A Time To Fight And A Time To Run

Part 8- Grey

After Grey announced that he had an idea, the gears in his brain turn faster and faster, until finally, everything clicked into place.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Hazel said.

Grey ignored her and studied the rope attached to their hot air balloon. "I'm going to slide down the rope," he said, almost to himself.

"You'll burn yourself", Hazel contradicts. "Besides, why can't you just cut off the rope?"

Grey walked over to his backpack and started looking through it. He was about to explain to her calmly why he couldn't do that- after all, she hadn't grown up in an evil agency like he had. But then he remembered that he was supposed to be a jerk to Hazel, to convince her that he didn't like her. Which he didn't, of course, but just in case she thought so. He didn't want to get close to her just to have his father hunt her down because of that. "Do you know anything about evil agencies? If they want to keep something in one spot, it will stay in that spot. That rope is really thick, and wouldn't cut without like a chainsaw or something."

They continued to argue, Hazel getting more angry, and Grey getting more frustrated. She had a comeback for everything that he said, and was making it very difficult to be mean.

Finally, she said, "The only reason you have is because you do everything before I even have a chance. Don't blame all your self-confidence issues on me," and Grey didn't know what to say. 

He was tired to arguing. He wanted to get the jeep out of there. He didn't want to say anything he would regret. So, he strayed from the topic. "Don't leave. They'll see you."

Grey climbed out of the basket, then gracefully swung down to the rope. He slid down as quick as he could, then jumped off.

He glanced up at the balloon before running towards the jeep, then ducking behind a tree.

Grey swiftly weaved between the trees, as quiet as a mouse. Finally, he could see the jeep through the branches, and quickly studied it. There was only one man standing by it, and Grey noticed that he didn't have any weapons on him. He saw a sharp blade in the back, and realized he could use that to cut the rope.

He quickly jumped out of the forest and attacked the man.

He tried to punch Grey, and he dodged it. 

As they fought, the man said, "How could you betray us, Grey? You are our leader's son. Your father is very disappointed in you."

Grey clenched his jaw and and kneed him in the stomach. "He's evil. I don't want to be." He laughed. "Was this your whole plan? Send the worst agent out here to make sure that our hot air balloon stays in place?"

The agent looked up at him evilly, while still clutching his stomach. "No." He gestured his head in the direction of the balloon. "That was."

Grey turned and saw another jeep riding away with the balloon attached to it.

The blood drained from his face. Hazel.

He sprinted after the balloon, and with each stride he pumped his legs harder. He couldn't let Hazel get taken by them. Grey had seen from a young age what they do to prisoners. If she got taken, it would be his fault. He fell right into their stupid trap. They would use her against him, as a weakness, to get something from him. And it would work.

That's why he didn't want to get close to her! In case this happened!

Suddenly, he saw Hazel jump out of the hot air balloon and use his jet pack to soften her landing in the jeep.

How had she found that?

And more importantly, how would she fight the man in the jeep? He would be much bigger, stronger, and more trainer than her. What was she doing?