Consilium Supremum

The Final Plan

7:00 pm

A silence ensued in which everybody processed what they heard. Then, the guy in front of him asked,

- So... nine o'clock. - Raphael nodded. - And then we'll have fifteen minutes to escape along with the group of students that help me turn the power off if need be. But will they truly need to escape with me? -

Raphael would've answered him at once, however, Taehyung had slowly begun to look at him like an angry bull ready to pounce.

- Just take them out of here, Garrett. Take them to your land and keep them safe, or is that too hard for you? - Taehyung asked with calm venom in his voice.

The guy named Garrett didn't look at him as he answered, stifling a wince.

- I would have to talk to my superiors. I'm not allowed to–

- !YOU–... are going to do what he's telling you. And do it perfectly. Then... after I know you've taken them all out safely, I'll talk with your superiors. Got it? -

What a nasty temper. Raphael frowned looking at him.

Garrett greeted his teeth, plainly hating how he was being treated, but answered nevertheless.

- Yes... I got it. - He bit back.

- We have to move. Now. - Ordered Rapahel, and they all began the plan.

- Wait. - Taehyung suddenly said, frowning down at the floor as if he'd just thought of something. Then he looked back up, angry again. - No one realized Jungkook wouldn't know where to go once he's out. -

Raphael stepped towards him and turned to wave Namjoon to get closer as well.

- You're right Taehyung. We're in a rush, I apologize. Namjoon, could you tell us where Garrett would exit if he continues going in a straight line in the corridors downstairs? -

From the corner of his eye, he saw Garrett turning to him but otherwise kept staring at Namjoon's frown as he thought.

- If he keeps going straight... Yes! - His eyes widened then he looked at Garrett. - You'll find a black glass door like the one where you go in. It exits in the corridor after the cafeteria. -

- Perfect. - Garrett nodded. - Jungkook would be running back to the Students' living area through that corridor and I'll meet him there. - He looked back at Taehyung for confirmation.

They all looked at him, at his frown, at the way the anger in his eyes would have easily been anguish with the way his neck was tensing up as he held his breath. He was looking straight at Garrett.

- With the alarm, we'll all be forced to leave our apartments, including him. I'll meet Jungkook... and tell him to leave through that corridor. Tell him, Garrett, that you'll have to run... but don't tell him I'm not coming. He won't leave. - The more he spoke, the fainter he looked. The fire of anger slowly simmered down to the gloom he was currently trying to hold back.

But Raphael could see, clear as anything, that this separation, however short it could be, was simply too much on top of everything else. This was not a friend, and Raphael found himself glad that Jungkook had someone at last. Even if that moment of glee was fastly obscured by the fact that he'll be separated from this person exactly when he needs him most.

Taehyung turned around to look at the storm with folded arms. And everyone else took that as confirmation of the plan to begin.

Garrett gave Rapahel the card key and they walked to the door. The teacher and the other guy went ahead to the elevators. And Raphael then closed the door and told Garrett to wait while he went back to Oliver's apartment.

The door was still open so he walked right in and found Oliver and Alf seated on the bed, their legs straight in front of them while they rested their backs against the headboard. As he neared them, they stopped talking and looked right at him.

Raphael lifted his hand holding the card.

- Garrett says he's sorry and that he didn't mean to lie to you. On his way to your apartment, he heard Taehyung and went to help him. - Then he walked to the desk beside the nightstand and left it there.

- I'm glad to hear that. Thank you for telling me. - Oliver said. - Where is he now? -

- I'll be taking him back to the Auditorium. He's not allowed to be here. - He gave a glance to Alf who was noticeably holding his breath; waiting for him to tell him what the signal will be. Raphael walked away a few paces and then turned back around. - Considering the possible dangers inside the university at this time, I'll advise you to stay inside this building. But if something unusual were to happen, like, for example, the light goes off, Alf will have the responsibility to step downstairs and make sure if it's only on this building or everywhere else. If this building is the only odd one, I'll then advise you to leave. But I doubt it. This is only just in case. - He gave one final, meaningful look at Alf who nodded back and heard Oliver sigh deeply.

- I sure hope all this will end soon. The students are not being careful in their approaches. - He shook his head.

Alf rolled his eyes as if they'd been discussing exactly this.

- Sometimes you have to be violent to get your point across. -

- I better not get involved in that statement. - Said Raphael with a grin.

Oliver chuckled a bit, and then Raphael turned around to leave, leaving the door open.

Once he stepped outside, he saw Garrett holding the elevator, waiting for him. The teacher and the other guy had already left. So he stepped inside and let Garrett push the down button, leaning against the far wall.

Unable to stop himself, he gave a great, deep sigh. This tiredness had nothing to do with the physical, and it made it ten times worse.

- Bad day, huh? - Garrett let out a humorless chuckle.

Raphael shook his head.

- This may be happening in one day, but it didn't start today. -

Garrett straightened, looking down at the floor before speaking again.

- You were Jungkook's bully? -

- We were each other's bullies. -

Garrett grinned with those pale lips of his.

- So you were friends. -

Raphael felt once again the nostalgia rising up.

- No. We were never friends. - He said softly.

Garrett looked back up at him, looking seriously into his eyes. But before he could say anything else, the elevator doors opened and they walked out.

7:10 pm

Right as they walked into the corridor outside the black glass doors, they met three people coming from the direction of the Auditorium. Two men and one girl.

- Garrett! - She nearly screamed and then ran towards him, her face screwed up like she was going to cry.

Raphael frowned, but the moment she threw herself into Garrett's arms, folding her arms around his shoulders and he hugged her just as tightly, he stepped away, giving them a bit of privacy as he talked to the other two officers. He could recognize them as Vin and Mr. Mertens and had the vaguest idea of why they were there, but he couldn't let them take Garrett to question him, the plan would crumble.

Garrett hugged Emily tightly around her waist, lowering his head against her neck so his hood would hide his bewilderment and also his lips as he whispered.

- What is it? -

- They took us in for questioning. - She answered rapidly and just as low, not crying but still trembling. - I lied. I told them I was your girlfriend so you had nothing to do with Alex, J, and August. They're suspects because they're not here. - She sounded anxious. - I told them we met last summer at my aunt and uncle's in Clitheroe, Lancashire. - Garrett jolted and she noticed. - Yes... I truly saw you there. You were walking... with plastic bags in your hands and a green hoodie on. I heard you laughing at something someone said to you through the phone... I liked your laugh. It surprised me to find you here, but I never thought... in one week... - She sobbed.

Garrett gently pulled her away from him, feeling slightly faint but finally able to understand why he tasted such a heavy judgment coming from him when she realized he was with... her roommate. However, the fact that she gave them a location so close to their lands was too worrying.

- Thank you for lying. - He said in earnest, looking into her blue eyes filled with tears and feeling awful for having to leave her behind after being so kind to him.

Gently, he dried her tears as a way to repay her. She smiled sweetly, but then reached a hand up as well. He froze as she held his cold cheek and caressed it with a thumb.

- You look so tired. - She frowned gently, as though she hoped to take care of him.

What does she want from him?

Startled, Garrett let go of her face and took her wrist. But before he grabbed unwanted attention by tearing her touch from his skin, he held himself back and gently pulled her hand away with a smile.

- We'll talk later. - He lied without thinking and then let go of her hand.

Her smile disappeared as she looked down at the floor. But then, when he stepped towards the officers, she took his hand in both of hers and interlocked their fingers, using his arm as a barrier.

He allowed this. Only because it would look suspicious if he didn't.

