It was a hard walk into the Equator.

Not because it was long...because it gave me far too much time to think. To wonder how wrong this plan could go and worry about what might happen if we didn't make it out.

If I didn't find Kyan and January and Elijah.

If they were actually dead, and I was far too late.

I prayed that wasn't the case.

I checked my built again, making sure the gun was still there. Just in case.

I didn't want to shoot anyone, but if everything didn't go as planned...

...That would probably be the outcome.

Asten walked ahead of me as we neared the border. Ava was next to me, monitoring the forest. Ian a little ways behind, looking up at the sky.

The rest of the group was trailing about ten minutes behind. They couldn't be seen while we joined with a scouting group, otherwise the mission would fail abruptly.

Ava had a walkie-talkie to signal to them when to fire.

Five minutes later, we saw the first scout.

He looked quite young -- probably only thirteen. Freckles spattered his pale cheeks and he remained stone-faced, weapon ready. We weren't close enough for him to see us yet.

We were just at the outer edge of his patrol. I could tell. Seconds later, he turned and started walking back towards the border.

I looked at Ava and she waved us on.

Time to follow him.

There were too possible ways this could go down. Either we'd just casually join the back of the group as they marched inside, or, if they noticed we hadn't gone out with them, we had a whole story excuse.

I hoped they wouldn't notice. I know I never did when I was in training. I barely recognized anyone but my friends. It was hard to care about faces when you were so concerned for your lives.

It took about five minutes for us to reach the rest of the group. Our man was a bit of a late comer. The rest of them, around ten other trainees, were already positioned in a block. Simple rows of three with the group leader at the head.

We hurried to catch up with the boy and the rest of the group and barely made it. I tucked into position right next to the freckled boy. I could hear Asten's shuffling feet behind me.

We made it.

Our group began marching inside. I held my breath as we walked through the large metal doors and into a long hallway. Memories came crashing back to me. Going to class. Eating in the cafeteria...Mace getting shot...

"Excuse me."

My heart stuttered then seemed to stop.

The hand that'd come down to stop me belonged to a tough-looking man. He had well-cared for blonde hair and dark eyes. He didn't look much older than thirty.

I kept my gaze lowered as I faced towards him. I heard the rest of the group continue on without me, including Asten, Ava, and Ian. I could sense Asten's concern even as he kept moving.

"Yes, sir?" I replied, trying to remember everything I could about this place. About how to address this man who was definitely my superior.

"What unit do you belong to?" he asked, eyes narrowed.

I didn't have much time to think. "Unit X," I blurted.

Shit.

I mean...it wasn't the worst answer...but if this guy remembered who'd previously been in Unit X...

I was counting on the fact that they'd simply replaced the members of our unit. Or that not many people remembered our escape.

He looked at me for a couple more seconds, and then nodded to himself. "All right. Continue on."

I let out a soft breath and turned back towards the hallway. Easy.

Now, for the hard part.

I honestly didn't have a clue where to go.

Asten, Ava, and Ian were already far gone. I knew this was when we split up...and searched like our lives depended on it.

I broke into a run. Ten minutes. That was all. Once I heard the bombs I'd know time was up.

I wasn't going to waste a second.