Lucas' head throbbed in reminder of the unpleasant pain he was subjected to. It was this pain that made up his mind for him.

Escape. He was willing to take the risk. Sorry, Amber.

His eyelids fluttered closed and he took a deep breath. I don't know where I am or the layout of this place. Moving quickly and decisively will be key. Most likely I'm still somewhere in school...underground most likely. Goal: get above.

His eyes shot open. Without hesitation he was on his feet, the cuffs loosened from his hands with a flick. By the time they clanked to the floor Lucas was already at the door. He opened it in a swift motion, not bothering to check for cameras – for the cameras in the interrogation room were already capturing it all.

In the next room there were several monitors set up and from this end the giant mirror was a window. Two men sat before it, one asleep and the other looking over documents. The moment Lucas was through the door the first began to jump to his feet. The movement caused the other to wake but Lucas was already on them.

The ECHO agent didn't waste a second in attacking. He was no longer the innocent student caught up in a prank. The game was up the moment he made the decision to leave. He was now the agent sent to fulfill a mission. The current mission: to escape.

If the two men who were seated were trained agents, they never got a chance to display their skills. Lucas sent the first sprawling back when he was only halfway to his feet. At the same time he grabbed a pen on the desk, twirled it and stabbed it toward the waking man.

Lucas' initial target was the man's chest. One puncture to the right place would send the victim into an eternal sleep. However, despite the boy having been taught to kill without question, something made him change direction at the last minute. The pen ended up stabbing through the man's hand. A fist followed before there was a chance to scream and Lucas knocked the guy's lights out with a quick and precise punch.

He couldn't deliver the ending blow this time. It was as though a nagging voice urged him to consider. Perhaps it was attachment to Ellison High, but Lucas didn't take time to think of the reason. Instead, he followed up by lifting the chair and smashing it into the man he had sent staggering. There was a groan of pain but Lucas silenced it with a powerful punch right to the stomach. As the unconscious man slipped to the floor, Lucas was already heading out of the room. He grabbed a file full of papers on his way and stepped into the hallway just as the alarms went off.

The young agent ignored the flashing lights and blaring noise, mind on the task ahead. He saw the group approaching from the right. Four armed figures in black. Masks covered their faces and they carried both guns and Tasers. Lucas calmly glanced in the opposite direction. It remained empty.

They always leave a path open in an enclosed space, the boy noted. It's to encourage you to go there. Away from the way out. He turned to the men who were taking their time. They only way is through.

Lucas walked toward them. He wasn't afraid of being shot. They wouldn't fire bullets. Not at a high schooler. They had morals. But he didn't. The boy's steps increased and his walk became a jog. All the time his mind already played out the different scenarios in which this could go. The first easiest method would be to neutralize them all – yet, he felt uncomfortable with that. For the masks hid faces of which some could be students he knew. He didn't want to harm them.

"Emotions. The most dangerous thing on a mission," a voice echoed in his mind. He now understood why. Only this time. Only this mission, he promised himself as his run turned into a sprint.

The four figures pulled out Tasers, ready for the attack. A few feet away Lucas tossed the file. It burst open, papers flying through the air. It did the job, blocking the vision of the masked figures for a few seconds. That was all Lucas needed.

Having memorized who stood where, He burst through, lashing out at the first. The Taser was knocked to the side and he whirled, pulling the figure along with him. He used him as a shield, letting go the moment another figure's Taser fired. It hit the poor shield right in the chest and he went down in spasms.

Lucas was already moving. He went low, knocking out another figure's legs. His hand flew out and he grabbed the gun from the guy's holster. In a smooth motion he whirled, avoiding a Taser just in time. The gun twirled in his hands and he fired.

The shot ran out loud and clear and everything froze. The last few papers floated to the ground as Lucas stared into a pair of surprised eyes that looked at him from behind a mask. They looked familiar, however, Lucas didn't take the time to consider who it was.

A Taser clanked to the floor, marks on it telling the tale of the bullet that had knocked it from its owner's hands.