Raphael turned back around once he was sure he'd done a good job and found Garrett walking up to them, holding his girlfriend tightly by the hand.

- So, Garrett, - Vin began. - Raphael told us you came here to rest for a bit. - Garrett nodded, a bit sheepish. And Vin grinned. - I'm sorry to tell you, pal, that you had no permission to do that. You gave us quite a fright. Your little miss right here looked stunned when we told her. You're lucky we didn't barge in with a whole group to apprehend you. - He shook his head.

- I'm sorry about that. - Garrett shrugged, portraying the kind of troubling guy who would do exactly what they thought he had been doing.

- What did you do instead of resting? - Asked Mr. Mertens, taking all of them by surprise.

- Sir? - Garrett asked, waiting for him to elaborate or ask again.

But he didn't. Mr. Mertens simply kept on looking seriously at Garrett, waiting with disturbing ease. Raphael knew what he was doing. It was the silent method, consisting of asking something shocking and then staying silent, waiting for the suspect to crack under the pressure of uncertainty and paranoia, which they almost always did.

Raphel looked directly at Garrett, hoping he wouldn't fall for it. Then he saw Garrett shrugging again and let go of the breath he had been holding.

- Oliver's neighbor is a teacher of mine. I heard him yelling so I went to see if he needed something. -

- Ah, really? I didn't know that. What did you talk about in there? - Vin asked with a grin.

- Apparently, he had a row with Alexander Evans so he was still mad about it. There was another friend of his in there who heard of it and went to calm him down; it was the librarian's assistant. - Garrett said, dragging his words a bit at the end and then yawning, lowering his head to stifle it. - Sorry. - He looked back up with red, watery eyes. - I really should've left him alone and slept. - He finished with a chuckle, shaking his head.

He played his part really well. So well, in fact, that Raphael was wondering if he was even lying. But whether he did or didn't do what he said, mattered very little to the plan ahead.

- Very well then. - Said Vin. - You can go back to the Auditorium and we'll talk to you later. Meanwhile, your little friend will have to go back to her room. - He nodded and turned around, taking his phone out of his pocket.

Garrett turned and stood in front of his girlfriend, blocking her from view with his size as he hugged her goodbye and then let go. As he walked back to Raphael's side, the latter could see the girl looking worriedly after him, but once she noticed Raphael staring, she turned around and started to run to the end of the corridor. She then would turn left and go straight to the Students' living area. Raphael was glad she would be safe from the struggle, she really did look just like a doll.

For appearances, he held onto Garrett's shoulder with a tight grip as they walked back to the Auditorium with Vin and Mr. Mertens.

7:20 pm

7:30 pm

Once they arrived back at the Auditoriums, Vin and Mr. Mertens went another way while they continued on. They heard no struggle on the other side of the doors as they approached and the ones stationed side by side the wooden doors looked at ease in their stance. But their eyes were nevertheless alert as they walked closer.

- This is the guy who left a wounded person in the hospital wing. - He informed them.

The one on the left side nodded with a frown at Garrett while the other one opened the door.

- Thought you could get away, didn't you, laddy? - He muttered venomously as he stepped aside, letting Garrett walk back in. - Good of you for bringing him back here. - He told Rapahel as he let go of Garrett's shoulder. - Your father is upstairs. -

Garrett walked inside and the door closed once more. Now... the plan can begin. And Raphael had to go back to his father.

Garrett walked inside with his hands in his pockets and his head down, fueled with purpose and guided by a plan. His pain will be an inconsequential matter until Jungkook is safely taken out of Evanthe.

Because, after what Taehyung had shouted to him, Jungkook should've never gotten to this university. But the Protectors were following The Rose's orders all along, waiting for him to arrive as he said.

He looked up from the floor as he walked; he hadn't been stopped by any officer yet which was something he'd been expecting, but, instead, he was met with glances all around. No one would look at him for more than a second as they muttered within each other. But the importance of this small and continuous action was that the majority lacked hostility. If Raphael was right and he's been the one to inspire their continued rebellion, the plan could work. But he had to make it work.

There were people frowning directly at him, grimacing as he walked by, noticeably unscathed and angry. He'll have to carefully avoid those in his plan.

The moment his eyes landed on a large group of about five to six students, his straight path made a curve to meet them against the left wall. Something about them pulled him in their direction, something greater than the sight of their small injuries.

Once he arrived at the circle, he stepped right in, stopping their conversation abruptly, and then leaned against the wall closely next to a tall boy with golden-brown hair. He looked at each in turn; at their silent faces filled with expectation and their tense stance ready to pounce to action. They were six in total, three boys and three girls that looked vaguely familiar, and they all took a step closer to him. He looked up then, looking over their heads, pointedly making sure no officer was watching, and then, looked back down.

- I have a plan. -

- Go on. - The guy next to him said at once, keeping his pose relaxed just like he was.

Garrett nodded.

- First, I need to know what happened in the last struggle. - He waited for the guy to reply. But he turned his head, making him do the same, and it was the girl with long brown hair.

- An officer said the ones with injuries had to go to another Auditorium but didn't say why. We fought back. The majority of the students without injuries fought against us with the police. It was all called off by the Headmaster once he saw the students fighting against each other. They would instead be calling us in groups supposedly to go back to our rooms. Five groups of five people had been called so far. And our friend Daphne Wexler tried to do something earlier, going upstairs, but then they took her away. We think it has to do with her father. - She finished explaining fast and easy with a single nod. She reminded him of a warrior.

He nodded back but frowned.

- Your friend, who's her father? -

- The president of the Board. - She replied.

And he remembered then that he had seen a blond girl going up the stairs just as he'd arrived at the Auditorium.

- Is your friend blond? -

- Yes. - She answered, nodding fast.

- Wait... - The golden-haired guy next to him tapped him on the shoulder so he would look back. - Aren't you the guy that would sit next to Darci's bully? - He asked fast with no hint of hostility. But Garrett's eyes widened.

- Jungkook's not a bully. Though I know it might've seemed like it. But never mind. The plan. - He continued in a rush and they paid close attention. - Here's what we're going to do. We need to keep the police distracted until nine o'clock. That's when they have to leave. -

- How do you know? - Asked a guy with dark skin standing one person away from him.

- I heard them talking on my way here. They're desperate to catch someone with evidence so they can stay here longer. We have to keep them from doing that. -

- And how do we do that? - Asked the tallest girl with long blond hair.

Garrett took a deep breath, getting ready to explain the toughest part.

- We'll have to tell the others on our side first. Casually. Don't let them see you at it. You two, - He pointed at the golden boy and the curly-haired one. - will come with me to take the key cards from the doctors without hurting them. That will be the signal to start a commotion, a fight, anything to make a ruckus. It'll have to drive away the officers from any of the doors, then that would be our exit. The one closest to the door will open it, shout "Now", and that'll be the queue for everyone to run outside. We have to tell them they have to hide away until the power goes out, then they have to turn on as many fire alarms as they can. Now... listen to me carefully. - They leaned in or stepped closer to him. He had turned even more serious. - The power boxes for the east and the west wings are two and they are in the corridors beneath the ground that are only accessible through the Out of Bound doors. That's why we're getting the card keys. However, the power will be up while we get down there, meaning that every camera and radar will catch whoever goes down there with me. So, whoever does, will have to leave with me and escape Evanthe. -

- To where exactly? - The blond one asked, her eyes wide and frightened.

Garrett swallowed. Then, discreetly, he pulled up his sleeve and showed them a corner of his tattoo.

