A Beautiful Reflection From Firework Eyes

Got To See What Tomorrow Brings

M-07. That was Gerard's number, when he was in the Facility. His hair is different—it's bright red instead of black. I can't quite believe that he was locked up there. From the way he stands, the confident way he holds himself, it's hard for me to believe that he was bent and broken by the same place the three of us are trapped by.

"I ran into Gerard last night when I was sneaking around out here," Jack explains. "It was right before—the whole thing with—Matty." He shifts uncomfortably, the memory still weighing heavily on all of us. "He saw me use my powers and knew instantly. He wanted me to sneak away and join him, but I explained that I needed to get all of you out too."

"So I offered to meet with you guys so we could discuss how to pull this off," Gerard says. "I was at the Facility too, two years ago."

"How did you escape?" Alex asks. The four of us are sitting cross-legged in a circle on a melted patch of snow. "There were two of you, right?"

Gerard nods. "Me and my boyfriend, Frank," he says. "He got assigned to my room and we started planning an escape as soon as things got bad. I can read minds, as you know. He can create force fields. So it wasn't that difficult to get out of our room. They noticed we were gone after a few seconds and came after us, but using our powers, we managed to get away."

"Can you help us escape?" Alex asks.

Gerard nods slowly. "Yes," he says. "But it's going to be dangerous," he warns. "If they see you trying to escape, they won't hesitate to shoot."

"We know," I say.

"Why are you telling us this?" Alex asks.

"Because," Gerard says, looking directly at us. "If you stay, you're forced to do what they tell you to, but you won't die. You have the security of knowing you'll be alive. If you leave, they'll do all they can to kill you. And it won't stop them from trying to hunt you down. Frank and I have been running ever since we got out."

"Living a life trapped isn't living at all," Alex says firmly. "I'd rather die trying to escape than be trapped forever."

"Anyway, who knows what happens when they're tired of us?" Jack points out. "It's not like they are going to let us go. They are probably just going to kill us."

I nod. "That's true. After seeing what it's like to be free after so long, I don't think any of us can go back and live like we did before."

"So you're willing?" Gerard asks. "If we go through with this, I need everyone to be completely on board with the plan. It's all or nothing. We get one shot at this. No redos."

"I'm in," Alex says immediately. Jack and I follow, echoing his words.

"We all are," I say. "We are all ready to be free."

"Don't let them catch any hint that you are planning an escape," Gerard warns. "If they do, then we all are going to be in trouble. A lot. We probably won't make it out alive if they do catch on."

"Got it." I suddenly feel cold. What am I doing? Memories of the last time flash through my mind. What if it all goes wrong? I push away the nagging doubt. I'm doing this for Kellin. For Alex and Jack. We all deserve to live. We have been trapped inside the Facility for far too long. We are going to be free and that's final.

"It's going to be more difficult," Gerard says. "It was easy for Frank and I, since Frank could shield us from the bullets, but there are four of you?"

"Five," Alex corrects. When Jack and I look at him in surprise, he raises his eyebrows. "Craig?" Oh right. I had forgotten. It's evident Jack did too, from the way he screws up his face. "He deserves to be free just as much as we do," Alex points out. "No matter how much of an asshole he is."

"That's fair," Jack admits. "So, why would it be more difficult?"

"Because there are more of you," Gerard responds simply. "They'll be more prepared after last time. And Frank's good but he can't protect that many people. It's probably impossible to shield that many at one time."

"You can't just mind control the guards?" Alex asks.

"It doesn't exactly work like that," Gerard sighs. "More like I can see what you're thinking and talk to you in your mind. I can't control you. It'd be nice, though."

"It would make things easier," Alex agrees. "Can't win 'em all I guess, though."

"So how do we do this?" I ask. "Do you have any ideas on how to escape?"

"We're not going to just get you out," Gerard says. "We are gonna do it right. By destroying the facility once and for all."