A Beautiful Reflection From Firework Eyes

I Can See A New Light

As the night goes on, I get more and more anxious. Any second now, we have to be ready to move. I pace back and forth across the room, running my hands through my hair.

"It's okay," Kellin says, from where he's been watching me for the last hour or so. "Vic, calm down."

I nod, trying to force myself to breathe. I can't stop pacing though, nervous energy filling me. What if it all goes wrong? What if Frank and Gerard got caught? My heart pounds in my chest, my whole body shaking as I pace around the room again. The bed creaks as Kellin walks toward me, grabbing my arm and forcing me to stop.

"We're going to be okay," he says, pressing his forehead against mine. "Really. Everything is going to be okay." I close my eyes, holding him tighter, forcing myself to breathe. Everything is going to be okay. It all is going to work out just fine. I just have to believe, right?

The alarm blares suddenly, the shrill wail cutting through the silence of the night. I tense, scanning the room. That means Gerard and Frank must have gotten in. Step one was completed. The door should be opening any minute now, releasing us.

"Now?" Kellin asks.

I shake my head, my heart racing in my chest. "We can't get out yet." The door is still firmly locked. If it doesn't open, then we are—we will be—

"Breathe," Kellin whispers, running his thumb over my hand. "It's okay."

I nod, shakily taking in a deep breath. All I can remember is the last time, the hallway—Jaime—then too much blood.

"We're gonna make it," I whisper. "We're gonna be okay." I repeat it over and over again, like a mantra.

The door swings open suddenly, slamming against the opposite wall, making us both jump. No one's there, but I know it was Alex. Time to move. I untangle myself from Kellin, taking a deep breath. This is it. We're leaving.

"Are you ready to get out of this hell hole?" I ask him.

"Never been more ready," he smiles at me.

"C'mon." I grab Kellin's arm, pulling him with me as I step through the doorway.

We make our way down the hallway as quietly as we can. It's eerily empty. At any minute, I expect to hear a shout from a guard, but there's nothing as we make our way toward the front entrance.

A figure steps from around the corner, his gun aimed at us. Kellin tenses and I push him behind me, ready to fight. My hands spark with flames as I take a step closer.

But it's only Jack. He sees me, lowering his gun. "Nice of you to join us," he calls.

"Sorry, the door was locked," I roll my eyes, extinguishing the flames. "Where are you heading to?"

"Well, the rest of us are heading toward the front. I'm going to help Gerard in the control room. The plan's in motion."

"Got it. How's it going up there?"

"We're fighting," Jack shrugs. "Nothing much has happened yet. We're holding our own, but they could definitely use your help."

I let out my breath. "Got it."

"Vic," he catches my arm. "We're going to be okay. We're getting out of here."

I can hear the commotion from down the hallway as I pick up my pace, Kellin at my heels as we run out into the front hall. The sound of rapid gunshots echoes throughout the whole building. It seems like every guard is there, fighting against us.

"Stay here," I tell Kellin. "Hide, okay?"

"I can help," he protests. "If anyone gets injured, I can heal them."

"I know you can. Just promise me you'll stay safe and be careful," I tilt his chin up, kissing him lightly. "I can't lose you." He nods, looking dissatisfied, but I don't give him a chance to argue before I summon flames into my hands, running toward the guards.

Alex sees me and waves. "About time!" he yells, fighting his way over to us.

"Someone forgot to unlock our door," I point out.

He just shrugs, laughing. "C'mon. We've got guards to fight." With that, the two of plunge into the fray.