The first destruction that we encountered came in the form of Fireclaw. It was probably me just being annoyed with his existence, and maybe the way Nightraider's skin brightened when he showed up. But I was optimistic that Fireclaw was going to ruin everything. In other words, I was very pessimistic.

We encountered him banging his head on a wall and muttering some rude things to himself. He heard our shuffling steps and turned to us, immediately straightening his clothes.

"Let me guess," Deathslinger said with the exact same wariness and exasperation I felt in my soul. "You changed your mind and want to join us."

I hadn't even told Deathslinger what'd happened with Nightraider, Fireclaw and I. But using some sort of telepathy usually reserved for twins, I'm pretty sure he got the basic gist of it. And as always, my best friend came in clutch in a situation I deemed uncomfortable. I shot him a grim smile and he waved it away.

Fireclaw's mouth opened as if he was going to say something. Instead, no sound came out and we stood there for a minute watching as his mouth just hung open. Finally, he snapped it shut and nodded solemnly.

I rolled my eyes and sighed, waving him over to the group behind us. "Come on, Fireclaw. We don't have much time left."

He shuffled beside Nightraider who turned him a cold shoulder even though it was obvious that she was ever so slightly delighted.

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Ignoring the rest of the group, I sped up to walk beside Deathslinger as we continued to rush to the ship, making our way through the maze of the city. He was surprisingly serious and grim, his lips taught in a straight line and his eyes speedily scanning the surrounding area. He was making fast decisions for which direction to turn and which alleyways led to the ship more than the others.

"How did it go with you and the others?"

Deathslinger spared me a grimace as he continued to move through the city, acting as our guide. "It... went."

"Let me guess. Marincrasher." My lips twitched up but I tried to hide it for his sake.

"Yes! Marincrasher! When is it ever not her?" Deathslinger threw his hands into the air in frustration. "She's been all over me, calling me noble and a hero and some other conceited things."

"You know, most guys would be flattered if a girl told them that," I reasoned with him, knowing full well that he wouldn't care. But if it would lessen his anxiety as he led the way from the city square, then I would talk about random, stupid things.

"Yeah, well, most guys haven't met her and heard all the flattery she throws out like flowers."

I laughed but it was cut short. Deathslinger and I stopped in our tracks and the group behind us nearly ran into us.

Surrounding the spaceship were one hundred guards in fighting stance. Coming out from the opening in deep conversation were Captain and... Decieter. Before we could react fast enough to disappear behind the buildings, Decieter caught our eyes and pointed us out to Captain in low tones. I could hear a chorus of curse words behind me, along with the sounds of weapons being drawn.

Captain looked at us, ill-concealed anger radiating off of his fat face. He raised his arm, took aim, and before anyone could react, shot me.