I stood at the edge of the table, leaning on its cool wood. My Pounce crowded around me and peered at the map.
"We were held here," Bay pointed at the south wing of the School. I shivered slightly. I still had nightmares of the School, and now Lake was going back...
"They'll probably be taking her to the same wing, unless things have been moved around. Given the circumstances, I highly doubt it." I said.
"The security will definitely be higher." Laurel added.
Morgan was nodding. "I can't do much with bombs. Even a small one will alert them that we're there."
"Do you need bombs?" I asked.
"Do you need hair?" Morgan shot back. My eyes narrowed. A small smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. Sighing, I turned back to the map. Bay was tracing a possible route with his finger. I shook my head and pointed to a different one.
"Better chance of staying alive," I said.
"Get there faster," Bay said, keeping a finger on his path.
"I think she would prefer live rescuers." I persisted. My brother and I locked eyes.
"You know, I think she would prefer to have rescuers in general," Laurel cut in. I clenched my jaw and glared at Bay once more before directing my gaze to the map.
"Do you even have an idea of how we're going to get her out?" Gray asked.
"I'm getting there." I replied. Silence. I glanced up. Five very disbelieving faces were staring at me. I changed directions. "So...Gray and Reed, you two are staying behind."
Okay, three disbelieving faces and two furious faces.
"I'm not staying." Gray and Reed said at the same time.
"Yes, you are." I replied. "Someone needs to hold down the fort."
"The fort with the whole front window broken?" Reed asked.
"The fort that Erasers have invaded once already?" Gray added.
"They should come along. I know that they're a little younger, but they're great fighters." Morgan put in. I groaned.
"We need to move fast. They won't be able to keep up." I protested. "You can camp out in cabin."
Again the temperature dropped. "I'm not staying behind!"
"Yes, you are! Get your stuff and move out." I rolled up the map and stuffed it in my back pocket. "We'll go with you as far as the cabin."
~~~~Line~~~~
When I returned to the living room the Pounce was gathered in a circle, backpacks slung over their shoulders. I stifled a groan. They had obviously been planning something. Morgan jumped to his feet.
"Are we going?" He asked. I nodded in response. Shifting the weight of my backpack was easy. Shifting the weight of my Pounce, not so much. I kicked through their little knot, yanking them to their feet. One by one we jumped out of the broken window. Reed passed me without a word, followed by Gray. A small tendril of guilt wrapped itself around my heart. I was going to leave them behind. Without any help. I let out a small sigh and jogged to take the lead. Laurel and Bay flanked me. It felt almost...good to be on the move again, with my best friends following me. Except for the fact that I was beginning to feel the effects of my four or five changes.
Note to self: Don't shift four times in a row.
Bay trudged next to me, glaring at the ground. It wasn't unusual for him, actually. He seemed to glare at everything but the Pounce. My thoughts began to drift towards my plan. Was it really that smart? I was leaving our two youngest members in a cabin by themselves. Were our supplies still there?
The train of questions was cut short by the appearance of our secret cabin. Dreading the next few moments, I turned.
"Gray, protect Reed. I'm serious - no funny business. Reed? Don't burn down the cabin." I leaned down to hug them both, stiff as they were. "We'll be back soon."
A voice came from behind us. "Back from where?"
~~~~Line~~~~
I nearly dislocated my hip, I turned so fast. The world spun before my eyes. The person before me was blurry and short. Really short. She was looking up at me with warm brown eyes that seemed familiar.
"Andy?" She said incredulously. "Bay?"
"Kat?" My brother replied.
"Holy crap, Kat!" I cried, limping forward a couple of steps. "Where have you been?"
"In the cabin."
"Oh. Duh." A warm feeling crept up my neck.
"So...where were you going?" Kat asked.
"We're going back." Bay answered stiffly. "They took Lake."
A few minutes later we were seated in the cabin. The Pounce gathered around the table as I cautiously went over my plan. When I finished, there was absolute silence. Then Kat burst out, "That's insane."
"Completely crazy," Laurel agreed.
"It's our best shot." I said. Half-expecting a scathing retort, I turned to Bay. "Right?"
"It's our best bet." He answered. I blinked, surprised, but he added, "You're still insane to have come up with it."
"That's beside the point." I snapped. Morgan let out a small chuckle.
"Before you kill someone," Reed cut in, "We should get going."
"You aren't going anywhere." I reminded. Cue two death glares that I ignored.
Morgan sighed and gave Gray a one-armed hug. The rest of us quietly said our goodbyes, moving fast to save daylight. I moved away from the cabin, taking one glance over my shoulder at the cabin. One very sad mutant face was in the window, her deep chocolate eyes following our path. Then she disappeared. I faced forward again, beginning to doubt my plan. A small voice inside my head piped up, Do what is best for your Pounce. Don't think about what might be bad, think about what will be bad.
Thank you, philosophical nonsense, I replied snarkily. But I knew it was right. I also knew that I was probably going to regret this.
A/N: Now to thankng my reviewers...
Reading Addicted: I hope she strikes you as a little more real this time. Here's your cookie! (::)
Obiwan22: Thank you! The School is basically the same, the Pounce just has a different view of it because they were in a different part. And your character will have more action in the next chapter, I promise! (::)
On another note...The fantastic cover was made for me by I Was Divided by Zero. Thank you so much! :D I shall now give you a cookie. (::)