I stalked down the underground of the tower, quiet as I retraced my steps. Dim fluorescent lights flickered, the blank grey halls twisted around to rows of dark rooms. This place was a labyrinth. It didn't help that I was looking for an invisible man, but I was certain Murray was here. Finding him was more an issue of time and risk.

I sighed, tired of walking in circles. I don't need my eyes to find Murray. Stopping in the middle of the hall, I shut my eyes. I shifted my focus to the rhythm around me, searching the song, for an irregularity, another beat. That's either Murray or Kendall.

Something vague, faint. I stretched out my arms, shuffling forward. I followed the weak song, eyes closed. I took a step, another, and- whack. My head hit the wall. Stumbling back, I rubbed my head. Okay, that was stupid.

I continued forward, trying to focus with my eyes open. I ended up squinting, following the bend. I turned my head.

Raine stood on the other side, panic written across her face. "Ah, crap," she hissed.

Seconds passed as we stared at each other. Stepping back, she gave a caustic grin. "You're not getting away this time." She reached inside her jacket, pulling out a gun.

"Raine?" I stammered. My feet faltered, backing up. "What are you doing?" Her gun trained on me, I swallowed a gulp. Was I wrong about her? "...I don't understand?"

"Don't play dumb, I'm taking you to Vitriol," her voice strained, her eyebrows pointing to the camera above her head. So...this is acting?

I snorted at her, narrowing my eyes. "You really think you can take me?" I cackled, "You can't even get near me."

She shrugged. "We're here for the same reason. The world's a brutal place, and I'll do what I have to."

The same reason…? Is Raine looking for Murray too? "You're delusional," I hissed.

She raised her gun. "It's as simple as this: do what I say, or I shoot. You can still bleed out, wherever you are."

I froze, clenching my jaw. "We'll see how well that works," I said, stepping closer. Raine twisted my arm behind my back. "Ow, hey!" I snarled at her.

"Shut up," she growled, pulling me down the hall. She whispered in my ear, "Sorry…"

I raised my chin. "Don't think you-"

"That I've won, ya, sure." Pushing me further, she slammed me against the wall.

"Geez-"

Raine lowered her voice. "We got twenty seconds, they can't see us here. Murray's back, I'm hunting him down, you too?"

I nodded. Raine eased her grip. "I knew somebody had to be throwing fuel at the fire, with the arrest warrant and everything." She shook her head. "Invisibility and teleportation can look similar."

"Kendall said something that fits with that," I mumbled. I definitely didn't plant any listening devices.

Raine lifted my face off the wall. "Remember I have the gun," she growled, returning to character. She yanked me back down the hall.

My attention went back to shifts in the rhythm. Growing closer to the irregularity, I held my breath. We're right on Murray's tail, Murray or Kendall.

Silent as we trekked down the hall. We passed by a darkened doorway, the off-beat frequency moving behind us. I strained my neck back, Raine pushed onward. We're going to miss him.

I kicked her shin, freeing my arm. Shoving her back, I made a break for it "See ya!" I shouted, darting into the dark room.

"No, you don't." She raised her gun, firing a bullet into the wall. I tensed my shoulders, stumbling in the doorway. Geez, she's insane. I backed into the shadows. Against the light of the hall, she inched in after me.

Someone moved in the shadows behind her, a scar through his eyebrow, Murray. My eyes widened as I caught the gleam of a gun. Raine moved in. Oh no.

I waved my hands at them, caught in Raine's blindspot. I shouted, "Don't come closer!"

She turned head, flipping around to Murray. "Got 'im," she said, firing another bullet. It hit the wall, a couple inches past his neck.

Murray leapt forward, like lighting, he raised the gun to her head. Raine dropped her weapon, laughing with her toothy grin. "I've always wanted to do that."

"Get prepared to die for it," Murray boomed. Tired eyes, stubble dotted over his cheeks. He looked like he'd been through hell.

Raine tilted her head back at me. "Little help, Phyn?"

"Murray…" I stepped into the line of fire. "You can't shoot her."

"Ya, I can," he growled. "This is war, people die. Her nine lives gotta run out sometime." He stepped past me.

"We need her." I grabbed onto his arm. "She's useful."

Murray pushed me back. "Raine's a liability, this is no time to be soft."

"I'm not being soft, I know what I'm doing." I scooped up Raine's gun, turning it on Murray. "Put the gun down."

