Side Story Time.

"I would gladly stay behind to let you escape." It was a tense moment as eyes clashed with each other and fingers tightened into their palms. Their hectic escape against the cold wind brushed their hair over their cheeks, sticking to the sweat of anxiousness and angst. 

Her lips grew into a mocking smile, tilting her head to the small window beside them. The moon shined against her pale skin, and her heart pounded against her deep breathing. 

"Then you'll be the hero, and I'll be the villain." The hunting dogs barked loudly through the night, echoing against the tight hallways of the tunnel and their owners' footsteps grew closer and closer by the second.

"Hope," his fingers were freezing cold, brushing against her cheek and tugging her hair slightly. "No one is the real villain here," he pressed her head against his chest and rubbed her arms. "But we don't need both of us getting caught."

"You should run," it was a whisper. "They already saw me, but no one knows you're here." Hope gripped his collar and pressed her fists against his skin. "Kyle, go!" 

Kyle could see the flames dancing behind her eyes and the heat spreading along her body. "What are you thinking?" 

She smiled, "Go." 

As he neared the end of the tunnel, he could feel the heat exploding behind him. His tears ran down his cheeks as the group of escapees watched him silently climb down the exit. 

"Let's go." His voice was barely heard against the chattering of the escapees, both worried and angry. "Hope..." Kyle paused, hearing the voices of the people. We're going to die now! How are we going to escape? 

The floor trembled and their bones shook, Kyle's yellow suit glowed eerily and his tall figure loomed over them. "I said.." His hair stood up from the current running from his fingertips to the earth beneath his feet. "Let's go." 

Survive, Hope.