- Somewhere safe where they won't ever be able to catch us. - He pulled it back down, watching their silent shock. - Is up north. But you have to be willing to run away with me and the person I have to take with me. -

- Which person? Was this plan to get them out? - The short one with black hair asked.

Garrett was starting to feel anxious about wasting time.

- Jungkook. I have to get Jungkook out of here. He's crucial to my people and he's being tormented in one of those apartments as we speak. So. - He continued, not paying too much attention to their grieving or regretful expressions. - Two groups. One east, one west, each with a card key. Find the closest Out of Bound doors and go straight as if going to the library. Find the power box, push the red button, run to the Students' living area, and meet me there. Tell the others that the lights will be back on after fifteen minutes so they'll have to hide as best they can until nine o'clock. -

- Oh, I love this. - The girl warrior grinned and rubbed her hands together. - I'll run with you. -

The blond one was taking deep breaths, getting mentally ready. And the pale one was nodding, looking very serious as she thought.

Then, she spoke,

- I won't be going with you. - The blond one shook her head at him apologetically. - So, we'll stay here... Ciana, straight it up. I don't think I got it. -

All looked at her, so Garrett did as well, and the warrior girl called Ciana did as she was asked.

- First, we tell the rest about the plan: "Doctor's key cards will be taken, we start a fight, the door will open, we run out, they scatter all around and hide, and when the light goes out, they turn on the fire alarms". Once we tell them, the plan will begin with the three of them taking the cards and making a commotion. And when the seven of us are out, we'll divide into two groups, find the Out of Bound doors, go downstairs, find the power box, and turn off the light. - She summarized perfectly.

- Another question? - Garrett asked, looking all around. - Another one coming with me? -

- I will. - Golden said, straightening up.

- Me too. - The pale one asked. He's been silent so far and didn't look that strong, but his stare was determined. - I'll take the west wing, you three go the other way. -

- ¡No! But–

The blond one looked at him imploringly. He looked back at her with the same determination and she finally grimaced, looking back at Garrett.

- I'll go too. - They all looked wide-eyed at her. - I'll go with him. - She finished. She looked absolutely terrified, but her determination to stay with him and his determination to stay with Garrett were enough to reassure him.

- Is Alf still in the hospital wing? - Asked the dark-skinned boy.

They all looked at him, expectant. And Garrett realized he'd been pulled to them because their energy had been connected to Alf, meaning that they had connected the energy of Alf that had rubbed on him.

- No. - He answered. And then grinned. - He's inside the Professor's living area, ready to turn on the fire alarm once the light goes off. -

The rest chuckled, shaking their heads, and looked at him with excitement, ready to begin.

So, he nodded.

- Go. -

And they all, casually, stepped away from each other, walking in different directions to talk in an undertone to every trusted person they passed.

"We have a plan"

"You wanna help?"

"You have to hide until nine o'clock"

In whispers, they passed on the message, each of them to groups of friends, couples, and loners. Garrett was watching constantly but cautiously upwards at the officers, only moving when a particular one took their stare away from them. Ciana's summary was passed on and told to be kept a secret from the unscathed, then, once Garrett had no one else to tell on his corner and they were standing tense but casual, he tried to look at the others.

They were all scattered throughout, but all six were looking at him and nodding.

With his heart in his throat, he nodded to Golden and the dark-skinned boy to come closer, and they walked forwards to get to the Doctors stationed in the right corner next to the stairs. They weren't tending to anyone at the moment. Garrett got an idea. And he didn't like it.

The three of them gathered up as they walked and the two women looked up as they did. Once they were close enough and Garrett was sure the closest officer couldn't hear, he swallowed.

- Hello again. - The kind doctor greeted him.

He felt vile.

Breathing harshly, he made sure the other two were hiding him from view and lifted the sleeve of Jungkook's hoodie to reveal one of his tattoos again. A tattoo that looked just like the ones they've seen on the tellys.

The two women gasped and took a step away. But the moment the strict-looking one looked over Garrett's shoulder, he took a sharp step forward, frightening her into silence.

- I only want your key cards, that's all. Neither your reputations nor your lives will be at stake, I promise. -

- You are a criminal. - The mean one hissed at him from behind Poppy.

- What will you do if we give them to you? - Poppy asked tensely, frightened as well.

- We won't hurt you. And we'll simply use them to turn off the lights, that's all. - He said, soothingly.

- Where's Oliver? - Poppy asked, suddenly.

Garrett blinked.

- In his apartment, why? He's safe. -

She breathed fast and deeply while the one behind her kept glancing over Garrett's shoulder, ready to shout. But, just when Garrett was taking another step towards her, Poppy reached out her arm and showed him her key card.

- I'll say you threatened me. - She whispered.

- I did. Thank you. - He took the card and looked over at the other woman.

She was looking from Poppy to Garrett in amazement.

- We are literally surrounded by policemen, we could easily shout for help. - She tried to reason with her. But she shook her head, looking at Garrett.

- He'll simply wrench it from you before they get near. -

The mean one gasped, looking back at the three of them. Then she fumbled with her robe, and threw her card at their feet, backing away until she was against the wall.

- Thank you. - Garrett whispered as he took it from the floor.

The three of them turned and left them behind, walking casually to the center of the Auditorium. He gave one card to the dark-skinned guy by his left and told him to give the card to the pale one, then turned to look at Golden by his right and nodded in comradery, earning an excited grin in return. Then, with his heart in his throat, he stopped walking.

- Fight me. - He whispered.

At once, they slammed their hands against his sore back and he was pushed forwards violently until he fell to the floor.

With only that action, the Auditorium went silent. But they needed the guards to leave the doors.

Garrett took two deep breaths, feeling the pain ripping him apart, and stood up to run back at them with a yell and pushed Golden back, making him fall over a group of people that he knew were on their side. They all yelled in unison and went running to tackle him. A fight of pushing and tugging ensued with a lot of yelling as more and more people pushed themselves into the fight.

Garrett felt himself crying at one point, but he continued with the plan, feeling energized when he heard the yelling of grown men and whistles blowing all around. He was repetitively tugged by the hood, making it fall, revealing his bloody bandage, but he would tug it in place once more and go head-on against someone's stomach. The feeling of so many hands touching him felt like insects crawling up his body, making him scream honestly and loudly. He was touched everywhere they could reach and his breathing got faster and faster as the fight went on.

He had been so desperate for the nightmare to be over that the moment he felt pressure being forcefully taken off of him, he felt relieved. However, when he looked up, he noticed the officers had finally intervened.

His breathing stopped, his eyes flew up to look at the door leading to the left corridor, and saw Ciana opening both of the wide doors unobtrusively.

- ¡NOW! - She yelled with all her might.

The shouting never ceased within the students, they simply changed from being distractions to being cries of war as they ran outside.

It was an uproar. Whistles and shouting, people being tackled by the few officers inside the Auditorium fast enough to catch them, and a lot of screams. However, Garrett's team pushed on. He saw the short one with the dark-skinned boy, running away, saw the pale boy with the blond one hand in hand with him holding the card key and going straight to the west, and he, Golden and Ciana, ran to the far east of the University. But their desperation to hide was such that neither said anything as they bolted through the corridors, being left by students here and there who would turn a different corner and hide.

Garrett had never played such a dangerous game of Hide and Seek. His heart was trying to punch thru his chest, his mouth was so dry from how hard he was breathing that he could taste the blood from his dried lips every time he swallowed, his blood was pumping so fast that he could hear it in his ears and feel it pulsing under his skin, and his eyes darted everywhere at once as his senses sharpened to their full capacity. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he was sure the exertion he had put his body this day would come back to bite him in the ass, but he couldn't stop yet. He couldn't stop when they were so near.

