Megan approached Adam Jones after everyone else had left. "Thank you for this."

Jones grinned. "You've earned it." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Normally, I offer people who've earned their freedom a permanent place here. That way they don't have to leave what they know, but, in your case, I think you should leave. I don't like that Stafford Pemberton has taken so much of an interest in you."

"I was thinking the same thing." Megan replied. "I just wanted to thank you before I left."

They clasped hands.

Jones smiled at her. "Good luck."
                                       <>
Megan knocked on Mira's door.

The brown-haired girl answered the door. "Hey, what is it?" She gestured for Megan to come in.

Megan let Mira close the door behind her. "I'm leaving. I have to get out before those soldiers come back. I have a feeling they won't just drop it because I'm free."

Mira nodded. "I know." Memories danced behind her eyes. She snapped out of it and hugged Megan. "Well, it was a pleasure getting to know you. Good luck."

Megan pulled away. "Thank you."
                                       <>
Megan took a deep breath before knocking on Jace and Twitch's door.

There was some sort of scuffle before the door opened and Twitch stood in the doorway.
Twitch looked over his shoulder. "Jace, your girlfriend's here."

A pillow flew into view, colliding with Twitch's head. The boy chuckled as he opened the door.

Jace hopped off the bed. "What's up?"

Megan rolled her eyes at the pair of boys. "I'm leaving."

"Why?" Twitch asked.

"Those soldiers will come back for me. I don't want to be here when they do." She explained.

"Oh come on." Jace nudged her in the arm with his elbow. "We can take 'em."

Megan shook her head. "Well, I'm not taking that chance. I don't want any of you to get hurt or, heaven forbid, die for me."

Twitch nodded.

Jace chuckled. "You really think those idiots could kill one of us?"

"Like I said I won't take that risk and yes I think with their numbers they could kill someone." She crossed her arms. "So, forgive me for trying to save your life."

Jace brushed the response off. "If soldiers don't kill me a Skycastle will. Which one sounds more heroic?"

Megan laughed and wrapped Jace in a one-armed hug around his neck. "Believe it or not, I will miss you." She outstretched her arm towards Twitch. "Both of you. Get in here."

Twitch followed orders and let Megan squeeze him in a tight side hug.

A warning bell sounded.

Megan released the boys. "I'd better go."

"Die bravely." Jace called as she dashed out the door and down the hall.

She smiled at the phrase. Jace refused to use the term 'good luck,' thought it jinxed you.
She turned a corner and headed for the back door. Time to get out of here.