Out of Body Experience

Chapter 16

"We're the only ones left alive," Lucas informed from his spot on the ground.

Benjamin nodded, still holding Ella.

"They're coming here now. For you, Dad."

Benjamin nodded, he took a deep breath and handed Ella to Lucas. "Do me a favour, don't watch. I'll be back soon."

Lucas blinked a bit, looking down at Ella and nodding, "you promise?"

Benjamin nodded, "it's an interrogation." He moved to stand in front of the kids and hide them from view.

The guards that came in had stern expressions. "We'll start with him," the leader informed, "and we'll move onto the kids if he doesn't talk."

Benjamin knew what he had to do. He wasn't going to make their job easy. But he couldn't risk the kids being dragged into it either. He'd tell them what they wanted to know. He walked out of the cell surrounded by the men with his head held high, and a concerned glance at his kids.

Lucas tried to rub Ella's back the same way Benjamin did but for some reason it wasn't as effective at calming her. "Has a mission ever gone this wrong?"

Lucas shook his head.

"So it's bad?"

"Do you need to hear me say it?"

Ella took a deep breath, "no." She pulled away from Lucas and inspected the bars, as if evaluating how solid they were. "How good a track of time do you have?"

"Perfect in every way."

"And memory? Can you remember the guard schedules?"

Lucas nodded. "Even if I couldn't, I can see every guard in this base right now. But unless you're having an awakening moment and your powers just so happen to be breaking through metal. We're screwed."

Ella pulled at the meal with a huff, "nope. No metal bending powers here."

Lucas smiled. "We'll form a plan when Benjamin comes back, don't worry about it, okay?"

Ella looked back at Lucas, she could tell he had little hope, but she nodded anyway.

Ella fiddled with her own manacles until she was free. It took longer than expected and made her sleepy. She woke up to the sound of Benjamin being thrown unceremoniously into the cell. He hit the ground and Lucas was by his side.

"Dad?"

Benjamin grunted as he pushed himself up to watch the guards lock the cell door and leave.

"Are you okay?"

Benjamin's hand went to his aching ribs. "I had to tell them everything."

Lucas nodded, "how long do you reckon we have?"

Benjamin shook his head, "as long as it takes them to activate the machine."

"That's not long."

Benjamin looked at his son with a sad look, "I can fight."

"I doubt that."

Benjamin tried to push himself onto his feet but was in clear pain, "I can. Barely. But if you can grab Ella and run before, they know what hit them you might be able to escape. As long as you watch where you go."

"Dad, we can find a way."

Benjamin shook his head, "many have said that before us."

They could already hear footsteps coming towards the cell.

"Just stay behind me and—"

"I can handle this." Ella stood up.

"What?"