He couldn't stop because, once he had Jungkook, they all had to leave Evanthe for good.

Part of Taehyung's screams had been because of his own agony when he realized out loud that Jungkook must be taken away to be saved while he had to stay for the safety of his children. And Garrett had taken every one of his shouts, understanding his misery and anger.

But he had also yelled at him for not doing something sooner and, to that, he couldn't answer him. They had no means of knowing when Jungkook stepped into the university owing to the shield he had built in his trauma. They had no means of knowing something of this magnitude would take place owing to Darkness having been the one confusing Hoseok into making a mistake and giving Evans the power to do what he wanted. They could be more powerful than a normal person, but they were nothing compared to the power of a Goddess of demons.

Garrett was the first to see the Out of Bounds door on the corner to their left. He said nothing, simply changing course, but they followed quickly, just as out of breath as he was. As they got nearer, Garrett noticed at first glance that it was a fogged glass with no handle, so, the moment they arrived, he slammed the card against the glass. There was no sound, but he was able to push it open. Quickly, they entered the dark room and he shut the door right before a group of men with heavy boots turned the corner and ran past without a glance at the door.

He heard Ciana give a yell of fright and he turned, but it was too dark to see properly. He and Golden hurried to find the switch and then turned on the yellowish light. In the dark, Ciana had fallen into the stairs a couple of paces from the door. She quickly stood up with no apparent injury and looked up at Garrett.

- There's another door down here. - She told him quickly and finished walking down the stairs.

Golden gave a great sigh of relief and followed her as Garrett did the same. They found another glass door, this one black like the Professors' living area, and he slammed the card against it once more, wondering why they would put two different doors. Once unlocked, he pushed the door open and found a corridor much like the one upstairs with white walls and red carpeted floors as well as flooded with warm light, and he took the lead, running again.

Imagining the corridors upstairs, he continued straight north as if going to the library. However, the scenery was different. There were many more doors and many more corridors. Sometimes, they would have to go down two steps and then up fifteen steps to go down seven again. There were no paintings on the walls, no carvings, no place to sit, and no sign on any of the doors, no names, no numbers. If they get lost, they would hardly be able to find the exit again seeing how they hadn't been able to find a single black glass door like the one they left behind. Garrett was only too grateful they only had to go onwards, but he couldn't help wondering again what this place could hide.

He could feel cold sweat on his skin, felt slightly sick, a bit dizzy, but he pushed onwards. Forcing himself, abusing every drop of energy he had left of a body that only drank a vegetable smoothie for breakfast and nearly died of blood loss that afternoon. He could feel warm tears intermingling with the sweat and panic rising up in his stomach. He put a hand over his mouth, tripped the last step of the staircase they were climbing, and fell on his knees.

- No. Come here. - Ciana panted, running back to him and bending down to hold his arms. - Come on. We have to keep going. We're nearly there. Come on. - She hurried him, gasping for air and pushing him up to his feet with tremendous strength.

He was able to calm down and lower his hand as he nodded frantically. Golden came to his other side and held his other arm and the two of them began pushing him onwards, helping him run. In truth, he could barely feel his knees and ankles, so he knew it was a matter of time before his whole body gave out completely. But then, he would be useless, and he wouldn't be able to save anybody in that state.

Gritting his teeth, he clenched every muscle in his body that he still had conscious power over and pushed himself to run again, to run faster and harder again, to be the leader again. He heard them praising him as they ran on. And he felt gratitude for the gesture and their kind hearts, for he knew he needed the encouragement.

In the distance, they saw a glimpse of a metal cage that went from floor to ceiling and they ran to it. Upon closer inspection, Ciana yelled in victory. They had found the power box.

Without needing to break something or using any card, Garrett opened the door of the box and, avoiding the black switches of every section of the east wing, went ahead and pushed the big red button on the right corner.

7:40 pm

Immediately, the light went out all around them.

He felt Ciana's gentle hand on his left shoulder and Golden's fist grabbing the fabric of his hoodie by his right hip. He had a couple of breaths where his hand kept on touching the metal of the box. And he thought.

He had to get to Jungkook before anyone else. Taehyung said he would tell him to run thru the corridor behind the cafeteria and get to the Students' living area, so he had to get out now before Jungkook runs out of the Professors' living area, so he can take him by the hand and guide him to get his things before they left. But this all had to be done now.

- Phones. Light. -

After his command, he felt them moving but not letting go of him. Three seconds later, both had turned on the light of their phones and let go of him. He turned around quickly.

- We have to get to the corridor behind the cafeteria. Let's go. - He kept on going straight ahead, guided by the light that illuminated the floor.

- Will it still be in this same corridor? - Golden asked as he illuminated up ahead.

Garrett wouldn't lie, this whole atmosphere and darkness were eerie and scary.

With his heart in his throat, he answered.

- If we're following the main corridor to the east of the library, then yes. -

- We're trying to find another black glass door, are we not? - Ciana asked out of breath as they ran.

- Yes. - Garrett answered, looking from left to right at wooden double doors without a single sign of what could be inside.

In their panting and running, a silent fear was exchanged. One that wondered what they would do if they couldn't find any exit.

Knock Knock Knock

- Professor. -

- ¡One minute! - Taehyung shouted at the door as he ran back to Jungkook on the floor with a black t-shirt in his hand after putting on a dark green one.

Jungkook was just finishing his second banana when he got to him. Hastily, Jungkook put on the shirt and sniffed. It sounded like he was still crying.

- Ok. Now, you have to listen to me alright? - Taehyung whispered fast to him, grabbing him by the shoulders and helping him stand up. By the faint light of the moon, he could see his beautiful face contorted with suffering and he felt like a monster before he even said the words. - You have to get out of here and run towards the corridor behind the cafeteria, you'll meet Garrett there and go straight to the Students' living area. Ok? - He could feel his own heart breaking as he told him this.

Jungkook shook his head.

- Please... - He begged him. - I don't want to run anymore. Please. - He cried.

Taehyung began crying as well. The distant sounds of fire alarms rushed him to put him on his way.

- You have to do this, Jungkook. You have to get out of here. - He sobbed. - I love you more than anything. More than my own life. So please, do this for me and run. -

Jungkook sobbed harder than ever and he brought him in for one final kiss. The toughest kiss of his life. Then he kissed his forehead, praying for him to get to Aloisia safely, and then let go.

Grabbing his hand, he pulled him towards the door. Jungkook didn't object, he simply held his hand even tighter.

They walked out and, in the darkness, there was no one else, so they walked fast towards the stairs holding hands just as tightly. The sirens were going off in the whole building and the sound of shouting and chattering grew louder and louder the farther down they went. Once they got to the first floor, Jungkook held his arm with his other hand and braced himself for what was to come. He was shaking. In the darkness, they ran on, crouching low before the final corner would meet them with all the teachers this and the connected buildings had. They were blocking the door but none of them would walk out. They seemed to have noticed it was a trick of some kind or someone outside must've told them not to leave the building. Taehyung saw a silhouette that looked dangerously like Alexander's, but he was giving their back to them, looking at the door.

Taehyung grabbed Jungkook's head and pressed him gently but tightly to his chest so he wouldn't be perceived as they passed unseen against the wall. The faint light of some phones was fully directed to the floor and to the one speaking to everyone at large. Taehyung couldn't recognize the voice, but all that mattered to him was that everyone would notice the door opening once he did. Most of all, Evans.

