n

n

nAs Bryan tears cloth from his coat to wrap around the wounds, Asher's hands come to rest on his.

n

"Don't...

" he said weakly.

n

"You're on the farthest side of the building. You can't waste time. Get Cassie out.

"

nHe glances at Cassidy. Their eyes met then - his tired, hers teary. All sorts of emotions cross through her expression. But what stands out the most is worry.

nAnd he doesn't deserve it.

n

"We're not leaving you behind, Asher...

" Bryan muttered firmly.

n

"If Sir Edward says we can make it, then we can-

"

n

"I'm all right with a death like this...

" Asher cut him off, smiling up at Cassidy.

n

"I did so many stupid things, and to be honest, I didn't think I could face any of you anymore.

"

nHe sees Cassidy break down at that moment. Tears of anger and sadness begin to fall from her eyes. Bryan proceeds to hasten his handiwork, trying his hardest to secure his life. He wouldn't let him die regardless of what kind of bull** he said.

n

"You don't have to die, you dumbass...

" Bryan continued.

n

"You've saved Seven's life. You did what you could for Ma'am Cassidy, too.

"

n

"Maybe...

" Asher hedged with a small smile.

n

"But it was with your help. This? This is all on me.

"

n

"Don't start getting noble with me now, bastard. The others are still waiting for you to come back.

"

nAsher huffed, much to Bryan and Cassidy's aggravation.

nSome part of her wants to hit him and cry out. But instead, she decided to help treat him - with Seven aiding her in every way he can. Even then, he still tries to discourage them.

nThe clock ticks down to three minutes.

nEdward comes up beside Bryan, hoisting Cassidy into his arms.

n

"How can I help...?

" he asked.

n

"I know we're running out of time.

"

nBryan opens his mouth to answer but is then cut off by the device in Seven's jacket blaring loudly. He fumbles with it, hastily pulling it out.

n

"SOS signal...

" Seven informed them, paling.

n

"One from the docks!

"

n

"Go already...

" Asher insisted.

n

"There's not enough time for me.

"

n

"Yes, there is...

" Bryan cut in, tying off his makeshift bandage before gathering him into his arms.

n

"Let's go.

"

nAll of them hurry out of the headquarters, rushing along the hall as fast as they can with Asher's weight dragging them down. They reach the middle of the facility - near the holding cells. Edward checks the timer - there are two minutes left.

nHe grits his teeth. Asher catches his frustration.

n

"You should leave me behind.

"

n

"We are not wasting our time on this discussion.

"

nThey leap over unsconscious bodies, now recognizing the halls as the ones they had taken minutes prior. No one expects Asher to act right before they reach the exit. He suddenly pushes himself from Bryan's arms and lands pitifully on the floor.

n

"Asher,

" he cursed, bending down to pick him back up.

n

"Go. You won't make it out of here if you keep arguing with me,

" he intoned, shoving him aside.

nCassidy turns around to glare at Asher. She angrily bolts out,

"Then, you shouldn't have insisted on getting left behind! You shouldn't have pushed yourself off, you dimwitted, foolish, stupid little imp!

"

nAt her exclamation, everyone is caught off guard.

nSoon enough, the five of them burst out of the facility - right when it blows up into flames before collapsing into itself within seconds. They all stumble out, breathless, and once they're a few feet away, they turn to watch the building crumble. With the facility destroyed there should be a feeling of exhilarating victory, but what settles in their hearts is only calm relief.

n

"What's going to happen now?

" Cassidy asked quietly.

nHer heart twinges when Edward tries to wipe the tears from her cheeks. Asher has fallen unconscious at one point. Bryan lies him on the ground while Seven scans the surroundings.

n

"I don't know, Cassidy,

" Edward answered truthfully.

nIn the distance, he can see Charles running up to them from the vans parked outside the facility. Damien and Aira must be in one of the vehicles.

n

"Where are we going?

" Charles questioned.

n

"We're splitting up,

" Bryan replied.

nA semblance of authority replaces the desolation in his tone. He lifts up Seven's device – one that's connected to Aira's transmitter, and evidently, another one.

n

"Charles will take the kids to the safehouse,

" Bryan instructed.

n

"I'll go to the docks just as planned,

" Edward said.

n

"Right.

"

n

"Wait...!

" Cassidy sniffed, furrowing her brows.

n

"What's at the docks?

"

nBryan glances at the facility – at the flames that dare to touch the stars. Smoke dissipates into the heavens, and the bright cruelty of the fire is all that he seems to see for a long moment.

nEventually, Bryan answered,

"Someone you know very well, apparently.

"

n---

nAnthony carefully makes his way into the saferoom, a mandolin in hand.

nHe strums the instrument experimentally. There is nothing distinct about the notes he's playing, and there is no structure to his melody. He is simply playing mismatched notes, though somehow, they must seem well-pieced.

nAnthony's ears perk up when he hears a few chords filtering in through the keyboard set in the corner - and he smiles knowingly. He continues to play the melody as though nothing in particular has occurred, and eventually, there is a full rhythm to his improvised song.

nAnthony allows his music to fade, his accompaniment picking up on his steady rallentando, sustaining a few more notes and letting the melody get lost to silence. He lingers in the quiet for a moment, and then, he turns to face his companion.

n

"You're getting better at picking up melodies, Sir.

"

nAdrian smiles wearily back at him from his seat by the keyboard. Anthony smiles in return, his gaze softening.

n

"I learned from the best, didn't I?

"

n

"Oh, I wouldn't go around calling me that.

"

nAdrian's fingers brush over the keys. Anthony notes a weakness to them that is slightly more severe than before.

n

"You're still recovering, President...

" he reminded him.

n

"You should be in your room resting.

"

n

"Rest is not something I need right now...

" he remarked, playing a B flat.

n

"Is it?

"

nAnthony has never been quite good at communicating with Adrian.

nSomething about him is distant and closed off. His cold nature is significantly frostier than Grisham's or Gertrude's can be - even when they're at their worst.

nAdrian's fingers brush over a chord again.

n

"You don't have to come tonight, Anthony.

"

n

"I still will, Sir Millicent.

"

n

"Let me rephrase. You are not coming with us tonight.

"

nAnthony is a little surprised when he plays a harsher cord. He is not sure how to respond. Adrian is dead serious.

n

"So, it will just be the three of you?

"

n

"Yes. Your extra service is not required. Stay with Mia in the mansion.

"

nIt takes a long moment for realization to dawn on Anthony, though when it comes, he notes that Adrian has made it exceptionally clear - he doesn't want to put anyone else in any more danger than they should be.

n