This time, he wouldn’t fail.
Modified lungs burned, but he refused to stop running. How long had he been running? It was difficult to judge within the dense forest, with no moon in sight. Taloned feet constantly caught on the thick underbrush, sending him sprawling, cutting up his arms and legs and face and wings, but he couldn’t stop.
This wasn’t the first time the hybrid found himself in this situation: his cage left unlocked, the hallways suspiciously empty, an escape just a little too easy. He knew it was just some kind of test, or sick game, and it wouldn’t be long before they found him and dragging him back to the labs thrashing and screeching. To say nothing of what punishment awaited him after.
Perhaps he was foolish for thinking this time would be any different. But he had to at least try. There was always a slim chance.
If only he could get out of this damn forest! If he just had the space to spread his wings...
As fixated as he was on this thought, and as dark as it was, he didn’t see the person ahead of him until he was literally barreling into them, knocking them both to the ground. One of Alba’s team? He wasn’t sure, but the stranger was on top of him and his wings were pinned painfully under their bodies. He didn’t have time for this!
“Move!” Barked Falkner, already trying to shove their body off him.