On the way to the city to catch up with the others, we found Trent. He had minor injuries but nothing more. When we reached the buildings, Jude spotted two gang members. I recognised one of them, it was Sean. Something was wrong. I knew it. They were sneaking on the streets, looking for something or someone.

Trent and I went up to the roofs on either side of the street while Jude stayed down. I had no problem getting into the building but the door to the roof was stuck. I had to run into it three times and by the time I managed to open it, my shoulder hurt. I walked straight to the edge and looked around to search for any movement. The first person I noticed was Jude. He leaned against the wall almost right under me. Trent's gun shimmered in the weak sunlight opposite me and he motioned me to go along the street.

Jumping from one roof to another we followed Sean and the other from a safe distance. Then the strangest thing happened. Behind me from the corner of my eyes I caught something moving. I turned around and was stunned by the sight of a moving train just outside the city. It was too far to hear it but from up here I could see over the houses and there it was. A fully operating train moving past us.

I only looked away when it was out of sight. It must have been transporting federation equipment and troops.

When I turned back, the boys were gone. Running, I tried to catch up but had to come to a sudden stop. A group of people gathered on the street in an intersection. I crouched down and sneaked closer to take a better look without being spotted.

The first person I recognised was Tammi. Next to her Jenna's blonde hair was unmistakable. Mack, Colin, Alex, Chip. They were all there with a person I never wanted to see again.

Treck.

He held a gun to a limp figure's head. I knew it was Reed because he was the only one missing. Mack and Alex aimed his weapon at Treck while Chip turned to the ones behind their back. They appeared to be talking.

I knocked an arrow and pulled the string back but didn't shoot. I was too far. My aim is good but not that good. I had to go closer. There was only one problem. The wide gap between the house I was on top and the next one. I wasn't afraid of heights and normally, on the ground I could jump the six feet distance but when these two things came together... It was terrifying.

Trent and Jude must have been somewhere around and yet I didn't see them.

Why haven't they made a move?

"Fuck it" I groaned and went for it.

First I took off my backpack and threw it over so it wouldn't bother me.

After I backed all the way to the other side of the roof and calmed my nerves with deep breaths, I ran. My toes were only inches away from the edge when I kicked myself in the air. and the moment I landed, I fell forward. The bow fell out of my hand and the arrows scattered around me. A small cry broke out of me from the hard and slightly painful landing but I was glad I made it.

Quickly, I stood up, grabbed my bow and some arrows. This building was longer and I could go close enough to make the shot. I knocked an arrow again, pulled the string back all the way to my lips and planted my feet. With a few slow, deep breaths I calmed my racing heart. My target was Treck's hand that held the gun to Reed's temple. I fixated my eyes on it, adjusted my hold and waited for the right moment. When I finally let go it took only a second for the arrow to hit its target. Treck screamed and I smiled.

Another man hit the ground next to the gang leader.

I knocked a new arrow and targeted my next victim.

Everyone aimed their weapons upwards looking for me and the other shooter. I only saw Trent for a second in the window on the other side of the street before he disappeared again. Mack and his friends used the opportunity we gave them and ran.

I went back for my bag and the other arrows. My ammunition was very limited. I couldn't just shoot around like a maniac. My main target was Treck but by the time I got back to the edge of the roof, he was gone.

"Coward" I hissed.

Under me, Jude has found the others and was helping them get away. A guy blocked their way and they did nothing. To help them I shot another arrow right in the head of the gang member I couldn't recognise. He was the third I killed. Not too long ago I lived among them, they called me their ally. For me they meant my survival, nothing more and yet killing them felt wrong. But to let them harm Mack or Alex or Tammi or anyone else felt more wrong.

They all looked up to see where the arrow came from and I locked eyes with Mack. He seemed shocked and I could understand. I wasn't expecting myself to kill for them either.

Jude waved as a little thank you then they were gone. I ran to the stairs and went down to collect my arrows.

"Kal!" someone yelled as soon as I stepped out of the building.

A body slammed into me and we both ended up on the ground. Pain struck into my back and all the air escaped from my lungs. The heavy male fell on top of me and covered my whole body.

"I'm sorry" Chip apologies and quickly rolled off of me.

Gunfire surrounded us, bullets hit the walls of the building, leaving new marks.