With Jungkook tight to his chest and against the black glass doors, he felt him holding onto his hand for dear life and shaking with fright. Then, Taehyung, feeling like he will deserve everything that will happen to him next, opened the door and pushed him out, making it seem as though he had only opened it to peek outside for a second.

With one final squeeze of his hand, he let go and watched him running until the darkness swallowed him whole; his heart, leaving with him.

Behind him, hands grabbed him harshly and pushed him back inside with shouts of warning, and the door was closed shut once more, with him inside. Evans grabbed the neck of his shirt in fists...

And he could only hope and pray for his beloved.

Jungkook ran and ran, crying and shaking but running straight to where Taehyung told him to run. He could feel his heart in his throat but he was sure it was in pieces. Taehyung's last request had not been to stay in his room, it had been to leave.

That last kiss... that last hug...

He still didn't know what was going on, didn't know if he was supposed to meet with Hoseok or if there was a plan, he had no idea why there was no light or why there were sirens, or why there were shouting. He had been taken to his father's office at four and knew nothing else after that. He didn't even know which time it was. He was only sure that there was enough energy in his body to do what Taehyung asked him to do. So he will do that and see what will happen next. Because he couldn't think of anything else.

Jungkook himself didn't have any plans, he wasn't even thinking of any, he was trapped in his agony; in his fear. He was running through dark corridors, listening to fire alarms, hearing the faint sound of whistles and shoutings, and crying with his heart broken in his chest. He knew nothing more than that.

But, as he rounded the corner to enter the corridor Taehyung told him to take, he knew one thing: Taehyung had said goodbye.

The realization of his thoughts nearly made him stop short. Taehyung had said goodbye. Taehyung had said goodbye. Taehyung was sure Jungkook will leave tonight. But with who? And where? And why had he said goodbye if they would leave together? Then he realized... that Taehyung wasn't planning on leaving together. He had said goodbye.

Now, Jungkook began hyperventilating, his running slowed down to a walk, and he stopped.

Only now was when he began to be aware of what was happening. The darkness, the sirens, the shouts, the screams, the last thing Taehyung asked for him, and his goodbye. His goodbye.

But when will he see him again?

He needed him. He needed him to survive. He needed him after what happened. He needed him.

Jungkook was so caught up in his tears and emotions that he hadn't noticed the sound of heavy footsteps running up to catch him until he was grabbed from behind.

Garrett couldn't believe their luck. Right, when he thought all hope was lost, they found a black glass door and Ciana cried in victory once more. Once they ran out, they turned off the lights and noticed they were one corner away from the corridor behind the cafeteria.

Garrett grabbed their wrists to tug them as he ran and then let go once he knew they understood. He slowed down so he could make sure it was deserted, and then all but fell to his knees when he noticed it wasn't.

Jungkook was standing right there, mercifully waiting for him.

Rejoicing, with tears in the corners of his eyes, the three of them run to him. He grabbed his shoulder and Jungkook shouted in fright.

Garrett turned him around and grabbed him around the waist with one arm while the other was clasped over his mouth.

- Shhh, shhh. - Garrett tried to calm him down. But frantically. - It's Garrett. It's Garrett. Garrett White. A friend. E.V.I. Taehyung told me to meet you here. - It wasn't until he said that last part that Jungkook finally stopped trying to push him away. But he was still heavily tense.

He noticed he was crying and shaking, so he let go of his mouth, keeping him close by the waist.

Jungkook looked at him and shook his head. The image was such that, even in darkness, Garrett knew he was begging.

- I don't want to leave him. - He whispered to him, but he caught every word.

Garrett knew this would be coming.

- He will meet with us, you won't be leaving him. We have to leave differently than him, that's all. - He lied to him, exaggerating the truth because he knew he had to make it work. Taehyung hadn't told him when or how they would meet, he only knew he had given him the paper Hoseok left him with all the means of contacting them.

Jungkook breathed tremulously, trying to stop the tears.

- He will? But why doesn't he leave now with us? We–

- He has to protect his kids, he can't be seen leaving sneakily. He'll meet us, Jungkook. - He told him in a harsh whisper, feeling anxious about losing the window of opportunity they had.

- You're sure? - Jungkook asked in such a tiny voice, with so much hope, that Garrett swallowed down a sob before he answered.

- Yes. So we have to go, now. -

With that last command, he let go of Jungkook and grabbed his hand tightly to then start running.

By his other side, he could feel Ciana and Golden close by, so he took Ciana's hand only to feel sure that she was there even when he wasn't looking. With him at the head, he ran and stopped before making sure no one was there to then run again until, at long last, they got to the broken glass of the Students' living area. And, right on time, the pale boy with the blond one came running from the corridor opposite.

The lack of security meant that Raphael was right. His commotion had worked, they were running confused all over the place.

All six of them ran inside and he could hear students running about as well. He even saw one leaping down the stairs with a bag on his shoulders. With a grin on the corner of his lips, he sent a prayer of protection to anyone trying to leave. Even though he knew that, with just enough energy to move his body, he had no real energy to make any such spell.

He stopped when he reached his own door and turned around.

- Ciana, Golden, Pale, and Blondie, go get a bag with a change of clothes, your phone, the charger, your wallet, and any and every little and important thing you want to bring. But nothing that would make the bag too heavy, we'll be running. -

They laughed at his nicknames and at the adrenaline and ran to do as he said.

Golden chuckled and, holding Jungkook with a hand, he turned to turn the knob of his door, not expecting it to be unlocked.

They entered and he saw that his roommate was there, illuminating the room with the light of his phone directed at the ceiling. Once he saw him, he gasped.

- Garrett. -

Garrett didn't answer. He left Jungkook beside the open door and went to his nightstand. He took his phone, putting it in his pocket and praying nothing will happen to it because that was his only means of contacting Hoseok and Yoongi and anyone else at the moment. Then he flattened himself on the floor and took a backpack from beneath to start filling it.

- What are you doing? - Gaspard asked him.

- I can't stay here. - He answered absentmindedly.

Gaspard didn't say anything. Instead, he stood up, went to him on his chest of drawers, and gave him light.

Garrett smiled up at him, feeling his heart tightening, and then began to rummage faster than before. He took one change of clothes, two coats, his herbs, one candle, matches, his wallet, the two hunting knives Yoongi had gifted him, and his phone charger. He had left all his valuables and notebooks at home.

He zipped up his bag.

- Take this. - Gaspard said quickly and ran back to his bed. He took a large plastic bag and ran back to give it to him.

It was junk food and drinks from the arcade room. But food nevertheless.

Garrett took it, took a bag of what looked like banana gummies, ripped it open, and tipped the contents into his mouth. He forced himself to chew and then grabbed a red energy drink. He unscrewed the tap and, without having finished swallowing the gummies, began to drink.

It was only after he had finished the whole bottle that Gaspard spoke again.

- You haven't eaten anything, have you? -

Garrett only shook his head, sighing at the relief washing over him even if it was only momentarily and due to artificial energy. But energy nevertheless.

- Done. - Ciana said behind him, grasping the doorframe to stop her running. Then Golden arrived with the other two.

He finished swallowing, put the bag of food in his bag, and put the straps around his shoulders. Then he turned to Gaspart, grabbed him by the shoulders, and hugged him tightly.

- Thank you. - He whispered against his shoulder. - Take care. -

- You too, brother. - Gaspard hugged him back a bit awkwardly. His body was tense but his hug was honest.

Garrett let go, turned to grab Ciana's and Jungkook's hands, and ran to Jungkook's room.

