Rush: Chapter 20

I knew I couldn't stay at Trumbull now. Someone would probably find the body sooner than later, and I wanted to be as far away as possible.1

I took off into a run. I was trying to find Lance, and I figured I had better start at the garage we had slept in my first night. He might even still be there.2

I was elated, to be honest. I felt stupid and paranoid for not having trusted Lance, but my excitement for finally being able to have him on my side again kept me from feeling too much of it.3

My body still ached from the fight, especially after my leap of faith, but I ran on. I was pretty sure if I found the garage, Lance would be in the area.4

I just hoped he would accept my apology. I had called him a traitor, after all. Somehow, I had a feeling that he would.5

After a while of retracing my steps, I found the garage. The moon was out now, but streetlights provided more than enough light. Lance was no where in sight.6

I resisted the urge to call out. I had already had enough trouble for one night. I walked down the other alleys and checked the buildings, but Lance was nowhere to be found. 7

I remembered that Guinevere had said that Lance was trying to find proof of his innocence. That led me to think that Lance was not around the garage, but maybe around previous attack sites. Namely, the one site where no one died.8

I went for another run, heading back to the Congress Plaza Hotel. I knew it would be risky, as the NLA might still have their eye on it, but I needed to apologize to Lance.9

By the time the moon was all the way up, I had made it to the hotel. I saw a figure attempting to wallrun up to a low roof on the building.10

I didn't dare hope, but I walked up to the figure. After failing another wallrun, he went up and slapped the wall with his hand, hard. I could see now that it was a guy. He then ran his hands through his ragged blond hair in frustration.11

It was Lance.12

"More perpendicular to the wall," I said. I then ran, doing a perfect wallrun, and grabbed on to the short roof and climbed up.13

Lance looked up, squinting. "Scarlett?"14

I ran and jumped off the roof and did a perfect roll.15

"The one and only," I said. With a smile on my face.16

"What are you doing here?" Lance asked, trying to hide is joy.17

"I could ask the same thing," I replied.18

"I was trying to figure out how the sniper got on top of this building, but so far I've got nothing. Now what about you?"19

"I was attacked again a few hours ago. I'm pretty sure it was The Rogue."20

"Really? Are you alright?"21

"I'm fine, but it means that you're off the hook."22

"Are you serious?"23

"Yes. And Lance?"24

"Yes?"25

"I'm sorry I ever doubted you. I sort of knew it all along that you couldn't really betray me, but I've been so scared-"26

Lance interrupted my apology with a very excited bear hug. "You have no idea how much I've missed you and your crazed death-mission. Good to have you back."27

"So you forgive me?"28

"Of course."29

He let me go at this point. I said, "I should have known, actually. With the way that Guinevere vouched for you, you could really be Sir Lancelot."30

"Wait, you talked to Guinevere?"31

"Yeah, is that a problem?"32

"That depends on what she said."33

I debated on whether to tell her secret to Lance, but I figured that if she didn't tell him, he probably would have figured it out by now. "She likes you. A lot."34

"No way. How do you know?"35

"She told me! You mean you haven't noticed?"36

"No."37

I gave an exasperated sigh and said, "You thick-skulled... person."38

"What else did she say?"39

"She just said that I should trust you. But in truth, I don't think she likes me much. Probably because I put you in danger."40

"Then why would she want you to trust me?"41

"Because she wants to see you happy. Are you going to get together with her?" I elbowed him, my nosy side coming out.42

"No."43

"What? Why not? She's cute," I said. This was my romantic, girlier side.44

"We're just friends," he said quietly. The way he said it suggested that I not press him. It looked like they had a little history, and I did not want to get in the middle of that mess.45

"Well, it's great to have you back," I said.46

"Yeah, no kidding. I was missing the diner meals."47

I punched him in the shoulder as we walked down the sidewalk. With a smile on my face, all I could think is "We're back, baby!"