a/n: anonymous prompt: "kidnap, rescue".
He awoke to April dragging him up by the wrist. It was dark, the air was dusty and sweltering, and adrenaline still roared through his veins. He followed her gaze to the crumpled metal-bar door at the end of the hallway, blown clear into the pitch-black room beyond.
"It work?" He asked, not trusting his swimming vision.
"It worked," she responded, her eyes trained forward. She released his arm to unfold her tessen with a flick of her wrist. He followed, staggering to his feet and pulling his own weapon free. Empty containers from the supply closet clattered against his shins.
"Nice improv," he said, only barely noticing that his words were starting to slur. "You coulda been a scientist in another life."
Her gaze flashed to his profile, scanning the mop of bloody hair plastered against his face. As she returned to the doorway, her voice became tight.
"You sure you're up for this?"
It wasn't a question, really, but his response was laughter.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world, Red. Let's bring our guys home."
Four pairs of glazed, red-rimmed eyes gleamed out from the darkness, and he took a deep breath, slotting a dart into his gun.
"One way or another," April agreed softly.
Breathless snarls echoed through the narrow passageway, giving Casey just enough warning. When the first blurred shape bolted towards them, he aimed and pulled the trigger.
