"Josh, I'm leaving." She felt the tears burning behind her eyes as she spoke. A look of hurt, confusion, and concern began to etch lines into his forehead as he stood.
"What do you mean, you're leaving? Where are you going? Why?"
"You know why I'm leaving. I can't just stand by and watch everything from my old life die away while they try to rebel against the things your family are doing to them! I can't be here while my life is with them." The confusion and hurt vanished from Josh's face, but the concern remained, softening his grey eyes.
"You can't go back into the rebellion, Annika. Besides, I left my home, even my family to be with you. I rejected my old life." Annika's blue eyes were filled with hot tears as she fingered the bracelet on her wrist, engraved with her family's seal. The mark of her old life and the rebellion.
"I can't just sit here wondering if my parents are dead or alive. I'm sorry. I have to go."
"No, I'm coming with you." Josh reached forward and caught her hand in his strong fingers.
"Josh, they'll kill you! You left them. Do you really think you're family will let that go just so you can help your wife fight a rebellion?"
"I don't care. Annika, you're my family now. I promised you I'd fight with you. Til death do us part, remember? Now, let's go."