As the seconds ticked by, I knew I couldn’t allow the fear to overwhelm me for even a fraction of a moment. I felt the power in my biomods charge, draining my energy as the warden strode forward. I grit my teeth, sucking in a hiss of breath as I stated, “Not this time.” 

There was a brighter glow along my arms as my power built to the point I knew I could no longer take it. I threw out my hands, shouting at the strain that surged through me as my power exploded outward towards the warden and the line of guards. The blast sent them back- the metal of the front gate warping and bursting open. The impact rendered them stunned and immobile- the warden’s baton no longer ignited with electric bolts. 

I ran- feeling weak and dizzy, I wondered how many seconds I had left before I was out of time and out of luck. Making it past the mass of guards and out the front gate, I felt the fresh air hit me like a cold wave. The smell of damp rain and cement filled my lungs, the city a wash of colorful neon lights and tall skyscrapers made of metal and glass. As I fled the prison grounds, wondering if anything else would stand in my way, I made it to the street. I could see the dilapidated and abandoned hotel that Destry had spoken of, just a few feet away- knowing he was waiting there for me. 

As the collar around my throat clicked and reactivated, shutting down my biotech, I knew one thing for certain…I couldn’t be just another pet for Synchro; I was free of captive life, and though I couldn’t stop to savor it, I refused to leave behind my freedom for another form of servitude. 

I ran towards the parking lot, finding a motorbike marked with the prison’s insignia; no doubt belonging to a guard. I didn’t care, wasting no time in hot wiring it and ripping out the tracking device as I mounted the vehicle, desperate to get as far away from Purgatory as quickly as I could. 

A crackle of feedback in my ear came before the sound of Destry’s irritated voice, nearly shouting as he asked, “What the fuck do you think you’re doing? Do you have a death wish?” 

"Sorry baby, deal's off." I winced as I ripped the earpiece out of my ear and threw it to the ground. I grunted, powering on the electric motor as I revved the bike and took off down the street. 

Part of me was in disbelief, it all felt like a dream. There was wind rushing through my ears and hair, deafening me as I sped down the paved roads. The blur of vibrant neon lights made the haze over the city a multitude of colors. 

For the past five years I had been locked away in a cage of metal and though I now had some semblance of freedom, I knew it would come at a cost. Purgatory would want to reclaim their prisoner- Synchro would never stand for my resistance… With my heart pounding in my chest, I knew that there was no going back. If I was caught, there would be nothing left for me but the regret of crossing Synchro…and I knew that the faction would make me beg for the prison life of Purgatory.