(A/N so much dialogue.......)

(Rob's POV)

      I yelp as a something crashes into us from above, crushing me under the weight. Something warm lands on my face, my scales protecting me. "That's wasn't such a good lading", they groan, rolling off of me. "I've never had to land since I was five!", Lachlan moans right back, one of his wings hitting my side. "Why on top of us!?", Jerome shouts. "Just get off! I feel like I'm suffocating", I scream back. Someone scrambles off of me, and I shove someone else away. "Sorry Rob, I'm still new to this whole flying thing", Lachlan mumbles. "Wait, you got the metal off!?", I ask. I make a couple clicks, grabbing his wing and feeling the wounds. Lachlan hisses in pain. "Whoops", I mumble, "Why are there burn marks?".

     "It was his idea! Not mine", the new voice from before chimes out. I turn and poke him, his heat telling me all I need to know. "Preston!", I yell, tacking him to the ground, "I missed you". He hugs me back, "I've missed you, too". "Aww, they're like brothers", Jerome laughs. "I actually flew! Did you see me Rob!? I can fly again..... not that you can see, my bad", Lachlan stumbles over his words. Preston gets back up, pulling me with him. "How'd you even find us!? 12 years and now three of you show up in one day?", Preston asks. "It was Rob's idea to follow some people here, but what do you mean twelve years?", Lachlan asks in confusion. "I....... I never got back out. Of the lab I mean. I stayed because I thought that you all would be free", he explains. I hug Preston again, feeling really bad.

     I'm not good for anything except running away. I feel like a bit of a burden to everyone else. Maybe if I could see, or do anything useful, I could of saved Preston sooner. "All I've been doing is trying to run away. I should of came back for you", I mumble. "I understand why you didn't. I'm glad that they didn't catch you", Preston reassures me. I feel safe around Preston, burning death and all. He wouldn't hurt anyone for no reason, like the people in the lab have. He's not like the people who trapped Lachlan, or the ones who killed Jerome's parents.

     "Lachlan? Why were your wings bound? And why are you all scared up?", Jerome speaks up.  Lachlan flinches a little at that. "Umm..... I guess I didn't make it t-that far either", he stutters, "The morning after we got out of the lab, I remember a really tall and buff dood finding me on the outskirts of a village. I didn't read his mind because I feel dirty doing it. M-M-Must of been the wrong person to trust...... anyway, I had to fight in a sort of a-arena before Rob got captured too". I feel a little sheepish at that part. Even then, Lachlan had to save my butt. "Oh Lachlan..... I'm sorry", Preston mumbles apologetically. He grunts, shuffling his feet.

     "Oh, Jerome? How's your cut", I ask, suddenly remembering it. "Almost healed now. But it's really weird that it took so long", he sighs. "Preston? Are those burn marks on your arms?", Lachlan asks him. I turn my head to Preston, hoping that I have a 'why the f@ck didn't you tell me' look on my face. He awkwardly laughs at my glare. "No, I can't really be burned, but that's what happens when water touches me. They look like burns, but my arm is made of stone when I heat up", Preston explains. I'm guessing that he turned to partially to lava, because a couple mutters of 'cool' is what I hear next. "But it kinda messes up my shapeshifting and the melting into the ground thing", he adds.

A branch snaps a little ways away from us, my head snapping in its direction. "Did you guys hear that?", Jerome asks. "I did. We probably should keep moving", I tell him. "Not today! One point for Preston, 153 points for the lab dorks!", Preston yells, grabbing my arm and running off. I yelp and quickly start to use my echolocation. Wouldn't that be just fabulous if I was my usual self right now and ran into a tree? I can hear Jerome and Lachlan start running to catch up, but Preston is already slowing back down to a walk. "I wonder who's there?", I wonder out loud. "Honestly, it was probably just a wild animal", Preston says. I'm about to reply, but another cracking sound stops me. It's from the right this time. "Ok, that's not good", Jerome mumbles, walking up beside me.

"Maybe lets go the other way....", Lachlan trails off. Our group turns to the left, away from whatever was making the sound. It's only another few minutes before I hear everyone else stop. "There's a path?", Jerome asks in confusion. "There is? Maybe it leads to some sort of town?", I say. "We could get help for the others back at the lab", Preston mutters. "What do you mean 'others", I ask him. "I could feel them.... there are people like us still trapped.... I didn't know how to say it", Lachlan squeaks, his tone of voice sounding so dejected. "If there are more people like us, then we have to help them", Jerome grunts. "And find Mitch and Vikk, if they're still around", I add. It's almost like I can feel it in the air. The electrified feeling of purpose and determination. We're going to shut that lab down if it's the last thing we do.

As the four friends follow the path, eyes watch from the darkness. She smiles, dropping the stick that she was bout to break. 'Good, they're on the path to the capital now', she thinks. Then she runs back into the trees, her one eye flickering to white for just a moment. Yes, everything is going as it should.