Upon opening the unlocked door, they found Tyr and Jimin there.

Golden took hold of Jungkook's shoulders and guided him to the other side of the room ad he told him,

- Jungkook, only the essentials. -

But then Jungkook stopped short.

- I have too many incriminatory things in this room, I can't leave them all. -

He was still shaking, still gasping between tears.

- You'll have to. - Garrett said as he stepped in, energized by his last meal. - A change of clothes, two coats, a phone, charger, and small but important things. Go. -

Jungkook hesitated a moment, but then he moved towards his chest of drawers.

- Give him light. - He told Golden.

As he did so, Garrett turned to Jimin and Tyr on the other side of the room and walked towards them.

- Are you coming? -

Tyr swallowed as he looked at him, the excitement palpable in his face, but he looked at Jimin beside him who was trying to hide in the corner. And the pair of them saw him shaking his head.

Garrett walked closer to him.

- We would be able to take care of you. We can heal you. - He said gently.

Jimin swallowed, running his face dry with the sleeve of his hoodie, and then, to his astonishment, he spoke.

- I... can't. I... worked too... hard, I... S-Scholarship... - He shook his head looking at the floor as if gaining that scholarship had caused him more than he was willing to lose.

- You won't lose it. - He twisted the truth. The truth would be that they would be able to get him a new scholarship if he wanted one after he's healed, but wasn't so far off. - Come and heal, then you can come back and study. - He tried again.

But Jimin shook his head.

- I can't. -

Garrett sighed. Hearing the zipper of Jungkook's bag closing, he knew that was Jimin's last word. He turned to see Tyr and saw him looking down at the floor, disappointed. But he wouldn't try to persuade him to leave Jimin alone.

Jungkook ran to Jimin and hugged him tightly, whispering something that sounded like an apology.

- We're still friends, I promise. -

Garrett was able to hear the last part.

He saw Jimin's eyes widening, saw him shaking, heard his tiny sob, and then looked away when Jungkook let go. But then he turned to Tyr.

- Control your fucking hunger and take care of him you dumbass. - Jungkook said in a tremulous voice that tried to be strong.

Garrett felt emotional by his bravery and then took his hand gently but securely when he came back to him.

Giving one last look at Jungkook's drawings, he tightened his hold on his cold hand and then turned to the door to grab Ciana's hand with his left. Then they left the room with Golden, Pale, and Blondie behind them.

- Wait. - Jungkook tugged at him when he tried to leave through the corridor in front of them. - Wait. - He tugged again to guide him to the corridor by their right. And Garrett understood.

Leo, Finn, and Emily.

Trying not to think too much about what would happen, he did what Jungkook wanted and ran right, guiding them all to Finn's room. As they ran closer to the last door, they could hear the faint sound of yelling getting nearer. And then he realized, once they were right in front of it, that it came from within.

Emily was shouting.

Jungkook rapidly slammed his hand against the door, crying and shaking harder than ever, and he nearly fell into his chest once the door flew open.

One single phone lay over the bed against the window to the left, illuminating the ceiling and giving the room a faint light.

- Jungkook... - Emily gasped. She was crying, breathing harshly. Then she looked down at his hand and up at who was holding it. - ...garrett... - She said faintly.

- Come... - Jungkook tried to say, but the tears wouldn't let him speak louder than a whisper. So Garrett took a step forward and did it for him because he knew it was important to him.

- We're running away. -

All three of them gasped, but not as loud as Emily. She even took a step back.

- Running... - Leo said faintly, taking a tiny step towards them. But then he stopped.

In one fast movement, he turned around, his breathing getting faster as he looked straight at Finn. No word was exchanged, only one long stare in which Finn started to breathe fast as well.

- Leo...? - Emily asked in a tiny voice from the other side of the room.

But he wasn't looking at her.

- Anywhere. - Finn whispered at him, but they all heard it.

Leo took a sharp breath and grabbed his shoulder. Then, he turned to look at Emily.

But she was backing away as if he couldn't recognize him.

- Leo... - She sobbed under her breath.

- Em... you know it's bad, you know what it's been doing to Jungkook and me. Come with us. - He implored fast just when Finn turned around and began to fill a backpack.

She shook her head, sobbing.

- You're wrong... Running is not the answer to your problems. Talking about them isn't the answer either. Just... stay and we'll make it right. Jungkook... you parents, you can't just–

- ¡Shut up! - He lashed out suddenly, making them all jump. His hand tightened in Garrett's. - Shut up... just... shut up... - He sobbed again, shaking his head. - If you're with them... stay. - He said with finality and took a step back.

Silence passed through... in which the only sound was Finn zipping his bag shut.

And then Emily turned sharply to grab her phone.

Garrett leaped into the room, letting go of Ciana and Jungkook and grabbing hold of Emily's wrists, making her drop the phone. She cried out in pain and fright and he looked down, but the phone had fallen over the screen, so he couldn't be sure that she hadn't been able to call someone or do anything.

- Let go of me. - She sobbed, trying to tug her wrists free.

He looked over his shoulder.

- Leo, your bag. -

- On it. - Answered Leo in a raspy voice that said plainly how hard he was trying not to cry.

This was their childhood friend. And she believed them to be wrong.

- Garrett... - She sobbed again, but he looked over his other shoulder at the door and watched Ciana, hugging Jungkook as he cried. - You can't do this, this is not right. -

He looked back at her. And she believed what she said.

- This is right, Emily. - He was saddened as he watched her shaking her head. - I truly hope we see each other again and you can be more open-minded. - His hope was honest. And the betrayal in her eyes was as well.

- Done. - Leo announced and went to Emily, his bag on his shoulders. Garrett wouldn't let go of her just yet so he had to speak with his arm in the middle. - Em... - His voice broke and he finally began to cry.

- You know this is wrong, you know it, Leo. - She tried to persuade him. But he shook his head. - You promised... - She sobbed harder than ever.

And he sobbed as well.

- I tried. I really did. But... I can't live like this. -

- ¡Live like what! - She suddenly shouted, making Garrett flinch. - You have everything at your disposal, you have money, a family, the highest education, you had me! And you're going to throw it all away for him!? - She said in disgust. - You're sick! You can't run away! You need to be cured, Leo! - She was thrashing and moving around, trying to get Garrett off her in her rage, her fury.

Garrett panted as he tried to hold her back and turned to Leo, crying into his fist as he shook his head at her.

- Go! - Garrett screamed and took off running, grabbing the phone off the floor as he did so.

He ran to the door, grabbed Jungkook's hand with his right, felt Ciana grabbing his left wrist while that one held the phone, and all eight of them ran down the corridor followed by a shouting Emily behind them. They turned left and ran to the stairs, Jungkook nearly fell, but he and Pale put him upright again without losing momentum.

- ¡You can't do this! - Emily screamed at their backs as they ran down the stairs.

Again, Jungkook lost his footing, but this time, he nearly did fall. With a yell to give himself more strength, Garrett pulled him up and hoisted him on his back. As they ran out of the Students' living area and to the left, he took hold of Jungkook under his knees and felt him folding his hands around his shoulders so his hands could grab his bag straps, and secure him even more to his back. Ciana ran up ahead and slammed open the glass doors to the outside. He noticed it was still raining, and that's when he realized he had lost hold of the phone.

Without looking back but feeling even more rushed, they entered the woods, Garrett running up ahead, and he could only be too grateful that the power being out had gotten their eyes used to the darkness. However, he heard the faint barking of dogs in the distance and knew this wouldn't be a smooth exit.

