He kept running, his heart beating fast in his chest, his breathing coming out in puffs. But none of that stopped him as he pumped his legs faster, he needed to run. He couldn't get caught now. The men were gaining on him. He looked around the place, knowing that if he kept running straight, there'd be more of them waiting for him. He had to be one step ahead of them.

He made a right into a building. At this point people had poked their heads out the windows of buildings, wondering why he was being chase by men in military attire.

Forcing his way inside the apartment, he ran up the stairs three at a time, pumped by adrenaline, ignoring the receptionist's complaints. He climbed all the way to the roof and jumped from building to building, his heart thumping hard in his chest. He knew it was no use though. They'd still catch him eventually.

By now, there was an uproar as people rushed out of their houses, hearing the shouts of the man chasing him asking to give up. To stop running. The ground was packed with curious people wondering what a tall, dark haired boy had done to cross the government.

He gritted his teeth. That was far enough. They were safe by now. They had to be. He hoped he caused enough of a distraction for the rest to run.

He stopped, his hair falling on his face and his chest moving up and down furiously; waiting for them to take him away. They did exactly that, though some were sceptical about why he suddenly stopped. Their orders were to catch him and lead him back to the centre; back home.

But that place would never be home to him. It never was. His home perished in a fire. He gritted his teeth as one particular solider gripped his forearm, his eyes hard, his jaw jumping. The boy's fists clenched and he refused to look at him in the eyes. Eyes that he'd admired once upon a time.

"Where are they, Ry." The blue eyed man now behind him said, his grip on the boy's forearm loose.

"My name, is Ryker." the boy said, his forehead creased.

He felt Gunner's eyes piercing the back of his head, a feeling he was all too familiar with.

"Don't make this harder than it already is. I'm trying to-."

"You finally caught him Agent Gunner." A new deep voice said, cutting him off. Ryker kept his gaze on the ground. The voice belonged to Kace McLain. The most feared agent in the Centre. Everyone was scared of him; everyone except Ryker.

Nothing scares him these days; he's seen and done all. Agent Gunner's grip somewhat tightened on Ryker's forearm.

"I knew there was a reason why we are partners." Kace continued, his eyes on Ryker the whole time as they both turned to face him.

Gunner said nothing; only sneaked a sideways glance at the boy.

Ryker almost scoffed at his cowardice but held himself back. He was already in enough trouble as it was. Gunner took a step towards him, stopping his feet just inches from Ryker's own. The other men caught up and stood behind Kace, watching from a distance.

Kace cleared his throat, demanding for Ryker to lift his gaze, to meet his but he didn't. Why the hell would he, he thought, gritting his teeth. Kace -annoyed- gripped the boy's chin roughly as yanked his head up to meet his eyes.

"Where are the others?" He said firmly, already expecting a positive, scared answer from him.

Ryker kept his mouth shut, staring back at the man. They were the same height actually; almost of the same build, though Kace looked more intimidating in his uniform.

"Speak!" Kace spat, his breathe reeking of cigarette.

Ryker opened his mouth, "Go to hell." He said, his voice low as he crossed his arms over his chest; Gunner's grip still on his forearm.

"You think you're so tough. Look where that got you. Your friends abandoned you; they left you to get caught. Why the hell would you keep their whereabouts a secret."

Ryker smirked knowingly but said nothing. If only he knew. It was the exact opposite. Kace literally growled and gripped the collar of his black shirt, his face scrunched in irritation.

"I am going to enjoy breaking you." He said, lowly.

Gunner's hand twitched on Ryker's forearm.

Green eyes stared back at blue ones, both of them piercing and intense; intimidating the other, fighting an undeclared battle. But one that didn't last long and was interrupted.

"Kace. We got the boy. We should head back." Gunner said, subtly yanking Ryker back from Kace before he did something they'd both regret.

Kace nodded and spun around. The other soldiers mirrored him and walked towards the exit that leads out the rooftop. Gunner led Ryker towards it not really forcing him because he knew he wouldn't fight. He knew why the stopped running. He was protecting the others, so they had a chance to run and get away. He looked at Ryker whose attention was further ahead in a rooftop just a couple buildings in front of them.

Six pairs of eyes were watching them. They'd seen what happened. Gunner followed his gaze seeing them but saying nothing. They looked back at him and he squinted his eyes. Two were in tears and it looked like they were being held back by the two who meet Gunner's blue eyes.

He gritted his teeth and looked away, turning a blind-eye towards them, pretending he didn't see anything. Ryker sent them a small barely their smile -which he rarely ever did- and together, he and Kace disappeared into the exit.

"You'll see them again." Gunner said.

Ryker snapped his gaze towards him, his jaw tight,

"Because they'll get caught?"

Gunner shook his head,

"No," he paused and met his little brother's gaze, "because I'll help you escape."

"I don't need your help."

"I don't care."

"What do you want in return?"

Gunner's eyes hardened, "I want my brother back. I want you to trust me again."

Ryker gritted his teeth and looked ahead,

"You lost me the minute you joined the Apex soldiers." he said, glaring at the other soldiers who were already walking out of the building after Kace while the two brothers were barely on the last flight of stairs.

Gunner said nothing. He didn't need to. At least Ryker somewhat agreed, they'd run away together. Which was how it was supposed to be in the first place. He almost had a heart attack when he heard that Ryker and The Six had escaped the Centre; that he ran away without him.

He had joined the stupid Apex so he could figure out a way to run and completely be off the radar, a way for him and his brother to be free.

He briefly shut his eyes as they walked out, his heart squeezing at the fact that Ryker thought he wasn't on his side. That was about to change.

The soldiers stood in a line facing the building as if they had been waiting for them to come out.

"Put on your earpiece receptors." McLain ordered.

Gunner took in a breath and reached for his own pea sized earpiece and tucked it in his right ear, tapping it on. Now, whatever they say will be heard back at the council room so he had to keep his move shut.

For now at least.

Those bastards were always watching.

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