"Aubrey?" I whisper against the pale door, heart still pounding from all that's just occurred. My heart breaks for my friend. She didn't deserve to be betrayed. She's such a sweet person who's been through hell, and Rachel had to run over her fragile heart.

No answer from Aubrey.

I gently knock, and her answering sob nearly breaks my heart. My fingers grasp the doorknob, but it doesn't budge. So, I knock again, more urgently this time.

"Just- leave me," Aubrey sniffs. 

"Aubrey, what she did isn't your fault. It's not your fault that she's a horrible person, and you didn't deserve to be betrayed. But, it's okay. You have us as your friends. And, one day, you'll find that special someone. You'll find someone that makes you happy and doesn't stomp on your heart."

I hear her crying. "T-This is all my fault! If I hadn't been so stupid-" She's cut off by a sob escaping her. "I don't deserve anything."

"You deserve the world," I tell her. 

"What have I done to deserve it?

"So much. If you hadn't been there when I woke up from that coma, I don't know what I would have done. You were so nice to me. And, you still are. You've risked so much to help me, to help all of us. Please don't let Rachel break you. You're stronger than this, Aubrey. Please open the door."

Silence. Then, the door opens to reveal my friend's tear-soaked face. Her eyes meet my own, then look at my arm and widen.

"Autumn, you're hurt," she mutters. "Your arm."

There is a slash in my arm, and a bit of blood has dried around it and run down my arm. Jeremy must've caught me with his knife, but I didn't even notice. I simply shrug in response to my friend's worry, then offer her a small smile. She returns it, swiping the back of her hand against her damp eyes.

"Thanks," she whispers, pulling me into a tight hug. I hold her tight, her curls brushing against my shoulder.

Then, we both pull away, and Aubrey tries to regain her composure. She takes in a deep breath, once again swiping at her eyes. Then, she notices the medical box on the table. She points to it, indicating that I should take care of my injury.

"Just- give me a few minutes to pull myself together," my friend finally speaks. "But, make sure you take care of your arm."

I nod. Then, I begin walking towards the others who are all seated at the kitchen table. As I head towards them, I spare a glance in Aubrey's direction. She's retreated back into the bathroom, but the door is still open and the light is still on. By now, I'm in front of the table where a few seats are open. Wordlessly, I reach for the box to bandage my arm. Hailee beats me to it, motioning at me to take a seat. So, I do, and I let my friend disinfect my wound. The disinfectant should sting, but I hardly feel it. My mind is spinning too much. Too much has happened, and too much is at stake, including my friends.

I glance at Ingrid who has Cody standing next to her. Ash sits across from Ingrid, and I sit at her left. Hailee now places the box in it's previous position and I thank her, looking down at my bandaged arm. She smiles softly, then takes the last seat at the table. I glance back to Cody, who looks almost as shaken up as his mom. It's nice to see them again, but not like this. I thought his father would hurt them more before I arrived. I thought the worst, but who wouldn't in my situation? At least I can finally breath steadily. My heart still pounds rapidly, but for another reason; what Cody was about to say before he was interrupted. 

What would have happened if he wasn't interrupted? Would things have changed, or would it have just solidified our relationship? My heart flutters, and I can't help but smile sheepishly. Cody catches my eye and opens his mouth to speak. But, he's once again interrupted as two people run into the kitchen. Jared looks- worn, but also like he's trying to keep his composure for those around him. Eva looks almost the same as the last time I saw her, save the panic in her eyes and the bags under them. Both of there eyes shoot to me, and then to my cousin and Hailee. 

"Autumn, are these your other friends?" It's Aubrey who speaks, coming to stand beside me. There is no trace of the broken, crying girl I had seen a few minutes ago. Her eyes seem to have a new glow to them, and she doesn't look like she's been crying but rather like she was born smiling.

"Yeah. That's Jared and Eva."

