Chapter 6

• In our cramped cage, Bianca's words had weight. I began to have a tiny hope that I might finally be able to alert Bustane to the Hunters' trap. However, even that possibility truly scared me.
• Who knows what might happen to us if our strategy fails and the hunters find out? I was worried, but not to the point that Bustane's life was in jeopardy because of me.
• "What's the plan?" I moved up closer and brought up Bianca's plight. "How do we get a message to Bustane without the Hunters knowing?"
• Bianca had a determined yet somber appearance. "We need to be a distraction, something that will make the guards stay away, long enough for one of us to fall out of."
• My eyebrows went up. "So what happens next? We're shut off from the street and stuck here."
• "Not at all," Bianca answered quietly. She raised her hand when I proceeded to ask more questions.
• They are better off with less knowledge. If they catch us..."
• She didn't have to finish. We both knew it was going to be bad. I shivered but nodded firmly.
• "Okay. What should I do?"
• As Bianca explained her daring plan, I was impressed with her quick thinking. Part of me wondered about her history with Bustane, What happened to make this happen? But those questions were for another time.
• My task was simple but not easy- I had to make enough noise to lure the guards into the cell so that Bianca could slip out unnoticed. She said she knew a way to get Bustane released by the Hunters.
• "Are you sure about this?" I asked, getting ready. "If something goes wrong..."
• "It's not like we're evil for no reason," Bianca stated firmly. "Maybe this is our only chance, Luna. We have to try.
• "She was correct. It meant that we couldn't just ignore a potential danger. If there was even the smallest possibility of alerting Bustane before the situation became impossible, we should take the chance without thinking.
• I inhaled deeply and nodded at Bianca. "All right. Come on, let's do it."
• I threw myself on the ground, clutching my stomach while I cried out in pretend pain. Bianca ran to the entrance of her cell.
• "Guards!" she cried out in a frightful tone. "Guards, come on! There's a problem with the girl!"
• There was complete silence for a minute. Then there was a sound of heavy footfall outside the hallway. I forced myself not to hold my breath while I focused on seeming unwell.
• The apartment door swung shut noisily. Two large, strong hunters hurried in, having readied their weapons. I was lying on the floor looking red-faced for all to see.
• "What's going on here?" One demanded in frustration
• Bianca gave me a signal and hurled herself at the hunters while throwing a sharp stone. Even though her physique was smaller than theirs, her strike caught them off guard. I was shocked and horrified by her tenacity as I watched.
• Go, Luna!" Bianca yelled, even as a hunter pinned her down. "Now! Hurry!"
• My heart pounded, but I didn't wait. While the guards were busy, I sprinted through the open door and into the dark corridor outside. The path ahead was gloomy, but I couldn't stop.
• As I ran, I hoped Bianca's plan would work. That somehow I could find Bustane and stop this nightmare before it was too late. Before any more innocent lives got caught up in it.
• With my feet banging on the hard floor, I dashed along the dimly lit hallway. I didn't slow down even though it looked like the dark shadows were closing in on me. I needed to keep going, needed to get out of this awful location.
• Despite my heart racing and my lungs burning, I continued. Bianca sacrificed everything to provide me with this opportunity. I could not allow her sacrifice to go in vain.
• The corridor split into two directions up ahead. I slid to a stop, squinting in the low light. Which direction should I go? I had no instructions from Bianca.
• Luna, please consider this! I tried to quiet my rushing thoughts by taking a few deep breaths. If I were the Hunters, which path would I least expect a prisoner to take?
• The route on the left appeared broad and less dark. It was the more obvious course of action. So maybe the narrower path to the right was the better choice?
• After making my choice, I went down the appropriate hallway. As I went down, the air became more humid and slanted. Was this how Bianca had intended for me to go? I began to feel doubt seep in and my steps faltered.
• No, I can't second-guess myself now. I shook my head firmly. Bianca risked it all so I could get out and warn Bustane. I had to stay focused, stay strong.
• The path became flat, and I found myself in some kind of basement space. Shelves and boxes were lined up against the walls, and there was a thick metal door on the far side. My heart beat faster - could that be the way out?
• Moving quickly and quietly, I gathered the rusty ring and the torn piece of rope from the pile. Then I went to the door and threaded the ring onto the rope to make a kind of improvised tool to pick the lock.
• My arm trembled from nerves as I began to move the rough tool back and forth in the lock. Without speaking, I begged, "Please work, please work." I'm very close!
• For what seemed like forever, the lock stayed in place. Right before I gave up, I felt it move a little. I persisted and attempted to open it one more.