Juris

It's sad how quickly we pack. We have nothing, no personal belongings or anything. Only some clothes, food, and water; well Lana has most of the water. I stand by the door with my backpack, watching the others getting their backpacks on. They both stop, and we all stare at each other.

Damn, how far we've come.

I remember seeing these guys for the first time. Paytah almost killed Lana in that dome, but Aira knocked him out. We were all...confused, scared. We didn't know what was happening. All we wanted to do is go back home...

If only the world knew that.

If only the world knew how innocent we once were. Stuck in that stupid white room for weeks, used as test subjects, and tried to escape many times.

But all they can do is hate us.

But when it comes down to it, people have no one to blame but us. We "started" it, we are the four who came together.

I guess people really don't get the concept that we were forced to. Maybe that's why Hanson picked teens for this. We don't even think about killing each other. Adults I would imagine would become defensive or more aggressive. But teens?

I look at Aira. No way. There wasn't even a thought about killing. Exactly what Hanson had hoped for, and what the world feared.

I look down at my map, which I made, and quite proud of it. I'm no artist, but I don't want to brag. Hell, whatever, I'll brag. Screw whoever doesn't think this map is good, I'm a pro.

I smile a little. Something Paytah would have said.

I looked up to that guy. Well, we are about the same height, but Paytah is someone I envied. I wanted to be him, I wanted to think, look, and act like him. But later I realized he's one of a kind.

There's no one on this planet that's like Paytah.

You can't put him in any category, because he'll surprise you with something else. Then you'll put him in another category, and bam, he'll change again. He's not nice nor mean, not happy nor sad, not funny nor boring.

He's Paytah.

And now that son-of-a-bitch got himself in a bad spot. But even though you can't figure that guy out, he would do the same if any of us were captured.

"Ready?" Aira asks.

"Let's get out of here." Lana says, putting her hair in a pony.

We all walk out the room, looking odd with our big backpacks. I won't miss this building, not at all. I won't miss any of this.

All of a sudden, I see James come running to us. Lana tenses up, but Aira and I know he's not a threat. He stops in front of us and lifts up his glasses.

"Hear me out," he's says out of breath, "you can't go-"

"Oh, bullshit. Did Jackson tell you to plead us to stay?" Lana says.

James brows come together. "No, no orders. Just a personal comment, because I know what's going to happen."

Lana is about to protest, but I speak. "Let him talk." I turn to James. "What?"

He takes a deep breath. "I know you're going to go anyway, but I want you to be aware. If you leave, you can't come back. You won't be able to come back. Now that Jackson lost one of the four elements, she'll realize that she'll need to get rid of all four. She'll kill you guys out there, she'll order Hanson to. She doesn't care, especially if she doesn't have all four of you. I don't think Jackson cares if you leave, I think she wants you to."

"It's easier to kill us if we're out in the open where any other element will kill us." Lana says.

"Exactly. She'll blame it on someone else, but.." He stops, I think he knows we don't need to hear any more.

"We're still going," Aira says, "our friend is out there."

"I understand. Just-be careful." James says.

"Thank you." I say, and Aira and I run to catch up to Lana, who has already walked a ways down.

"We can trust him." Aira says.

"Doesn't make a difference." Lana snarls, "we're probably going to get killed anyways."

"Lana." I snap, and it goes silent. Lana is more..harsh, while Aira can't go a day without worrying or shedding a tear.

But this time a see Lana shed a tear.

"Everyone is out to get us. We can't go anywhere without-" she wipes her tears, trying to keep herself together. "That girl in my squad died, and it's all cause of us, of me. I-I can't be responsible for this anymore. She was my friend, and I can't take losing another."

Aira and I look at her. Lana isn't like this, but with what has been happening, I don't blame her.

"That's why we're getting him." Aira says.

"I can't lose another person." She says, a quiet sob in between. I know how much Paytah means to her, we all mean a lot to each other. But there's something about this where Lana almost knows she can't lose him.

"We're not going to lose anyone else, okay?" I say, and she finally nods.

We walk out the door as quiet as we can. We walk to the gate, surprisingly nobody is out there guarding. I lead all the way to the gate. I quick glance back past the others to the building...

And we run.

All the way into the thick grass. We run through, having a hard time going fast, but eventually reach the woods. We keep going until we're totally out of breath. We stop and sit in a random spot in the woods, and I look at my map.

"We have to keep heading that way," I point ahead of me, and the others nod.

I take a big breath. "This is quite a journey."

Lana looks at me, the tears now gone. She looks calmer, I almost see a smile on her face.

"We were born ready for this."

••••••

Hello!!!!

So, finally another chapter!

Sorry this one was kinda boring😁

What character is your favorite to read on their point of views?? Please comment and also vote!!

Thank you!