"Stop pacing, you're making me nervous," Oliver muttered, flipping through a filing cabinet. I peeked out into the hall, walking back into the white lab. I dragged the sword behind me.

"Why don't you just run your own tests?"

Oliver took a breath, glaring at me. "Because we don't have time, Kendall will be back at any moment...and there's no way he hasn't had this analyzed already."

"I guess…" I murmured.

Oliver slid out a tan folder. "Here we are." He slammed the drawer shut. Flipping it open, he skimmed through it.

I tapped my foot, distracted by the shiny machines, glass flasks, different coloured chemicals.

"What does it say?" I turned my head back to Oliver.

"Hmm…" he hummed, flipping back. "This is strange."

"What does that mean?"

"It means...this doesn't make sense." Oliver turned back a page. "From what I can tell, much of it is a mild sedative, but this shouldn't be enough to impair you." He frowned, biting his lip. "From their notes the goal seems to be to dull out some sort of connection with a pulse?"

I nodded. "That makes sense, keep going."

"They describe serum's interaction as creating some sort of loop, blocking out some sort of external power?" He turned the page. "The symptoms you experienced, you're fighting your own body to access that source once again. It can cause physical damage."

I lifted my head. "So it is possible to break out of it?"

"Easier as it wears off, hypothetically a big enough spike of a stimulant could give you a temporary break. In theory at least." Then we have a chance

"What are we talking about, something like adrenaline?"

Oliver lifted his head. "Oh no, forget it, Okie." He waved his hands, his eyes wild. "We don't know what that could do to you. It could be ten times worse than before, this could kill you."

I snorted, walking along the desk. "You think Kendall won't kill me?" I started shuffling through drawers.

Oliver chased after me. "No but, this is just stupid."

"I know." I opened the bottom drawer, a red first aid kit left open inside. I pulled out an Epi-pen. "Epinephrine is synthetic adrenaline, is it not?"

Oliver hissed through his teeth. "I'm not answering that." I shrugged my shoulders, breaking open the box. He scowled back. "How do you know that anyway?"

"One of Drake's guys has a peanut allergy, I ask a lot of questions." I took a breath. "Please Oliver, I need something, if I get captured…" I shut my mouth, hanging my head. "I want a chance."

"You know this is a terrible idea," Oliver huffed. Walking up to me he pointed at the box. "When you want to use it, take off the safety cap and stab it in the middle of your thigh." He avoided my eyes. "That's it."

I nodded my head, slipping it in my pocket. He pointed back at me. "Don't use it, I mean it. We don't know what will happen, you could die."

"I would rather die than let Kendall capture me…" The sword weighed heavy on my shoulder, I looked towards the door. I will have to get to the roof on foot.

Oliver took a breath."What are you going to do?"

Daylight from the window, clouds moved over the sky. I swung the sword off my shoulder. "Kendall's going to arrive on the roof," I mumbled, my voice trailing off. "Powers or not I have to face him."

"Isn't that what he wants? Shouldn't you just hide till this wears off?"

I shook my head. "All this clearing up of loose ends...he's about to do something big." I bit my cheek, turning back. "Besides, he'll kill Gwen and Lewis if I don't show."

"I get that, but doesn't this seem foolhardy? There's no use in you dying too."

"Best case scenario, none of us do...I won't stand by."

"I know, your head-long-into-danger thing." Oliver sighed, scratching his beard. "Just don't fall head-long into his trap."

"I know, I'll be careful," I said, walking through the doorway. I looked back, catching his blue eyes. "Oliver? If I don't make it back, thanks for putting up with my stupidity."

He laughed, "Well, I am honored to be your unofficial voice of reason." His smile wavered. "Calculated risk, Okie...stay alive."

I nodded, fighting tears from building up. A little ray of light breaking through the grey. I didn't expect to make friends when this started. I smiled back, giving the blade a test strike. "I won't go down without a fight."

Oliver snorted, picking the files back up. "Wouldn't expect any less."

No going back now. I made up my mind. I stomped out into the hall, beige walls on either side. Everything was quiet, the hallways empty. I focused on the corner, on getting to the elevator. The faster I get to the roof, the better.

I made it around the bend. A pitter patter behind me, I turned. A rush of a breeze moved past me, I froze. Was that...Murray? I squinted, catching a slight blur. He's running. Another set of footsteps stomped behind me. Crap.

