Alex and Layla were stunned silent, the former from Leo's words and the latter from her miraculous healing, "Killing off the ENTIRE GANG?!" Alex finally screamed.
Leo tilted his head slightly like it was the most obvious thing in the world, "It should be done, shouldn't it? They are clearly after you people for whatever reason and they won't stop." He gestured to Layla and Alex's sorry state.
Layla's eyes darted from Alex to the strange man that Alex already seemed quite acquainted with, 'Since when did he, of all people, know someone like this Leo?'
She pushed herself off Alex and stood firmly, her legs had truly healed.
Alex and Leo stopped their debate and looked at Layla, "That reminds me. I should inform you that the healing I gave both of you is temporary and it'll fade in about five days, so make sure you're somewhere safe then."
Those words made their situation even more grave. 'According to what Leo said, we are on some sort of deadline before our injuries return.' Alex tried to suppress his worry.
Leo looked at him, "So are you sure you want to come with me?" He raised his eyebrow.
"Yes. I need to find the other two students we were with and going by ourselves would only end with us getting caught again." Layla took a step forward, tired of being in the background.
"I think we should try to return to the school. We might not have our phones but with his aid, we can try to contact them." She proposed looking at Alex, "We will be saved, and the rest can be found."
Alex stared at her in stunned silence. Was she really that dense?
"It seems that you've forgotten how we ended up here in the first place. Our driver was controlled from afar, obviously by someone with a beast art."
Layla wanted to argue but he didn't let her, "Not to mention that it was only possible because your Principal was unable to join us. Either he is part of the enemy or they have a large amount of connections within the academy."
"Whichever it may be, I'm not willing to take chances anymore. I went to the police and still ended up here. Who knows if I'll survive next time?" Layla sneered and shoved him.
"What are you implying? That my school is corrupt?!"
She glared daggers at him, "Enough of this nonsense! It's my fault for thinking a rugrat like yourself was even worthy of saving." Her words were coated with venom.
With a low tut, she turned away from them and left.
"You could have been nicer and less abrasive with your points, you know? Her idea of safety is crumbling and pointing it out so swiftly wasn't the best idea." Leo spoke as they watched her disappear in the darkness.
Alex furrowed his eyebrows and scoffed. He wasn't going to spare anyone's feelings if it ended with him dead.
Leo's head snapped to the left, "Shit!" His curse didn't go unnoticed by Alex but before he could ask what was happening, Leo spoke.
"Protect my body with your life; otherwise, both of us will die." He reached out and clasped his hand around Alex's shoulder.
The background vanished, replaced by trees and shrubs. They had teleported.
Alex felt Leo's weight fall off him, and when he turned to look, he could see Leo on the ground, unconscious.
"What was that all ab-" A bright orange flash shone from the distance just before a devastating explosion rocked the earth and threw Alex to the ground.
Animals abandoned their homes, and car alarms went off, but Alex couldn't hear anything over the ringing in his ears.
He couldn't even formulate clear, coherent thoughts.
Black spots filled his vision and no matter how much he tried to blink them away, they spread, connecting to others until his vision went blank and he passed out.
Alex's eyes shot open, darting around in a blurry haze. His heart hammered against his chest as he tried to take in his surroundings.
'Police. Kidnapped. Leo. Saved. Teleportation. Explosion. Explosion!!' The memories of everything they had encountered the previous day came flooding back.
By then, the ringing in his ears had stopped so he could just about make out the sirens of firetruck and police vehicles approaching the source of the explosion.
"So much for watching my body." A familiar voice tutted and Alex jumped a bit.
Leo stood upright and stared into the distance, "If I'm being honest, I didn't see them as capable of destroying one of their core bases."
"Desperation." He placed his hand under his chin.
Alex stared at Leo like he was some sort of demigod walking amidst men, 'He must be at a level that is similar or only just weaker than Blessing Of The Sky.'
Inhaling sharply, Leo still stared absent-mindedly into the distance.
"Now." His voice drew Alex's attention, "them blowing up the base is a sign of a growing pressure to achieve their mission."
"We can use that to our advantage, if you understand what I mean." Alex involuntarily took a step back.
He was going to be bait.