Part 23: What Side is Elyse on?

Elyse was a dark, menacing crow. In front of her, her friends ran faster and faster, their powers in their hands, or at least ready to strike. Brandon and Mariah (or was that a shadow?) stood in the corridor wearing brave faces.

Minutes before, the six in black had been rushed through a crowd. Elyse had heard murmurs about burning down the base, attacking the leader of the other side (whoever that was), rebelling against everyone and forming a new alliance, and many other things.

Cawing once, Elyse dipped her head to fly faster, trying to drown out the pandemonium. The crow part of her brain demanded that she keep moving on, but the human part had its doubts.

Come on, you've come this far!

You know this is wrong. Stop.

You're weak. This is your chance to show everyone that you're strong.

Turn back. Take the Escape.

The Escape... She looked over her shoulder and there it was. Could she really betray her friends, even if it was for the sake of good? She'd already betrayed that side. Elyse shook her black-feathered head. Maybe she could help Mariah and Brandon. Maybe she could rescue the base from burning.

Maybe you can admit you're a coward and finish this! shrieked the crow's thoughts.

Elyse glanced over her shoulder. After all this turmoil within her, only a few seconds had passed. She still had a chance to take the Escape. Glancing at her friends with a beady black eye, Elyse turned toward the Escape...