"They're still not back," Cody mumbles, brushing the dirt off himself.

The sun's last rays reach across the sky, oranges and yellows blending together. I sigh, trying to swallow the worry and nervousness within me. My head leans against his shoulder, his arm firmly wrapped around me. We lay under the tree, having plucked all the weeds after our little dirt fight. Now, we're awaiting the other's return, chatting about anything and everything.

"I'm sure it takes a while to lug cases of water, cartons of milk, and food all the way here. I bet they're going to make multiple trips. I mean, they didn't leave that long ago."

He shrugs, my head lifting with his shoulder. "Yeah. I guess we'll just wait. Do you want to go inside? It's getting chilly out here."

I shake my head, content where I'm at. The tree casts shadows around us, orange hues dancing against the house and reflecting off the sliding door. The leaves cause the shadow's to be patterned, beautiful to watch. It's as though this is nature's masterpiece, and I've missed it all along.

Shivering, I snuggle closer to Cody. "You know, I never thought my life would come to this."

His chin rests against my head. "To what?"

I shrug, glancing at the swirling pattern of leaves, some of which are beginning to change colors. "I don't know. Me running away from the government, meeting such amazing people, and finding out so many secrets."

"Did you imagine you'd have such a hot boyfriend?"

I smack his chest. "I imagined I'd have a hot boyfriend and you're not it."

"I'm so offended, Autumn," he jokes, pulling me closer.

"I'm sure you are," I respond.

We rest in silence for a bit longer. Then, Cody pulls himself to his feet, leaving me to lean against the tree.

"I'm going to wait for them inside. You can stay here if you want, but I'm just really worried."

I nod, playing with my fingers in my lap. "That's fine. Let me know when they get here, alright?"

"Alright," he responds, walking back towards the house. I watch his retreating figure, a silhouette against the faint shimmer of orange. A smile tugs at my lips as I think of how lucky I am. I'm surrounded by people who care about me, even if they bicker sometimes.

The sliding door clicks shut as my eyelids drop downwards. The breeze toys with my hair, flinging it to and fro. I wrap my arms around myself to retain heat, scooting closer to the tree. Then, I allow sleep to taunt me, slowly pulling me into it's arms.

Before I drift off, I'm awoken by the sound of feet crunching against the grass. Thinking it's Cody or the others, I open my eyes, ready to greet them. However, the person who stands before me isn't who I expected.

I rise to my feet, my grin exposing my teeth. "Ash! It's so create to see you again!" I shout, rushing forward and wrapping my arms around her.

Her arms wrap around my waist, pulling me closer. She smells sweet, like peaches. "Hey, Autumn."

Pulling away from her, I stare into her equally emerald eyes. "How did you know where I was?"

She shrugs. "I have my ways."

I frown, taking a step away from her. Her tone sends shivers down my spine. "Ash, what's wrong? I'm so glad to see you! Why don't you come inside and chat with everyone! I've missed you so, so much since that time you saved me."

She takes a step forward, holding a calculated look. "Or, you can come with me. To the AntiChips."

A laugh escapes my lips, but my blood turns cold once I realize she's serious. "Ash, I'm not looking to join a rebellion right now."

Her clothes hang off her frame, long hair stringy and soaked in oil. "Autumn, you can save the world! You can rid of us Chips forever! All you have to do is come with me." She holds out her hand, a smile plastered on her face. "It's all going to be okay, Autumn. All you have to do is trust me."

I find myself shaking my head. For years, she was the one I could trust. She was the only person on my side, the only person whose shoulder I could cry on. Now, things are different. "Why did you leave me all those years ago, huh? Why did you torture Harper for being part of a different rebellion? Where's the Ash I knew? The girl who wasn't an instrument of others."

Her smile falters, but just slightly. "Autumn, the AntiChips are working to create a better world."

"For who?" I challenge, taking a daring step forward. "Who's right? The AntiChips, The Others, or none? Maybe I want to save the world my own way, with my own friends."

In a flash, she whips out a gun, pointing it at my heart. "I'm not going to ask you again, Autumn Morales."

