Sometimes it's hard finding the surface to breathe. Sometimes you need someone like Alice to pull you up, "We're here." I grab her hand. "Before we go in, Alice." She looks into my eyes, "Don't go dying on me." She slowly smiles, "No promises." She looks down at my hand. I let go, "Sorry." She gets out and leans down "Don't be." I sigh and get out.

I take a deep breath, then approach the front door. Two guards sit out front. I zoom up before they can raise their guns and kick them both unconscious. Alice catches up. "You sure, Nick?" I grip the handle and swing it open. "Stay close." I open the doors and soldiers raise their guns.

Alice grabs my hand before we walk through them as murmur among themselves. I shout over them, "At ease, gentlemen! Here to see the Maiden." Wow, they actually follow my orders. Or are they trapping us? Alice holds tight as we hop in an elevator. "They're sealing exits, Nick."

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The doors slide open floors later, we walk out and the Maiden's eyes open wide. "No fuckin' way. You're dead." Alice lets go and I push her guards out the way. She waves and the guards leave. I shrug, "Bullets, treason and amputation. It's like death doesn't want me." I chuckle as her face turns red. She pulls her gun on me, "You have the audacity to come back here?" Her hand's really stiff. I chuckle, She can't seem to pull the trigger.

I sit on her table and smile down at her. "With that sad murder attempt out the way, I have a warning." "Tell me and go back into hiding, asshole." I smirk, "Peacekeeper's going to war with everyone. Kaylin's making super soldiers, only fire can kill them." Alice steps up, "That's why we need to team up." I shake my head, "No-"

Alice cuts me off, "I'm going to try killing Kaylin. I need a sniper that shoots flame rounds." She sighs, "So he took over Engen?" I tilt my head, "What?" Jess frowns, "Clueless as ever," She turns to Alice, "How'd he seduce you?" Alice looks to her, then at me. I scratch my head, "Yeah. we were a thing."