I stand up to greet them, but Eva is already rushing towards me. She crushes me into a hug, mumbling so many things at once that I can't latch onto them. Then, she pulls away and places her slender hands on my shoulders. Her eyes widen at the bandage on my arm, and she opens her mouth to ask about it. I beat her to it.

"It's just a scratch, Ev. I'm fine."

"Cody's dad was really here?" She whispers, fear and worry radiating off of her.

I nod, and she drops her hands to her side.

Jared waves me a greeting, then comes to stand beside his girlfriend. He's not very good with emotions, and I can tell that he's happy to see me, but not quite sure how to express it. I nearly laugh, but then Cody is by my side, his arm brushing my own and setting it on fire. Not literally, but- that's the feeling.

"Autumn showed up with her friends here and saved my mom and I." Cody smiles at me, and I awkwardly smile back. Does he remember the conversation we were having before all of this? Does he want to?

Jared opens his mouth to respond, his face pale. Before he can speak, Teresa enters the kitchen, her eyes wide and scanning. She seems to take in every face gathered in this kitchen, lingering on the ones she doesn't know. She seems to tense a bit, especially regarding my arm and Ingrid's neck.

"And that's Teresa," I say for those who don't know. "And since everyone's here, I'll introduce the rest." I point to Aubrey. "That's Aubrey." I point to Ash. "That's my cousin, Ashley." She curtly nods as I point to Hailee. "And that's Hailee." I point to Ingrid. "And for the newbies, that's Ingrid." They know Cody already, so I leave him out of the introductions, as well as myself obviously.

Glances are exchanged, and murmuring begins. Eva goes up to Aubrey and smiles at her. Hailee stands and sizes up Teresa, who seems on high alert.

"You're Leane's sister," Teresa spits. her body tensing as if she's ready to attack her.

"She's been helping me. I might not have escaped Leane if it weren't for her." And, I relay the story of escaping Leane all over again, making sure everyone is up-to-date on everything.

Teresa eyes Hailee up and down. "I remember when there was just one rebellion.  And Leane, crazy as she was, had you and your twin by her side."

"I've changed, and I want to stop her. I'm not her little puppet," Hailee sighs. "I promise, Teresa, that I'm not a threat. I'm here to help in anyway I can, to stop this before things get out of hand."

Teresa tilts her head to the side, her blonde braid shifting its position. Her honey eyes bore into Hailee's like she's searching for a hint of deception. Finally she lets out a breath and nods. "Okay. But, I have my eye on you until you earn my full trust."

Hailee nods as well. "Fair enough. Congrats on getting out while you could."

Teresa seems to size up the meaning behind those words, then walks towards me. She smiles, then pats me on the shoulder and pulls me into a hug. I hug her back and we pull away.

"Who are you and what have you done with the Autumn that I knew all those years ago?"

I laugh, and Ash clears her throat from behind Teresa.

Teresa's eyes widen as she truly takes in my cousin. They both squeal, practically crushing each other as they embrace. "I thought you were dead! There is so much we need to catch up on!"

Ash laughs, smiling at her old friend. "Yeah, there is definitely a lot we need to catch up on."

They begin chatting away, and I let out a breath. I glance at all the people around me. Tense, but also open to making new friendships. Then, as I look around the kitchen, I question our safety. I can't go back to the rebel base, obviously. Jeremy knows where Cody and Ingrid live, so they can't stay here. But- I don't think they know where the rest of us live, save Jared. For now, we can try and stay in the city- but the Simons need to relocate for their safety.

I feel someone tap me on the shoulder. I turn around to find Cody smiling at me. "We're not safe here," I blurt, nerves fluttering. Of all the things I could have said, I choose that. Great job, Autumn.

Cody seems to realize the truth in my words.

"You, your mom, and Jared. For now, we have no place to hide. So, you guys need to relocate."

"They can stay with me, again," Teresa offers. 

"Save that for the girls that came with Autumn," Jared grunts from beside Cody. "I am perfectly capable of protecting my own house."

I roll my eyes. "Okay, when you and your mom are ambushed-"

He lets out a breath. "Where will your new friends stay, then? Teresa can't house everyone."