"You're considered an all-star," the voice echoed in Lucas' mind.

"What do you mean?" he heard his younger self ask.

"Hand to hand combat, marksmanship, and excellent hacking skills. That's not even to mention your memorizing capacity. We don't get those people often. You're an entire team in one."

It was a valued trait. Not many operatives mastered every area they were trained in and so most concentrated on one. For Lucas, that wasn't the case. For ECHO, it was invaluable, for Lucas, it was what kept him alive.

The boy lifted the gun and pointed it at the remaining figure with a Taser. Gun against Taser. Lucas' lips twitched into a smile. His finger tightened.

"Bang!" Lucas breathed.

The figure flinched.

Lucas turned and was down the hall before the person could recover from the tease. As he rounded the corner he heard the yell and the figure take pursuit. Turning another corner, Lucas held on to the gun tightly. Alarms continued to blare as he went through another door.

The fact that the hallways were abandoned gave the warning in itself. There was a plan he wasn't aware off. In the next hallway, Lucas ran into the reason. The only door to keep him on his path was locked. He stopped at it, glancing down that the lock.

Code and fingerprint. He turned and leaned against it. Looks like a dead end.

The sound of feet filled the area and armed masked men rounded the corner, blocking his path back. They stopped at the end, raising guns.

Ah, so the bullets are out. Lucas responded by lifting the gun in his own hands.

No one moved as he panted, eyeing the crowd. He couldn't help but wonder just whose faces were below the masks. The figures parted and Jim stepped through. Unlike the others, he had no weapon.

"This is the end, Lucas," he spoke as he lifted his palms out and stepped closer. "There's no way out."

Lucas didn't flinch. Tell me something I don't know. He didn't bother thinking through escape scenarios. There were none. Not now.

Jim stepped even closer only to freeze when Lucas turned the weapon on him. He heard clicks all around as guns were readied.

Ah...so maybe they're not that hesitant of shooting me full of lead after all. Lucas didn't show any fear as he calmly gazed at Jim. He'd seen too much death to worry at his own.

"It would be best for everyone if you put down the weapon and came along quietly." Jim didn't put his hands down once. He risked another step.

Lucas glanced at the gun. Self-termination? The option flashed through his thoughts. It was the last resort. If an agent was compromised...however, Lucas wasn't so sure it was over, but, he wanted to test something.

Without batting an eyelash, he lifted the gun to the side of his own head.

That was enough to make Jim freeze once again. Even the figures in masks seemed to waver.

Jim opened his mouth, however, before he could speak one of the masked figures lowered his gun. His hand went to his mask and he pulled it down. A familiar face with black hair stared at him.

Auden. The realization took Lucas somewhat by surprise, however, he didn't show it. The dorm head? He couldn't help but wonder if the other heads were also agents.

"Lucas," Auden stepped forward, weapon still lowered. Jim didn't try to stop him.

"Don't do it," the dorm head pleaded.

Lucas calmly watched him, hand not wavering in the least.

"It doesn't have to end this way," Auden continued as he stepped up beside Jim.

Hmm... the hesitation of everyone told Lucas one of two things. Either, they had all become way too attached, or... He felt a jolt. They couldn't have him dead. Not when they didn't have the information they wanted. Which meant...I didn't give them anything useful when I was out.

"Whoever sent you..." Auden was continuing. "Whatever the reason...it's not as important as your life."

Lucas felt the urge to raise his eyebrows at that, yet he didn't react.

Auden stepped closer. "Put down the gun and we can talk things through."

Well... Lucas' internal clock ticked as he tried to gage how much time had passed. Maybe ten minutes since you left the room? He sighed internally. Amber...I guess it's up to you now.

His feet moved and he took a few steps forward. Auden paused and eyes watched. Three steps later, Lucas came to a standstill. He tapped the gun against his head, as though in thought. Then, with a sigh of resignation, he spun the weapon, clicked on the safety, and tossed it at Auden's feet. He followed this move by putting his hands in the air.

