We were woken much too early, by alarms blaring. Guards were running passed. Red lights flashing, sirens whining. Guards shouting to each other, hands on their weapons.
There was mass panic radiating off of everyone, and it seemed the prison was going into shut down. Extra cell bars slid down between those already caging us in. I could faintly hear the alarms in the other blocks instructing all inmates to get back to their cells else they would be shot.
A gunshot rang out, indicating that one inmate did not follow the instructions.

"What's happening?" Zion asked, sitting up so suddenly he obviously started to see stars.

"I don't know." I muttered, standing at the bars of our cell to try and see through the small gaps.

There was shouting. A scream could be heard, followed by more shouting. Something about authorisation.

A sound like a large bird flapping at its enemies.

And the terror and confusion that rolled off of the guards in waves.

My suspicions were confirmed when I heard a familiar sound cutting through the chaos, slicing through the air like a newly sharpened knife. The clear sound of a silver bell ringing. Cut short as it was stowed away in a bell-bandoleer.
Followed by a calm. The shouting had stopped. But my problems had only just started.

"They're here." I whispered. "They've found me."

Zion was out of his bunk in a shot, standing next to me. "Come on. Get yourself out of here." He pulled me away from the bars.

"They're going to find me." I said, fear bubbling inside me. An emotion that I was unused to. It bubbled like a pot threatening to boil over.

"Then go. I'll hold them off." Zion replied calmly, facing me.

I shook my head, "They'll kill you."

"And?" He shrugged. "Doesn't matter so long as you get away."

"You're coming with me." I said, grabbing his hand.

"Fine, but quickly!" Zion urged. The sounds were getting closer, and the emotions from the guards were only that of people being controlled by fear and a cheeky bit of mind control.

I tried to concentrate, but my mind kept wandered to the Serafer making its way towards us.

One of my kind.

One of my kind, out to catch me.

Rip my emotions, my being, from my body.

One who'll kill anything in its way.

"Any time now, Tiger." Zion muttered.

"I can't." I replied, almost hysterical with fear. "I can't do it."

"You can." He insisted. "You'll be fine. Trust me."

I shook my head. His words were just that- words. They weren't true just because he said them. He had no idea of the fear striking my heart like thousands of daggers dipped in poison.
But I wanted so badly to believe his words. I wanted so badly to just close my eyes and wish it all away.
But I couldn't. I couldn't concentrate.

"Look at me, Tiger."

I shook my head. He didn't need to see the tears on my face. The terror in my eyes.
And I didn't want him to see it. I didn't want that to be the way he saw me. I didn't want that to be the way he remembered me.

"Ajax. Look at me."
I slowly lifted my head, my gaze meeting his.

His eyes were filled with trust, love and belief.
Belief that I could do it. Belief that I could save us. From death- quite literally in my case. But I knew that they would kill Zion just for sharing a cell with me. He would be killed like the rest of his rebellion had been.
But he believed that I could prevent it. Trusted me with his life.

That was a trust I couldn't misplace.

But I was frozen with fear.

And then, very slowly and gently, he kissed me.
My terror melted away and was replaced by Zion. The world was unimportant. He was my world.
I was flying without even moving my wings.

We broke apart far too soon.
"Ajax." Zion muttered, resting his forehead against mine. "You managed it."