We arrive in an old street, where colonies of homeless people used to live. Sheila killed them all. No one saw it coming. It was just one normal Wednesday when they attacked. I look at the road, which have small and big holes in it. 'Should we walk straight ahead?' Rye asks me. I nod and walk to one of the many abandoned houses. This one was big, but had an old, moldy color. On the outside of the house I spot big crumbled pieces of the broken walls.

As we walk inside, trying to be as quiet as possible, I notice all the damaged furniture. But it's better than nothing. I mean, the office building was so much better but things like food and water were missing. And I'm hungry. I tried to hunt, but it was like Sheila was us first. All the animals were gone. And rivers? Let's not start about that. We've been trying to safe Lashell for a week now. But all we did was come across soldiers and monsters. And what in the world were those monsters? I bet they belonged to Sheila. I mean, they were not real monsters. More like nightmares, but then in real life. What if Sheila is using them against Lashell? I hope she's strong. No, I know she's strong. And we will do everything what it takes to get her back. Even if it costs me my life. I'd never let my sister down. She's the only 'Real' family I have left.

As I inspect the house, I find an old box with a couple of closed cans in it. I take one and look at what it says on the label. Chicken soup. I have a strong feeling we won't find a microwave anywhere near. But it's better than nothing. I give the others a can, too. I notice, when I give Rye one, he slightly smiles at me. To make him think I'm alright, I smile back. But the truth is, I am not alright. I can't help but think about Lashell. I mean, She's in danger after all. After I am done with drinking my soup, I run upstairs. I walk through the little hallway and open one random door. As I walk through, a blinding light makes me want to close my eyes instantly. But it's just the sun. After blinking a couple of times, I get used to it. I'm on the balcony, I notice. For an old street, we picked one pretty good house. It has food, and even a balcony. I look around and my eyes land on two single old chairs. I sit down on one and sigh deeply. As I look straight ahead, I see the whole city in front of me. Right away I spot the big, white, building at the other side of the city. That's where Lashell is. That is our mission. Our goal. But now, we are still in the middle of nowhere. Well, in the middle of an abandoned street, I guess.

I hear the door open up behind me. Rye? I notice a figure sitting down on the other seat. 'Hey, Mays. How are you holding up?' I turn towards the voice. Clary. I sigh, 'What do you think?' As I gesture around us. She sadly nods and gives me a small smile. 'Don't you worry. I know we say it too many times, but it will be alright.' She says, confidently. I snort and roll my eyes. 'That's easy for you to say.' I hear her let out a small gasp. Angrily, she stands up. 'Don't you have any idea how hard this is for me and Rye? We just lost a friend, too! It's not all about you, Maysley!' My eyes grow a little bit wider. She's right. I have been acting selfish since Lashell gave herself in. I feel my eyes getting wet, and I stand up, too. I walk towards Clary and lay one hand on her shoulder. 'I'm sorry.' I whisper. She looks me in the eyes, with tears in her own. 'You're right. I've been selfish this whole time.' She blinks and shakes her head. She takes my hand in hers. 'Mays. I just wanted to tell y-' But I cut her off. 'Yes, I know what you meant. And you're right. Now let's end this discussion, and move on.' She nods and gives me a tight hug. 'Thanks.' She whispers in my ear, as if only meant for me. This time, I smile for real.

Clary left me a couple of minutes ago. I asked her to give me some time, and then she left. I am thankful, that she did. As soon as she was gone, I started crying. The tension was just getting too much. I turn towards the big, white, building again, and sigh. Where are you, Lash? Everything I hope right now, is for her to be okay. I know she's hurt, being tortured. I felt it myself. I guess it's just a part of being mind sisters. That is some kind of way, I can feel her emotions and pain. I wipe my tears and walk back inside.

'-And if we go that way, we either die or survive.' Trace says, as I walk inside. 'What is that?' As they hear my voice, they look at me. They all show some weird kind of look, and shut their mouths. Confused, I ask 'What is it?' Drew coughs and stands up from his chair. 'We were talking about where we are going next.' I raise my eyebrows, 'But we just arrived? Can't we have a little rest?' I ask, kind of stressed out. Drew sighs, and looks away. 'Who's idea was this?' I ask all of them. Clary answers me, 'Rye.' I cut my gaze from Clary, and turn towards Rye. 'Why? Can't we rest for a couple of days?' Rye stand up and walks towards me. 'Yes we can. But...' I can sense some distance in his voice. 'Yes, but what?' I ask, losing my patience. He looks down, and swallows down his saliva. 'We kind off, may have a problem...' My eyes grow big. What did they do? I feel my insides begin to grow angry and I lose my patience. 'What is wrong?' I take a step back, almost afraid he blew our cover we just made. 'We discovered, that one street ahead, there is an old underground garage, full of soldiers from Sheila.' I close my eyes, and curse under my breath. That's not what I expected. If they are one street ahead, that means they're close. Really close. I wonder, how did they find us? I think for a couple of seconds, but nothing seems to come up. 'Well then, I guess we found ourselves a new problem to solve.' I inform all of them. They all turn towards me, with a confused look. 'What do you mean, Mays?' Rye asks, looking me in the eyes. My face turns worried, 'We have to pass those soldiers, they are in our way to the office building where Sheila is holding Lashell captive.' Trace swears and kicks his chair. 'Why can't this just be simple?! I just want my Lash!' I walk up to him and lay my hand on his shoulder, just like Clary did, earlier. 'We will get her back, Trace. Don't worry. Someone close to me has thought me that.' I turn towards Clary and smile, she returns the favor. 'Now, get yourselves ready. We're going to get those monsters.' I say, confidently this time.