"My cousin stays with me."

"People can stay in my old house," Hailee suggests. "Me, Aubrey if she wants, and anyone else."

"Autumn, your parents think you're dead. Everyone does," Jared deadpans.

I shrug even though my heart drops at the truth. "Well, maybe it's time my parents know that I'm okay."

"Should they really know that I'm alive?" Ash sighs. "I'll stay with Hailee. I think I'd be too risky. I can't let my own parents know, either."

"Your mom," I start, not sure how to break the news to her, "was taken by Etchers."

Her eyes widen, mouth hanging open. "W-What? When?"

"Months ago."

She runs a hand down her face. "Well, that's great."

"They let all the rebels go once Chips were removed," Eva pipes up.

Ash smiles. "Maybe I could pay my mom a visit. But, my dad..." Her face falls once again. "Forget it. I'll stay with Hailee."

"Now that that's settled," I sigh, "What do we do now?"

"We wait," Hailee says. "We stay safe, and we wait."

"Wait for what? Wait for defeat to be handed to us on a silver platter?" Teresa spits.

"What can we do right now anyways?" I speak up, trying to break the tension between the two. "Let's just wait to see what Leane's plan is and go from there. Everyone needs to be on high alert and stay safe. No one stays alone. We wait, we plan, and we put an end to this once and for all."

"Fine," Teresa relents. "Let's all find out where the heck we're staying."

"Hey," Cody says quietly from behind me. "I have something that I'd like to- return to you. Would you mind coming upstairs for a moment?"

I spin around, heart pounding. "No, I wouldn't mind." I follow him through the house and up the stairs, the halls and few pictures in them blurring away. I wonder what he wants to 'return' to me.

"So, how's it going?" Cody lamely asks, pushing open the door to his room, which is pretty huge.

"I have no idea anymore," I admit. "But, I guess everyone's okay, so... good."

He nods, his hair flopping with the motion. He goes to the side of his king bed and picks up his nondescript school bag, placing it on the bed. He shuffles through it, then pulls something out. My eyes widen as he turns, many emotions shiny in his hazel eyes as he thrusts my old poetry book in my direction.

I reach for it, gingerly taking it and holding it against my chest. "Um, thanks."

He rubs the back of his neck, cheeks going a bit red. "Welcome. I found it at Teresa's and- added a few things. I hope you don't mind."

I find myself grinning, now excited to read what he'd written. "Of course I don't mind! Tell me, did you try your hand at poetry?"

He chuckles. "Something like that."

"So, um, before all this chaos ensued," I gulp, mentally berating myself. "You were gonna say-"

"I love you?" He offers, and my stomach does a somersault. "Yeah. I said it." His cheeks are on fire now.

My grin is wide as I kiss him gently. His arms go around my waist and my chest is pressed against his, notebook and all. 

"Well, even though I've already said it," I murmur as we pull away. "I guess I love you, too." My cheeks are on fire as well.

"You guess?" He smiles. His smile is as wide as mine.

I swat his arm. I roll my eyes, then turn to exit his room. "Come on, we better get down there before they leave us behind."

"Do you, um, want me to walk you to your house?" He offers.

I want to accept, but I know it's better if I don't. "I'll see you soon." I laugh.

"School?"

"I'm supposed to be dead. Why would I go to school?"

"I don't know. Because I miss your company?" He says sheepishly, walking by my side as we head down the hallway lined with rooms.

I sigh, then shake my head. "You know I can't just pop in and be like 'Hey, I'm not dead!'"

"You have to let the city know eventually. You know, once things get back to normal."

"I will. One day," I mutter, then turn to head down the stairs. "One day, things will be normal again and I'll be back in the hellhole called school."

"Sounds great."

"Hurry up, lovebirds!" Ash shouts from below. "We got places to be."

I shake my head at my cousin, but I can't stop smiling.

________

Thoughts. That chapter was fun to write. :)

-Sarah