I could clearly see Lyra with my right eye, surprisingly she moved with ease through the night. Unfortunately, it was different for me. My left eye was contributing to the inaccuracy of my binocular vision and my depth perception was terrible. My vision in my left eye had greatly decreased since the injury. Running through the dark at this speed was making it impossible to rely just on one eye. I kept trying to shut it and avoid using it but when I stumbled and almost lost Jax I immediately opened it again. Perhaps when I have more time to adjust to my new eye or possible monocular vision it won’t be a problem. I do not relish discussing further surgery on my eye as Fuchsia is already suggesting replacing my other eye with a matching cybernetic ocular. The world feels different through the cybernetic eye. It feels less real and I can’t help but be afraid of that. At least at a distance my new eye resembles a normal eye to the casual observer. 

My clothing was soaked from sweat and it was becoming difficult to keep Jax from sliding off my shoulder. Sina and Fuchsia had filled the air around Creso’s men with smoke, but the men still pushed through as it offered little resistance. I didn’t turn around but I could hear gunfire exchange between both sides. We just needed to keep moving.

Lyra called out, “we’re close, the car is just ahead.” I quickly rotated and forced myself to look and locate the other members of our group. I nervously scanned the area with my eye as it focused on the surroundings. I just hoped that we had all made it out unscathed. Luckily I located everyone quickly, although they were farther away than I had hoped. 

Jackie appeared to be the closest. I called out to him, “we are almost to the car can you….” He was gone before I could finish my words like a flash. His blue hair left a glowing trail in my vision as he moved at an inhuman speed. 

I noticed movement on my right side and was able to immediately focus in on a man who was attempting to stay hidden in the trees. I scanned him and his surroundings and quickly noticed he was pointing his gun at something. I held my breath as I raised my gun and fired a single shot, the man dropped before he could even pull the trigger. I heard lots of movement and I spun around causing Jax to slide as he was precariously balanced on my shoulders. Jackie was almost face to face with me, and scared the crap out of me. He smiled and said, “everyone is here, let's go!”

I could hear the light rumble of a car engine and I turned back around and ran in its direction. It didn’t take long for us to arrive at the car. Jackie crawled in the front next to Lyra. Fuchsia nudged me and said, “let me have him.” I carefully slid him off my shoulders and into her arms. 

I turned around and looked at Jax. His skin looked deathly pale and I could barely see his chest rise and fall.  Fuchsia sighed and said, “Bren, get in the car so we can check him.”

I crawled into the car and Fuchsia sat down with Jax cradled in her lap and slid over. Sina quickly sat down beside her and shut the door. Fuchsia carefully removed her arms from around Jax and allowed his body to fall across the three of us. Lyra revved the engine and pulled out onto the road. 

Cold sweat and blood caused his hair to stick to his face. I carefully brushed my hand over his face and pushed it back so I could see him more clearly. His face was pale and his veins showing through in a concerning way. How long has it been? How long had he been away from us?

I looked at his exposed chest, his bones were too visible. Had they tried to starve him? 

So many questions plagued my mind and I grinded my teeth together in anger. Why had it come to this?

I looked over toward Fuchsia and she was gently holding Jax’s wrist. Her brow was wrinkled and she chewed on her bottom lip. “What is wrong?’ I asked.

She carefully laid his wrist down and sighed. “His pulse is slow but steady. I need to get him back to my equipment so I can check him out fully.”

I felt like I had failed him. I closed my eyes and said, “I promised him….” tears started to form in my eyes and I couldn’t say anything else. 

Fuchsia gently tapped our shoulders together. “Bren, if anyone can survive this it is Jax. Also, have a little faith in his doctor,” she laughed. 

I placed my hand on the top of his head and closed my eyes. 

The sound of car doors woke me up. I stretched in my seat and the warm scent of sea salt filled my nose. Jackie and Lyra were standing in front of the car looking out at the water and the sunrise that burned in the sky. 

I noticed that my lap felt warm and looked down. Jax was sweating immensely. I reached down and felt his head. Alarmed by how hot he was I looked over towards Fuschia. She was staring at Jax as well. Without looking up at me, she said, “he has been running a fever for a couple of hours.” She squinted her eyes at Jax and tilted her head and started to say something but stopped.

“What is it, Fuschia?”

She looked at me and said, “I need to check his vitals and run some scans before I can say more.