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working on that, too. Can you just trust me?" she begs.
    "Can I just think about it? You're asking me to put my friends' lives on the line," I beg her back, not ready to make a solid decision. I know I must sound like a child, but the thought of Kara fighting a god like Hades makes my stomach turn.  
    "Of course. I'm sorry if I'm being too harsh on you, but I know you can handle the severity." She nods at me, ever so confident in my strength. Little does she know what a wreck I am. Little does she know that my insides are so twisted in knots that I could never untie them.
    "I've got to head out, but I'll come back soon." I stand up and swing my bag over my back. Cece comes over and stops right in front of me. She's much shorter than she was before—or at least it seems like it. Her body is smaller, hunched over, and frail.
    She leans up and gives me a tight hug. Her hands are cold against my back, and a chill runs up my spine. She leans back and takes both of my hands in her. She's a little shaky, but I try not to think of it.
    "Tonight dream about the future. The things you see might help guide you to your decision. Please, decide soon. I have connections—people who are willing to help the cause—but we can't wait too long. I've already noticed some of Hades's followers lurking around campus late at night. Be careful."
    Cece kisses my cheek and lets me go. I nod, my emotions shut in a steel box, and head back to the front door. Cece follows me down the hall, taking the door from my hand when I step through the threshold.  
    "Thank you," I say over my shoulder. Cece nods, smiling again, and I head back to the gym. I need to get focused. If we're really creating an army, then I need to lead it. I need to be strong for everyone.  

CHAPTER SIX
    missing in action

    I glance down at my phone and realize that the day has flown by. I'm emotionally exhausted and physically feel as if I was just punched multiple times in the arms and legs, internally bruised from top to bottom. I can barely walk out of the gym, let alone sprint home.
    I quickly text Kara to see if her and Junior are in the room. The last thing I need is to walk in on them making out. I just want to shower, climb into bed, and then do it all again tomorrow. I need to get an early start tomorrow since it's supposed to get very hot by midday. I want to make sure my run is done by the time the temperature peaks.
    I'm rounding the corner by the student center, and she still hasn't texted me back, which leaves me a bit worried. Kara's cellphone is attached to her hip. She doesn't leave without it, doesn't even pee without it. So, I call Junior.
    "Hello?"  
    "Hey, do you know where Kara's at?" I ask him, trying not to worry him or completely freak him out.  
    "Last time we talked she was up in your room. She felt really bad for your 'sort-of-fight,' asshe called it. She said she was waiting for you to come back."
    "I texted her, but she didn't answer," I say, frowning to myself.
    "Maybe she's in the shower?" Junior offers.
    "Maybe," I answer, but to be honest I'm not convinced. "Listen, I'll talk to you later."
    "'Kay. Love you, Ryder," he says, and I hang up. I put the phone in my pocket and continue my long walk back to the dorms. If I had any ounce of strength left, I'd sprint there.  
    I'm just turning around the side of the building when I hear a muffled cry from the edge of the woods. I immediately drop my gym bag on the ground as quietly as I can and peek around the back corner of the brick building. The streetlights don't shine back here. It's hard to see much, but soon my eyes begin to adjust. The screaming leads me right to them.
    Two decent sized men have Kara pinned against the wall. One holds her up by her waist and neck while the other one paces in front of them. Kara's legs are dangling a few inches off the floor, and her face is red and puffy, like she can't breathe.
    I know I can't act now or else they may seriously hurt Kara. I have to wait for