I broke out into a run, looking back. Jake came around the corner, his eyes wide. "You." I nearly tripped over my feet. Shoot. I burst back into a sprint. Jake shouted, "Hey, come back here!"

No way. I ran around the next bend, moving towards a little alcove. Tucked in the corner, couches surrounded a television screen. I scrambled behind the couches, hiding behind a house plant. The newscaster drawled on in a monotone voice.

I kept an eye on the path, Jake stomping past. I let out a sigh of relief. The woman on the tv kept talking, "Riots have broke out across Vitriol, following the death of the nation's leader-"

No way. I crawled over to the television, the newscaster shuffled her papers. "A terrorist organization appears to be involved in both inciting these attacks and in the assasiantion of Vitriol's leader." I rolled my eyes. The woman on the tv grinned. "Up next, what the death of Vitriol's leader means for Avarice." The newsroom faded into a stream of commercials.

At least we made some sort of impact. I gave a weak grin, walking back into the hall. Tiptoeing back towards the elevator, I inched towards freedom. Calculated risk, I repeated in my head.

I got to the elevator, smashing the button. C'mon, c'mon. Wiping sweat off my forehead, I pushed the button again.

The door rolled open, and I charged inside. I steadied my footing in the empty compartment, turning to face the opening. The door rolled closed.

A hand slipped in the way. The door opened back up. Oh no.

"Looks like it's just you and me," Jake laughed, stepping inside. "You are a more enjoyable catch than my brother, much more stimulating."

I raised the sword. "Back up," I growled.

The door closed behind him. "I'm not going anywhere."

"And I won't hesitate to strike you," I hissed, backing up to the wall.

Jake walked to the panel, pushing the button for the highest floor. He leaned back, crossing his arms. "I'll shoot you if you try." He pulled a gun from his holster.

I tensed my shoulders. "The bullet could rickashay...you'd be taking a gamble." This is terrible, I'm stuck with this lunatic.

"Hence why I'm not shooting now." He raised an eyebrow, looking me over. "You're a little tense, is there a reason?"

"None at all," I growled. "Just stay back."

He nodded his head. "Nothing to do with the fact you can't teleport? I assume you don't want to be trapped in an elevator with me."

He knows. I snarled back. "I mean it. I will stab you."

Jake chuckled, "So Victor pegged you right. And here I thought he was insane."

I don't want to talk about this. "So you know what he's planning?"

He smirked at me. "Yes, I'm quite wrapped up in his little scheme." He leaned in, a grin creeping out. "He's got you all figured out."

I pushed him back. "We'll see about that, now won't we?"

"Sure, but everything you do is dangling the life of that little engineer."

"You have Gwen?" I dropped my shoulders.

He nodded his head. "And that skinny traitor too, what's his name?"

"Lewis." I glared back.

"Yes, Lewis," he laughed. "He's an interesting one."

"Are they alive? Where are they?"

He pointed to the roof. "Exactly where you're going. Everything's all decided. You surrender peacefully and we won't hurt you, I promise."

"You can tell Kendall he can shove his plan-"

"Hostile," he tsked, shaking his finger. "There's nowhere to go."

And how did that happen? I took a breath, letting my posture dip."How did you guys even find the base?"

"Oh, that." Jake scratched his chin. "Your friend Lewis gave us the location. He called groveling, asking to come back. I think he misses Kendall."

I shook my head. That doesn't make sense. What about Iris?

Jake sighed, "Betrayal hurts, doesn't it?"

I bit my lip, returning with a glare. "Does it hurt as much as the damage I've already done?" I raised my chin. "Riots across Vitriol, and we're not finished yet."

Jake clenched his jaw. "Riots that will be stamped out. You're naive if you think this is anything but temporary."

"There's no putting this back in a box." I sneered at him.

"True, but that's also true for lives lost in your little rebellion."

Wait, what? My mind spun. People died? I shook my head, my hands shaking. That's not what I wanted.

I looked up as Jake swooped at me. I tried to swing, he took my wrists. The sword knocked from my grip, I gaped at it before I was slammed into the wall. I pushed back, flailing as he twisted my arm behind my back. He hissed in my ear, "You don't understand, we will taint your efforts so that no one will go near this with a ten foot pole."

