Excerpt: Past in Present

Surrounded.

In a million years she never thought it would end like this. She thought for once she would see things through, save lives, make a difference. Apparently, she thought wrong.

Xander takes one step closer to her side, and she reaches for her brother instinctively as the masked soldiers close in around them, their boots clanking in time against the hard metal floor.

This is the end. This is the end. This is the end.

It's the only thought Olivia has, and as much as she wants to believe it isn't true, that's just something she can't do. It is the end. Dread settles uneasily in her stomach; as much as her mind races, she can find no alternative to making sure she and Xander get out of this alive. She doesn't want to die a coward, but she doesn't want to die a fool either, which she knows is what will happen if she tries anything now, staring down the barrels of about a dozen rifles.

At least Daniel got away with the plans. If there's one thing she should be thankful for right now, it's that. There is a break in the line, as one of the higher ranking officers steps forward. Olivia clenches her jaw and takes a small step in front of Xander, and as soon as she moves the circle of men shift; adjusting their rifles incase she decides to try anything. The officer raises his hand, "Stand down."

Two more steps and he is in front of Olivia. A lump forms in her throat. She wants to scream out, ask questions, make threats, but those words might be her last, and what kind of a way to go is that? Instead she says nothing, just raises her chin an inch and meets the Officer eye to masked eye. It's a challenge, a dare. Just try and make me talk.

She never would. They'd have to kill her first.