Meg managed to land a kick on the blonde’s shoulder as she jumped out the window. She hit the ground running faster than she ever had, clenching her jaw and her fists. She had to put distance behind her so she couldn’t turn back. The cool night air filled her lungs and spurred her on.

She stopped at a small bridge and scurried underneath to sit on the cool ground with her back against the stones, curled in a tight ball. Tears came, accompanied by wrenching sobs she couldn’t smother.

She had known the future would be full of battles. Now she envisioned James fighting against her, not by her side. No longer would they be working together, protecting each other, fighting for each other.

How could he turn his back on everything that was right?

After an eternity, the tears and sobs subsided. Meg was spent, cold, and empty – a shell with no emotion left. She stood to go back to base.

Somewhere deep in her hesrt, she locked away all her emotions tied to the memory of James, never to be released again.