The six of them ran as fast as their legs could carry them, down countless hallways as Andy led the way. He was the only one who memorized the fastest route, but despite that fact there were still complications. Other inmates that didn't get caught up in the riot wandering through the halls simply watching as the boys sprinted past, but luckily all the guards in the facility were occupied.

Or, so they thought.

The pounding of their feet against the tile floor and the deafening scream of the Riot Alarm were the only things being heard through the mostly empty halls, along with their heavy breathing. None of them were even sure if they've ever ran so much before. It was a long way to freedom but the endless running was worth it if it meant they'd be out of this hellhole.

Andy quickly rounded a corner which almost resulted in Josh and Pete missing the sudden turn. Patrick took it upon himself to latch onto Pete's hand to prevent him from getting lost, but really if was for multiple reasons. Pete would have smiled if it wasn't for their current situation.

But one slight wrong turn leads to them running right into the uniformed men they were trying to avoid.

Two guards were on their way to the cafeteria when the boys were spotted.

"Shitshitshit," Andy muttered, skidding to a stop and running the other way, the others quickly followed.

Now they were being chased by men carrying riot shields and black batons, wearing helmets that matched their protective clothing. Those boys ran even faster. If they weren't in danger of getting tackled, Andy would apologize until his voice vanished. He didn't mean to go t that way, he must have just read the facility's map wrong. But now wasn't the time to beat himself up about it, he just needed to run.

Running wasn't enough though.

One of the guards caught up, dropping his shield and launching himself at whoever was closest. Who just so happened to be Joe.

He let out a shout as he was tackled to the floor and the other two guards stopped to assist in slapping cuffs on the curly haired boy. Joe struggled to the best of his ability but he couldn't get away, which made Andy stop completely. He turned around and looked at the other four who had also paused their efforts to escape.

"It's just down this hall," Andy spoke fast and quiet, almost incomprehensible but the boys understood. "Keep going and don't look back."

"B-but, Andy-" Patrick tried to speak, but Andy wasn't having it.

"Keep. Going." His words are stern and final, and without any other thought he ran back for Joe. The boys watched him go for a moment before turning and continuing down the hall.

They didn't look back.

***

A loud thudding noise filled the air as two of the four boys kicked at a wooden door that lead directly outside. They're so close, can practically taste the fresh air, they just have to get this damn door open. Tyler stops kicking at the door to catch his breath, bracing his hands on his knees while Josh keeps trying to knock it down.

They're in an unused part of the building, something like a basement. It's dirty and smells of mold but it's the only way to get out without having to go through metal detectors or sealed doors.

"This isn't working!" Tyler huffs. "We're stuck in here."

"Nope." Pete chimes in, his voice coming from an unknown direction until he emerges from a corner of the dingy basement with a fire extinguisher. At his words Josh immediately stops kicking at the door, glancing back at Pete who has a smirk on his face. "Step aside, dude, I got this."

Pete heaves the fire extinguisher against the handle of the locked door, knocking the bottom of it against the handle which eventually breaks off completely after a few hits. He then knocks the lock off the door before telling Josh to kick it one more time. And with all the momentum Josh can muster, the door springs open, revealing the outside world.

The sky's cloudy and the ground is wet but it's still outside.

"Patrick," Pete says in awe, his eyes glued to the expanse of grass and dead leaves, dropping the fire extinguisher to the floor with a metal clunk. Patrick steps up beside him, looking outside for the first time in who knows how long. But Pete hasn't been outside in years, to him this is like seeing a puddle in the middle of a desert.

Patrick grabs Pete's hand, intertwining their fingers and smiling at the amazed expression on Pete's face. Josh puts an arm around Tyler's shoulders, breathing in the fresh air that blows in, it's so beautiful outside. Pete leans over and presses a kiss to Patrick's cheek all without taking his eyes away from the line of trees in the distance, breathing out a few final words,

"We're free, guys."