"Phyn...?" He turned his head slowly. "What do you think you're doing?" His glare, more severe than his scar.

"What I'm doing is stop you from killing an ally." I lowered my voice, "Raine's on our side."

Murray's eyes went wide. "What are you talking about! She shot at us, she works for the enemy," he growled.

"Sometimes." Raine scowled. "And that makes me an asset. They still think they can buy my loyalty."

"Like they can't," Murray laughed, "Gold's the only thing you care about."

That isn't even remotely true. I frowned at him, opening my mouth. Raine gave me a warning glare. She took a breath, "Phyn offered me her share of potential loot. Government collapse can be plenty profitable if you know what you're doing."

"Uh huh," Murray grumbled, turning his head to me. "Why Raine?"

I lowered my gun. "We couldn't exactly wait for you to show up. I need someone who understands what's going on."

"Huh, really." He loosened his shoulders, gray-green eyes back on mine. "So you've been taking charge?" He scratched his head. "Good...do you have a plan?"

I sighed. "A very tentative one, only a start really."

"Ya, we don't have much," Raine laughed, elbowing me. "But to Phyn's credit she's resourceful enough to find me. That's impressive in itself, especially when she can't read."

Murray turned his head. "What?"

"He doesn't know that," I hissed.

"Well, sorry? Is it a secret?" She scratched her head.

"No…" Just embarrassing.

Raine put her hand on my shoulder. "All I'm trying to say is, I have confidence in her abilities. She's different from you nationalist eggheads. For Phyn, this isn't about sides or gold. This isn't even her world!"

I hung my head, Murray's eyebrows lowered. "He doesn't know about that either…" I whispered.

"Geez you really like your secrets," Raine huffed. She grinned at Murray. "Count that last part as metaphorical."

"You know I heard everything?" Murray scowled. "What in the world are you talking about?"

I cleared my throat. "I can tell you later, but we need to know where you've been?"

Murray rolled his eyes. "We don't have time to stand around and chat." He looked towards the door. "Raine fired two bullets, someone's sure to have heard that."

I pursed my lips, eyes back to the dull light of the hall, listening for any footsteps. "Everyone else is back at the apartment. I can take you both."

Murray slipped his hands in his pockets. "Only if you take me to the roof first. I have something stashed there that I can't leave behind."

I nodded, reaching out my hands. "That's no problem, let's get out of here," I said. He took my hand, and I motioned to Raine. "Are you alright with the detour, or do you want to meet later?" I asked.

Raine pursed her lips. "I'm thinking...it's going to be tough to get out of here, but they might get suspicious if you're seen teleporting me…" She frowned, rubbing her temples. "I don't know."

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Murray wavered his head. "There aren't many cameras on the roof, it might be worth a chance."

Raine rolled her eyes, taking a step forward. "Never thought I'd take your advice, general." She took my hand, her face lighting up. "I fully admit I've been excited at the idea of teleporting."

I laughed, shutting my eyes. You, and everyone else. "Ready?" I muttered, getting a squeeze from both of their hands. The dark room drifted away, bright light cracking open my eyelids.

The skyscrapers spread across the horizon, fading out into pale blue. Green mountains crawled past the distance. Above all of it, dark storm clouds hung like a thick blanket. The wind picking up my hair, I shivered. Ominous, as if it knew there was another storm brewing.

Raine laughed behind me, particularly wheezing."That was insane. I can even put it into word-"

"It was certainly something." Murray's eyes wide, he adjusted his jacket. The balcony reached out in a square, the edge bordered a slanted part of the roof. He walked towards the edge. Raine stayed by the wall, arms crossed.

Murray hopped over the railing, trudging over the slanted panels. I chased after him, calling out, "What do you think you're doing?" I stopped at the railing.

He glided slowly, calculating each step. "Well...I wasn't going to hide it somewhere anyone could find it," he huffed. Reaching up to a shelf in the panel he pulled out a paper bag.

"What is that?" I asked. Silent, he held onto the edge. "Murray," I growled.

"Just a second," he snickered. Taking another step, his foot slipped. Falling, he slid towards the edge, skidding his heels.

"Murray!" I cried. Jumping over the railing, I dove after him. His heels hit the rim, sending his body off the Tower. I gritted my teeth, sliding. I launched myself off the roof, leaping right off the edge. Arms outstretched, the wind stung my eyes. My head dizzy as I plummeted towards the miniature world below.

