This is Part 3

We both exit the door and close it behind us. Catching our breath in shock that we are standing here without Emmie beside us.

Rya looks at both ends of the hallway. “That way is the main door, I think.” She points to our right.

“Might as well,” We both start off that way. I hope it’s warm as I realize Rya is still in her thin plain grey t shirt and pants.

We turn the corner and keep making our way down the hall, it’s quiet out and thankfully the lounge and kitchen and such are back the other way.

We keep going.

My heart skips a beat when a door to our left is opened and Rya and I freeze.

“Come on, we have to-” the deep voice is low.

Oh no.

Jax, of all people comes out of the door with Erik behind him. He sees us and stops in shock.

Erik’s eyes are wide with panic and he opens his mouth as if to say something but can only watch Jax walk over to us.

He stops within reach and nods behind him, “now is as a good a time as any, come with me.”

Neither of us move and Erik raises a brow at Jax.

He rolls his eyes but nods again, “There are cameras, we have to move soon. I’ll get you out of here, I swear to you.”

I look up at the corners of the halls out of habit, but we all knew there are cameras around.

But why would Jax want to help us? He is an Owner, same as Emmie.

“I promise, I will help you, but we have to move now.” He says and puts a hand on both our shoulders’. I can see Rya trying not to freak out at his touch, and I’m conditioned to not react anymore.

He tells Erik, who looks as confused as us, to hurry ahead. He does and when we turn one more corner, there’s a large double door.

“Let me take the lead,” Jax walks in front of us three. He looks at Erik but then he stares at Rya and I with an odd amount of concern and something else.

“Please go with whatever happens in the next few minutes. You two have no reason to trust me, but I promise you, I will get you all to safety. Behind these doors are a bunch of guards,” he adds, “I will handle it. Please, for your own sake's, do not say anything.”

All three of us shared looks.

It was weird to hear Jax asking us to trust him, with our safety nonetheless. Had he said, “I promise you, I will hurt you” that would be normal. But this?

However, if he was right about the guards then our options were slim. Erik gave us both a look that confirmed our thoughts. Trust Jax or go back anyway.