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On the other end, Becca was silent For twenty-seven heartbeats I knew she was calculating the odds, figuring out the plan, realizing that she was going to be sacrificed for the good of the ca her to die

Death was nothing, but I was terrified of losing my sister, the only family I had left Like I said, the worst choice possible War had put me in this position War puts everyone in this position

Becca’s voice caer that, Cass Leaving now”

Becca’s comm clicked off just as I opened ed my mind!

My quick breaths were like punches against ain “This is Cassie,” I told the relay “I’ toward the mountain United’s hot on my tail Expect company”

“Copy that,” said a voice through the crackly comm system

Much closer now, a branch snapped, sounding like a boulder shattering in these hard, icy woods The United soldiers were sweeping the area They were almost on me Becca should be in place now Suddenly my cold-slowed reactions burst into ani consumed by a primitive refusal to be prey It was now or never

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WITH EVERY COLD, CRAMPED MUSCLE screa place and quickly took s I couldn’t see the United soldiers yet but heard thee I was on

Feeling e of the woods I’d beenthath-barked pine, whacking runt of pain

Then I heard shouts The first sound of gunfiremy head toward the sound Oh, God, that was Becca That was Becca giving me cover I crouched as I heard a spray of bullets and a choked scream

Becca! I took an unconscious step in her direction No, don’t turn back, I ordered myself

After a few h snow halfway to h the woods I saw that Becca was still standing, blooear She was yelling and flipping the bird with one hand, because of being Becca