The man, Tom, moves in front of his captive. He takes a look at his watch.

“Well, it hasn’t actually been twelve hours yet, only eight. But I’ve got some news for you.”

The words make Arthur wince, he had thought it had been at least a day since he last saw the scientist. That the man had simply forgotten his promise.

“News?” Arthur rasps. The scientist lifts an eyebrow.

“Seems like your team has come to your rescue. How nice for you.”

Arthur pulls at his restraints, as far he could, “Don’t hurt them. Please.”

His brows furrow in worry. ‘They don’t have Max with them, right?’

Tom laughs, “Seems like you’ve lost some of that fight, huh? Don’t worry, they’ll be joining you soon.”

“N-no! Listen to me. You can hurt me as much aa you like. I won’t fight. I’ll tell you what you want. Just leave them alone.” Arthur pleaded.

He knew he couldn’t actually say the truth. That he had adopted the boy the scientist was looking for. That he was probably still asleep at the agency at this hour. But he needed to keep his team safe.

“That’s all well and good, but that doesn’t solve the problem of there being intruders on our premises.”

“Let me talk to them. I’ll tell them to leave. I’m their leader, they’ll listen to me.”

The man seemed to ponder for a second, “Alright then,” he turns towards the door, “Colin!”

One of the guards appears at the doorway, “Yes, sir?”

“Put a call through to the guards at the gate. Tell them to give the comms to the intruders.”

“Yes sir.” The guard went down the hallway. Then reappeared a few minutes later.

“Here you are, sir.” He hands a walkie-talkie to the scientist, then disappears out of Arthur’s view.

Tom bends down to Arthur’s eye level. “Try anything and we might have a few more test subjects for our next experiment.”

Arthur grimaced as Tom turns the walkie-talkie on. They both cringe at the loud shouts that suddenly burst from the device.

“Arthur! Are you okay? Are you hurt-” The medic’s concerned voice crackled out of the communication device before it was interrupted by a shout from the youngest team member.

“Whoever you are, you better not lay a finger on him!” Zak yells.

“Zak, shut up for a second, let me check on him first.” Nasira interjects.

“Guys, they might be saying something, be quiet.” The second-in-command quietens the two younger teammates down and there’s silence.

“Listen, everyone,” Arthur exhales sharply,

‘Doesn’t sound like Max is with them.’

“You need to leave now.”

“What?” Nasira sounded stunned.

“Why?!” Zak yelled angrily.

“I can get out of here on my own. Don’t be reckless.”

“You’re the one being reckless.” Nasira’s voice was heated, “We’re here to help.”

“I don’t need it. Leave.”

“No way we’re leaving here without you!” Zak shouted.

Isaac lets out a breath he was holding before speaking,

“Got it,” he said firmly and he begins to lead the other teammates away from the gate.

There were shouts and curses in the background as they fought the second-in-command. Arthur’s eye twitched.

“Do you trust me?” He was barely audible amidst the yelling, but the two fell silent.

“Then go, I can handle this. I’ll come back soon, I promise.”

There was a pause before the medic’s voice crackled through.

“You better not get too injured,” she growls. “You give me too much trouble as is.”

“I won’t.” Arthur promises. “And if I do, it’ll count as overtime,” he says with a laugh.

There’s a beat and Arthur notices Zak’s unusual silence .

“I’ll come back soon, Zak. I...” He hesitates for a moment, “I’d never leave you.”

“O-okay,” the youngest says shakily. He let out a small sob and Isaac puts a hand on his shoulder.

“We’re off, then.” He clenches his fists before beginning to direct the team away.

Arthur waits to listen to the footsteps that become quieter as his team leaves, then the audio is cut off. He lifts his head up to look at the scientist.

“Well, wasn’t that sweet,” Tom mocks, pocketing the walkie-talkie and stepping up.

“You honestly think you’re getting out of here?” The man smirks.

“I am,” Arthur states, defiance burned in his eyes. “You honestly think you can keep me here?”

Despite his throbbing muscles, he pulls hard against the ropes around his wrists. The scientist could have sworn he saw them begin to fray.

“I really don’t think you should try and tear through the rope in your condition.”

Arthur ignores him and continues to pull and struggle, a final yank causes the ropes to snap. He runs out of the room, adrenaline coursing through his veins.

After a moment, there was a yell.

“Guards! Stop him!”

The large men appear down the hallway he’s running down. They reach out to grab him but then stop suddenly, startled by him. He doesn’t know what they’re surprised by, but doesn’t stop to check as he runs out of the building.

He keeps running in the direction of home, wondering how he seems to be moving faster and further than ever without any sense of exhaustion.