Dust kicked up around us. I bit the inside of my cheek as I glanced around. The wind was picking up, storm clouds rolling in much faster than normal. This is going to be a very big storm. I could almost feel the electricity in the air. There was a sense of tranquil, the calm before the storm, then the moment of peace was shattered.

A flash of lightning made me jump. I sprang sideways, colliding into Vin as hurriedly reversed when lightning struck right next to my foot. I stumbled a couple of steps, my eyes trained on the black scorch mark splattered across the ground, knowing only too well I could've just been fried. Vin shot me an alarmed glance, he was trying to catch my eye but I ignored him. No offence to him but I really didn't want him fussing over me in front of Macbeth. My heart was racing much faster than I would like admit as Macbeth allowed herself to give another psychotic laugh. "Twitchy are we little bunnies?"

I growled and narrowed my eyes, clenching my fists and beginning to advance forward before I'd fully recovered from the shock. She tries to get rid of Mr Soper, I almost get fried by lightning and she thinks it's funny? I was going to kill her- not literally of course. I'm no murderer. But, as expected, Newton and Vin gripped my arms in a futile attempt to restrain me. I didn't want to hurt them, so, I reluctantly stopped in my tracks. A second fork of lightning struck right in front of us, just as I submitted. "What is this lightning's problem?" Vin exclaimed, stepping back as Newton nearly bowled him over, Vin's normally cool composure threatening to abandon him.

"Yeah, I am not a lightning conductor!" I added, scowling as I addressed this to the sky as if it could hear me. I mean, the sky isn't alive, of course it couldn't 'hear' me because it doesn't have ears. My scowl rested on Macbeth. Those strikes were way too close for comfort and she probably had something to do with it, especially if her grin was anything to go by. I gave a questioning glance around as I raised my arm to shield my big blue eyes, trying to prevent the dirt, dust and god knows what else from getting in. The wind had really picked up over the last minute or two. Especially since Macbeth pressed that button on her arm...

Crud.

My mind mentally put the pieces together, and screamed at me for being so stupid. How could I miss this? I punched Vin on the arm- by accident of course, it was intended to be a tap- to get his attention. Let's just say I got it, as well Newton and Macbeth's. "Ow." He complained, glaring at me and rubbing his arm more than unhappily. "What was that for?" He demanded, as I didn't normally go around punching people unless it was for a perfectly valid reason, or because Burt was being an idiot and I needed to prevent him from stuffing a student into the nearest garbage can.

I rolled my eyes and ignored his question. I lowered my voice to a whisper. "She's built a weather machine." I explained, jerking my thumb in Macbeth's direction as I said it. My jacket was lifted up, being tugged by the wind t the same time I could feel my feet beginning to slip across the ground as I was sucked towards Macbeth. Vin's eyes widened and he relayed the information to Newton, then after turning back to me and realising I was slipping by my alarmed expression, he reached out and snatched my wrist and tugged me back a few steps. I was the lightest of the three so the suction was having a quicker effect on me.

I backed away with Vin still pulling me and Newton following us at my other side, ignoring the swaying trees and how we were repeatedly being hit by things flying in our direction. Litter and tree branches, you name it, everything seemed to be zeroing in on us. He pushed my head down, forcing us both to duck as a brick sailed in our direction. It flew harmlessly over our heads but made a sickening crunch when it hit the ground several metres ahead of us. I could see it had cracked the ground and was reminded that could have been mine, or Vin's head. "Get to the lamppost!" I yelled, realising that it may be the safest place to hold out, it can stop us from being dragged by the wind.

I could hardly see two feet in front of me as I straightened up, and, after spinning around to find the boys were gone, I lost the direction of the dorms. Trixie's voice was whipped away by the wind as she spoke, trying to help or screaming opposing instructions I couldn't tell. I sprinted in completely the wrong direction, only realising ten seconds later when I promptly changed my path and headed back.

Thunder boomed overhead as the delayed rain finally began to fall. It created a fine mist which proved to be even more unhelpful with locating the boys. Now I was indefinitely lost with Macbeth out there somewhere, hunting us down and the wind creating a whirlpool-like suction. Ahead of me I could finally see Vin and Newton, yelling at each other as they clung to the lamppost. I tore forward, feeling my feet slip as I ran. Vin spotted me, nudging Newton, he nodded in my direction and the two boys yelled what I could only assume were encouragements. Vin outstretched his hand, reaching out towards me. My fingers grazed his palm as I felt my body being dragged back by an invisible force. "Zero!" He screamed urgently. "Take my hand!"

I extended my hand a second time, biting back a sarcastic response and running harder, but to my disappointment my fingers slipped through his grasp again. I was fighting a loosing battle. I only had one more shot at this then I knew I was doomed. Vin looked terrified, distraught even. "Vin!" I yelled, throwing myself forward. My fingers gripped his left elbow, running down his arm and reaching his hand. Shocked, he closed his fingers around mine upon instinct, locking me in place. I started to use his arm to pull myself closer. Then I paused. The wind nearly took out my feet, I was jerked about, a scream rising in my throat. "Hurry!" I exclaimed, just as my feet were swept out from underneath me.