Murray flailed, his shouts warped as he fell. I tried to reach for him, spinning violently. I lost sense of direction, kicking and screaming. My voice went raw, fighting the air I was falling through. I don't want to drown, I don't want to drown, I don't want to drown.

A gasp for air, I stole another, and another. This is not water, it's not the darkness. The ground coming closer, buildings grew, gravity weighing down. Get a grip...listen. I shut my eyes, wind rushing against me, the world seemed to slow. All that was left was the rhythm in my blood. Even the fear seemed to fade to the raging war of a song. A battle cry.

I spun back around, taking a gasp of air. I caught sight of his grey jacket, shifting my trajectory. I whacked into Murray, my hand latching onto his collar. The weight propelled us forward, flipping around til I slipped back into the rhythm, diving away from the wind. We disappeared.

Crashing onto the roof, the air smacked out of my lungs. Everything was fuzzy, a terrible ache ran through my bones. I laughed, blinking at the sky. Alive, we're both alive.

Murray gasped, lifting up the paper package in his hand. "I still have it." He fell back, laughing at the sky. "Thank God, I still have it."

And what is it? My question never made it to words, lifting my head, the doorway was empty. Where's Raine?

"Phyn?" Murray turned his head.

"Somethings wrong." I stumbled to my feet, backing away. The door was open, just a sliver. "Where is…" I stopped, fearing what was behind the entrance. Murray vanished beside me. I was left alone on the roof.

I looked behind me and back to the door. "If someone's there, come out!" I shouted, silence echoing back. I fidgeted where I stood, frozen on the roof. There was no way I was leaving Raine or Murray here. I growled, "I'm not coming to you, so if you want a piece of me-" I don't have the gun. I gawked at my empty hands, I must've lost it in the fall.This is terrible.

The doorway stood much more menacing. Is someone really there? If they are, I have nothing to combat them. I don't know what to do. I almost groaned as my next dumbest idea took form…Do the unexpected?

I blinked with dazed eyes at the doorway, losing my balance, I collapsed to the floor. The cement sent another ache through my body. I bit my cheek, hiding a hiss. I could feel Murray's glare...what the hell are you doing? Lying still, I held my breath. At least it was better than standing around like an idiot.

The wind howled through the balcony, washing over me. The door gave a slight creak, two voices whispering. I fought to keep still, footsteps coming closer.

Someone kicked my ankle. "I think she fainted?" he said.

"Are you sure?" Kendall's voice answered back. "That's convenient…"

"She fell off the roof, that's gotta be shocking, teleporting or not," the other voice said, my mind placing his voice. That soldier, the council member, the one at Drake's warehouse.

He kicked me in the ribs this time. What a jerk. "And Murray's gotta be close, hiding in plain sight." He put his foot over my stomach, putting gradually more weight on it. I bit my cheek, trying everything I could not to cry out. "You care if I crush her ribs?" he laughed.

Kendall cleared his throat. "Is that a question for me or Murray?"

"Murray, but do you have a preference?" he laughed, easing the weight.

"She's immeasurably important...if you do anything to endanger her life," Victor cautioned.

I opened my eyes a slit, the soldier standing over me. He laughed, putting some of the weight back on his foot. "A couple cracked ribs isn't going to kill her."

Victor stepped closer. "Still though, be carefulm"

"Sure…" he muttered, scanning the balcony. "This is quite rude, you shouldn't ignore your brother." Brother? He's Murray's brother?

Victor's voice grew closer, "Better to drug her now, we can worry about Murray after."

I'm losing time. The gun gleamed in his hand. That's mine in 3...2...1

Hands around his ankle, I threw his foot off of me. He slipped, crashing onto the concrete.

I scoured for the gun, trying to peel his fingers from it. His grip tightening back, his eyes a wild green.

"No you don't," he growled. The barrel aimed on me, he got to his feet. Murray's brother smirked at me. "Well look at what we have here, she's feisty."

I snarled at him. "Feisty enough to bash your face in." My hair flew in my face, the wind picking up.

He pointed to his gun. "How well does teleportation work with blood loss and excruciating pain?"

Victor lurked behind him, syringe in hand. Backing up, I hit the edge of the railing. This is all a gamble.

My eyes caught something hiding along the side of the building. Raine ducked around the corner. There she is. She shrugged at me.

