24: How Much Am I Worth?

ASHTON

There’s a painful silence between the three of us, our feet slow as we make eye contact with the girl. Carden and Oliver are quick to run to her distress, but I stay back. This doesn’t feel right. She doesn’t feel right.

Her hands grope at them as she collapses into their arms. Bloody streaks stain their uniforms. I can hear her mumbles from all the way back here. “Help me, please...please help me.”

The boys instantly heed to her beck and call, fawning over her and her injuries.

Carden’s head whips back as he hollers my name. I don’t come. He says it once more, more aggressive this time. His deep voice echoes down the street. If no one realized I was back in town, they do now.

Oliver slips away from the girl. His shirt front is streaked with blood. Stopping a few feet away, he looks at me. “Nineteen, we need your help.” He’s trying to be charming by calling me Nineteen. “You’re a soldier and a bullheaded girl that doesn’t shy away from a fight, so let’s go get the creep that di