Dex

Dex strained to see into the distance, trying to hear Biana's voice again. She'd been captured, too? That meant... only Keefe and Fitz? Before he could decide what to make of this information, the chains around him tightened while the Neverseen members up front yanked on them. Apparently, they didn't like slow walkers. But maybe that was just Dex's walk?

"Where are you taking us!?" Dex growled, fighting against the chains that bound his wrists behind his back, "What happened to lunch!?" His stomach gurgled, as if in agreement.

But his questions were ignored. Not even a glance in his direction. He turned behind him to meet Linh's eyes. They were chained in a single file line, Linh behind him. And Stina in front. Tam led the way, while Marella followed from the back.

He glanced to her hands, trying to imply his question: are you strong enough to fight? Luckily, Linh understood, nodding. Dex nodded, turning around to face Stina's back, his eyes glaring with determination. And hope. This had to work.

So, he dipped his cuffed hands into his butt pocket, reaching for the small, circular, metal bomb. All it needed was one flick of a switch and a twist, and the gunpowder inside would spark. Igniting an entire show of fireworks and ending with one giant explosion.

It was possible he'd get severely injured in the process. But hey, that was the price of freedom. For freedom, there was always a price. This was one of the smaller prices, thankfully.

Dex nodded his head, slightly, signaling to Linh behind him to wrap them in a thin layer of water. Small enough to be nearly invisible if the two Neverseen members up front didn't look behind. But thick enough to give the littlest protection to Dex and his friends.

Once shielded, Dex inhaled a deep breath, mentally preparing for the worst to come; whether it be a failed attempt, or getting severely injured. He gave a small cough to warn his friends of what he was about to do, and one Neverseen member glanced behind. But only quick enough to see Dex giving an apologetic smile. Not long enough to notice the thin shield of water. Keeping in mind, it wouldn't work as a real shield, but it would fight against the explosion of fire. It would have to do.

His cough informed the rest of the friends of what he was about to do, and they all braced for impact as well. Click! Whirr... his contraption buzzed, and the cloaked men turned to see the group. But it was too late.

A loud boom blasted in Dex's ears, and before he could process what had happened, he had already slammed into a nearby cave wall. A yelp escaped his throat, but the chains on his wrists were gone-- results of holding the bomb. Sadly, his hands had also been burnt. Badly. They were numb and he could still hear them sizzling. He shook the terrifying images away, rushing to find the rest of his friends. However, it was better than what he'd expected to happen.

The smoke stung his lungs, but he managed to find Stina

and Tam, both knocked unconscious from the blast. Dex then realized it was a wonder he hadn't been knocked unconscious, either. Until he found Linh.

Scorched and burnt black, she lay on the floor. Covered in ash and her hair was still burning with fire at the tips, Dex rushed to put it out before trying to wake her. She coughed, and sucked in a sharp breath as he tried to lift her. Both her rib cages turned out to be broken. What the heck had she been doing? Where was the water shield meant to protect her? How had she taken it worse than Dex?

Then, Dex realized.

"You idiot," he muttered. Despite being the one holding the bomb, he was the least injured out of them all. His hands were burnt down to their flesh. He shouldn't even have hands anymore! And he hadn't been knocked unconscious like everyone else. Linh had divided the water unequally, in hopes of protecting Dex. Because if she hadn't, Dex would've been dead.

"Idiot, idiot, idiot!" he seethed as he lifted her into his arms. If he didn't find a medic soon, she'd be dead. Dex tried to use telekinesis to lift Tam and Stina, but he was only strong enough to drag Stina's limp body. Not even Tam.

"I've got it," choked out a voice, and Dex was filled with embarrassment and regret as he remembered Marella existed. Whoops. Marella held out two fingers, using telekinesis to take both Tam and Stina.

Dex thanked Marella as the cramp in his stomach eased. He could manage with both, but it'd be faster this way. But still feeling guilty, Dex shared his telekinesis to ease the lift with Stina.

Then, they ran. Without any protection, the Neverseen members were either dead, or too badly hurt to do anything. Maybe unconscious. Maybe. In then, Dex heard a sharp cry ringing through the caves.

"DEX!" Dex turned his head, trying to follow the voice he recognized as Biana's. Confusion and fear fueling Dex as he ran in her direction. What was she doing here? Where were Keefe and Fitz? Were they safe? Was Biana safe? Or trapped, too?

"Where are we going?" Marella asked, grunting as she readjusting her grip on Tam.

"Biana's this way!" Dex answered, pushing his legs past their limits. And the taste of blood coated his tongue. He wanted to vomit. But he swallowed the disgusting taste and continued.

"Biana!" he called, nearing the end and finally catching sight of Biana. Her face was covered in dirt and her hair stuck out in many places, knotted and messy. Her knuckles were dripping with fresh blood, and she was collapsed on the floor as though her legs were broken. Maybe they were.

Dex pushed the last of his energy into his legs. But before he could reach her, the cave collapsed. Rocks crumbled to the floor and blocked the path completely. Marella cursed beside him, but Dex had no time to reprimand her choice of words. Mainly because he agreed with her. But also because they needed to get out before they were trapped in.

"Other way," he said, wincing as his stomach cramped up. And he needed to release his hold on Stina. Marella stumbled for a moment, but quickly found her balance and adjusted to the change in weight.

The walls caved in behind them, but Dex and Marella managed to make it out in time. However, they collapsed the second they were safe. Dex strained to stay conscious, knowing the Neverseen would be there any minute to collect their escapees. But the exhaustion was too overpowering and eventually, even he faded away. Giving in to the cold, darkness that greeted him. 

A/N - I changed some things because I realized the formatting was weird. Sorry!!