My knees scraped across the ground, then it must've looked like I was lying on an invisible table the way I was lying parallel to Vin, who was practically hugging the lamppost with all his might, slowly pulling me closer, inch by inch. Perspiration dripped down his forehead, mixing with rain and dripping into his eyes and mouth, but he was ignoring the whole thing, his eyes never leaving mine for even a moment. His teeth were gritted, muscles screaming in protest but in his mind he'd be damned if he let go of me. He'd never forgive himself. "Zero!" He panted. "Hold on!"

"Like there's some other option!" I replied, a twang of sarcasm showing in my voice.

Vin groaned, his fingers were slipping. He tightened his grip, almost stopping my blood-circulation with his vice-like hold. "Newton!" He yelled. "A little help would be much appreciated!" Newton extended a skinny arm. He was the youngest and smallest member of INK, so he had an excuse when he couldn't reach. He made another attempt, loosening his grip a little on the post, stretching out further, his hands grasping the air just in front of my jacket sleeve. Life was so cruel.

"Guy's!" I exclaimed as I was jerked backwards, but still held in place by Vin who was valiantly refusing to release me. "Vin, I swear if you let go of me I will hang you from the roof by your undies for eternity." I threatened, my blue eyes searching his face for any signs of fear, not that I could see much, his features all but his eyes and mouth were concealed. I didn't want to face Macbeth on my own and it seemed he didn't want me to either.

"Zero…" His energy was sapping fast. His determination and refusal to give in had given him a boost but it was beginning to take a toll on him. The adrenaline that was coursing through his body- like when you're on a roller-coaster, slowly going up and you have that massive rush on anticipation and you're suddenly wondering why the heck you were putting yourself through this, but then you drop, the ride ends and you run back around and queue up for another go- was beginning to wear off.

He was faced with a dilemma. His grip was slipping on both me and the lamppost. He could let go of me and readjust his grip on the lamppost, saving himself but also resigning himself to hanging from the roof by his underwear for an eternity. Or he could release the lamppost and face what ever thing is waiting for us together, hopefully preventing each other from having our identities revealed along the way. Or none of the above. "Newton, grab Zero when I drag her forward." Vin instructed as I braced myself. "Three… Two… One… GO!"

Vin yanked his arm back as hard and fast as he could. I was propelled forward, almost head-butting the lamppost while Newton managed to grab a handful of my sleeve. With both of them helping I was slowly pulled to the lamppost where Vin pinned me between his arm and the metal. Well, I had my arms wrapped around the lamppost, Vin's around my shoulders as he gripped it, keeping me from being sucked in and doing a fairly good job of shielding me from the rain. "We need back up!" Newton yelled, the wind nearly drowning out his squeaky voice. "Someone, call Trix!"

"Also, we need a decent weatherman." I added. "This is definitely not a 'clear, uneventful night'. God, that guy should be sacked."

"And a forklift to clear all the debris." Vin supplied, contributing to the conversation and grinning his goofy grin. Newton just rolled his eyes.

I went for my headphones. I could hear her trying to say something but the wind was too loud. "Trix? Trix!" I yelled. I couldn't hear her reply. I just shrugged which proved to be very difficult in the situation at hand. I mean, because I was squished between Vin and a lamppost, slowly and inevitably gravitating towards the Centre Of Doom- not for any other reason.

Back to the situation at hand, everything seemed to be going good, there was no lightning but lots of thunder and the wind howled loudly, forcing us to scream to be heard over the storm. That was until the ladder decided to change things. Now you see why I now have a very big hatred towards them. Newton didn't notice the ladder. It had lost The Battle Of Endurance and submitted to the wind, allowing itself to be ripped from the wall and pulled towards us. "DUCK!" I shouted, sliding my hands down the lamppost and crouching into a ball while Vin locked us both in place, assuming Newton would do the same.

I heard a loud clang of metal scraping against metal which made me cringe and almost lose my grip on the pole. Then something altogether more frightening. A cry for help. "Newton!" I raised my head, my arms already reaching out for Newton as the ladder crashed into him, knocking him from the post and sweeping him into the wind. I could see his face, eyes wide and mouth ajar, fearing easily showing. Time was so cruel. It seemed to slow down leaving us in slow-motion as Newton reached out for the lamppost, his fingers missing, just brushing against the metal but unable to grab hold. I watched as he was sucked up by the wind, his mouth open wide as he yelled but his voice whipped away by the wind.

"Newton!" I screamed as I attempted to follow him but Trixie's voice screamed from Vin's watch, much louder than before, ordering him to stop me. That's what she must've been doing. Finding a way to enhance the sound on our communicators so we would be able to hear her. I yelled and thrashed around, threatening him constantly as I tried to wriggle free. "He needs us!" I shouted, my distraught voice seeming to have next to no effect on him. Then I pulled the dirtiest trick in the book. "What if it was me? You'd want to help, right?" I thought back to previous missions. I had always disobeyed direct orders, putting the team ahead of stupid mission priorities and I had frequently rescued Vin from the clutches of Burt on many an occasion. Gosh I am cruel.

