The Boy from the Bunker - Season 8

Episode Seven, Part 2:

Episode Seven, Part 2:
Life Support

That old familiar body ache; the snaps from 
the same little breaks in your soul; 
you know when it's time to go. 

Quill sat at Elara's bedside, unsure how long it had been since Wynn was whisked away or what had even happened to his brother. It was too much to process the thoughts of him; for all he knew, Wynn could already be dead, just like their sister and just like Ares, and he felt too accustomed to losing people to consider any other option.

There was a motion at the door, but Quill couldn't bring himself to see who was there. He glanced over at Kodiak who was sitting on the floor, leaning up against the wall with his head in his hands, wondering if had the strength left to pay any attention to the world around them.

"Sorry to interrupt, Ammon," the guard said, "but I need to take the boy back to his cell."

Kodiak looked up, suddenly sparked with a panic that brought him to his feet.

"No, he can stay. This is his sister and I talked to Athena about-"

"Athena's the one who gave me the orders. She said he needs to be returned to his cell until they have the results from the volunteer's trials."

"That volunteer is his brother," Kodiak stressed. "Who you and I both know could wound up dead any minute because of the procedure, and as I just told you, this girl right front of you is his sister, already dead. He's at odds. Let him stay."

"I-I'm sorry, Ammon. It's Athena's-"

"I don't care what she's told you," Kodiak shook his head. "I'm a Level 2 guard, and since she's not here right now my decision stands higher than yours. He stays here."

"Ammon, please," the guard sighed, clearly empathetic towards his suffering. "I'll have to call more guards in for assistance if you don't cooperate, and Athena said I'll have to restrain you too, if it comes to it. Please..."

Kodiak looked over at Quill, hoping he understood that he had no choice but to allow Quill to be returned back to his cell; the alternative was that Elara would be left on her own, and Kodiak didn't trust that Athena wouldn't come through on their agreement; that she wouldn't make sure Elara's body was kept alive until they had figured out the combination.

"You have to go back," Kodiak said, unable to convey any emotion in his voice; any regret or apology. "I won't leave her side."

Quill took a nervous breath, flickering his gaze between Kodiak and the guards until he had finally had enough and looked down at his sister. Nothing made sense without her; and certainly, there was never any chance of it ever making sense with Wynn gone, as well. But for now, for whatever hope there was left of saving Elara, Quill had to go.

He walked towards the door, feeling a little weaker at the idea of facing the world outside of the doors on his own, but he did it. He followed the guard's lead through the hallways and past the cells full of his friends; his people, knowing that it wasn't right... It wasn't right to give up his power and his life and sit in the confines of a room when Wynn and Elara needed him; when Kodiak needed him.

"This is your cell. I'm sorry about your sister, but you need to go in, now."

Quill exhaled his usual anxiety, eyes darting past the now-open door and landing on the guard. In a swift movement, he grabbed onto him by the collar, shoving him down to the ground and pinning himself on top of him, using one of his knees to press into the guard's chest. He held one hand over the guard's mouth and nose, preventing him from calling for help, and even more, from breathing.