Jared

Sterling began wandering off with Mike and Rain left somewhere else. As happy as everyone was to see me it was as if everyone forgot I could barely stand on my own. I needed to sleep anyways, I guess I might have to crawl to my room. I took a step forward and nearly fell on my face. I regained my balance and took another step, this time the only thing that kept me from falling was someone grabbing my shoulders.

I glanced over and saw Rachel as she pulled my back upright. She put one of my arms around her shoulder and urged me to move.

"You should be mourning Rachel," I said. "You just lost your brother."

"If the only way to make sure this never happens to anyone else is for me to forget my own needs and ensure our best hope for victory recovers quickly," She replied. "I'd gladly make sure no one else has to feel the pain I do."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you Rachel," I felt myself saying as we continued down toward my room. "But things are going to get harder before they get better, people will die, families torn apart and many will feel the pain you feel." I turned and looked her in the eyes, "Much of it a direct result of my actions."

She then taught me a valuable lesson, "But you aren't doing it to oppress people, you are doing it to be free."

I smiled for a moment as she opened the door to my room, "Thank you Rachel. I can manage from here."

I walked inside and groaned as I shut the door. I was more than exhausted, but I couldn't rest yet. I walked over to my dresser and pushed a hidden button hidden inside. The floor rotated and I was in my lab. The place was abandoned as I hoped. I stepped off the pad and it rotated back. I'd sleep in the morning.