I didn't think this through.

"They can't see me," I told Chip.

"Well, you walked out quite casually!" he laughed. We crouched down under the window, bullets flying above our heads "Go to the back door! I'll cover!"

I shook my head "I need the arrows! That's all I have"

The bullets stopped and all sounds died. I wanted to peek out but Chipped stopped me.

"Wait!"

We waited.

Soon the sound of a helicopter hit my ear and my blood froze. First the train, then this. What the bloody hell was going on?

I looked at Chip who laid on his stomach and crawled to the door. I also took the courage to look out and see what was happening.

The helicopter stopped above us, three ropes fell from it and several men used them to jump out.

I pulled my head back and prayed for them not to find us. For a few minutes nothing happened, Chip retreated as well and neither of us dared to look. We looked at each other, silently asking what to do. That dilemma solved itself when an armed man stepped into the building and targeted us.

He wore the Veeran Empire's uniform.

"There are two more!" He shouted in Veeran.

I knew very well what this meant. They will execute us or take us to a prison camp. Neither option was to my liking.

I haven't seen imperial soldiers since the bunker. What were they doing in an empty city? Did we just walk into one of their bases?

Chip put his weapon down when the man targeted him.

"Up" he ordered. We obeyed and he led us out to the street where I counted five more soldiers. "On your knees" neither of us resisted.

"We don't want any trouble" Chip tried.

"Noone said you could speak!" The soldier spoke perfect baaranian which was unusual. Even I had a slight accent and I've lived here for many years.

Another soldier led an unarmed Alex out and told him to kneel next to me. We had our hands behind our heads.

"It's good to see you alive," Alex grinned at me.

"We will see how long I stay alive" I muttered.

"Quite!" the soldier snapped at us.

We stayed silent and watched as these strangers scouted the area. I hoped the others got away and could somehow help us.

"That's all" said one of them.

For some reason it was only the three of us they held captive. No gang member was in sight.

A sharp pain struck the back of my head and everything went black.

◾◽◾

I woke up to a painful slap on my cheek. I didn't open my eyes right away and I got another one on the other side. A voice chanted my name over and over again. At first it sounded very far away but as I gained consciousness it became clearer. The slapping didn't stop, it was very irritating. I reached up and grabbed the hand.

"Finally" they signed.

"What the hell?" I opened my eyes and found Jude looking down at me.

The back of my head hurt and when I touched it I felt a little bump. Slowly my memories of the federation soldiers came back and I panicked. Jude noticed the sudden change in my mood and grabbed both of my shoulders to force me to look at him.

"It's alright" he told me "You're safe"

It appeared we were in a hallway that had white tiles on the walls. Neon tube lamps lit the place, similar to what was in the school but these actually worked. I sat in a plastic armchair, one of many around us.

"How do you feel?" Jude asked.

"Like someone who got knocked out! What the hell happened? Where are we?"

Footsteps echoed through the walls and before he could answer a man appeared in the corner. I recognised the blue federation uniform he wore. He had a thick, dark beard and moustache.

We waited for him to come closer.

"I'm sorry about the hit" he told me "My name is Bruce" he offered his hand for a shake.

Hesitantly but I took it.

"Kal"

"He and his man helped to get away," Jude explained.

I turned to Bruce, still confused.

"Why did you knock me out?

"Precaution. We wanted the gang to believe you were captured by the federation" he said then looked up "I'm sorry but I have to go!"

We watched as he left to speak with a woman at the end of the hallway.

"I have so many questions" I told Jude and rubbed the hurting point on my head

"Bruce and his men are just like us" he started "But way more equipped! They've got power, warm water and a freaking helicopter"

"And federation uniforms" I added.

"Well yes, that is part of their disguise" he stood up and pulled me up too "Come, let's join the others!"

We walked down the hall. The place looked like a hospital which is funny because from the message Mack left us, this was our goal. The others were in the canteen, except Reed, Jenna and Mack. To my surprise Alex and Chip appeared totally fine, no sign of being blacked out and kidnapped.

"It was about time you woke up!" Alex laughed when we joined them at the table.

Chip pulled out my arrows from behind him and handed them to me. "I thought these might come handy!" he grinned.

"How did you-?"

"Just a thank you will be enough!" He stopped me.

"Thank you!"