Russ & Twila Book 1: Earth

Chapter 1: ESCAPE

          "It's almost time." Will announces to the group impatiently. Among all the people joining us on our plan, he's the one I trust most. He's the brain of this operation, but I'm the one leading us.

          "Did everyone say their goodbyes and collect what they need?" I ask with no emotion. Even if someone isn't ready it's too late we have less than ten minutes, this is an all or nothing mission. If anyone hesitates for a second it could mean the end of all of us.

          Sarah opens her mouth to ask something, but I'm paying no attention. She's probably trying to be rational again and wants to talk us all out of it. There's no way any of us are backing out of this by now. We've been locked up for far too long to be here anymore. While Sarah is going on a rant about whatever she gets interrupted by Will and he asks how did everyone get to the prison. For the brains, that was a stupid question we all are benders and got locked up either getting caught using our bending or our parents were.

Erwin ruined all of our lives and feeds us lies that our powers are dangerous. That our powers are weapons. That our powers only bring suffering and sorrow. He is wrong. He doesn't understand nor see what I can see.

          "Is everyone ready? There is no turning back" I state rather than ask and everyone's response is a nod. Sarah even nods without a moment to think. She is the only girl that agreed to come along. The rest of the group consists of six guys including myself and Will. A total of seven members: Sarah, Will, Peter, Sam, Raven, Steven and myself.

          "We all know the plan right?" I ask and I receive all the same nods nothing different. "Okay good, 3....... 2.... 1.." I begin and I practically yell the word go as if my life is in danger. Which it soon will be. I break the opening to the vent, that we were camping out in right after lights out, with all my might. I jump out and being to sprint. I sprint across a courtyard I barely ever see, I look behind me to see the group following behind very closely. However I see no security of any kind.

          This is peculiar and doesn't make sense. I do not stop though. We arrive at the first wall of few or many. For all I know it's only one wall. I don't get the opportunity to get anywhere close to this wall. However it doesn't matter, we are getting out of this place now! Will and myself get closer to wall as I announce to the group "assume position 2". Everyone makes a half circle surrounding, both will and myself. I try to use my bending but it won't work.

          I'm not sure what this wall is made of, it's cold from the cooling air. It's a silver like color like stone, but shiny. When I try to touch it, my hand becomes hesitant and sensitive. It's cold like my bed.

          Will doesn't take his time to take dominance and melts the membrane of the wall. He's clearly using fire bending, but his style is unique. Instead of a flame emitting from his palms, Will can increase the heat of his hands with ease. It takes only a matter of seconds until the unknown object goes from a solid to a liquid.

          After Will makes a big aperture, it reveals stone. I begin to dig through with my bending, I decide to use the excess rock to build a barrier to protect the group. It's not perfect but it should buy time if we are to be attacked. I almost forgot how easy this is. I anticipated a fight for our lives while simultaneously escaping. Not that I'm complaining, but where is everyone? About 10 minutes go by and I'm getting exhausted. Why is this taking so long? Everyone is in the tunnel I made sine there is no point in staying outside of the wall. I don't see us getting anywhere soon.

          How much further? Where will it take us? I ask many more questions but can't process all of them........