Part 19
Glancing around the corner, Max lead the group out into the corridor. He didn't see anyone, so they continue. Maria and Tess were prepared to start the illusion as soon as Max said so.
And then the signal came. They connect to combine their powers and start the illusion. They are just in time; an agent is walking down the hall towards them. They flatten themselves against the wall so he didn't run into them. He continued walking, seeing nothing. Isabel told them to keep it up because more people were coming. They did, and the people passed. They had to stop for a moment because Maria was seriously weakened. Suddenly realizing something, Tess speak up.
"Oh no! We forgot, they'll have to see something when they walk by our room! If not, then they'll know we're gone."
"You're right," Maria said. "One of us will have to cover the room and one the halls."
"Ok, I've got the room since more people will pass by there; you take the halls."
"Ok, Tess."
"Hurry Maria! Someone's coming!" Isabel whispers, hurriedly.
Maria quickly showed the agent an empty hall, and he kept walking. Tess were fine covering the room; meanwhile, Maria was struggling with the halls. Kyle told her that more people were coming, so she tries desperately to keep up the illusion. Michael kept glancing worriedly at her; he knew that she cannot keep it up much longer. They all suddenly became visible as Maria's illusion disappeared. She was so weak that she knew she couldn't keep it up any more. She told Tess to stop the illusion and help fight, so she does. Max, Michael, Isabel, Maria, and Tess were fighting off the group of agents that appeared, seemingly, out of nowhere, using their powers. Kyle was using the gun he stole, and the others were fighting them physically. Maria knew how weak she was, and senses that Tess must be pretty weak too.
"You guys," she called. "We're too weak; we won't win!"
"We can if we keep trying!" Alex yelled back, optimistically. Liz smiled encouragingly too.
"No, Maria's right." Tess agreed.
"Go now." Maria called to the rest of the group.
"No! We are not leaving." Michael answered.
"Yes, you are."
"I am not leaving you!"
"Michael, go! I love you."
"I love you too."
Kyle hands Maria the gun to use since she was so weak, and they tried to leave. There were not that many agents left, so Maria and Tess figure they were going to fight them and then escape. Just as the group were heading out the door, Michael glances back, and saw something he didn't want to see.
"Maria, no!" he shouted.
Maria is shot.
TBC.