I shake my head, pushing my burning fear aside. "You're not Ashley. Who are you?"

The person smirks, tapping at their wrist. The girl's hair turns from dark brown to a cobalt, eyes from emerald to an icy blue. Her hair stops above her shoulders, skin tanned and glowing. "I said I'm not going to ask you again."

A dry laugh escapes my lips, confidence bubbling from no where. I'm not going to let people walk all over me. Not again. "Look, whoever you are. I'm not just going to go with you. And I doubt you're going to shoot me. You don't want me dead."

She smirks, narrowing her eyes. "Ooh, a feisty one. While that's true, I can shoot you somewhere else."

My eyes widen, but I attempt to mask my fear. My hands tremble, but I clasp them behind my back. "Who are you? Let's start with that."

"Leane. Does that ring a bell?" She queries, cocking her head to the side.

My eyebrows furrow. She looks familiar, but where could I know her from?

"I'm the leader of the AntiChips. I've worked so hard, and once I have you, I can remove all Chips! I'll be a hero, and then I'll be able to mold this world into what it should be."

"I don't think you're a hero. I have a feeling you're trying to convince yourself of that."

Her hands begin to tremble, her finger dangerously close to the trigger. "I'm not deranged. I just have to do what I have to do. Please, come with me." She lowers the gun to her side, heavily breathing as though she's attempting to control herself.

"Why the disguise?"

She shrugs. "I thought you'd believe Ash more than me, but I knew she wouldn't be convincing enough."

I glance at the gun, metal catching the last glimmers of light. "Yeah, very convincing."

My back meets rough bark and panic swells within me. This can't be it. Not after everything I've strived for, everything I've achieved. "Look, Leane, I'm not going to go with you off a whim. So please put the gun away. Maybe we can talk this through."

She shakes her head, a crazy glint in her eye. "Do you want to stay here where the government will eventually find you? What are you doing now, Autumn? You're sitting back and letting the world rot around you! Don't you understand."

"I understand perfectly, Leane."

"You!" Leane screams, whipping around to face the woman behind her.

Blonde hair nearly blends in with the dark, metal aimed at Leane's heart. "Leave her alone."

I nearly gasp, flattening myself against the tree even more. My heart thumps against my chest, yearning to break free. My breathing quickens, and I'm frozen to the spot. I know I should run, but I can't.

"Why? So you can take her away? She's our only hope!" Leane hisses.

"That's right," Ingrid nods. "Which is why I won't allow you to take her."

A shot fires and a scream pierces the air. It's mine.

I glance down at Leane, who's sprawled across the ground. She clutches her leg, crimson gushing from it and onto the grass. Clearly, Ingrid didn't intend to kill her, but simply wound her.

"Stay away!" I feebly shout, attempting to sound menacing.

Ingrid chuckles, tucking her gun into it's holster by her hip. "I'm not here to kill you, Autumn."

I raise an eyebrow. "Are you going to take me away? What about your son? Do you think he's proud of you for who you are?"

She sighs, seeming- sad. "No. But listen, you can't stay here. People have tracked you down."

"Like you," I whisper. "Now you're going to take me away."

Ingrid takes a step forward, lips tugged down into a frown. "You think I'm your enemy, Autumn. I'm not. Well, I might seem like I am, but you have bigger troubles, trust me."

I shake my head, unable to comprehend what I just heard. "D-don't you want me dead?"

"No," she answers softly. "I created Chips, but not for this. Never for this. Now, I'm the head of chip development and research. I just follow orders. But you can change that. You can save us all from what they've planned."

"Who?"

She shakes her head, loose hair falling into her eyes. "I can't tell you that. Just be safe, and be careful who you trust."

"Then why should I trust you?" I try, folding my trembling arms across my chest.

"That's your choice."

Chipped bark digs into my back as she steps closer, her breath fanning my face. My eyes squeeze shut, tears of fear nearly spilling out of my eyes. I feel her take my hand, then press something cold against it. My fingers are folded over it and I resist the urge to scream.

"To protect yourself."

When I finally open my eyes, she has vanished. In my grip is a gun, the safety on.