Well, that certainly wouldn't surprise Victim.
Of course Luna had a part in this entire scheme.
Hell, it wouldn't even come as a surprise that she was the main brains behind Purple's kidnapping and murder attempt. If that was indeed the case.
Jesus Christ, what had the kid done to get this big of a target on his back?
Purple was the sweetest child he'd met that wasn't his baby brother. How could someone so sweet as him end up with so much trauma, so many people out for him?
What had Navy manipulated them into believing? Luna? Periwinkle?
Hell, what vendetta did Moon and Midnight have against the poor kid to torture and rape him?
"Vic? What do we do?"
Victim glanced up at his two brothers. "I-I don't know. I don't know if Second and the others are safe, I don't know if Purple's even still alive because-"
"Purple is just fine. For now, at least." Agent said. "His vitals are still showing, and they're still going strong. He should be fine."
Victim sighed as Agent placed a hand on his shoulder. "Everything will be just fine."
King glanced back at the ground. "How do we get out of here…?"
Victim hated hearing King sound like that. The inevitable thought that Purple could die was looming over them like a storm cloud ever since this had started.
Purple was miles out of town, making the journey back on foot, the possibility of him dying to the elements, or worse than that, were the highest they could be.
King's been through enough already. The realization that his beloved son was dead would be the worst blow they could take.
Victim sighed. "First things first, we get out of here and see what they're up to. Agent, lead the way. Then, we split up."
"Splitting up?!" Ballista snapped. "Have you lost your mind?!"
Victim sighed. "At this point, yes. I have. But what other choice do we have? All eight of us launching an ambush at the same time will attract too much attention. We split into two groups of four. Me, King, Agent, and Hunter will figure out what Luna's lackeys are planning, and the rest of you will try and get in touch with Second and the others. Don't let them come here."
"But, Second has-"
"I know. Second has powers, but we can't risk any more people getting hurt. Purple's in enough danger already, we're not putting his friends in danger. Understood?"
Nods of approval from the rest of the group.
Hunter had no idea what the fuck Victim was doing.
And it scared her.
The quartet wandered through the hallways, Agent and Victim up in front, while she and King hung back.
She felt really bad for him. She was just as close to Purple as he was, and the loss had hurt them both.
"Hunt?"
Hunter glanced up. "Yeah?"
"Thanks for keeping Purple safe earlier. When you two found that girl."
Oh yeah. That.
She'd done her best. It was a dick move to leave him behind, so she'd stayed until King had shown up.
It was the least she could do.
"Who do you think I am? A terrible person that leaves a child behind? I'm not Navy!"
"I'm aware of that."
"...To be fair, Navy is dead, but still."
"Let it stay that way. He hurt my child, he doesn't deserve to live."
Hunter placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll find Purple. I don't know when, I don't know how, but we will find him."
King smiled at her. "Thanks."
"I know, your worried about him, we all are, but we need to stay focused if we're gonna-"
"It's not just that I'm worried about him!" King snapped. "I am, I'm really worried about him, I'm scared something's going to happen to him, and I promised I'd protect him, and I'm not there to protect him!"
Hunter sighed. "King, it's enough for you to know that he's alive. He knows you're still alive, and he knows you still love him and you're looking for him. That's enough of that promise. Sure, you're separated by miles of wooded terrain, but the point still stands. And besides, you can protect him in spirit!"
"...I can what?"
"Protect him in spirit!"
"...What the fuck is that."
"You know, he's a mere second from a bullet to the head and your spirit just magically stops it!"
"...How does that make any sense?"
"...I don't know, I was just trying to make you feel better."
King smiled fondly, shaking his head. "Thanks for the effort, Hunt. And you're explaining that logic to Purple."
"Why?!"
"So he can think that I saved him from certain death when he survives by a sheer miracle!"
"Fine!"