A/N: <3

Sort of violent content in this chapter.

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Julia had tears down her face but held a determined look on herself. I knew what she was trying to tell us but the others didn't. I wasn't going to let her pass!

"Please turn around and make your way to the hall."

Of course, I wasn't going to listen.

I didn't give any indication that I was doing anything, but I was. The guard dropped down on his hands and knees and stopped moving. Then the next guard.
Then the next.

Just as another one dropped dead. I heard a gunshot. The last guard who was standing pointed the gun at Julia. She was dead. I wanted to scream but my throat felt dry. Anger and sadness took over. As the guard screamed In agony, back up has arrived. It took 4 seconds before the rest of them were on the ground. I felt drained. Slam noticed this and before I had time to react, my vision darkened and I felt myself fall before someone caught me.

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I woke up. My mask was still on my face. That was good. Wait... since when do we have fresh air? I sat up slowly. I knew with my stamina drain, sitting up quickly would bring me harm.

"He's awake!"

Was that slam? Soon I was surrounded by people. Where the hell are we?

"We're outside."

We were... outside? Did they mean the outside training ground?

"No, silly. We're outside."

It took quite a while for me to process what he meant. We were... outside the center? But I thought there wasn't an outside for ages. Were they lying to me? The first thing that came back to me was the determined expression of Julia. She gave her life for us. Even if I did try to save her. I failed. I fucking failed.

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"Ohm?"

I snapped out of my angry state of mind. Now was not the time. The least I can do is honor her wishes for us to escape. 'I'm fine.'

"If you're sure you're okay..."

I nodded. I looked around seeing that people went back to talking with each other. I managed to overhear them. They were mostly talking about our current predicament. Some were glancing at me. Then, I noticed one of the people walk up to me. Max Gonzales. 26 years of age. Duplication ability.

I tilted my head to the side and he stared at me for a second before smiling and speaking out.

"Thank you for your actions back at the center. If it wasn't for you and... That woman. Who'd know what would have happened to us by now."

He rubbed the back of his neck slightly uncomfortable, probably from my lack of response. If we were outside, then I suppose it's time to be more social. Especially if we're surrounded by a for- wait... what?! Forest?! I panicked a little. Will have to ask Slam later. I needed to answer Max. Especially if we all had to get out of this forest as quickly and efficiently as possible. I still wasn't used to talking.

"Um, it's fine..."

My voice was incredibly quiet. Will have to work on that later. I saw Max smile at me. And I couldn't help but think that he should smile more often. Looks good on him.

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After about another hour of people socializing, it was Sark who spoke up. He addressed all of us, saying how we were surrounded by a huge forest. Obviously. And if we wanted to find anything, anyone, we would have to look all around in small groups, so it was safe.

"But how will we communicate?"

That was a good question. Everyone quietened down, and only the chirping of the birds was heard... wait. That's it! Birds chirp! We could whistle in a specific pattern. Human whistling sounded quite a bit different from birds, but different enough to prevent threats/dangers like carnivore animals from being able to figure out its people. Slam offered my idea and Sark immediately agreed.

There were 8 of us. Slam told me how some people were KOS back at the 'lab'. Horrible... I guess if they didn't kill us the way they wanted to, they killed us as we tried to leave.

It was decided that 2 groups of 3 people would go out, and 2 people would stay here in case of an emergency. Slam and I were chosen to stay behind. Quite some time has passed before we heard whistles. But they sounded... odd? Slam and I shared a look. We quickly located where the sound was coming from and followed the noise in that direction. We saw a clearing up ahead with many dark brown tents with camouflage decals. The ground was somewhat unnatural. The clearing where the tents stood was dipped 30 feet below the normal ground level. Like a huge crater. I motioned for Slam to lay low. Literally. We found a log a decent way away and hid behind it while looking down into the clearing.

"Ryan! We have to do something they're i-"

I quickly slammed my hand over his mouth. He looked at me, wide-eyed. I looked in the direction he was looking. They were there... all of them?! And by the looks of it, the guards that were manhandling them didn't seem friendly either. I was wondering why our group wasn't using powers to escape. That will have to come later. From what I could make out, a few had nasty wounds on their head. I cringed. Still hadn't gotten over that injury Sark gave me. These ones must be 2 times worse. I observed the perimeter. There were 4 guards at all angles in total, every 2 minutes they switched positions. I took the time to look at their weapons. Key quality: had silencers on them. I began working on a plan.

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Slam was walking out into the clearing, and put on his fake 'surprised' facade. Him showing up was enough of a distraction for me to run up to one of the perimeter guards and quickly subdue them, silently. The others didn't notice, they were 'preoccupied'. I quickly took his weapon and dragged his body behind the closest tree. I quickly hid behind another tree, closer to the second guard. While the other guards were dealing with the 'surprised' Slam, I quickly shot the second one. The faster I do this the better because as soon as Slam is dealt with, I won't be able to get all of them out. Even with my powers.

"Hey, what's going on?! Guys..?"

Nice going Slam. I briefly glanced at the group to see them giving Slam sad looks. I hid the other guard behind the tent. I saw them pull out some sort of injector. I recognised what it was. A power stabilizer. They quickly gave Slam a shot, he immediately doubled over in pain. No. No, I wouldn't lose him. I wouldn't.

I didn't care if I was heard. I shot the other 2 guards. Luck was on my side though, as no one noticed. But I didn't care. I ran into the clearing, glaring at every single guard who was there, they all aimed their weapons at me. No.

I don't know what exactly took over me. The urge to protect someone who was the closest thing to a family I have, or something else. But my vision literally took on a red tint, even as I was still aware of what I was doing.

"Let him go."

Even if I said that I still shivered. My voice was calm, but it echoed loudly in the almost silent clearing. Then all the guards fired at me without warning. I raised my hand, all the bullets stopped. I turned the bullets around and they all shot themselves. The only person left was the guy who injected Slam. He was going to pay.

He fell backwards, mumbling words of mercy. Pathetic. I stopped a few feet away from him. I raised my hand. And with my hand, rose the person. I was going to make sure he wasn't going to hurt Aaron or anyone else ever again. I thrust my hand to the left, and the guy flew to the left into a tree. I heard a sickening crack, but he deserved it. I brought him back and slammed him into the ground. I repeated the same actions a few times before he was a bloody mess. He was quivering, his screams died a bit ago. I walked forward. Pointed the pistol at him, and shot.

Dead.

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