I struggled against his arms. What is he talking about? I growled, "I will find a way to stop you, I swear."

"I look forward to watching you try." His arm was tight around my waist. Panic set in, I kicked at him. He yanked me back. "You don't stand a chance-"

The elevator slowed. Jake lifted his head. We're not at the top yet. The door creaked open, revealing a familiar head of dark curls.

Oh no. I stared back at Jude. His face washed over with shock, he cleared his throat.

Jake loosened his grip on my arm, his voice shaking, "I ran into her, hunting Murray. I managed to disarm her."

Jude straightened his suit jacket, stepping into the elevator. "I can see that," his voice rang emotionless. No, no, no. Jude turned to face the panel, avoiding my eyes. His posture was the paradigm of perfection. "I hope she hasn't been in too much trouble."

I tried to worm free, Jake pulling an arm around my waist. "I caught her off guard, she was easy to capture."

"Good…" Jude darted his gaze, fixated on Jake's arm. He took a deep breath, moving his eyes away, "Do...you have to hold her like that?"

Jake stiffened, stuttering. "She's a little lively sir, I don't want her to get away."

I gave a caustic laugh, "People usually are when they're being kidnapped." I clenched my jaw. "Just wait till I break free, then you'll see how lively I can be."

Jude turned his glare. "If you behaved, there'd be no need to restrain you."

I scoffed, "Ya sure, the powerless unarmed woman is such a threat." I elbowed Jake in the ribs. "I think your thug likes being up close and personal. I'm feeling suffocated."

Jude froze, a tick in his gaze. He glared at the wall. "You're imagining things."

So he's jealous… I gave a caustic grin. "You missed the part where he called me stimulating."

Jake shook his head. "Sir, I'm not-"

"Let go of her," Jude snarled, a sour look on his face. "Do it."

Jake loosened his group. "I can assure you-"

"Now," Jude growled. Jake took a step back from me. I straightened my shirt, standing still. The sword sat next to the door, Jude kept his foot on it. I have to think of something.

"This doesn't mean you're free," Jude said, his face blank. "I just agree, he doesn't need to put his hands on you."

I nodded, keeping my head low. "Of course...thank you." Jude's eyes softened, diverting away. So I really am still a weakness. Jude kept a glare on Jake.

Jake sighed, taking another step away from me. "I didn't mean anything by it, I was being facetious."

"She's off limits, you hear me?"

Jake raised his hands. "Loud and clear."

Jude tightened his fists, facing back at the door. Stay torn, stay unstable. I ignored Jake's evil eye.

Jude's lifted his head. "I'm not naive...I know you're going to hate me for a long time," he said, his voice low. "But I hope you can see I'm open to compromise."

I gave a weak nod, biting my tongue. Aggravating him now is a bad plan. Numbers rising up, the elevator slowed down. Once we're up there- Boom, a muffled pop hissed below us, the car screeching.

"What the hell?" Jake growled. Lights went off, the car halted Uh oh. I gripped the railing.

The elevator plummeted, falliny. Jake went tight against the wall, his jaw clenched.

Jude stumbled closer, shouting, "Is this you? Did you do this!"

I blinked at him, my mouth staying shut. I slid to the floor, my heart pounding. I'm going to die.

The breaks squeaked again, the compartment shook wildly as it skidded. What is happening? I took a breath, limbs shaking. The car stopped.

Footsteps pettered across the ceiling, I looked up tracking them. Is this...? I launched up from the floor, swiping free the hilt of the sword. Jude scrambled after me, wide eyed.

I ran back, charging towards the other wall. The roof panel. I sprung off the lip in the wall, launching myself upward. The slit opened, hands locked around my wrists. My feet swinging wide, I held on with a death grip. Jude swooped after my legs.

I kicked at him, his fist catching my boot. I wiggled my boot free. Raine adjusted her footing, pulling me up. I crawled out of the opening into the dark elevator shaft.

I slipped, someone yanking me back. I held onto the edge. "Raine," I yelped.

She drew her gun, pointing it down. "Wanna die?" she asked. The hand released my foot, and I scrambled to my feet.

"My apologies." Jake raised his hands.

Raine rolled her eye, slamming the panel shut. "Follow me." She motioned above, a sliver of light above us. A tiny door at the end of a ladder.

