Locked In

October 3, 3030 8:40 P.M.         I feel like I’ve been running in circles for hours. Gunshots go off in the distance and I immediately duck for cover. After a few minutes, when the coast is clear, I run again. My feet ache, I can hardly breathe, my face is covered with dirt, and my clothes are soaked in Ryker's blood on them. I still haven't managed to find any of my friends. . .or Bennett.         Bang!         "Hey!" A guard suddenly appears and pushes me to the ground. "Stay down and take cover."         I curse as I recognize him as one of the President’s guards. His eyes widen, clearly recognizing me. I freeze as I’m faced with the barrel of a gun. I hardly notice as instincts suddenly take over and I kick his gun away. It misfires, the bullet hitting the ground beside me. I twist, using my other foot to high kick him in the chin, effectively knocking him down. I race toward the gun, grasping it in my hands. The weight is heavy, unfamiliar.          I gasp as I hear a groan from the guard. Without thinking, I aim and pull the trigger, trying not to gag at the gargled noise that escapes from the man. He lies still and I force myself to feel for a pulse. None.          I scramble to my feet, trying to calm down and figure out what to do next. I allow the gun to cool before I place it in my waistband and begin running once more. I skid across the dirt as I come up over a hill. In the distance I see the school and several guards slinking around. Turning on my heel, I decide it would be best to hide in an empty house. I run through the security scanners, ignoring the red glow and beeping alarms from the weapon on me. The front door is locked and I cry out in dismay. What if one of those guards find me?         My fists meet the rough wood of the door. I pound as hard as I can, calling for help. Someone has to be home. Something in my gut tells me I need to be here.         "Please!" I shout. "I need help!"         Finally, the door opens and I’m pulled inside. I place my hands on my knees, catching my breath. My heart pounds in my chest as I try to lower my racing pulse.          "Are you alright, miss?" A male voice causes me to straighten up and turn, eyes landing on a middle-aged man with dark skin.          "I'm sorry to intrude in your house like this," I say, still trying to catch my breath. "I didn't want to take a chance of being found by one of those terrorists."         "That's quite all right, miss."         "I promise I’ll get out of your hair soon, once it’s safe."         "No need. You can hide with me and my family. When the president's guards come to escort us to the Capitol, you can come with us."         I blink in confusion. "The Capitol?"         "Yes, that's what President Darlington promised." He looks at me up and down. "Are you sure you're alright? You're covered in blood."         I open my mouth to tell him it's not my blood, but a familiar voice cuts me off.         "Scarlett?"         I turn to the stairs to see a figure standing there. I feel relief wash over me and I immediately smile. "Bennett!"         He hurries down the stairs and pulls me into his arms. "I thought you were dead," he whispers in my ear.         I shake my head and tighten my arms around him. "Told you I’d find you."         Bennett pulls away and cups my face. "No more splitting up, okay?"         I nod my head. "Deal."         Bennett smiles, but it fades when he catches sight of my appearance. "Oh, my--are you hurt?"         "I-It’s not mine. It's Ryker's." My vision starts to blur with tears. "He-he was shot right beside me. I left him there. B-But I didn’t want to! I had to, I--"         Bennett places his hand on my cheek, wiping away a few tears with his thumb. "It's not your fault. You didn't know until it was too late." He lightly presses his lips against my forehead, and my insides instantly feel like they're set ablaze, the heat crawling to my forehead. He clears his throat as he realizes what he did, and removes his hand from my cheek. "Come on. We need to go upstairs and take cover with the rest."         "No, Bennett, wait!" I grab his arm, stopping him. "We have to get out of here. We can't wait for the president to come and escort us."         "What? Why?"         "Before I got here, I was attacked by one of his guards. I barely escaped." I pull out the gun I took, showing it to him. "This was the guard's."         Bennett frowns. "You know how to use a gun?"         "To be honest, I didn't even know how to hold a gun until today." I feel eyes on me and I turn to find the man from earlier staring at us. I clear my throat and grab Bennett's arm, pulling him to another room. "We’ve got to get out of here," I whisper.         "Why?" Bennett whispers. "Chloe's parents are trying to protect us. And now that you're here, I have no reason to leave."         "Bennett, please, I just have a feeling that the president is behind all of this. I-I killed one of his guards!"         "How do you know it was one of his bodyguards?"         "I recognized him from this morning. I was called down to the office, and the president was there with two of his guards and. . ."         "And what?"         I sigh. "Penelope. She's the president's daughter." I bring us back on track. "Listen, we have to get out of this city."         "I’m afraid that's not going to happen." I jump as the house owner appears, cocking his gun at us.         "Richard," Bennett says, shock clear in his face. "What are you doing?"         "I'm sorry, but I can't let you two leave. You know too much."         My eyes go wide. So I was right. The president is behind the attack.          I raise my gun without thinking. "We're not staying.”         "I'm afraid you're gonna have to until the president arrives," Richard says.         I grip the gun tighter, finger ready on the trigger. "No, we’re not. Bennett and I are leaving."         "Scarlett," Bennett says cautiously. "Put down the gun. Please."         I furiously shake my head. "Not until he puts his down first!"         "Do you even know how to shoot a gun, young lady?" Richard asks.         "Where do you think this blood came from?" I taunt, hoping my slight bluff convinces him.          Richard stays silent.         "Get out of our way," I hiss.         Footsteps pound down the stairs. I glance up to see Chloe and a woman, most likely her mother.         "What the hell is going on?" Chloe demands. "Scarlett, put the gun down!"         "Not until he moves out of the way!" I shout. "I'm tired of people telling me what to do. We are under attack, and I'm not waiting around for the president!"         "Scarlett, please," Bennett whispers. "This isn't you."         "You're right, Bennett, but how else will we survive? We can’t afford to be naive!" My arms start to tire at the unfamiliar weight, but I don't dare lower the gun. And I sure as hell don't break eye contact with Richard.         Chloe steps in front of the man, facing him. "Put down your gun, Dad," she says. "Don’t hurt her."         Richard stares at his daughter, and after a long and tense silence, he lowers his gun. He sighs. I relax and lower my weapon, slipping it back in the waistband of my shorts.          "You kids need to leave," he says finally. "You're in danger if you stay."         I furrow my brows. "What are you talking about?"         "Richard--" Chloe’s mother begins.         "No, Layla," Richard interrupts. "They need to know."         "Need to know what?" I ask, growing agitated with the lack of information.         Richard locks eyes with me. "You were right, Miss Scarlett. The president is the reason for this attack."         “What?” Bennett gasps. "How do you know this?"          "We work for the government," Layla intervenes. "And we swore we would never say anything." She glares at her husband, who shies away under his wife’s harsh stare.         "Never say what?" I demand.         Layla hesitates for a long moment. "The president is going to separate the children from their parents at the Capitol. Then children will be chosen. The ones that are chosen are assigned jobs throughout the city."         "What if they aren't chosen?" Chloe asks, fear laced in her voice.         Layla and Richard remain silent, a sad glint in their eyes.         "What happens?" I ask.         It seems like forever before Richard finally responds. Terror washes over us at his words.         "They kill you."