“Tayt!,” shouts Nahlia.

I feel Nahlia hug me. We were still in the arena and giving each other the longest hug in the world. My thoughts were rushing bad. Everything was going to be ok, just like in the stories we used to read together. There had to be a hero and a good ending. This was our forever tale. The crowds scream and push passed me, nearly knocking me aside. I feel another jab as I try to stay close to Nahlia. I was furious at everyone and scared out my mind.

“We have to save Lani!” shouts Nahlia at me.

I didn't know who Lani was, but Nahlia was shouting all over the place. She couldn't keep her sentences together and I wanted her to be safe. Nahlia was there for me and freed me from the high priest. I couldn't believe it. I didn't care about Ned or what she had done in her past. The whole mess was like one giant love story and I wanted every part of it in my heart. I couldn't miss a chapter, even if it was the bad one. I wanted the whole love story from beginning and the end. I wanted the suffering and pain we had been through, not just the happy parts. That was how life worked. I feel warmth as I hold Nahlia. I wipe her tears and she leans into me.

“I said I'd always forgive you, remember?”

Nahlia grows soft. I stare into the two purple eyes of my best friend.

Nahlia cries. For once, she was the one without words. It was like we took turns looking out for each other. We give each other deepest and longest hug again. When we're done, I give her a kiss.

“It's a gift from tomorrow. We're not going to die here.”

A random person collides into us, breaking the moment. I get to my feet. Nahlia yells at me.

“We need to help Lani, Tayt! She's attacking the pilot!”

“Who's Lani? We have to escape!,” I shoot back.

I try to grab Nahlia's wrist, but she shoves me away. She hits me in my face and I become angry.

“Stop! What the hell!,” I yell at her.

“No, Tayt. Lani flew off! We have to help her! She's trying to kill the pilot!,” screams Nahlia.

“What do we do then?” I yell back at her. “How do we even get there?”

The crowds rush passed us. I watch the stampede of screaming people whiz by me. A crash causes me to wince. A food stand is knocked over and a heavy cauldron of porridge floods the ground. People screech and run around the mess. The cauldron rolls crashing into another booth. I hear cups breaking and wood snapping. The ground rumbles and my teeth chatter. Dust starts to fall on us all and I hear screams. People were firings guns and every echo seemed to be searching for a lost loved one in the crowds. I hear the hum of jetpacks and whistling above me. Shadows caress our faces. The arena shakes again as explosions sound off in the distance. I cover my ears and take a look at Nahlia. We could hear militarized dune buggies.

“Free-riding!”

Nahlia and I make a run for it. We rush out of the arena and watch another wave of Neandelerians rush toward the pilot. Machine guns flare and I cover my ears again. I panic as Nahlia grabs my hand. Gunshots go off. Others shout and raise their guns, as they head off to battle. Engines rip at tires, throwing dust into the air. I choke as several handguns are tossed at our feet from passing vehicles. I pick one up

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A strange gun with glowing veins was in my hand. I open the clip and see bullets coated with magical lights. Purple and orange and moves across my view. The whole weapon seemed to be alive. I pick up another gun and hand it to Nahlia. I grab a handful of bullets.

“We can do it,” says Nahlia.

“Yeah. Let's try,” I say nervously. More buggies approach. They zip by us quickly. I reach out and change my mind. I close my eyes and refocus. It would be a leap of faith. I get ready to jump. I count the seconds and spot my target. My legs tense and relax. I stop dead in my tracks. Someone had grabbed me and spun me around. It was Ned Fexhan. There were four others with him and they were armed to the teeth.

“Why aren't you running away?,” asks Ned with fake concern. It was just a ploy.

Ned points his gun at me. He walks closer to us and I aim mine at him. There's a standoff as he looks over at the pilot and his glowing leechers. He shrugs and looks back at us. His buddies seemed to be happy to find us. They had already given up and just wanted to enjoy their last moments. If that meant killing, looting, and raping anyone they could find, so be it. I watch a Ned takes another bite of his free steak sandwich. He and his buddies were in it for the thrill and the chaos. There just weren't enough victims.

“Don't walk closer, Ned. We have a friend to help,” I say.

I take a look at Nahlia and she nods. She had her gun aimed at Ned too.

“Me too” mocks Ned, pointing at Nahlia.

Ned extends his arms acting all tough. His friend aim their guns and he walks around, trying to impress himself. He whips the air with his gun as if he was dying of boredom. His friends keep their guns aimed at us and smile. Ned turns around and walks a little closer. He eyes Nahlia and nods approvingly. Ned points his gun at my best friend.

“Don't you remember me, Nahlia?,” he says facetiously. “Need some nostalgia or something?”

Ned starts to undo his pants. He looks at both of us with more fake concern. He holds his mouth open and reaches in his pants. He pretends like he's about to get off. Ned continues undoing his pants and laughs with his friends.

The passing vehicles become more distant. I could barely hear them. I didn't know when the next wave would come, or if there would even be one. My eyes sting from the dust. The sweat pours down my face and tickles. I refuse to itch it. I didn't want to lower my gun.

“No one has to die,” says Ned with a worried face. His eyebrows raise as if he truly cared. “We can all take our turns finding friends. Don't you want your turn, Tayt?”

I stare at Ned. He looks over at Nahlia and back at me. I didn't know what to say. The words were stuck in my head and refusing to budge. I lock up. I hold my gun. I was starting to cry. I was just frustrated. The rage was pouring out and I was starting to shake. Ned smiles and gives me a small head nod. He liked watching me cry. It meant I was weak and sensitive.

Ned raises his eyebrows and stares at Nahlia.

“Don't you want to die with some love, bitch? Did your uncle not love you?,” laughs Ned. He pretends to look worried, giving his crotch a few taunting tugs. He keeps his focus on Nahlia and she almost looks away. Ned takes a step closer and a wave of numbness overtakes me. I get ready to pull the trigger.

Ned reaches out for Nahlia. I couldn't let it go any further. I pull the trigger, but my gun clicks on safety. I stand dead in my tracks. Ned starts laughing at me and pointing. His buddies roll their eyes at me. Ned steps closer and looks around him. There was no one there. He nods approvingly at himself and aims his gun at me. Out of nowhere, a vehicle hits him

Ned screams in pain. His buddies hit the ground, as the driver yells at us to get on.

“Come on! Let's get out of here!”

I stare in disbelief. It was Ellen from the sky platform! She was driving into battle with some others. Immediately, Nahlia and I hop onto the hitchhiker's ledge. Ellen presses the pedal to the floor and makes the dune buggy scream. The others in the vehicle shoot up Ned's buddies and curse at the dry heat and blood. The adrenaline pumps inside me as we head toward the lights in the distance.