I turn the corner of the long, darkened hallway, and continue to run as the sirens blare above my head. Just a little bit farther, I tell myself. You’re almost there. I can see the door to the medic room through the hazy smoke and red flashing lights— a good sign. So, so close.

Ten feet. Five feet. The distance between the door and my body is rapidly closing as I sprint towards my only hope. 3 Feet…

“Stop.” My body freezes, but not out of choice. I try desperately to turn around, but no matter how hard I try, I’m stuck this way. That is, until he lets me go.

I squeeze my eyes closed, and beg, “Please, Nolan. You don’t have to do this.” All I get in return is a soft chuckle and the sound of light footsteps coming closer. Closer. Closer. Until they are stopped right behind me.

“Why shouldn’t I, Tess?” I can feel the warmth of his breath on my sweat covered neck. Chills run down my spine, and I squeeze my closed eyes even tighter. “Everything I’ve ever worked for— everything my father worked for— would be nothing if I let you win; it’d all be pointless,” he urges, practically spitting out the last word. I open my flaming eyes. Nolan takes a few heavy steps forward, his hands behind his back, and positions himself right in front of my face, his nose close enough to mine that if I was able to move, I’d probably accidentally bump it. A malicious grin spreads across his face, but doesn’t reach his deep, piercing eyes. “So you tell me, Tess. Why shouldn’t I do this?”

Fear has taken my voice away. I try to explain to him that his plan is nothing but evil and cruel, but all that comes out is a shaky gasp. Unwillingly, tears fall down my cheeks, which are probably a flaming red color from running all of the way up here, just to get halted three feet from the only hope my people have. Nolan let’s out a dark laugh, and terror rises in my stomach. “Like I said,” he hisses, “pointless.”

“No,” I gasp, finally breaking out of my silence. “No, Nolan. It’s not pointless. It’s the only right way-“

“Don’t you dare tell me what is right and what is wrong!” Nolan points a nimble finger at me, his voice loud and angry. “Last time I checked, Tess, you weren’t any better than me.” He pauses, folding his arms to his chest. Then, replying in a quiet, yet fierce, voice, he says, “You killed your own cousin for your well-being and protection, right? Or am I just making that up.” He lets out a frightening chuckle.

My heart sinks as the thought of my cousin laying on the cold, hard ground, blood covering her chest and pooling around her, replays in my mind. Over, and over, and over again. But I hadn’t done that. It couldn’t have been my fault. Had I really let her die? Could I have stopped it?

My mind is racing, my heart rate increasing, and in this moment, I am the tiniest bit grateful that I can’t move, since I’d probably pass out if I tried. I speak up. “I didn’t kill her— You did! All you ever wanted was to kill us off, so maybe— just maybe— you wouldn’t feel threatened. So you could have the throne and destroy this kingdom!”

He immediately fires back, red faced and steaming with anger. “Armavia is already destroyed, Tess! Can’t you see that? Or are you still too much if a child to see all of the problems that your father caused while he was still alive?”

I can feel my eyes widen. “I think you’re forgetting the part where you started a Civil War and unleashed the shadows into your own home, Nolan. Or are you just to childish to admit to that?” All at once, my stance is loosened, and I drop to the ground. He’s let his guard down; I’ve thrown him off. Keep going, I tell myself. “How about the time when you, of all people, started a revolution to overthrow the Court of Hilems? Or when the Shadows that— mind you— you created killed my father and imprisoned my mother?”