Yeah, thanks again for the reviews! I love it! :)

This chapter is gonna be a tense one!

Chapter nineteen

On the other side of the building, Modo, Violet and Stoker were still arguing what to do with the infected prisoners. Violet refused to leave them behind.
"Is it not some sort of code from the Freedom Fighters to never leave anyone behind?", she yelled, angry and frustrated. Stoker sighed. This woman sure had a temper alright. No wonder she and Vinnie could get along so well.
"Violet, I really don't want to argue with you. My decision is final. If you don't agree, that's your choice and I respect that. But right now, I need you to listen to me."
Violet clenched her fists. She knew she didn't have a choice, but it felt so wrong. She looked angry at Stoker and was about to say something, but Modo came between them. "We don't have time for this. Violet ma'am, I know it hurts. I feel the same way. But Stoker is right. We don't have a choice. We need to get those other prisoners into safety. And time isn't on our side. Arguing is wasting this precious time. We need to go. Now."
Violet had no other choice than obey. "Fine", she snapped.
"Okay, good. Come on. Violet, check if the exit is free", Stoker ordered.
Violet ran to the door and looked through the tiny window. The hallway was empty. It gave her a nervous feeling. Where was everybody?
At that moment, they heard the siren.

"Final fase activated. Self destruction in five minutes."

Violet swirled around and looked at Stoker and Modo, shock in her eyes.
"Shit! We need to go!" She threw the door open. "Let's go people!"
The group of prisoners followed her into the hallway, guided by Stoker and Modo. Violet checked around the corner to see it was empty. Everybody had already left the building. She leaded the group to the closest door outside. When she was waiting till everybody was outside, she heard banging in the distance. Her radio came to life and she heard Carbine's voice, for the first time filled with panic.
"We are stuck in the elevator nearby the entrance. We climbed up, but we can't open the doors!"
Violet came into action before Carbine even finished her last sentence. She ran in the direction of the banging. She could hear Modo shouting her name, but she ignored him.

"Self destruction in three minutes."

She flew around the corner, almost falling because of her speed, and saw the elevator. She banged at the doors. "Carbine?! Throttle!?"
"Violet! Can you open the doors?", Throttle yelled back.
Violet tried to get her fingers between the two doors, but it was no use. She wasn't strong enough. Now what? She was starting to feel that panic was taken over her body. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breathing came out in rapid breaths.
"Violet! Go get yourself into safety!", Carbine yelled.
"NO! I can't just leave you guys here! There must be a way!" Violet looked around, searching for something she could use.

"Self destruction in two minutes."

Violet suddenly saw a iron pipe. She grabbed it and slammed it between the doors. This better work, she thought, using all her strength.

Outside, Vinnie saw Modo and Stoker came out of the building with the prisoners. They fled into the hills, finally safe. But where was Violet?
He looked behind him at the battlefield. Most of the Plutarkians were dead. The rest of them were running away, knowing it was a losing battle. The Freedom Fighters chased after them. Vinnie knew they could take care of themselfs, so he revved his bike and sped to Modo and Stoker.
"Modo! Where is Violet?", he demanded when he came to an halt. Modo looked at him, fear in his eyes. Vinnie's worry grew.
"She is still inside! Carbine and Throttle are stuck in the elevator nearby the entrance and she ran away to help them."
Vinnie narrowed his eyes by hearing this.
"And you didn't stop her? Are you stupid? You said you would take care of her!", Vinnie yelled in disbelief. Somewhere deep inside he knew his reaction wasn't fair, that it wasn't Modo's fault. But he just couldn't stop himself.
Modo looked liked Vinnie had slapped him the face.
"Vinnie, I…", he started but Vinnie was already gone. His ears drooped. Stoker patted him on the arm. "Vinnie didn't mean it, Modo. You know that."
But Modo wasn't convinced. He would never be able to forgive himself if Violet didn't make it. He wanted to go after Vinnie, but knew he had to stay here, to guard the prisoners with Stoker.
Vinnie drove to the building and flew insight. He saw Violet pushing some sort of pipe that was slammed between the doors from the elevator, trying to open them. He jumped of his bike and helped her push. But the doors didn't move.
"Vinnie!? What are you doing here?", Violet yelled, surprised to see him.
"I should ask the same thing to you, sweetheart. Are you crazy? What were you thinking?"
Violet was going to answer, but then…

"Self destruction in one minute. 60… 59… 58…"

Vinnie pushed Violet away. "GO! NOW!"
Violet shook her head. "No, Vinnie, I can't…" but Vinnie interrupted her.
"GO! I can't focus when I know you are in danger. I will never forgive myself if I lose you, that I couldn't protect you. NOW GO!"
Violet looked into his eyes, struggling with her emotions. But seeing the intense look in Vinnie's eyes, she knew she had to go. She quickly kissed him. "See you outside", she said. It took all the strength she had in her to turn around and ran outside. It felt so wrong to leave him behind. But she knew he was right. He was stronger than her and far more experienced. He had a bigger chance of success. Besides, it was not just her life that was on the line, but also Throttle's and Carbine's. It would be selfish to stay and distract Vinnie in his task.

"40… 39… 38…"

Violet saw Modo waving at her up on the hill. She ran over to him.
"Vinnie is still inside, he is trying to get them free, he… I... " She couldn't stop stuttering. Modo grabbed her shoulders and forced her to look at him. "Calm down, Violet. It's gonna be okay. If anybody is gonna get them out of there, it's Vinnie", he said firmly, but the worry in his eyes told her otherwise. He was scared too. Modo wanted to go and help, but there wasn't enough time. Going in was like a suicide mission. Modo had no problem with giving his life for his bro's, but he knew there was nothing he could do. He also knew that his bro's wouldn't want him to give up his life for nothing. It was the hardest decision he had made in his life. But he stayed where he was.

"10… 9… 8…"

Stoker, Modo and Violet were staring at the building, looking for movement, any sign that they were gonna make it outside in time. Come on Vinnie… Violet thought, her insides tight in a knot because of fear. Tears filled her eyes and she quickly wiped them away.

"3...2...1… Self destruction activated."

"No…", Violet whispered. A deafening explosion made her stumble back, covering her ears. She looked up and her legs became weak by seeing the huge explosion. She fell on her knees. Fear, anger and sorrow took over and she screamed. "NO! VINNIE!"

Uh oh... now what? Please review!