A Beautiful Reflection From Firework Eyes

I Think It's Time That We Believe

I'm gonna try to keep my upload schedule, but since my school is starting, it might get a bit chaotic. Sorry in advance lol. 

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It's not hard to find the redhead guard. I quickly spot him, standing beside the front door, talking to two others. It's strange to wonder what it might be like if our positions were switched. Maybe I shouldn't be feeling bad for him, but I do. He's human, just like we are.

"That one," I hiss at Jack. "The one with the red hair."

I don't see Jack nod, but he tugs on my hand, leading me to the supply closet where Alex is waiting.

"Found him," Jack reports. He looks at me. "Ready?"

"Why am I the one going out there?" I whisper back.

"Cause you came up with the plan."

I roll my eyes at him but I can't disagree. "Here goes nothing," I mutter as Jack and I duck out of the supply closet, peering around the corner at the two guards.

"Ready?" Jack hisses as we crouch behind the corner. I nod, taking a deep breath before I let go of Jack's hand, becoming visible. We're in a blind spot from the security cameras, but if I step around the corner, the cameras will see me. I wait until I see the faint shimmer of Jack heading back to the closet where Alex is before I step out.

Fishing the pen out of my pocket, I throw it as hard as I can at them. The clunk it makes when it hits the door right behind them makes everyone freeze, including me.

"What the—" One of them mutters.

"Where did that come from?" The red-haired one asks.

"I don't know," the dark-haired one says.

The radio crackles, making me jump.

"We have someone on the loose," the radio garbles. "Dawson, check the hallways. Mullins, the rooms. Radke, stay in position. Everyone, be prepared. We don't know who this is." I hold my breath as I duck back around the corner as the guard nears.

"Hey," I call. The guard spins around, his eyes wide. I know he can't see me from where I'm crouched, but he steps closer to the dark corner, his hand reaching for his gun.

"In here," I whisper. A few steps closer and he'll be out of sight from the cameras. The guard pulls out his gun, the sight of it making me tense. If he shoots now, then I'm a goner. He steps forward again.

"That's it," I say again. He frowns, but heeds my instructions, stepping right out of sight.

The next few things happen in an instant. He steps closer, his gaze falling on me. His eyes widen and he reaches for his radio, just as his eyes roll back and he slumps to the floor. I jump, my heart pounding, but something catches him before he makes a sound. I can hear Jack grunt at the impact, the guard going invisible as Jack drags him to the supply closet.

I stand up, shaking my arms and legs out as Jack grabs my hand, dragging me to the supply closet. The guard is visible but unconscious, his radio crackling.

I grab it just as the voice rings out. "Mullins, anything?"

Alex gestures at me wildly, and I hold down the button. "Nothing here. Everything seems normal." I wince as I hear my voice, hoping the audio is garbled enough by the bad connection that I sound like him.

"Okay, clear then," the voice says. "Return to your normal post." I click off the radio, pushing the antenna down.

"We probably have a few minutes before they notice he's gone," I say.

"We'll make it quick," Alex says. "He's waking up anyway."

Sure enough, the guard is stirring, blinking confusedly at us. He reaches for his gun, but Alex is already holding it.

"Don't make a sound," Alex's cold voice cuts through the air as he holds the guard down. "Or I'll slit your throat." I raise my eyebrows at him, gesturing to the gun he's holding. Alex shrugs.

"I'll find a way to do it," he mouths at me.

"Damn, Alex. Chill," Jack says, reappearing. The guard's eyes widen as he takes in the three of us. "You're not gonna let me do it?"

"If you insist," Alex grins at Jack.

"I've been waiting to for a long time," Jack replies.

"Okay, since these two are idiots," I say. "Let's start again. You know who we are."

"I was under orders," he pleads. "I promise I wouldn't have hurt you if I didn't have to."

"I know," I try to calm him down. "It's okay. That's not why we're here."

He looks at me, confused. "Then why do you need me?"

I take a deep breath. "We are going to escape."

His eyes go wide. "Why are you telling me this?" he asks. "Don't you know I could turn you in?"

"You wouldn't." I'm calling his bluff. "I saw how you reacted when you had to stab me. You know what we go through here. You know what they would do to punish us if they knew."

He sighs. "Then why are you telling me this?"

"We need information," I say. "Please."

"I don't think you have a choice," Alex snarls. "You tell us or Vic will burn your face off."

"Jeez, Alex, chill," I elbow him. "No one is burning anyone's face off, especially not me."

"I can't, I'm sorry," the guard pleads. "Please, I would help you escape if I could."

"Please," I say again. I'm practically begging now. "We really have no choice. We wouldn't be doing this if we didn't have to. You've seen how we're treated. How we are tortured every day. Please help us. We're not asking for much."

The guard hesitates, but I can tell I've won him over. "Fine," he says. "What do you need?"