Taking Control. (a Ninjago fanfic)

Chapter 39- The ones we can save

N Y A

"Pix!" I yelled, turning the corner. The nindroid was very busy- herding 8 people through the crumbling hallways. They looked terrified.

"Oh Nya, Zane, thank god." She muttered, glancing my way before having to comfort a worried mother.

"Where's Lloyd?" I asked, and she shook her head, looking anxious. "He ran ahead with a small boy."

I wanted to ask why but there was no time to question things.

I nodded. "Ok, we'll help." I took the hand of a kid, a girl with blonde hair and wide eyes. She jumped at every creak, flinched at every movement.

Poor thing, must be terrified. "Don't worry, kid. You're gonna be fine." I whispered to her, squeezing her hand comfortingly.

She nodded shakily, looking a little bit more at ease. "Pixal, lead the way."

She nodded, and carried on down the hallway.

"Stay close!" The nindroid called over her shoulder, her voice steady despite the chaos around us. Zane moved ahead, his calm attitude a stark contrast to the fear that hung thick in the air. He scanned the hallways quickly as we shuffled through, looking for any signs of it falling down on us.

The girl beside me stumbled, nearly tripping over her own feet. I caught her just in time, steadying her with a firm grip. "Careful," I murmured, trying to keep my voice soft and reassuring. "You're doing great. Just a little further."

The building groaned ominously, the walls trembling as another distant collapse reverberated through the structure. Dust rained down from the ceiling, and the blonde girl whimpered, pressing closer to me.

"Zane, how much further?" I called, my voice strained.

"Not far," he replied, his tone neutral but laced with urgency. "The exit is just ahead."

Pixal was already at the front, herding the terrified group like a shepherd with its sheep. She had an old man who was clinging to her arm- and her hand was intertwined with a black haired boy who stood strongly by her side.

We rounded a final corner, and there it was:

the exit.

Daylight streamed through the broken doors, a beacon of safety amidst the crumbling ruins. Relief washed over me as we pushed forward.

"Go, go!" Pixal urged, ushering the group out into the open. The moment they stepped outside, the air seemed to clear, the chaos behind us replaced by the calmness of the cold winter air.

I released the girl's hand, crouching down to her level. "You're safe now," I said gently, brushing a stray lock of hair from her tear-streaked face. She nodded silently, too stunned to speak, but her wide eyes were filled with gratitude.

That's when I saw Lloyd.

He was crouched in the dirt a few meters away, cradling something small in his arms. His back was to us, his shoulders hunched, unmoving.

My heart sank like a stone.

"Lloyd?" My voice trembled as I stepped forward, Zane and Pixal flanking me.

Was he hurt?

Where was the boy?

What happened?

Lloyd didn't respond. Slowly, I approached, the sound of my boots crunching against the rubble unnervingly loud.