He heard Blondie stifling a scream of terror but knew they were all together. Ciana and Golden were by each side of him and he could hear Jungkook crying in his ear. But the barking was getting louder, the distant shouts were nearer, and though he couldn't see them, the knowledge that they were so close behind them was nearly giving him a heart attack with how fast it was beating.

Suddenly, Ciana gave a shout and stopped in her tracks, flinging out an arm to slam it against his stomach so he would stop too.

He blinked. And a tall hedge had appeared out of nowhere.

- In. - Jungkook gasped in a tiny voice.

Garrett frowned, not knowing what to do. But one shout of "this way!" was enough to make him move his feet. They entered the tall bushes and low trees, he heard a lot of complaints and small shouts of pain, a lot of scuffling feet, but then they were thru and Garrett's eyes widened for he thought he had died at last.

It was not raining even though there was the clear sound of rain all around and the sky was unobstructed.

Jungkook jumped off his back and weekly ran ahead, stepping over the narrow creek to fall into the circular mound of grass covered in what looked like daisies. Jungkook sobbed in earnest amidst the flowers, crying out into the sky. And the rest could only listen as the faint sound of boots running and dogs barking came closer to their right... and kept going to their left, passing as though they hadn't seen an obvious wall of bushes or heard Jungkook's cries.

Leo was the first to step up, closer to the creek. Then it was Ciana who knelt and tentatively touched the water flowing in the creek. Then Blondie stepped up with Pale by her hand. And Finn whispered close to him,

- What is this place? -

Garrett could only feel tears falling down his face. His chest was filled to the brim with a sense of pride that was too painful. And he knew why it hurt so much.

This feeling in his chest was not him. It was the spirit of the white pavilion telling him how proud he was of him.

A gentle push at his back made him take a step forwards though he knew no one was behind him. So he stepped on, crying as he watched at the marble that he knew would be carved with the story of the world. He stopped before he could take a step over the creek, feeling he would be trespassing. But another push made him do it. And the moment his foot touched the other side, it was like he'd been pulled to the ground, making him fall over the soft, white daisies. At once, he felt like he was being stripped of all the pain and tiredness of the whole day, but so gently, as if he was being washed with fog instead of water.

The pain in his hands from grabbing onto that rock and trying to escape her washed away. The pain in his arms from her scratches and the trees as she carried him, washed away. The pain in his feet at being forced to walk barefoot and run with his boots washed away. The pain in his legs at running, the pain in his back at carrying and at the scratches, the pain on his shoulder, the pain on his neck... all washed away. The pain in his head cleared and, when the pain in his chest finally eased, he took a deep breath.

Tears fell, but he was smiling. By each side of him, he watched and heard the rest falling onto the circle as well, and gasping just as he'd done. Jungkook had stopped crying, but, once he stepped closer, he found that he had fallen asleep. So he let him rest as the other got recharged and walked over to the pavilion, still smiling.

He looked at it closely, at the story of the Sun, how the union of two souls gave birth to the Earth, the evolution gone astray, the world being divided into Light and Demons, the wall protecting Adstrum, the beauty of what the Gods taught the humans, and the child of the Sun, the Pure Star finding his soulmate in a human.

Garrett looked away from the symbol of the Sun and towards Jungkook, asleep with his limbs on a wrong angle due to exhaustion, and his smile faded a little. They had a long journey ahead of them.

He looked up and saw Finn helping Leo on his feet, Ciana helping Golden, and Pale helping Blondie. Once they were all on their feet and looked up at him, he looked down at Jungkook by his feet and knelt beside him.

- Jungkook. - He shook his shoulder gently. Then, did it again, a bit harsher. - Jungkook. -

He opened his eyes then and looked up at him in shock. Then looked around him, at the dark sky, the trees, the daisies around him, at the other six people behind Garrett, and his eyes filled with tears. It was clear that, for a moment, he thought everything had been a dream. Garrett swallowed, trying not to grimace, and helped him sit up.

- Come on, we have to keep going. The police are not close anymore. -

Jungkook sobbed silently, gasped for breath, and lowered his head. Without a word, Garrett guided him to his back so he could wrap his arms around his shoulders again, and took hold of the back of his knees as he stood. Then, he turned to the others.

- Let's go. -

And he continued on, past the white pavilion to the north. He gave his thanks, swallowing down a lump in his throat as he felt one final push onwards, and, with Ciana and Golden at each side of him again, they passed the second creek and went on through the wall of bushes.

Once on the other side, drops of rain fell on them again, and his breathing fastened once more. Making sure they were alone, he began to run as silently as he could, knowing the others were following. He could hear the difference, the lack of fear, the sureness in all their steps, even the silent way in which Jungkook cried was an indication that the little clearing had been more than a gift for them.

Distantly in front, he saw the low fence surrounding Evanthe. And heard the barking of a dog far to their left.

- Jump! - He shouted at them and Ciana was the first to do so; jumping so she could grab hold of the fence and use her foot to push her onwards. She managed to place her other foot at the top and use it to push her up one last time until she let herself fall on her feet. By the time she did that, Golden was already trying to do the same, but he didn't manage to place his foot on top, so he fell, hitting his knee with the top and falling forwards until Ciana caught him by the arms and he landed on his knees instead of his face. Pale had given Blondie a leg up, letting her step on his shoulders, so she easily jumped the last bit, pushing her knees up to her chest and landed on her feet on the other side. Garrett let Jungkook down and helped Pale with the same maneuver. Once he was on the other side, he turned to Jungkook to do the same.

He was looking around them frantically as the barking got nearer again.

- Jungkook. - Garrett grabbed his hand and motioned for him to step on his shoulder as he knelt on the floor.

Jungkook looked back at him with the saddest expression he had ever seen and did as he was asked. Garrett stood with him on his shoulder, felt him jumping the last bit, and saw Ciana take hold of his arms so he wouldn't fall on his knees. Then, Garrett stepped back, exhaled sharply, and ran forwards jumping as Ciana had done.

- They've crossed! - A man shouted in the distance.

Without the rain falling on them, Garrett took hold of Jungkook, carried him on his back, and began running again as the running behind them continued with more voices talking on radios. He couldn't look around himself for fear of hitting a tree so he couldn't make sure everyone was there.

- Ciana. - He called.

- Here. - She answered.

- Golden. -

- Here. -

- Pale. -

- Here. -

- Blondie. -

- He-Here. -

- Leo. -

- Here. -

- Finn. -

- Here. -

They were all there. He swallowed down his anxiety.

- We'll have to keep running until we find a place to hide so I can make a call. - He announced.

- The mall. - Pale suggested, out of breath but running as fast as him.

- They could search it easily. - Ciana intercepted by his right.

- A coffee shop. - Golden suggested by his left.

Garrett remembered.

- No, not to the city. We have to go west not east. -

- There's nothing to the west. - Gasped Blondie.

- There are houses. - Cut in Ciana. - We can hide on a street for a minute or two. Let's go. -

Then, instead of following the street to their right that curved East, she guided them to the left towards a wide, clear valley.

- We'll be seen. - Blondie panicked, and her panic only made them even more so.

They ran faster than before, hearing the distant sound of lightning hitting somewhere close to the university. He thought he could also hear the faint sound of police sirens and he gritted his teeth, running even faster.

- Come on. - He encouraged them, carrying a silent Jungkook on his back and pushing on. The value went distantly up on a small hill that then turned to another street with big, brick houses on either side. These houses were following the street to the east and to the distant city and to the west until there weren't any more. They could see the blazing lights of the city, but they were heading towards the warm light lamp post of the street up ahead. Some of the houses had their lights on, but, as far as he could tell, no one was looking out their window as they ran closer.

