It was a race against time. The city was catching fire quick and they didn't want to lose any chance of finding their friend. They decided best course would be to follow any path toward the research building they had gone to originally to save Minho.
Mel hadn't paid much attention once they were in the air as she couldn't stop thinking about her brother. How they just left him there. Couldn't even say a proper goodbye with how upset she was. Bringing her knees up to her chest she wrapped her arms around herself and just watched the rest of the group, knowing she wouldn't be much help to them until Thomas was found.
Elise had wrapped a blanket around her to keep her warm and checked if she needed anything before going back to the kids. She only shook her head, the one thing she wanted she knew she could never have anymore.
Gally came over and sat next to her, watching her closely. All she could do in return was the same. He sighed and place his hand over hers, gently rubbing his thumb across her skin.
"I'm so sorry Mel. I didn't want to leave him either, but with all the destruction happening down there because of Lawrence, I couldn't risk losing you too or anyone else for that matter." He gripped her hand a bit more firmly to show emphasis of how much he cared for her now.
Mel only nodded as she brought her knees back down and sat in a regular position, fixing their hands so their fingers were intertwined. "I know.." Her voice quiet, "I just wish it didn't happen this way. Or that I had known so something could've been done sooner."
"It's not your fault, don't go there." Gally chided her. "I don't think any of us knew until it was too late."
He could see her fighting the exhaustion consuming her, and wanted to ask her to rest but doubted she would listen, she'd been stubborn since the day they met. They also still had to find Thomas and their window of opportunity was slowly closing as the flames grew. Buildings starting to crumble as they flew past. And although she was going through all of her emotions, Mel still wanted to try and help in the end.
"There, right there!" Someone shouted grabbing everyone's attention as they saw two figures stumble out onto the roof of a building. Jorge started to carefully move that way as Minho, Brenda, and Vince started to move towards the back of the Berg and ready to open the hatch. Gally stood up ready to offer any help he could along with Frypan.
Mel shakily stood as she watched, the hatch slowly opening as Jorge turned the Berg around to reveal Teresa carrying an injured Thomas. Everyone was ready to help and get them on board however they could. Vince had a safety line attached to himself and was leaning over the edge of the ramp extending out his hand.
"Get closer!" Gally shouted over all the commotion at Jorge. Teresa got as close as she could from her position, Thomas reaching out his hand and grabbing hold after a few tries, Minho coming up to offer an extra hand and making sure they don't lose their grip on him.
Finally Teresa gathered as much energy as she could and shoved Thomas into them and onto the ramp. Everyone was quick to grab him and help him get further in. Once he was on and secure they reached out again for Teresa. All negative feelings for her pushed aside as they got ready for her to be next.
She was just about to jump when one of the nearby buildings fell over and everyone watched as it crashed into the one she was standing on, landing not too far behind. She could feel the rumble beneath her and knew that it was going to collapse any moment. She looked at everyone who was shouting at her to hurry. But instead all she did was give one last smile before the ground beneath her gave out and she was falling.
Everyone was silent as they watched the building fall into pieces, Teresa disappearing inside of it. She was gone. Thomas had cried out for her, her body now consumed by the rubble. They had lost two people now. Mel closed her eyes and took a few breaths. Her friends needed her right now and she needed to be there for them.
They all lingered in shock as Jorge pulled away and moved them higher into the air. Slowly they moved Thomas onto his back and saw the gunshot wound in his stomach causing sudden worry in all of them. Gally called for Elise who was over there in an instant, her bag right beside her as she pulled out gauze and had Minho putting pressure on the wound as she got to work. Mel getting down right beside her to aid in any way needed.
She had managed to get the bullet out and was now stitching up the small wound, everyone finally giving her space as she finished up. Thomas had passed out so it made it easier for her to work. A bandage was wrapped tight around him and secured with tape.
They made him as comfortable as they could for the rest of the silent and tense ride. Only Jorge, Brenda, Vince and Frypan knowing where they were headed now.