I chased after her, following her to the ladder. "How did you know I was in danger?" I climbed up rungs.

Raine pushed open the door, swinging herself up. She leaned over. "Like you said, we can't win." She reached my arm, pulling me up the last step. "I figured Kendall would take your powers, and that wouldn't stop you." She scooted back into a tiny white hall. "Checking the elevators seemed like a safe bet, although I wasn't expecting so much company," she gave a nervous laugh.

I blinked. "If you didn't know I was cornered...?"

"You're going to need back up." She shrugged her shoulders."Plain and simple."

"But I'm here because of my own stupidity." I pursed my lips. "I won't let you suffer for my mistakes."

She scowled. "You can't do that, it's not fair."

"Not fair?"

Raine shook her fist. "I want to help you, Phyn. I want to risk my life."

"You want to...?" I muttered.

Raine stared me dead in the eye. "There's no use fighting me on this, I won't let you do this alone." Her lip quivered. "...You're not the only one sick of watching people die."

"But…" I gripped my head, thoughts spiralling. I have to keep her safe, I have to save everyone.

"But what?" Raine tossed her hands. "You think I can live with guilt any easier than you? I won't watch them kill one of my friends, not like this."

Oh... I loosened my shoulders, letting the air out of my lungs. Her revolutionary friends died from the experiments too. Tears dotting her eyes, she kept her scowl.

"Okay…" I muttered, letting the door swing shut. "You can help me."

Raine blinked, taking a step closer. "You'll let me?"

I nodded my head, taking a breath. "You're right, I need back up." I gave her a weak grin. "I was being selfish."

She waved her hand. "Only a little."

I snorted at her, peering down the hallway. White lights along the walls, bending in a curve. "What floor is this?" I asked, starting down the walkway.

Raine tapped her chin. "I dropped you, something like ten floors? It should be about twelve to the roof." Raine spun, pointing to the archway at the end of the hall. "May I suggest the stairs?"

I rolled my shoulder, adjusting my grip on the sword. "There's not another elevator?"

"Not closeby." Raine marched forward, smirking at the weapon. "By the way, what's up with the broadsword?"

"Not my weapon of choice, I'd take a crossbow anyday," I chuckled, ending on a somber note.

My mind went back to that day, falling from the sky. I claimed victory too soon. The ache stiff in my chest, I shook it off.

"I was in the archive, and it was the only weapon close by," I said, following Raine through the metal door.

"Well it certainly has pizzazz."

I muttered, "Not so great against bullets though."

We bounded up the stairs, towards a dull fluorescent glow. A quiet world of grey, there was something eerie in the echo. Catching my breath at each platform, we continued upward.

Raine turned around the railing. "Do you have a plan?" she asked.

"I would if I knew what we were walking into." I stumbled up the steps.

Raine nodded. "We'll figure it out." She stopped, stretching out her arms. "I've noticed off the cameras that they've been moving a lot of tech upstairs, like serious computer stuff, lab equipment. Only got a glance on the security feed, but something's about to go down."

"Jake said something about tainting our efforts. Whatever Kendall's doing, he's going to put the blame on us."

Raine brushed her hair out of her face. "So we find a way off the track."

I tightened my grip on the railing. "He's been ahead of us longer than we realized. I'm afraid anything I think of is something, is something he'd expect. Apparently it was Lewis who called Kendall about the base."

Raine's eye bugged out. "Really? How does that make sense? He seemed jumpy, and nervous, but-" Raine shut her mouth, stopping. "I don't know. I believed him."

"It doesn't matter now," I grumbled, stepping up past the next doorway. "We can't lose track-"

Footsteps scattered above us, I froze, turning my head to Raine. Someone's coming. Our eyes wide, we both raced for the door. Missing the handle, I looked over my shoulder.

Brian stumbled down the steps. Drenched in sweat, his breath ragged, He fell back, crawling up the steps. "Please…" he stuttered, "I want no part of this, no part." His shirt was covered in blood.

Raine raised her gun. "No part of what?"

He shook his head, beads of sweat on his forehead. "I didn't know...I swear...I didn't."

I stepped forward, my voice echoing through the stairwell. "You didn't know what? What are you talking about?"

Brian lifted his eyes. "The explosives...I swear I didn't know."