(Vikk's POV)

I peek out from behind the door, watching Mitch run up to his parents. I can't help but notice when Lachlan flinches back with a scared look on his face. But it's quickly forgotten when Mitch hurdles into his mom's legs. "Mommy! You won't believe what happened while you were gone, the lady that you left me with said they were taking me out for ice cream, but then they took me to a scary place far away from here, and then-",he gushes to them, before his mom picks him off of the ground. "Oh Mitchell! I'm so glad that you're ok, did they hurt you my little maple leaf?", she coos. I hear Lachlan softly growl from beside me, and my smile falters. Lachlan can read people's mind. Does he know something that the rest of us can't see?

"The mean people cut my arms and hurt my eyes. I really don't like them, but I guess now I can see weird things when I close my eyes", Mitch tells his mom. "What do you see?", Mitch's dad asks. "I mostly just see green that outlines walls or furniture. People are in different colors. You're really dark red", Mitch laughs, closing one eye and looking at his father. "How interesting. The guards told us that you brought friends here. Is that true?", he asks, a slight undertone in his voice. Mitch is about to reply, but slightly flinches and closes his mouth. I look over to see Lachlan staring at Mitch while not even blinking. Is Lachlan talking to Mitch?

"N-No. It's just me. The guards must just be seeing things", Mitch finally says, his voice cracking. "That's good. Because you know, Mitchell, that if anyone from the lab came with you, they would have to go back. We can't have them here and risking your safety", Mr. Hughes slowly says. "Don't have to worry about that. It's just me, and I'm so happy to be back here with you Daddy!", Mitch says, a little too loudly.

"Mitch says to run", Lachlan suddenly whispers. "What? We can't leave him here!", Jerome whispers back. "Mitch says that his dad will kill us. He didn't think it would be a problem, but Mitch can tell that something bad is going on from the tone of voice his dad is using", Lachlan relays. "But we're a team", I argue back. "Tell Mitch that we'll come back for him when it's safe", Rob says. "But....", Jerome trails off. "Ok. Mitch says he'll distract his parents while we run. He also says goodbye to Jerome and everyone else", Lachlan whispers, finally blinking and looking away from Mitch. Lachlan grabs my arm, gently pulling me away. Rob softly clicks while helping Preston pull Jerome away, only succeeding when Jerome regretfully decides to move.

I lead the way back to the main entrance, dodging maids and guards who walk around the building nonstop. Do these guys never sleep? It has to be 10 at night by now. I would be tired, except for the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I can't believe e that we're leaving Mitch here. It just doesn't seem right. I know that we haven't been together very long, but we've already been through so much. We'll come back for Mitch. I bet we can even come back tomorrow and sneak him out!

When I'm about to run out of the big doors to get out of the house, Jerome grabs the back of my shirt and pulls me back. "The people from the lab are at the gate", he shakily says. "How can you tell", Preston asks in confusion. We all peek out of the door, only to see a big van by the gate. "I can see the person who gave me shots. He's in the steaming seat of the black carriage", Jerome explains. "Heightened senses, check", Rob giggles, his throat not sounding raspy anymore. "Let's just get out from the side, I don't want them catching us", I mumble. "But what about Mitch?", Jerome asks. "His parents won't let the lab people use him", Lachlan half growls. "If you're sure", Preston says.

Ducking behind brush and using pure luck, the five of us manage to get to the side of the fence without being spotted. "Ok, so now what?", Rob pants. "Maybe I can bend the bars?", Jerome suggests. He grabs onto a bar with both hands, pulling and pushing against it. The bar does actually bend. But the bad part is when it makes an ear-splitting screeching sound. "Run!", Lachlan yelps as about twenty guards and lab people look over in our direction. Jerome dashes through the bars, grabbing Rob's wrist on the way. I run through next with Lachlan right behind me. I stop when I realize that someone's missing. "Preston! What are you doing!?", I yell back at the still lava-boy. "Just go, Vikk. I'll hold them back", Preston says, casting a small smile in my direction. "What do you mean, get your butt over here!", I scold him. "It's ok. They can't even touch me. Now run before you're caught too!", he smiles, turning back around to face his rushing adversaries.

I take a few reluctant steps backwards, before spinning around and running. We'll get you back Preston, I promise. "Where's Preston?", Jerome pants when I catch up to the group. "..... He's saving us", is all I can say. None of us say a word as we keep running. That is until we hear distant yells. "We're like sitting ducks out here!", I whisper just loud enough for everyone to hear. "I think we need to split up", Rob mumbles. "I really don't like that idea", Jerome wines. "We're running out of options, they're getting closer", Lachlan says from above me. "There's a river nearby. I can disappear", Rob pointed out. "I can fly away", Lachlan mumbles. "Ok, Jerome and I can just run in opposite directions", I decide. None of us leave at first, reluctant to leave each other.

"Don't worry guys, we'll all be together again one day", I smile, before turning off and dashing into the trees.