Freedom Through a Lie

**Shaira's POV**

Xandria had fallen silent, staring at the ground with a mix of rage and resignation in her eyes. She knew the situation was on the verge of exploding, and her posture said it all: she was ready to accept whatever came, even death, if Angro and Zania decided it. She had recognized the inevitable—that the soldiers were tracking her thanks to the translation device she carried in her head, just like the one I had until this morning. Now everything made sense.

“She betrayed us,” Zania muttered coldly, still aiming her ion pistol at Xandria. Her words echoed in the small hideout, filled with contained hatred. “You sold us out from the beginning.”

Angro, standing beside Zania, didn’t try to calm her. He was angry too—I could see it in the way his fists tightened. Despite everything we had been through, it was understandable. From their perspective, Xandria had put them in danger, knowing that she would lead the soldiers straight to us.

“Wait,” I said, raising a hand and stepping between them, positioning myself in the middle. "Xandria didn’t betray us."

“Oh, really?” Zania shot back sarcastically. "She knew they were tracking her, and she came here anyway. She put us all in danger!"

Xandria lifted her head slowly. Her eyes were full of a mixture of sadness and determination. "It's true. I knew," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "I knew they would come for me, and that’s why I came with you. I knew it was only a matter of time before they arrived… but I didn’t come here to turn you in. I came to help Shaira."

Angro took a step toward her, his jaw clenched. "So you're willing to die, aren’t you?"

Xandria nodded, resolute. "If you think it’s fair, do it. If dying is what’s needed for Shaira to be free, then I’ll accept my fate."

The air in the hideout grew heavy. I could see Zania’s finger tightening on the trigger, her face tense and ready. But I couldn’t let it end like this. I couldn’t let this be the conclusion.

"No!" I exclaimed, stepping in front of Xandria, raising my hands toward Zania. "She’s the only one who can save me now."

Zania stared at me in disbelief. "Save you? She brought the soldiers right to us!"

"Yes," I answered, turning to face Angro and Zania with determination. "But she’s also the only one who can tell them that I’m dead. She’s the only one who can convince her superiors that I was executed as a spy. If you kill her now, we all die."

Angro frowned, crossing his arms. "Are you sure about this, Shaira? Do you really think you can trust her?"

I nodded. "I know it. Xandria will do the right thing."

Xandria, still locking eyes with mine, hesitated before speaking, her voice nearly trembling. "Are you absolutely sure this is what you want, Shaira? Because if I do this, there’s no going back."

The question weighed heavily on me. I was aware of what I was asking, and it wasn’t easy. "I’m sure," I told her quietly. "Xandria, you need to say that I was killed. It’s the only way I can be free. And I’ll go far away, so you’re not at risk from the lie you’re about to tell your superiors."

Zania scoffed, clearly frustrated by the situation. She didn’t want to let Xandria go, but she couldn’t deny the truth. We needed that lie. We needed the chance to disappear. And only Xandria could give it to us.

“This is insane,” Angro muttered, clenching his fists. Then he let out a long sigh. “But if this is the only way to keep you safe, we’ll do it your way.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, feeling a surge of relief. Then I turned to Xandria. "Go and tell them what we agreed. Tell them I was killed as a spy. I’ll go far away, I promise."

Xandria stepped closer and looked me in the eyes, her lips trembling slightly. "I don’t like lying, Shaira. I never thought I would do something like this." She paused before briefly embracing me. "But I’ll do it for you."

My throat tightened with emotion. I knew how much it cost Xandria to betray her principles. She was risking her career, her life, everything. And she was doing it for me.

“Thank you,” I whispered, returning the embrace. "I’ll never forget what you’re doing."

Angro and Zania were far less kind in their farewells. Zania didn’t even say a word to Xandria, but eventually, she lowered her weapon. Angro looked at her with distrust and coldness but kept his distance. This wasn’t the moment for revenge or resentment. It was the moment to survive.

When Xandria turned and began to walk toward the point where the soldiers would retrieve her, I felt more alone than ever. But I knew this was the right thing to do. I knew I couldn’t keep running forever. Xandria had agreed to sacrifice her truth for my freedom, and I couldn’t let her sacrifice be in vain.

We moved deeper into the jungle, quickly putting distance between us to reach safety. The sun began to set between the trees, casting long shadows around us. I didn’t dare look back until we were far enough away to feel secure.

From the distance, I saw the soldiers arrive at the spot where we had been hiding. I watched as Xandria calmly walked toward them, serene and in control. She raised a hand and said something, though I couldn’t hear the words. I knew she was fulfilling her part of the agreement.

A bitter sadness washed over me. I silently thanked my friend for everything she had done for me that day. Not only had she risked her life to protect me, but she was willing to carry the weight of that lie, one that would put her in danger if the truth ever came to light.

As we continued deeper into the jungle, the roar of the soldiers’ engines slowly faded. But I knew the memory of that day and Xandria’s sacrifice would stay with me forever.