“I hope so,” Cassie replies.

“I doubt if we could make it out of here without him,” says James. “We’re going to have to wait until either he comes or we’re sure that he isn’t. So let’s just settle down and get comfortable, it could be a while.”

The girls go back to their usual place, with James accompanying them. They break out some of their supplies and have a little snack while they are waiting for the boys to return.

“So,” begins James, “are you two their girlfriends?”

Delia laughs and Cassie blushes slightly. “I grew up with Jiron,” Delia explains. “We are very good friends. When he realized the Empire’s soldiers were within the walls, he came and found me. Cassie just happened to be there with me, and I wouldn’t go unless she could come too. You see, she’s my best friend. He tried to locate his sister, but there were just too many soldiers on the streets. So we headed here as quickly as we could, occasionally having to hide and wait until the enemy passed by. When we got here, Tinok had already arrived and we’ve been here together ever since.”

“Do you think Jiron can actually lead us out of here?” James asks.

“If anyone can get us out,” she says confidently, “he can. That boy knows every street and hideaway in the whole city.”

“Let’s just hope they make it back,” he says wishfully.

“They will,” Delia says, “you can count on it.”

They sit and talk for a while until James begins to hear noises coming from the passage. All three look with both hope and trepidation to the entrance of the passage and hold their breath. Then, Jiron and Tinok step out into the room, carrying four backpacks filled with stuff.