"Hang-on," I said, hooking my arms under Delta's and dragging her backward—toward the elevator. She groaned and screwed up her face, her breathing coming out in shallow pants.

I laid her down gently at the elevator doors and jabbed at the call button like a mad-woman. The Forcers and rebels were still brawling half a dozen feet away, too engrossed in their fights to notice our escape. I watched the rebel that had freed me as he ducked and weaved the Forcer's blows—landing a few substantial hits of his own. He seemed to be gaining the upper hand, until he tripped on Delta's duffel.

Oh shit—the duffel. I couldn't leave it there.

I sprang forward just as the Forcer dived onto the rebel—pinning him to the ground. I snuck up behind them, grabbing the bag soundlessly and backing away. The Forcer was punching the back of the rebel's head, slamming his face into the ground over and over. My gut churned at the sight and I wanted to turn away—but I couldn't.

My hands were rummaging through the duffel before I knew what I was doing. I found the tube of anaesthetic syringes Delta had used on the Forcers in the diner, and opened it.

The Forcer had pulled his laser pistol and had it pressed to the back of the rebel's head. I lurched at him, ramming the tip of the needle into his exposed neck before he could see me coming. The clear liquid disappeared under his skin and I was dragged off my feet as he tried to shake me from his back. I clung on—and moments later he collapsed, unconscious, on top the rebel.

The elevator pinged behind me—I sprinted for it, duffel in hand. Delta groaned as I dragged her inside, hitting the button for the ground level. The transparent doors slid shut, just as the rebel managed to get out from underneath the unconscious Forcer.

I blew out a shaky breath and sank to the floor, the quiet of the elevator felt heavy—almost smothering compared to the chaos outside. Beside me, Delta's breaths were becoming so shallow they were practically inaudible and an alarming amount of blood was seeping from her mangled shoulder. If we were to stand a chance of getting away—I was going have to carry her out.

I riffled through the duffel, finding a power patch and slapping it on, welcoming the surge of energy that washed over me. We were almost at the ground floor—and I needed to be ready to run the second the doors opened.

I slung the bag over my back and bent down to pick up Delta—hesitating when something caught my eye through the glass outside.

There was a dark blur of something falling from the tenth floor and shattered glass began to rain down into the academy gardens. Students scattered, screaming and running in all directions—knocking each other over in the process. I squinted, trying to make out the object that had fallen. Only it wasn't an object.

It was Professor Finnlay.

His body lay limp, flattened into the pavement, a dark pool of scarlet leaking out onto the concrete around his head.

A sick shudder crept through my body, tears springing to my eyes. They'd killed him. I'd led Forcers and The Alliance to him—and they'd killed him.

I wanted to be sick.

The elevator came to a stop on the ground floor and I blinked back my tears, gritting my teeth and readjusting Delta's blood-soaked body in my arms as I stood on shaky legs.

The doors slid open and the muted panic that had been unfolding suddenly came into focus. People were screaming and alarms blaring as more explosions went off in the building above. I carried Delta out into the gardens, staggering across the grass. It was all I could do to stay upright in the jostling crowd.

The tide of students was headed toward an exit of sorts—a pedestrian tunnel at the back of the green. I let the human tide take me with them, blocking out the shouts and screams that filled the air. A pane of glass fell from the tenth floor and shattered behind us, transparent splinters flying in all directions. Seconds later, a Forcer's body followed—landing lifeless on the grass with a sickening crunch. I tightened my hold on Delta and pushed on—trying not to wonder too hard on which rebel was responsible.

I managed to stay upright all the way out through the pedestrian tunnel and onto the street. I battled my way through the panicked crowd spilling out all around us and tried to head for the nearest alley.

"Astrid!"

My step faltered at the sound of my name and I glanced around. The two Alliance rebels were pushing their way through the crowd toward us.

I picked up my pace. Delta groaned and hissed as I bumped into people, knocking her around.

"Astrid—wait!"

I slowed, hesitating. I knew that voice.

The rebels caught up quickly. The lead one's holo mask was glitching, flickering on and off. I wondered if he had been the one whose face had been rammed into the floor repeatedly. The one I'd saved.

He stopped in front of me, his hands up in a placating gesture. "Come with us. We can help."

"I don't need your help," I said, edging away. 

"Seriously?" He sounded incredulous—and all too familiar.

"Zaphron?" I asked, suddenly sounding incredulous myself.

He stepped forward and his holo-mask flickered off momentarily. I glimpsed the blue of his eyes—so bright it rivalled the neon colour of his projected hazer.

I stumbled backward, bumping into a passing student and losing my balance. Delta let out a sharp, pained breath as I fell hard onto my ass and she jolted against me.

Zaphron took another step forward, offering out a hand to help us up. "Astrid, come on. Your friend needs urgent medical attention. We can help."

I scooted myself backwards, struggling to my feet unaided. "I don't believe you," I said, turning and striding away.

He was at my side in an instant, easily matching my pace. "She needs a doctor Astrid. Where are you going to take her?" he growled. "Think about it."

"And where are you going to take her? To your boss so she can put a hole in her other shoulder?" I stopped and squared up to him, accepting that I wasn't going to be able to just walk away from this. I'd fight him if I had to. I had more anaesthetic syringes, I could take him.

Zaphron's holo-mask glitched off again and I saw him blink in confusion. "My boss?"

I began to reply, but there was an explosion back at the Academy. The entire top three levels shattered and collapsed. More screams erupted from the area.

"We're going to have to move," the other rebel interjected, coming up beside me. His voice was familiar too. "Astrid, I know you're hesitant, but we have a couple of medical contacts that can help." He reached out a tentative hand to check Delta's pulse and I recoiled.

"Axel?" I asked, trying to peer through the horrible holo mask.

He nodded. "There's a lot we need to explain, but right now we need to go. Are you injured too? Do you need me to carry your friend for you?"

I angled Delta away from him and glanced down at her. For a sickening moment it didn't look as though she was breathing—then her eyelids fluttered.

I wanted to take her and run in the other direction, but where could I go? The guys were right. She needed urgent medical attention—and I had no idea how to get that for her without the both of us getting caught. She was my best hope at finding the virus, and if I was being completely honest, probably the closest thing I had to a friend right now. I had to make this decision for her, not me.

I conceded with a tight nod, narrowing my eyes at Zaphron. "I'll come with you. Lead the way."

Axel gently took Delta from my arms and we sprinted down two streets and an alleyway—finally stopping at a large silver car. Zaphron opened the rear door for Axel then slid into the driver seat. I froze on the spot.

It wasn't just a hov car—it was a Soar. The only model that could actually fly. They were so rare because practically no one could afford them—but I could think of one person that could.

What had I gotten us into?