She hesitated before answering, but she knew that A’shai was all she had left and after what he had done for her today she couldn’t say no. Nodding her head yes she replied, “I trust you.”

They interlocked pinkies, sealing their faith in one another and took off in the opposite direction of what was once home.

They ran for hours, until the soles of their feet were so tender that they ached. As the leader of the rebels, Ezekiel was too powerful not to fear. His reach was long and if they stopped moving, undoubtedly they would be caught.

“Shai, I cannot run anymore. I’m tired and I’m hungry,” Liberty said as she nursed the cramp that had been building in her stomach.

Breathing heavily, A’shai looked at her. He could see her distress. They had traveled two towns over but were not far enough to feel safe. Traveling by foot would only be delaying their inevitable capture. They needed a ride and as A’shai looked around he formulated a plan in his head. The busy capital of Freetown was bustling with traffic, allowing A’shai and Liberty to go unnoticed. Noticing a man leave his car unattended, A’shai grabbed Liberty’s hand and ran to the back of the vehicle. Lifting the tarp he ushered her quickly inside before climbing in behind her.

“Where are we going?” she whispered.

“Wherever he takes us,” A’shai replied as he wrapped one arm around her shoulder while holding onto the side of the Jeep. They heard the car start and the relief that filled them made them optimistic, feeling as though they were home free.

As soon as the car stopped moving A’shai and Liberty hopped from the back and took off.