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Can she really do this? Generally she didn't question what had to be done, but she wasn't the same genetically engineered soldier she used to be. Now, the people she cares about will be caught in the middle of something bigger than all of them. Maybe they should just run.
"What's up Max?"
"What?"
"Sumthin's up, I can see it in your face." They were standing in an alley. Logan had gone inside a building to get sector passes, and some other things. She kicked the ground with her boot.
"Maybe we should just hide. I don't want them to get hurt." Max ran her hand through her hair.
"We gotta do this Max."
"Yeah." She looked over at O.C., who was leaning on the wall.
"Even if we hide, he will find us."
"I know." She sighed. "Ok, here's the plan. There's a cabin a few hours up north. Middle of nowhere. During the night, we'll sneak away."
"Logan's gonna come looking for you."
"I'll do what I can to stop that."
"Hey guy's, I got a car." Logan whispered as he stepped out of the building. He smiled at Max, who looked away.
******************
They drove for hours. Somehow it seemed as if days had passed instead. No one talked. They all just sat in silence, staring off into space. Each with their own internal battle. Finally, after winding down a muddy road, they reached the cabin. It stood alone, abandoned in a small clearing. Max stepped out of the car, and her boots sunk in the sticky mud. They sky was cloudy, and a mist floated about. It looked like a dream. Something that could not be real.
They all trudged towards the door. Slowly Logan opened it up to reveal dust. The main room held a couch, chair, and a fire place. To the right there was a small kitchen. In between the main room and kitchen, a small hall led to the toilet, and to bedrooms on either side.
"Ya'll should get some sleep. I'll go get some wood to make a fire." They looked at her, then Alec flopped down on the couch, and O.C. mumbled something under her breath about it being dirty. Logan looked at Max. She turned and walked out the door. There was a wood pile on the side of the house, with a tarp covering it to keep the wood dry. She grabbed as many as she could carry in her arms, then looked up at the sky. It was darkening, and soon night would crawl up the landscape, collapsing in on them. She turned, and Logan was standing there looking at her.
"Tell me you are going to stay."
"White will find us eventually. You know that."
"Tell me you won't leave me."
"Logan..............." She sighed and walked by him.
"Please Max. Don't leave." She stopped, they had their back to each other. Words could not tell him what was going on, she was battling every second with herself. He walked up next to her. He leaned his face next to her ear. "If you love me, you won't leave." He continued walking, and went back inside the cabin. Max stood there unsure of what to do. She began to cry, but stopped her self, and wiped her face on her arm. Taking a deep breath she walked back inside. Alec had already fallen asleep. After the fire got started she walked over to the chair, and moved it close to the fireplace.
The flames licked at the walls inside. With each flicker a memory flashed through her mind. Memories of her life, and of the running, and fighting. Everything she could remember. Resting her elbows on her knees, she put her face in her hands, and closed her eyes. Her memories of O.C., and those of Logan popped up. A few tears escaped the barricade she had put up. Every moment she wished things could have been different. To be free, to be away from the madness she had grown so used to. A few hours passed before she had even realized it. Max got up and walked over to Alec, nudging him awake.
"What?"
"Time to go." She walked down the hall.
"Where are you going?"
"I'll be a sec."
"Don't Max."
"Hold on." Creeping down the hall, she made her way to the room where Logan was. He was sprawled on top of the covers. Probably hoping she would stay, and come to him. Standing in the doorway, a single tear slid down her face as she looked at him. Alec walked up and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Let's go." He whispered, then slowly walked away. Her hand slid down the doorframe as she walked away. But she stopped halfway, and looked back over at Logan.
"I'm sorry." Then turning, she followed Alec out of the cabin to the car.
"They'll be fine." Alec said in the car. "They've got plenty of food, and no one will find them."
"Yeah." She said half heartedly. Her eyes never leaving the road. "So, where do we start?"
The car sped down the dark road. In the distance lightning illuminated the sky, as if in warning. Telling them to turn around, go back. Max fought with herself not to listen. Her mind wandered from place to place. She dreamed of kissing him, and holding him once more. He pulled at her heart, and her soul. Max had gotten used to him being on the other side of her missions. But this one's too dangerous. Even for her. Tonight, this dark night, she had made her decision to do what had to be done. Nothing can stop them now.
Somehow she'll succeed, and the world will be a better place. And maybe one day her dreams will become reality.
The weak will collapse, they will run and hide. They will cower in the darkness, until an angel pulls them into the light. That angel will be a saving grace. But angles can also be among the casualties. In the end, bells will toll for the dead.