This time, Leo holding hands with Finn was the first one to jump up the last of the green grass and onto the street. Panting and gasping for breath, the other six stood up on the street, and Garrett, recognizing this road, went left. Then, instead of going forwards, he took the street by his right and hid behind the brick wall that would then curve down and cease being a hiding spot.

The others huddled close by him, panting for breath as they all crouched down close to each other. He could feel Jungkook hugging him tighter and hiding on his neck, and he swallowed holding him tighter as well. He had such an important job, not only with Jungkook but with six others, that his anxiety was mounting again. They all heard the distant sirens, and Ciana slowly straightened up to look over the low wall.

- They're searching the woods. It seems at least a group of them had left the grounds. -

- I'm not surprised. - Pale said between deep breaths. - We're the largest group to leave, aren't we? The others were alone. -

- No, I don't think it's only that. - Leo said in a low voice, and Jungkook hugged him even tighter. - Emily had Miranda's phone number, she must've told her. - He shook his head, grimacing deeply at the floor, and Finn placed his other hand on his shoulder.

- Miranda? - Ciana asked, crouching low again. - That girl had the Headmistress's phone number? But why? -

A beat of silence ensued in which he could feel Jungkook holding his breath. Leo looked up at all of them, at Finn beside him, and then at Jungkook, hiding away in his neck.

- She's Jungkook's mother. -

And silence again.

All had regained their breaths by now, the sirens were distant enough to allow them a moment of ease so they couldn't even hear the faint gasps for breath in the silence. But then, Ciana placed a hand on Jungkook's shoulder.

He felt him wincing, but she spoke in earnest.

- I'm glad we were able to take him out. -

As the rest nodded and sighed with relief, exchanging words of comradery, he felt Jungkook's tension easing away by a fraction.

- Ok, Garrett. - Ciana said, straightening as she knelt on the floor. - Where are we going? - She asked, ready to go wherever he said.

They all looked at him expectantly and he nodded, looking over Leo's head towards the road that went northwest and to the houses on each side.

- We'll follow this road onwards. I know the way, it's the same one I did by bus to come here. It's about an hour on wheels so I guess we'll have a long way on foot. But, if we're lucky, we'll be able to get there tonight or next morning. - He looked from one side of the road to the other, looking intently at each house in question to see if anyone was looking out the windows. He could even hear the distant sound of an action movie somewhere close by.

- But where are we going exactly? - Asked Leo, frowning faintly at him.

Garrett looked back down at him.

- To the land of my people. It's hidden from everyone without authorization, there's no safer place. -

But a lump rose in his throat in fear... She will be there.

- Didn't you say you needed to make a call? - Ciana reminded him as Golden straightened to look over the wall.

Hastily, he took out his phone from his back pocket.

- I think we should keep going. - Golden muttered, looking over the wall. - I saw at least two of their cars heading to the city. They know we're not in the woods. -

- Let's go. - He stood up. However, with both hands holding his phone, Jungkook's legs fell until his feet landed on the floor. But he didn't let go. Nor did he feel as if he would easily allow him to move away. This struck him as odd, so he gently turned around to look back at him. - Jungkook? - His arms fell to either side of him and he was looking defeatedly down at the floor. Amazingly, he was still crying. But he looked so drained that it was a pitiful sight.

- Kook, what is it? - Leo neared him from his right as the other closed in as well.

Jungkook shook his head.

- You said he would meet us. - He said in an undertone.

And Garrett's frown disappeared.

- Yes... he'll meet us there. -

- You said only some people could find the place... How will he find us? - More tears began to fall.

- Who are you talking about? - Leo asked, frowning.

But Jungkook gritted his teeth, grabbing Garrett by the shoulders, grabbing fistfuls of his hoodie as he slowly looked up at him with the eyes of a burning man.

- He's not coming, is he? -

Garrett grimaced and swallowed, not knowing how to lie to those eyes. And the lack of an answer made Jungkook sob.

That sob was an echo of a heart breaking in two.

- He told you to lie to me. - He went on, figuring out what he hadn't been able to in his terror. - He knew I wouldn't leave otherwise. -

Garrett didn't know what to do but to hold onto his shoulders as well. They were so close to running away into safety, he couldn't let him crumble, he couldn't let him refuse.

- Jungkook, he will meet us. I left him all the information necessary for him to contact us there. I promised you he would come back, didn't I? -

But Jungkook had begun crying in earnest, not sobbing loudly, but crying hard through gritted teeth.

- And what will I do once I go there? I'm not who you people think I am. I'm... I'm nothing... I'm... - He shook his head and they all began to protest around him.

- Jungkook, you'll be safe once you get there. We'll help you heal anything you need to heal. - He reassured him. Then his head snapped to their right along with Ciana's and Golden's. The sirens were a bit too close for comfort. - Jungkook–

- I can't heal... - He said faintly, all the power leaving, making his arms fall at either side of him. Garrett looked at him, at how defeated he seemed, and heard him again. - I can't heal this... he... he... As long as I live, I... won't... Please. - He suddenly looked up and placed his hands on Garrett's chest. Garrett was at a loss for words at the image, the imploring sight in front of him. - Please, Garrett... I can't... live... like this... Please... -

He didn't have to finish his sentence for Garrett to know he wanted to be sentenced to death.

So he took him tighter by his shoulders, knowing Ciana and Golden were backing away, wishing to run from the sirens that were getting closer, and told him.

- Your home awaits you, Jungkook. And I was entrusted to get you to your family. -

Jungkook's breath hitched, his eyes cleared for a single moment, and Garrett took that moment to get him on his back again.

- Go, go. - He told the rest and they started running again as he put his phone back in his pocket and held Jungkook under his knees tightly. He felt him wrapping his arms around his shoulders. And began running again.

They had quite the journey ahead of them, but it wasn't far enough that Garrett would lose hope. The white pavilion had given him courage, and his purpose was pushing him on. With Ciana by his right, Golden by his left, Pale and Blondie behind Ciana, Leo and Finn behind Golden, and Jungkook holding tight to his back, he knew he could do it and take them to safety.

He said he would return Jungkook to his home. And he will.

The light had returned a while ago.

They were all sent back to their apartments.

Evans wasn't able to scream at him or hit him.

And Yungsoo had just left after screaming his throat raw.

He told him he only wanted Jungkook out of the building, not out of the University, and that he had no idea Garrett would take his anger at Evans to heart to include Jungkook in his plan of making a commotion and running away.

Now, he sat on his bed with his elbows on his knees as he held in his hands the coat he had hidden until now of his beloved. And he prayed.

He prayed for his safety.

He prayed that they would all get to those hidden lands.

And he prayed for strength, for he knew he would need it for what he will do next.

Leaving the coat gently by his side over that black backpack, he took his own phone from his other side and took out of his pocket the paper he had taken from Garrett once he concluded that he will have to take Jungkook out of Evanthe.

He'll call those people. And ask them who he is to them.

Or... who he was.

To be continued.

________________________________________________________________________________

🌼Thank you for reading <3<3<3

You can support my writing by giving me a tip in BuyMeACoffee☕Go to my Instagram and click on the highlight story called Coffee. I'm grateful for everything you can give me💜

Instagram: shadowela

Or go to my (Wattpad) profile bio, the link is there under Give me a coffee, fuel my write☕💜

Your devoted writer,

Ela Shadow Rose 🥀