I glanced up the stairs toward my room. What else could I do? There was nowhere to run, and he had a gun on me. And I didn’t think attempting to fight him was a good gamble. So, on shaky legs, I turned and ascended the stairs, Leon trailing behind. I suddenly wanted nothing more than to put a door between us and when Leon’s hand stopped me, I sucked in a fearful gasp.

“The world is burning, Emily,” Leon said. I glanced over his shoulder where a young man with a chiseled jaw wearing camo was turning down the hallway. “And this is a utopia. If I’d have told you every detail of what I planned beforehand, you might not have come. And that would have been a mistake because you’d have died out there.”

He allowed me to shut the door and I leaned back on it, letting out a shuddery breath.

Outside, there was an exchange between Leon and the young man. I didn’t hear every word, but it was clear that he’d directed him to guard my door. I flipped the lock, knowing that the flimsy thing wouldn’t help me much if a muscled dude decided to kick it down. But it was better than nothing.

I heard sounds that told me the men with guns were beginning to gather residents from their rooms. Then, I supposed, it would be determined who could stay and who could go. I was relatively safe up here, already guaranteed I’d be one of the chosen ones who could stay. But how could I remain locked in this room without at least attempting to warn the others?

I unlatched the window and looked down at the dark yard below. It was too far to jump. I turned, surveying my room for a moment, weighing my options before I moved quickly to my bed. I ripped my sheets off and expediently tied them together, giving a yank to ensure the knot was tight, my eyes darting to the door handle that I kept expecting to jiggle.

My heart pounded as I opened the window as wide as it would go and then threw the knotted sheet down. It was a significant drop but even if the sheet didn’t hold, I was hopeful it would slow my descent enough that I wouldn’t break my leg.

I heard another scream and then a few cries and more sounds of alarm as people were led out of their rooms. I only took a moment to slip on the clean jeans and sweatshirt I’d been given and a pair of canvas sneakers.