"This can't be real." She sobbed into Grady's chest. "You can't be real."

Grady gently wrapped his arms around her. "I'm really here, Valerie." He laid his head on hers. "You're okay now. We're getting you out of here."

She pulled away. "But... how are you okay? I thought..."

"You said it once," he pushed some stray hairs out of her face, "Elwin is a miracle worker."

Valerie embraced him again. "I'm so sorry."

Grady sighed. "It's okay. It wasn't your fault."

"Not to break up this heartfelt reunion, but we should get moving." Tam watched the door as if the Neverseen would burst through the entrance at any moment.

Valerie frowned. "There's one problem with that." She tugged at the collar around her neck, triggering a shock.

Dex stepped forward. "That's why I'm here." He walked up behind Valerie and started toying with the device.

A jolt of pain shot down her spine, making her wince.

Dex pulled back, blowing on his fingers and shaking his hand. "Sorry."

Tam scanned the hall expectantly. "Hurry it up,  Dizznee."

"I'm going as fast as I can." He grunted as he pulled at the device. "Unless you want me to fry her brain."

"Yeah, let's not do that." Valerie tried to laugh, but a shock pulsed through her body.

Finally, something clicked.

"Got it!" Dex tossed the collar into the corner of the room.

Wylie, Tiergan, and Grady stared at the scrolling burns on her neck.

She grabbed Wylie and Tiergan by the hand. "I'm fine, I promise. They weren't trying to torture my body."

Tam frowned at the raw blistered skin. "It's nothing Elwin can't take care of. Come on. We should go before..." His voice was cut off by a blaring alarm. "THAT!" He finished.

"Follow me!" Tiergan led them out the door and down the hall.

Wylie held on tight to Valerie's hand as they ran. They darted through the maze-like base, doing their best to avoid Neverseen members.

Somehow, Tiergan seemed to know where he was going. Valerie chose not to question it, at least for now. As long as he could get them out of this place, she didn't care.

The twists and turns were disorienting. It didn't help that Valerie had no idea where they were in the first place.

Tiergan skidded to a stop and Dex almost ran into him.

Wylie stood protectively in front of Valerie.
Tam and Grady readied for an attack from behind.

Up ahead, at least twenty cloaked figures stood guard at the exit. More appeared behind them.
Looked like they hadn't avoided them as well as they thought. They were surrounded.