It was all it took for several figures to rush forward and surround him.

Auden was the one to firmly take his hands and cuff them in front. "Good choice," he murmured.

Lucas still didn't speak. Silence was his choice from here on out.

Jim nodded to Auden. "Bring him back to the–"

"No," a firm voice interrupted.

Lucas looked up to see the tall wiry man from the interrogation room marching toward the group. Two burly armed soldiers flanked him. Neither wore masks and Lucas immediately memorized their features for future use.

Masked figures moved to make way and the tall man nodded to the soldiers. They headed for Lucas and one pulled out a black cloth. Auden was shoved to the side and Lucas' arms were roughly grabbed. At the same time, the black cloth slipped over his head, hooding him.

"What's the meaning of this?" Jim's voice question.

"I should be asking that!" came the irritated response. "How did the boy get out of there in the first place?"

There was no reply.

"I knew keeping him here was a bad idea," the voice went on. "It's not safe to keep him here. Too many attachments."

"What are you planning?" Jim asked softly.

Lucas stumbled as the solider forced him forward.

"We're relocating," Jim was informed.

"Relocating? I was told I could handle the investigation."

"Things have changed. We'll handle this at HQ."

Not good. Lucas knew one thing. If he ended up at headquarters there would be nothing but a cell waiting for him. No way of escape. He doubted ECHO would venture to get him back. No. Instead they would find a way to silence him before he could sing. His mind raced. Between now and then, during transportation would be his only chance of escape.

"Why have I not been informed?" Jim was arguing.

"You just were," came the reply.

Lucas was shoved harder. He kept his balance, increasing his pace.

"Remember," Jim called, "he's just a kid."

"No." The wiry man's voice replied. Lucas was pushed around the corner as he heard the reply. "That's your problem. He's no kid. He's a trained operative."

The hood over his eyes made sure Lucas couldn't catch even a glimpse of where they were going. However, he kept his wits, memorizing the number of turns, the steps taken, and the number of times he heard a door open and close. His internal clock told him they walked for five minutes when they stepped outside.

He felt the warming sun. By its strength he guessed the time to be around noon. A breeze tugged at the hood. It last only a moment when there was the sound of an engine. Lucas was pulled to an abrupt stop. A few moments later he heard doors creak open.

We're headed into a van, he guessed. Despite the situation, panic was far from his mind. The whole thing felt similar to the yearly training routine he went through, not to mention one time when on a mission he had ended up behind enemy lines for twelve hours. That memory made him cringe mentally and it was quickly shoved aside.

As predicted, he was shoved into a van not soon after. The inside was stuffy and the hood over his head made it all the more so. He was jostled into a seat and felt a presence sit to his right and then another to his left.

"Cuff his legs too," a voice called from outside the van.

Hands grabbed Lucas' ankles and he felt the cold steel press into them. There was a click and his movement was restrained even further.

Well, this just keeps getting better, he thought to himself.

The doors slammed shut, cutting off all outside light. Lucas shifted ever so slightly. The movement told him what he needed to know. He was cuffed, yes, but although his hands and feet were restrained, he wasn't cuffed to any objects. That in itself made a smile twitch on his lips. If he could get a distraction in, he would have enough space to move.

The van jolted as they set off. Though no one spoke, Lucas listened for the sounds that would give away the details he wanted. He was rewarded a few minutes later when he heard the feet shuffle in front of him.

One to the right, one to the left. One in front. That puts it as three in total. He waited, but no new sounds came leaving him pretty sure three was the final number in the van with him. The fact that he couldn't hear the driver at all told him they were in a separate back compartment.

The van lurched slightly as it headed over a bump.

Back roads, Lucas noted. He sat completely still, waiting patiently for the best moment to strike. The question was, should he do it within school grounds or outside? He considered the options when the van jerked sharply to the right.

"Hey!" a voice protested from next to Lucas as the occupants themselves were thrown about.

