The airborne dust caught in Chris's lungs as he ran, but he didn't allow himself time to cough. He hadn't run so hard since the sporting competition against Noctrem in his senior year, and never for such a distance. His heart pounded in his ears and his chest, but determination kept him running. Time both seemed to be flying and stopped. He didn't care that he could die. He had to do something.
The teacher's wing had never seen so large. Not until he was sprinting around it and hurdling the destruction. He was desperately trying to pinpoint the source of the screams that were just too familiar to him. They were the screams that no person ever wants to hear- the screams of their best friend. His mind was racing, his power in overdrive. Random things flashed through his mind, from how to cheat at blackjack to how to make the perfect creme brûlée. His body shouldn't have been able to cope with sprinting this fast for this long- but the adrenaline pumping through his veins kept his muscles from aching and kept his heart pumping fast enough.
Eternity passed in the blink of an eye as he ran. And, suddenly, he skidded to a stop. Someone was ahead of him. He had barrelled past everyone else, but something about this person made him stop. As whoever it was neared, Chris gasped involuntarily. It was Leo, carrying Amy. Relief washed through Chris, replacing the adrenaline and sudden exhaustion overwhelmed him. But something on Leo's face made Chris hesitate. Words were on his lips, questions that appeared on his tongue on looking at Amy, but then a scream pierced the air.
Chris glanced at Leo. "I'll deal with this!" He yelled, returning to his sprint. His mind was both numb and racing. Why was Leo with Amy? What had happened? Was Amy alright? Who was screaming? He shoved his way past anyone who got in his way, his hero complex starting to take over. As he ran, he felt like he was in an action movie. The bomb was going to detonate in three minutes. Chris was the only person in the building who could disarm it. He flew down the stairs, three at a time, shoving his way past students. As he swung down the corridors, a mirror shattered in front of him. He ducked, but a fragment tore the skin above his eyebrow. He straightened up and started running again, forgetting the pain as another scream tore the air. It was coming from Leo's office. He threw himself against the door, thankful that it was open as he burst in.
It didn't take him long to pinpoint the origin of the cry. Katia was pinned to the couch in Leo's office by a monstrous bookcase. As the memories of red wine and dancing assaulted him, he glanced up and down the bookcase. "Katia! I'll get you out!" He promised, dropping to his knees. Bracing one shoulder against the bookshelf, he shoved it up just enough to allow him to get his arm underneath and shove it back into position. Or, at least, that was the plan. As he had it almost straightened up, it slipped, the edge catching his shoulder. He staggered back a step when he caught it, but managed to prop it up. He ran a hand over his shoulder. It wasn't broken, but it was going to be as sore as hell when the adrenaline ran out.
Making sure the bookshelf wasn't going to collapse on top of them, he crouched beside Katia. "Are you okay? Do you need help getting out?" He tried to be gentle, but a little urgency crept into his voice as he spoke. This was the first time he'd allowed his body a break and it seized it, suddenly assaulting him with pain and exhaustion. It almost overwhelmed him, but he tried not to let it show.
A small, red, Mini Cooper wound it's way towards Arcana. Inside, Thirty Seconds To Mars blasted out of the car's stereo. Jake drummed on the steering wheel as he stopped at a junction. He glanced at his iPod, which lay in the cup holder between the two seats. The songs shuffled of their own accord as Jake pulled away, still tapping on the wheel. He grinned as he heard the song that started playing. "I was born of the womb of a poisonous man," He sang under his breath, leaning forward to try and catch a glimpse of the school that he had heard so much, both good and bad, about. He wanted to make a good impression- well, an impression anyway. His chances of a good impression had probably gone out the window when the headmaster had heard the words, "He was sent to prison for cybercrime." He had dressed relatively well and had his "Hi, do I really look like the type of kid who would hack a bank's central computer?" smile at the ready.
His adoptive parents had been understandably reluctant to let him go to Arcana. Last time he had been away from home, he had been in prison for hacking. Twice. The second time, he had been beaten up nine times in the space of three months. The bruising on his arms and stomach was still glaringly obvious- and sore. But, hell, it had all been worth it. Apparently, they'd nearly had to arrest the drunken asshole Jake had the pleasure of calling his father for assault when he found out what had happened. And most of the money had gone to a good cause.
Then, the earthquake had struck when Jake had been almost at Arcana. He had just been out of range, but his frenzied adoptive parents had still called him, saying that he didn't have to go if he didn't want to, if he thought it wouldn't be safe. His reassurances that he would be fine lasted longer than the actual earthquake. But seriously, it was a school for people with freaking superpowers! If anywhere was safe, it would be Arcana.
As Jake pulled in the drive, he began to wonder how true that statement was. It almost looked like the earthquake had originated at the school. The car stereo lowered it's volume a little as Jake pulled into the car park. He shut off the engine and climbed out of the car, pausing to swipe his bags from the back seat. He headed for the reception of the school.
"Holy shit..." Jake swore as he saw the true damage done to the school and the chaos that was currently ensuing. He looked around, soon regretting it. The sheer amount of blood made his stomach turn and his head feel light. He dropped his bags, staring. Just... Staring at everything in general. Things were much worse than he had thought.
Students and staff were emerging with various types of injuries, covered in dust from the earthquake. Some made his bruised arms and torso look like a graze that a kid would pick up in the playground. He hitched one bag over his shoulder and picked up the rest, heading towards the main lawn, where everyone seemed to be gathering. He glanced around, looking for comfort in a familiar face.