LIMITED LOYALTIES

Samantha's POV Echoing in the little corridor, the wailing alarm sent waves of panic across me. Alex turned to face the exit; his face was austere; his grip on my arm tightened more than required, as though he were anchored in the maelstrom. I could feel his anxiety and the wariness in his motions as we raced ahead. "Who set off the alarm?" My voice was hardly audible above the deafening sound, I questioned. "Would It matter?" Alex answered sharply, his voice tense. We have to escape here before Jared's army shows up. Lucas moved quickly next to us still flashing his pistol. Though his face stayed a mask of tranquility, his eyes were keen and always looking for threats. Having never seen him this intentional, it made me question just how terrible things may have gotten. I glanced momentarily at a little, unassuming side door as we got to the end of the hall. I gestured to Alex's arm, drawing on it. "there" One could get out like that. Lucas ahead of me, immediately eager to check the door. His motions were exact, fast, and in seconds he unlocked the door. He pivoted back toward us and nodded once. Let us depart right now. Alex and I moved across the little aperture into what appeared to be a service corridor closely behind one another. Here the sound of the alarm was muffled, but I sensed tension in the air—danger weight pushing down on us. We were not by a long distance, nor out yet. My pulse throbbed in my ears; my heart was racing. Not fast enough, but everything was occurring way too quickly. I stayed with the belief that Jared was still one step ahead, that he was planning another action even now as we were fleeing. I , though, concentrate on it. Not really yet. I had to believe Lucas knew what he was doing, that Alex's loyalty had changed organically, and that we still had time. "WhereIs Adrian?" I blurted out, the image of him flashing in the rear of my consciousness. Lucas didn't slow down his response. "Last I saw him in another room down the way. We'll circle back, but in due course I couldn't find him. Circles of turn around. That sounded more like a wish than a clear, well defined strategy. Adrian left behind crushed my chest, but I willed myself to be deliberate. Not now would we be able to afford to lose our heads. Alex strolled close to me, his movements deliberate but restricted. The conflict between his just decision to protect me and the fallout from that decision radiated off him. Neither was he free of peril; not with Jared's fury hovering over him like a thunder cloud. Still, I wasn't ready to let that fluttering optimism pass. not precise yet. "You did the right thing," I whispered softly, eyes flickering to Alex as we negotiated the poorly lit hall. His jaws constricted; he did not react straight away. I worried momentarily about whether he would say anything at all. Then he sighed gently and spoke. Did I? His voice was low and held resentment. " Because it feels like nothing." I halted then turned to greet him. Alex, you are not a monster. In such a sense, you are different from Jared. His eyes locked with mine and for the first time I sensed the weight of his inner struggle. Benevolent apathy he had worn for so long was dissolving beneath the mask. Years of hiding under his ambition had enabled him to rationalize every act of dishonesty and betrayal. But standing here with me now, he obviously lacked the confidence he had possessed. Mumbling, "I don't know what I am now," he ran a hand through his hair. Although I'm not sure whether I could undo what I have done. "You cannot," I murmured, voice gentle but firm. Still, you can help to mold what follows. Alex just looked at me for some time, his face blank. The struggle between the person he had grown to be and the person he still had the capacity to be fighting within of him was palpable. Lucas entered, though, before he could reply. His tone was severe, he said, "We don't have time for this." "We have to keep on moving." Turning grudgingly away from Alex, I followed Lucas ahead. Still, I couldn't get rid of the sense that my brief relationship with my brother wasn't over. Not only yet. As we descended into the building, the suspense actually intensified. Every curve we made seemed like a possible trap, every sound like Jared's guys on approach. I could feel the walls closing in; everything appeared to be weighting on my chest. Lucas said, "We're almost there," pointing ahead toward the exit. "We have a chance, given that we can make it to the parking lot." I nodded, desperate to keep calm. Right here marks the starting point. Still, when we reached the entrance a figure emerged from the shadows. Her heart stopped as he emerged; his face contorted into a scowl. His gaze swung between me, Alex, and Lucas, but his demeanor lacked happiness. This was true Jared—dangerous, cunning, and angry. "Well, well," Jared said, his voice slanted with contempt. Samantha, are you going to run? By now you should know better. Alex stood sharply next to me, fists curled at his sides. Still, he left out that I could sense the weight of his choice drifting off him like a noose still looming over him. Jared pointed to Alex, his smile intensifying. Brother, on your side you seem to be biased. I have to say, I never would have expected you would be so... sensitive. Alex froze, even hardening his jaw. Jared, it ends now. "Over?," Jared said teasingly and started to walk towards. "Oh, Alex," inquired You have no say about how it ends. You do in fact. Lucas was already on his way; his weapon readied but Jared sprinted quicker. A platoon of his men came out from behind him holding weapons before any of us could react. We were outnumbered; we were caught. Jared responded, his voice icy: "I should have known you would try something like this." Alex, you never change. Always eager to participate from several angles. Alex's eyes went to me, and for a minute I saw the regret there, the weight of what he had done crushing down on him. I lacked time, though, to give it much attention. Jared was walking towards us, his army closing in, and nowhere out seemed clear. Sister, whatever final words you want Jared asked with enraged eyes. Although I was ready to reply, before I could say anything a rifle fired. Everything looked to stop. My heart stopped searching for where the shot had originated. Jared staggered clutching his side and wide-eyed with amazement. Blood spilled down his fingers, and for the first time I could see terror in his eyes. Still under progress, though, as was mentioned. While Jared's soldiers raised their weapons, Lucas was already moving. Another blast shot through the ground, and he grabbed my arm to yank me back. Footfall then started. Desperate, Alex pressed on and brought one of Jared's warriors down to earth. Stunned, I saw him battle with everything he possessed, his face distorted. Lucas yelled out "Go!," dragging me toward the door. It wasn't challenging. I take off. My heart raced in my chest as we tore out the door into the parking lot. Still, as we arrived at the car another person emerged from the shadows. Still, a mistake existed. His hand rested on his side; he was pained and had a pale complexion. For this scenario, blood is the answer. And at that precise instant I understood we were not safe even if we had avoided Jared's trap.