"Zero… I… I…" he stuttered, looking shocked and having not previously thought up some clever answer to retaliate to that. The guilt trip always works.

He released the lamppost. We were sucked into the eye of the storm where it was eerily tranquil. Macbeth grinned wickedly. "Two little bunnies caught, two to go!" I tilted my head in confusion. But, Newton…?

Vin slid his hand under my arm and helped my to my feet. Well, he practically dragged me to my feet before releasing me and trying to be inconspicuous as he searched for Newton. I did the same with harmless glances around, but I had dropped into a Karate stance and checked Macbeth's position every once in a while. Then, I noticed it. I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. It took every ounce of my self-control not to scream. Vin gently shook my arm, his face creased with concern. "Hey, hey, what's wrong?" He asked.

I gulped and pointed over to a particularly big lump of debris. The ladder was lying on top of it, coated in muck and slightly dented in places but still The Ladder. Only that wasn't it. In between one of the steps, a human hand was poking out, some green and brown sleeve attached. Memories flashed before my eyes. His high-pitched, sometimes annoying giggle, grinning up at us, bouncing up and down in joy and hugging me, especially when I didn't want him to. My eyes blurred with tears, I pushed them back. "No." Vin whispered.

"No!" I screamed. That sleeve attached to the hand... it's Newton's... and it wasn't moving.

I advanced towards him but Vin wrenched my arms behind my back, keeping me away. "No, we can't. We've gotta get outta here." I struggled against him. Newton needed us. We couldn't be too late. We couldn't! "Please!" He begged, his voice shaking a little, like he might burst into tears at any moment. We're too late... The blow felt worse than the hardest punch I had ever received. It felt like I'd been stabbed- and I'd had previous experience with that. It was like something deep down was scratching, scraping at my organs, demanding to be felt. It was the worst pain I had ever had the misfortune of having, and I'd felt a lot of pain.

I submitted. Vin grabbed my hand and wheeled me around. I allowed him to drag us through the storm, him straining to pull the both of us through after I'd gone into shock. He lead us to the forest, helping me up when I tripped, pushing branches away so they didn't lash out at me. Zombie-like, I followed him as he climbed a tree, Vin helping me all the way, pointing out decent footholds and handholds, all but having to move my hand and feet into position. We waited in silence, Vin with him arm around me, pulling me close to make sure we were both decently covered by the branches while Macbeth passed below us, cursing the Invisible Network Of Kids.

I didn't protest when he practically carried me down the tree and began dragged me to headquarters, where Trixie didn't lecture me, she was too busy sobbing in her red office chair after having seen everything on the blinking, beeping computer screens. Now I really did what to punch the monitors, because they were locked on his unmoving body, making Trixie cry harder. She had covered her face with her hands, her brown hair falling over the rest of her face as she sobbed.

Vin ripped off his mask, allowing his blonde hair to flop forward. I did the same, dislodging my headphones and making them nearly fall off. I pushed my white-blonde hair out of my face, not even caring that it probably had gone slightly static and readjusted the position of my headphones. I was biting my lip hard, trying to push everything back, to block it all out but I couldn't. I could taste blood in my mouth and I knew I couldn't handle this. I needed to get out of there before I broke. Without a word I exited the room, ignoring Vin as he gave a half-hearted attempt to call me back, tears streaming down his face and Trixie as she wailed.

I stormed down the corridor, not even acknowledging Kathy's presence as she politely asked what was wrong. She flattened herself against the wall as I stormed past, whimpering slightly, probably expecting to be on the receiving end of my bad temper. I flung open my bedroom door and slammed it behind me, collapsing on my bed in a state of complete exhaustion and a range of other emotions I've never experienced before.

I turned on my headphones, blasting some hard-core heavy metal through Vin's iPod for a while, flicking through a martial-arts magazine, attempting to drown out everything that just happened, all the emotions I was feeling. As an explanation, my phone was broken so Vin had lent me his iPod. I was uncertain but he reassured me that he didn't need it, his phone contract allowed him to update to latest smartphone which had some awesome features, so if I liked I could keep his iPod. I still feel awkward about it, but hey, if your best friend gives you free stuff you can't exactly say no, can you?

Anyway, the music didn't work on cheering me up like I'd expected. In fact, the songs about death, drugs and god knows what else only made me feel worse. I angrily threw my magazine across the room watching as it smashed into the wall and then hit the floor where it stayed, unmoving in a position where it was likely to crease the pages, did nothing to improve my mood. Then I switched the song to one that would perfectly explain my current whirlwind of emotions, the unexplainable pain in my stomach. As Helena by My Chemical Romance blasted out of my headphones, I hugged my knees to my chest and slowly began rocking backwards and forwards, my face on my knees.

Then I did something that I did not do very often.

I cried.