's why I served, and that's why like Hannah, Becca turned herself over willingly when she tested positive as a Breeder.

"When the program began, family contact was allowed. Initially, they even offered visitation, but over time things began to change. Visitations were stopped completely, and the only form of communication permitted became through mail. Letters were opened and read before leaving the Compound or ever reaching the girls. Not long after that, all forms of communication were banned. The reason given? Contact with family made it harder on the girls...made them miss home even more. They were becoming increasingly depressed, despondent even. The real reason? It's a business. These girls are not human beings in the eyes of our government. They are property and what they provide, human life, is nothing more than a commodity."

"A commodity? They're selling these babies? Is that what you're telling me?" I ask, completely appalled.

"There's many layers to this onion, and we don't have time to get into it all right now. They are expecting you to deliver your detainee to the jail within the next hour. What I can tell you is that we've been working day and night towards exposing the corruption and putting an end to the breeding program as a whole, but we're just not ready yet. The roots run far too deep. To make a move now and expose our hand could be catastrophic, and everything we've been working towards will mean nothing," he says with complete sincerity in his tone.

  "So what do you need from me? Bottom line, why am I here?" I ask.

My God, what have I gotten myself into?

"You're here because I need your help. Becca is not doing well. She's already given birth over seven times. Physically, she's worn down; with the last two pregnancies, there were complications. Mentally and emotionally, she's struggling. She has been for years. I need her out of there."

  "So there was no way I was going to run with Maddie, was there? You two set me up." I reply, angered to be a fucking pawn in their game, but more angry that Jim lied to me.

  "I understand you're upset. You have every reason to be. But there is no one else we can trust, I can trust. Too many lives are at stake."

  "Your daughter's being one of them," I reply, spinning the coffee cup in my hand.

  "When Breeders can no longer perform, they're disposed of. She's my baby girl, Travis," he says, his eyes practically pleading with me. "You can judge me, judge Jim, but we're not so different from you. Look at the lengths you've gone to save Maddie. You can't tell me you haven't crossed lines since becoming a Hunter, ones you never thought you'd be capable of crossing, can you? Things you've done that haunt you when the quiet sets in." His tone holds no judgment. "By omitting the fact that you had intimate ties with a Breeder, I afforded you the opportunity to become a Hunter so you could save someone you love from a miserable existence and a deadly fate. I'm asking you to do the same for me. Time is running out for my daughter, Travis, and I need you to help me save my Becca, just as I've helped you in your quest to save Maddie."

  Fuck. I sigh and nod in response. What other choice do I have? How can I not help him and his daughter? As angry as I am at him and Jim, I can't say that if the tables were turned, I wouldn't have done the same.

  "Thank you," he replies, and when his eyes begin to water and he quickly looks away, I feel better about my choice.

  "I can only speak for myself, though," I reply. "I'll have to run all this by Sanders, and he'll want to know about his sister."

  Nodding his head, he says, "Of course. We're still looking into it and we'll get you that information as soon as we can."

  "Okay, so how is this gonna go down? And until it does, what about Maddie? I need your assurance that she'll be safe." 

  "There's a battery of more extensive tests done on the girls upon intake. The results of Maddie's tests will be purposely altered, showing some medical issues which will slow down the fertility process and provide us some extra time. Also, any fertility drugs she'll be administered will be placebo."

  Just the thought of Maddie having to endure anything within the Compound makes me sick.

  "When you saw her, did you have the opportunity to tell her anything? Your reason for becoming a Hunter?" he inquires.

  "No, there wasn't any time. Why?" I respond. Obviously, I planned on talking to her when I get there. 

"You need to keep it that way, because too much interaction may be viewed as suspect, and they will be watching. Also, the girls undergo intense psychological profiling. Maddie's responses need to be absolutely genuine as to not set off any red flags. If Maddie believes she's going to escape, her reactions will naturally be different. We don't have the luxury of preparing her for these tests and the last thing we want to do is open her up to further scrutinization. I know keeping her in the dark doesn't sit well with you, but I need you to trust me."

  "Trust you?" I laugh sarcastically. "Trust is earned, Brad. I may understand why you and Jim did what you did, and I will help you get your daughter out, but understand this...if both of you are not on the up and up with me from this point forward, the deal's off. I need your help to get Maddie out of the Compound, because you made it that way. Your number one priority here needs to be protecting her on the inside. If she is harmed in any way or I suspect any foul play on your or Jim's behalf...there will hell to pay. We may have started out as pawns in your game, Brad, but now we are the game. You need me, and I will not hesitate to pull the plug on this operation or you. That is a threat, and it will become personal. I'm a man of my word. Remember that."

  He stands and reaches out to shake my hand. "Understood," he replies. "Should you need to reach me, call Jim. I need to get you out of here so you can get the male to lockup. We'll meet up with you and Sanders soon to work out the details."

