"Michael!" I cried.

I quickly pushed past Jeremy and grabbed the guard's arm to free Michael.

"Let him go! Michael is my friend!" I shouted in panic.

I saw Michael's face, bruised and bloodied—he had clearly been badly beaten. But instead of helping, Jeremy grabbed my arm, his expression growing even more fierce.

"We're trying to protect you, and this is how you act? You know better than anyone that no one can be trusted except your family!" Jeremy warned.

"But, Jeremy..." I yanked my arm out of his grip. "I would have been dead if Michael hadn't helped me get out of that cell and run."

Jeremy's eyes flickered...