As Lucas was slammed into the guard beside him, he sprang into action. The lurch was the opportunity he needed. He used his momentum and lifted his arms. As soon as he felt his body make contact he pushed his arms down, catching his neighbor's neck between them. At the same moment he pushed his head closer, pulled his arms down, and tugged the hood from his face.

There was a gasp as he cut off the poor guard's air supply, but Lucas wasn't paying attention. Having recovered from the jolt, the other guard beside him reached out to assist, however, Lucas snaked his legs up, catching the man's neck between the space off his cuffed ankles. He knew one twist could end it for the guy, and yet he still hesitated as he was suspended between the two men.

The third guard got up. Taser in his hands as he approached to free his companions. However, the van jerked again, sending the guy stumbling to the side. The jolt sent fire through Lucas' arms and legs as it caused both the men he had a grip on to also jerk. However, Lucas held on. He pulled the two closer together, his leg bending around the one at his feet and arms tightening even further around the one by his arms.

They clawed at him as their oxygen supply dwindled. Seeing the third recover and head over, Lucas released the grip on the guy held captive by is arms. He twisted, his upper body landing on the van floor just in time to dodge the Taser.

The van jerked again and Lucas used the momentum to violently pull the guy at his feet forward. As a result, the dude crashed into the one with the Taser. The two went down in a tangle of arms and legs. Lucas scrambled to his feet, lunging for the guy he had choked earlier. This one, who was still recovering, gasped in lungful after lungful of air. He saw Lucas and tried to react, however, his reflexes were too slow as Lucas' knee smashed into his nose.

The van jolted and Lucas went flying. He slammed into the opposite wall. Pain shot through his back and something wet trickled down the side of his head. However, Lucas ignored it as he scrambled to his feet. The guy he had assaulted lay unconscious, each movement of the van sending his body rolling around. The other two, however, were still kicking.

Lucas saw one go for his gun. He lunged for the man's feet and the weapon went sliding. Still on the floor, Lucas whirled his body and kicked the second guy in the chest. As he went stumbling back he reached for the one who had just lost his weapon. He grasped at thin air and only had a second to wonder why when the hands closed around his throat and the heavy body sat on his chest.

As his air supply got cut off, Lucas closed his mouth and resisted the urge to try and breathe. Holding his breath willingly, he avoided a mindless panic from entering him. Instead, he flipped his legs out and clamped them around the guy's neck once more. He held on tight, using his strength to pull.

However, when it came to strength, the guard had one on him. He resisted, hands tightening around Lucas' throat. Behind him, Lucas saw the other guy stumbling over baton in hand. He knew immediately they were going to try knock him senseless.

Mind working in overdrive, Lucas went through his options. As the van veered to the right, he was saved from having to figure it out. The movement caused the grip around his neck to loosen ever so slightly. In the moment the van veered, Lucas changed the directed of his pull into the same as the one the van went. This gave him the advantage in strength and he successfully pulled his attacked from him. He rolled to the right a second later. The baton aimed for his head, smashed into the van floor.

As he rolled, Lucas grabbed the gun that had been dropped. He lifted his feet and with a smooth motion pulled the trigger. The bullet ripped through the link cuffing his legs. With more movement available, he lurched to his feet, whirled, and smashed the butt of the gun into the forehead of the closest guard. As the man crumpled to the ground, Lucas turned the gun so that it was pointed at the link of the cuffs restraining his hands. He saw the last guard headed for him and quickly pulled the trigger.

The bang sounded and smoke filled the air as Lucas felt the retrains pop apart. This is why you should never use cuffs, the thought flashed through his mind. Too much movement. In the same moment, he tossed the gun at the approaching man. While the guy dodged, Lucas charged.

The van swerved again, throwing him toward the side. Lucas adapted in a second. He used the momentum, turned his body, and pushed himself off the wall. The push sent him flying back on course and he smashed into the guard from the side. He was ready to follow up with a punch, but it was already over as the guard fell to the floor.

The van settled once again. Lucas had no idea what was going on outside, but it was certainly more help than he had hoped for. Though his restraints were free, the broken cuffs still remained.