127. XAVIER — "crossfires"

I ran as fast as my legs would let me.

The sun was almost down and I was desperate to get to Ariel. She was calling out to me and even though I still did not know exactly where she was, I could predict the area. I would find her today. Tomorrow might be too late.

"Sean, stick with me and tell the others to spread out in groups of three."

Sean set about doing as I had told him while I peered around between trees at high alert.

"Quickly form group of threes and stay together. Nobody leaves their partners. If you notice anything weird, alert us immediately."

I watched Sean as he went about addressing the numerous guards that were spread out in the field. I had told him to stay back in the palace but he insisted on coming with me.

"I want to see this through to the end , Xavier. I feel like we'll be successful this time and I want to be part of that."

I could not fault his argument because I understood him. I would want to be part of the team that brought my abductors to justice too