Kendall slowly approached, I kept my eyes on the soldier. I need to stall. "Are you going to introduce yourself, Murray's brother?"

He laughed, "I'm also Murray. Jake Murray, as opposed to John." His smile curved up. "The better looking brother, don't you think?" I scrunched up my nose. Is he trying to flirt?

Victor darted his eyes. "I would be careful. The Commander's taken with this one."

"Pity, I like a fighter," Jake said.

I glared at them, Kendall tapping the syringe. I'd rather have the bullet.

The click of a gun turned everyone's heads back. Raine laughed, holding a bigger gun."What a coincidence, so do I." Where did she get that? She marched forward, motioning to me. "I'll be taking her off your hands, and that syringe too..."

Victor's eyes wide. "Raine...how?" he muttered.

"A wonderful question that I'm not going to answer." She waved Jake to move away from me. "I'm sure my reputation precedes me."

Jake lowered his gun, stepping back. "She's all yours."

Victor's face was going red. "You can't, this is my plan. I figured it out, I found her."

"And, thank you for that." Raine smiled, holding out her hand for the syringe. "I can always tell Alaric you're the reason he doesn't have his teleporter, you decide."

He slipped the syringe into her hand, Raine moving the gun towards me. "Now hocus-pocus, beam us out of here, so we can start talking needles."

I spat at her shoes. "I'm not taking you anywhere."

"Oh, okay." She grabbed me by the neck, shoving me halfway over the railing. "What were you saying?"

I winced, struggling to breath, pushing down the panic. "Okay...fine," my voice cracked, lightheaded. "...let's go."

She turned her head back."You guys are too soft," she snickered.

An invisible hand on my shoulder, we're all here. I shut my eyes, disappearing from the roof.

We crashed down in the middle of the kitchen. Heads turning as I fell to my knees. A tired stain on my muscles, I shook it off. Now was not the time to complain about too much teleporting. I would have time to rest later.

Raine patted my shoulder. "Sorry about hanging you halfway over the building. I needed it to be believable."

I chuckled, lifting my head. "You scared me to death, but I think they bought it."

"Murray…?" Gwen's eyes bugged out, she moved around the table. Swinging her arms around him, she hugged the general. Stepping back, she frowned at him. "Where have you been?"

"I'll get to that." He smiled just the slightest. Murray hardly smiles for anyone.

The kitchen table was left empty, blood stains across it. I held my breath. Oliver sat beside it, head in his hands.

"Max...?" I muttered, my chest tightening. If he's..."Where is he?"

Oliver lifted his head, eyes wide. "Don't worry, he's not dead. We just moved him to the couch."

I took a sigh of relief.

Oliver turned his head, bags under his eyes. "Max is tough, he'll pull through." He scratched his head. "But he's not going anywhere...and neither am I."

I nodded. "He's going to need care."

"I wish I could go with you guys," Oliver said.

I met his eyes. "You need to make sure he's okay. This is where you need to be." Oliver gave a dull nod.

Dust alive in the light, slivers through the blinds. A musty smell from the kitchen, I wrinkled my nose. I hope this place was cheap.

Drake poked his head back in, frowning at the room. "You're not all staying here are you?"

I shrugged my shoulders."I really don't know, Drake."

Raine paces around the table. "We do have an abandoned Military base to crash...?" She gave a half grin. "That may take some of us away."

Gwen crossed her arms. "Do we even have a plan?"

Murray cleared his throat, walking to the other side of the table. "A crumbling one...and whatever Phyn's got up her sleeve."

"Speaking of which-" Raine set the syringe on the table "-now it's going to be real believable that I drugged you."

I laughed, "Yes! You're a genius, Raine."

She bowed, twirling her wrist. "I aim to impress."

Everyone else blinked at us, darting their eyes. Raine gave a nervous laugh, "We have a way into Vitriol, and an excellent distraction."

I nodded my head. "Raine's going to deliver me to Alaric."

"What?" Murray's jaw dropped.

Gwen rested her head in her hands. "You can't be serious," she said.

I turned my head. "I know it sounds crazy-"

"What else sound we expect from you," Oliver sighed, pushing his chair back.

Murray froze, moving his eyes back. "That...actually might work."

I nodded. "Ya, but I still don't have a plan for after I get there."

Murray snapped his fingers, eyes ablaze. "Yes, we do." He tossed the paper bag on the table. "I think it's time I explain where I've been."