“Escape?” Dan asked. His hand started shaking and Lucas took it in his own to calm the boy.

Mr. Ranson looked down at his own hands balled together. “The Broken are taken to a facility run by the government, where their abilities are honed for military purposes. Those whose abilities are deemed unusable are returned to their homes with no idea of what was happening behind the scenes.”

He took a shaky breath and looked at Thomas, who continued. “If they decide someone’s ability is of use to them, then that person is transferred to a special base for training.”

Hunter jumped from her seat. “Jasper’s invisibility would be one of those, right? We have to get him out!”

“You want to break into a government facility?” Will’s face paled and he shook his head. “How?”

“I don’t know.” Hunter admitted reluctantly. “But we have to do something.” She thought quickly, trying to form a plan. “Break down the wall? Send in a drone? Erase their memories with a flash of light?”

Amber snickered, but it was Dan who spoke next. “I could freeze time.”

“And what if you were caught?” Lucas’s grip tightened around his boyfriend’s hand. “They’d take you to wherever that base is and I’d never see you again.”

“Please, everyone, calm down.” Mr. Ranson tried to regain control of the situation.

Thomas put a hand on Hunter’s shoulder and forced her to sit down. “Like I said, I helped Peter escape before. We will get Jasper back. I promise.” He gave her a smile before hardening his face and looking around the group. “First, we need to find him. Tristan?”

The girl Hunter didn’t know looked up. “I’d need some time.” She said before turning back to her paper folding.

“Alright.” Thomas sighed. “Bryn, help her if she need’s it, okay.”

“Rodger that, Captain.” Bryn gave him a salute. She began whispering softly to Tristan while the girl carefully folded another bird.

“Daniel, you weren’t too far off.” Thomas continued. “Freezing time could definitely give us an advantage.”

“No.” Lucas stated harshly.

Dan cupped Lucas’ face with his free hand. “I want to help. Jasper is as much my friend as he is Hunter’s.”

They stared into each other’s eyes for a while, waiting for the other to give in. Everyone in the room was silent. The only sound was Tristan’s paper rustling as she folded.

Finally, Lucas sighed. He turned and gave Hunter a pointed glare. “If anything happens to him…”

“I’ll be right there.” She promised.

“So will you.” Thomas added. “Hunter said you could throw fireballs. If that’s true, it could come in handy.”

Lucas’ eyes softened and he smirked. “I can do a whole lot more than throw a fireball.”

Thomas laughed nervously. “Glad to hear.” His eyes shifted to Michael. “Can we count on a diamond defence?”

“You have to ask?” Michael slammed his fist into his opposite palm. “Those a-holes made a big mistake messing with our friend.”

Amber cheered in agreement, but gave Thomas a knowing look. Animal communication wasn’t a skill they would be needing. Maddie and Carter were giving him similar looks, though they were a little more restless.

Tentatively, K raised his hand. “Can I help?”

Thomas looked carefully at the boy, taking in his shaking arm and slouched shoulders. Unsure, he shot a glance at his sister, who shrugged. “Transmogrification.” She responded. “Animals.”

“I know I’m not that good yet.” K’s voice shook as he defended himself. “But I’m getting better. And…” He cast his eyes downward. “I was almost…”

“Alright.” Thomas agreed. “But if things get hairy, I’ll send you home.”