When Stars Fall(The Last Star Trilogy #3)

Chapter 5-Tristan Capricorn

I heard the firing first but it didn't take me a long time to realize that the shootings were happening in the city. Rebels versus the Hydra's soldiers.
We had set up camp days ago.
Almost instantly after Belle left.
Belle.
Her name is still like a stab in the heart. I can't imagine what she must be going through.
We'll get her back.
We must get her back.
We have to get her back.
No one in Crimsyn State believed she had been taken. At least, anyone who wasn't present at the time was in shock and disbelief. People started rumors that she had left on her own will. It took Lewis, Anthony and Nathan, also a furious Phoenix to keep me from punching those idiots in the face for saying such things about Belle.
We saw her in the newspapers and heard about her. It sounded like she was fine but I knew Belle the most and I knew she wasn't the way the media said she was. They portrayed her as the sober, innocent and happy princess and some people were foolish enough to believe it. Okay, sure, so she is innocent and nice but I doubt she's happy in that dungeon that they're probably holding her in.
"Hey," I felt a hand slap my back. "How're you doing?"
"Fine, Lewis." I sighed.
"We have a new batch of soldiers coming in tonight," he told. His brown hair was a mess and there was dirt on his face. These days no one really cared what they were wearing. Only green jumpsuits and armour. With our luck, Hellen would allow us to train in our pajamas.
"Find anything about Lyra?" I asked, though I knew it was pointless.
Lewis sighed in frustration, "Not yet."
I massaged my temples. "How's she doing anyway?"
"Which one?" he tried to smile. His eyes were dark from night of no sleep, only research. I knitted my eyebrows at him, confused.
"Lyra or Lyla?" he teased. I punched him playfully.
"You know what I mean," I said.
"No, I don't. This is getting too confusing." he told. "I don't know how which one is doing or if she's more Lyra or Lyla."
"We both got girl problems," I realized.
"Oh, no." he protested quickly. "Lyra is just a friend, I'm only helping her out. It's nothing like that."
I laughed, "I was talking about Raelynn."
"Oh," he blushed, scratching his neck. "You know about that?"
"I'm pretty sure the entire rebel army noticed that." I told.
"Yeah, I got three girls to sort out." he sighed. "Lyra, Lyla and Raelynn."
"Two of them are trapped in the same body." I reminded.
"That makes it easy!" Lewis exclaimed mockingly. "The thing with Raelynn is if she ever realized that I exist."
"Let's deal with the war first, then we'll talk about women," I decided.
"This coming from you?" he looked surprised. "Who's number one goal is at the moment to rescue Belle from an evil prince?"
"That's different, she's our leader. We need her." I insisted. "And as corny as it sounds, yes, we do have to plan a rescue mission."
"Let's start small," Anthony said as he walked up to us.
"Agreed," Lewis said.
"First let's slowly invade Hydrus..."
"Why in the name of Capricorn would we do that?" I argued. "It's already almost wiped out."
Almost.
"That's a good idea, Tristan." Anthony started. "Let's just march into the palace with an army waiting for us in Hydrus ready to slaughter."
"We need to be stealthy and disguised when we travel through the city to get to the palace." Lewis added.
"But that takes too much time," I groaned.
Anthony was about to say something but was cut off by a muffled voice coming from the tent behind us, it was the one with Lyra, Phoenix, Raelynn and Amara. The rest of the girls and boys had been divided into groups.
"What'd she say?" Lewis asked. Phoenix stepped out, shivering from the cold. I became aware of the mist forming in the air and the weather getting wet. It was going to rain.
"I said, 'You're acting like a child.'" Her pale skin looked ghostly and her cheeks were tinted as red as Belle's hair. Belle. Don't think about her. 
Because it's too painful. Because then you'll miss her and feel depressed. You have to act strong for her.
"Nice to see you too, Phoenix," I greeted with mock enthusiasm.
She had cut her hair before we came here. Now it curtained her face and fell to her shoulders. Almost all the girls had streaked their hair crimson, giving reference to Crimsyn State. I didn't pay much attention to their new hairstyles since the crimson reminded me of Belle's hair and how it always smelled of Stargazer Lilies.