'Are you sure it's this way to go down there?' Drew asks Trace, as we arrive a big, metal, door, on the sideway of a big sky building. Trace nods. 'Yep, I bet it is.' He opens it, and walks inside. Drew and Clary follow him. Just as I am about to walk inside, Rye stops me. 'Hey.' He starts. 'Just, ehm... look out, okay?' I smile, and give a quick nod. 'I promise.' He smiles back, and playfully pushes me inside. I giggle. 'Guys, we have enough time for all that stuff, later.' Clary whispers, as we walk down an one-way alley. 'Sorry.' I whisper back, grinning. A quick thought comes into my mind. What if we don't make this? What if there are too many guards? I guess now it is too late to think like that. We'll just have to survive. On our own. And we'll make it. I know we will.

When we have finally climbed down the last couple of stairs, all we see is darkness. Except for a couple of flashlights, that are almost up. I take my own, and click it on. I see the others do the same thing. We walk behind each other, Trace ahead. He holds his finger up, telling us to wait. We are standing against a wall, just about to go around the corner. I quietly sneak past Clary and Drew, to stand behind Trace. 'Do you see them?' I ask him, in a whisper tone. He peeks his head around the corner, in a swift move. He loads his gun, and turns towards us. 'Okay, I don't see any soldiers. But be careful, I saw some lights not far from here.' He whispers. Clary sneaks next to me, 'Which means?' She asks. 'The chance that they are here, is ten to ten.' Clary snorts. 'Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's get these suckers!' She whisper-yells. I grin and nod, but realize they probably can't see me. 'Let's get this over with.' I agree.

We have discussed our positions. I am the one who needs to sneak up on them. The soldiers, I mean. Along with Rye, who is going the other way. As quiet as I can be, I walk around the corner. The first meters I just walk. But when I hear footsteps close by, the steps turn into a softer pace. I raise my bow, and point it at the nothingness. Come one, I mutter in my head. Show yourself. Suddenly, I hear more footsteps, coming into my direction. I curse under my breath and look around. My gaze falls on a big, fallen, concrete pole. I shut down my flashlight, and sneak towards the little hiding spot. I close my eyes, and try not to think about the worst. But all of that hope is gone, when something hard grabs my collar and pulls me towards itself. I shriek. It's not something, someone. 'And who may you be, little girl?' A cold voice whispers in my ear. My bow has dropped to the floor, along with the arrow that was put in place. 'You don't have to know.' I tell the voice, in a scared tone. It's right on this moment when I realize how scared I am. How scared I am to lose my friends, family... Shall this be my last moment on Earth? My last moment to breathe? 'Answer me, little girl. What is your name. You don't want any trouble now, do you?' I can hear the snicker in his voice. 'Maysley.' I mutter. With, I assume is, his right hand he grabs my throat tighter. And with his other, he holds my arms together behind my back. 'What did you say?' He demands. I let one teardrop fall from my eye. 'Maysley.' I say a little bit louder. I hear the soldier laugh. 'We have been looking for you. Well, Our beloved boss. I assume you know her?' I nod, but quickly answer. 'Yes.' He turns my body around, and in a smooth swift he grabs my arms again. He stands so close to me, that I can smell his breath. And I nearly vomit, it smells like rotten eggs and molded cheese. 'Will I have to force you to come with me, or are you fine on your own?' I just keep staring at his face. How in hell did he get like this? He looks horrible. It's like he just came out of war. My thoughts are stopped by a hard slap on my cheek. I scream in pain. 'Shut up!' He demands. 'Answer me!' I begin to cry. 'Please... Stop...' I beg him. He grows more impatient and draws his hand back to slap me again, but just as his hand is about to make contact with my skin, he stops. He lets go of me, and lays them on his stomach. I look down and gasp. A knife had been thrown at him. The soldier falls to the ground, with a grunt. A pair of strong arms pull me away from the horrific scene. I almost scream again, but then I hear a warm, soothing, voice. 'Ssht. It's alright. You're alright.' I look up, and stare right in the eyes of Rye. I whisper his name. 'Ssht. Try not to speak, I know it hurts.' He stares at me, in a sad way. I nod, and try to stop crying. But it doesn't help. The tears keep flowing. Rye lets one tear fall of his own, and I throw my arms around him. 'Never. Leave me. Again.' I whisper in his ear. I feel him nod. 'Never.' He whispers back.

After I recovered, Rye and I sneak further, trying to find the others. I am behind him. He wouldn't let me go first, because of what happened earlier. My chest grows warm at the thought of him protecting me. Wait, what? Now's not the time, Maysley. You've got enough time for these fuzzy things, after we have saved Lashell, from the greatest danger in this world.

'Where the hell were you, guys? We agreed to meet back here, after an hour. It has been an hour and twenty minutes!' Trace madly whispers to me and Rye. Rye and I turn towards each other, waiting for one of us to say something. 'We got hold up for a few minutes, sorry.' I whisper back. Trace just rolls his eyes. 'Whatever.' He mutters. 'But anyways, did you guys found something?' I throw my arrow shaft over my shoulder, along with my bow. 'Yes, they're surrounding us.' Trace, Clary and Drew look worried. Really worried. But I get them. At least they weren't there when that scary soldier attacked me.

There is a moment in your life when you just know something is wrong. And I have that feeling right now. I just know that they are surrounding us. And it all comes crashing down on me, when Drew gets knocked out, by a guard. Clary screams, and I gasp. They are really surrounding us. It becomes real when we hear a voice. 'I've waited so long for this moment.'