Dropping Aiden off at jail bothered me more than I expected. I never thought I would say this, but I would have preferred his loud mouth compared the guy that stood before me. He was quiet and withdrawn, and the sadness in his eyes made me feel sorry for the kid.

Once we dropped him off, I explained everything to Sanders. He was pissed about Jim lying to us, but he's in.

I ask him to run me by my mom's. It might be the only opportunity I have to say goodbye to her and Grace, without actually saying goodbye. I also need to ask my mom to speak to the Ryans, let them know that Maddie was apprehended. Maybe it will provide Mrs. Ryan a little peace, knowing Maddie isn't out there trying to survive on her own anymore.

  Sanders pulls in the driveway and when he starts to get out of the car, I remain seated. "Give me a second," I say. He nods and closes the door.

I sit for a moment taking it all in. This very well could be the last time I ever see this place, the home I grew up in, or the two people inside who I love more than life itself. How did the world become this way? Why do I have to choose? Sanders was right, I will never fully make peace with the decision I've made to run with Maddie because it means leaving my mom and Grace behind.

  Moments in time begin to flash through my mind, Grace as a little girl, giggling, and us playing tickle monster; her and I playing catch in the front yard or the first time she had her heart broken by a boy she had a crush on at school. She was about ten years old and came home visibly upset. When I asked her what was wrong, she immediately broke down in tears. Through her sobs, she explained that Dylan Peters asked Sarah Thomas to be his girlfriend.

"He...hh..hh...he thinks she's prettier than me. He said he's going to m-marry her," she cried.

  "First of all, you don't decide who you're gonna marry at ten, Grace. And besides, Dylan Peters is a dork. I heard he really likes boogers. He's so weird, he actually has a booger collection."

  "Nuh-uh. He does not," she said, offering a little giggle through her tears.

  "He does. And so that explains why he chose Sarah Thomas. She's the girl with really bad allergies all the time, right?"

  "Yah, it's kinda gross. Her nose is always running and she's always sneezing all the time," she replied, scrunching her nose.

  "Well don't you see, Squirt? That explains it. Dylan didn't pick Sarah because she's prettier than you. He picked her because she has way more boogers. He wants to expand his collection."

"Nuh-uh," she said, eyebrow raised, standing with her hand on her hip and her right foot turned out to the side. She continued, "But I do see him pick his nose sometimes in class."

  "Exactly. It's the truth. His brother told me so, but don't tell anyone, not even Maddie."

  She didn't say anything at first, but as though the mere mention of Dylan's brother solidified my story, she said, "Eww, he's gross." And she never mentioned Dylan Peters again. 

  I'm pulled from the memory as I see my mom come out the front door to greet Sanders. I get out of the car and make my way to the front porch.

  "Hi, honey. What brings you by?"

  "We were in the area, and I've been so busy with work, I haven't been able to come by in a while. Just wanted to say hi," I reply, knowing this is really goodbye. My heart clenches within my chest. Pulling her into a hug, I hold on a little longer, kissing the top of her head. "I love you, Mom."

  "I love you too, honey," she replies. She pulls back a little and looks up at me. "I wish I didn't need to head out to work right now. I'm actually running late or I'd make you two some breakfast."

"We don't have time to stay and visit anyway," I reply. "We need to get to the Compound. We found Maddie."

"She's okay? Do the Ryan's know?" she asks.

"She's okay, but no, it just happened last night. I was hoping you could let them know."

  "Of course. And how are you handling it?" she asks, a look of concern on her face.

   I don't get a chance to respond because Grace walks out the door, backpack in hand. "Mom, we need to go. I have a Trig test this morning. I can't be late. Hi, Trav. Hi, Sanders," she says, giving him her best smile. Ugh.

  "Let me grab my purse then we'll go. Did you eat breakfast, sweetie?" my mom asks her.

  "Yes, Mother. I ate," Grace replies.

  "Do you have time to give your big bro a hug?" I ask.

  "I guess," she says, rolling her eyes, then she laughs. She walks over to me and I hug her tightly, swaying back and forth. The reality that this is the last time I will probably ever see her hits me, and I have to fight back the tears. Sanders stands off to the side, feeling the gravity of this moment. I see him wiping at his eyes.

  "I love you so much, Squirt. I miss you every day," my voice cracks.

  My mom comes out the door. "Alright, Grace, let's go. We don't want you to be late."

  I kiss Grace's cheek, and as she swings her backpack over her shoulder, she says, "Later, shithead," and sticks out her tongue.

My mom passes and kisses me on the cheek. "I love you, sweetie. Come by soon. I'll make you and Sanders dinner."

"I'll come by as soon as I can. Raincheck?" I ask.

"Raincheck," she says.

I stand there and watch her and Grace get into my mom's work car and I don't take my eyes off of them until they reach the end of the street and turn the corner.

  I feel my heart break, and the only way I can get through this moment is to tell myself that someday the world will be a better place. A place where daughters aren't ripped away from their loved ones. And where sons don't have to leave their families in order to protect the girl that they love.