World War Three ~~

"Uhh," Lucy said, quickly changing the subject, "we need to go and find them!" Lucy was heading out the door when Brandon grabbed her shoulder and stopped her. "I want to find them too," he said quietly, "but first explain to me this crying."

"It's really nothing," Lucy said softly. "Chris was exaggerating. And it was never about you. I just miss how the world used to be," she replied. "And we all do, Chris just walks in on me when I'm upset. I really need to get a lock on that door," she half-joked, trying to lighten the mood. She wasn't really lying, she did miss how the world used to be. When there was peace and she lived on the same street and Brandon, and they were friends. They didn't have to survive with three or four other people because they had to, they played together because they wanted to. And Lucy missed that. She missed her friend that no longer had time for her.

"That's not all there is to it, I can see it in your eyes," Brandon said slowly.

"Brandon, I told you. That's it. Now I'm pretty sure Steven will agree with me on this, we have a five year old girl and a little boy who acts like a five year old girl kidnapped. We need to rescue them. Chris doesn't understand what he's getting into, I'm worried," Lucy sighed, tapping her fingers on the desk.

Brandon decided to ignore her until she told him the truth. Well, all of the truth. He knew she always caved when he did that.

"Lucy isn't wrong. It's my fault Chris got taken anyways," Steven looked at his feet. "I'm a sad excuse of a protector."
"Well then lets go save them and you'll be a less sad excuse!" Lucy shook Steven, hoping to get him moving.

Brandon just walked out on them. Yes, he was going to try and save them, but he wanted to do it alone and hoped they weren't following.

"Oh no you don't," Lucy walked up and grabbed Brandon's shoulder. "What do you think you're doing?"
Brandon just shrugged and tried to break away from Lucy's grip, annoyed.

Brandon broke free, and started running. He didn't know where he was running, but he was hoping in the direction of the three men. He ran as far away as he could with no sign of the others behind him.

"Shit," Lucy muttered, watching her friend run away. "Should we go after him?"
"Probably. Lucy, he's just worrying about you. You'd be better off telling him, it'd put him in a better mood," Steven pointed out.
"I did tell him! Besides, all I care about right now is finding everyone. And I can't do that if we keep splitting up!" she yelled, exasperated.

"Lucy, if you didn't want to split up, why wouldn't you be honest? I know you told the truth, but that's not even half of it. At least not what you told me. You have to be honest with him, because right now there is no one you can trust but Brandon and I," Steve lectured. He had a point and Lucy understood it fine.

"Isn't it enough I told you?" Lucy complained, looking at her feet. "I-I can't tell him. He wouldn't understand Steven. He just wouldn't," tears started to well up in her eyes, and she quickly wiped them away.

"He would understand fine. In fact, he would probably understand more than me!" Steve explained.

"You don't get it Steven, you just don't," Lucy sat there, her expression blank. "When did I tell you about this anyways?"

"That one night when everyone else was asleep and I heard you crying and I came into your room and asked you why, you spilled it out. Remember?" Steve said softly.

"Damn, I need to work on that," Lucy muttered. "Well if he really needs to know I'll tell him later, we just need to find him!"
"Alright, but Chris is the only one who really needs rescued. As much as I like Jayde, she is with her father now. It's probably best for her," Steven explained softly.
"I guess...."

"Do you know why her father left her?" Lucy questioned. When he shook his head, Lucy quickly muttered, "I'm sorry that was a stupid question. Of course you don't know."

"I don't know, but that doesn't mean I don't have my suspicions," Steven murmured. "I've seen it on the streets a lot. The man of the family goes out and joins the army, and never has time to be at home. When he's at home he wants to relax so the guy usually gets drunk, and then the family's put in danger. He probably loved Jayde enough that he didn't want her to see him like that."
"I guess that makes sense, but I still think it's wrong," Lucy pointed out. "Let's hurry, we'll never find anybody at this rate."

"Okay," Lucy said getting up. They both ran in the direction Brandon went in hope of finding the others and him. When they got there, Brandon was on his knees with his hands thrown up in the air in surrender. When they looked closer. There were, not three, but about 300 men all pointing their guns at Brandon. Then they noticed the little boy in a cage not to far away. That little boy was Chris.

"Dammit Brandon, what the hell did you get yourself into," Lucy muttered, barely loud enough for him to hear. She reached into the back of her boot, and pulled out her switchblade. "Can someone explain to me what's going on here?"

"This boy is invading our property and refuses to leave," one of the men said. Brandon carefully replied, "I walked in."

"Honestly Brandon, what are we going to do with you?" Lucy sighed, shaking her head. Putting her switchblade away, she formally walked up to the man who spoke. "I apologize for the behavior of this child, I plead your mercy, we were anxious for the well being of a friend," she spoke calmly and made eye contact.

All of them pointed their guns at her. "You did exactly what the boy did earlier. You should not be the one to talk," the closest man to her said, "Drop to the ground or I shoot!" He raised his voice. Lucy and Steve quickly fell to their knees with their hands up.

"Alright, we surrender. Please, if there's anything we can do for you, we will humbly oblige," Lucy's tone didn't waver, and her hands stayed in place.
"Ah, the girl has manners, I like her. Alright, we will let your friend go back home in one piece, but on one condition," the man smirked.
"Lucy, seriously, just shut up," Brandon spoke, his teeth together.
"Name your condition."

"If we let your friend go, we get to keep you as a slave," the man said. Lucy gave a worried look and gulped, "Agreed." Brandon yelled, "LUCY NO!" But it was too late. They were already taking her away.