<div style="text-align: center">《 Ezra 》&amp;《 Tobias 》&amp;《 Rachel 》<br/>
<i>Location: Shuttle pick-up location<br/>
Addressing: Rebel, Dan, Anise </i>​</div><br/><br/><div style="text-align: justify">Directions and commands were coming from every direction. Kennedy requested they assist the others onto the carriages. Officer Square Jaw rejected the man’s request after he had already set off across the yard, his sights set on discussing their unfortunate circumstances with Armando.<br/>
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He swallowed hard and glanced down at his sister, his mind reeling like a top spinning out of control on a tabletop. The world blurred around him. Inside, Ezra knew what needed to be done. It all made sense to him. They needed to follow in Kennedy’s footsteps, they needed to perform damage control.<br/>
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Ezra blinked, catching Rebel and the other gentleman as they approached. He recognized his face, and knew his name was simple, but it escaped his mind. It didn’t matter anyway. After tonight, Abendblume and all of the people left behind would be nothing more than a distant memory.<br/>
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Anise answered Rebel’s inquiry with her small voice. She entertained the thought of splitting up and Ezra stared down at her, surprised at her response. Inside the lobby, she had been against the idea of them separating. Ezra had wanted to go up to pack their bags and Anise wanted to get outside. His brows knit together, wanting to debate her response, but silenced by the other voices in their circle.<br/>
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He was speechless as he looked up at Rebel as he provided alternative instructions with no fear of repercussions from Officer Square Jaw. In fact, his words appeared to override the man. Rebel’s authority and confidence could have come in handy about ten minutes ago when they collectively sat with their jaws in their laps. Especially when his girlfriend, or whatever she was, would soon be joining them.<br/>
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Ezra heard the snap of a branch. He turned, hand finding the weapon on his thigh. Behind them came Tobias, toting his sister up the same path from where Rebel and the man had come. Rachel was visibly shaken. Her eyes were puffy and rimmed in red, and as he followed the contours of her face, Ezra noted that her cheeks were dry. He guessed he found some comfort in knowing that her tears weren’t recent.<br/>
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“Gentlemen.” Tobias nodded to the men. He smiled at Ezra's sister. “Anise.” He glanced around and found that it was pretty much them left to loiter. “Where are the others?” Tobias noticed the carriage next, as if the large animals were simply hidden behind their small frames. “Removed?”<br/>
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“Everyone is being shuttled to the gates. The carriage has already taken a group.” Ezra glanced back to the makeshift vehicle. “Maybe two.” He stuck his hands in the pockets of his utility pants. “We’re discussing a plan. Rebel said that we have time to go back inside, if we want.”<br/>
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“After all of the bullshit that went into hauling Rachel out of there?” Tobias stared at Rebel, his facial expression clearly displaying that he thought it was the stupidest idea he'd ever heard.<br/>
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“They’re not going to let me back in.” Rachel tucked her hair behind her ear and loosely crossed her arms over her chest. All she had on were her nursing scrubs and tennis shoes. The nights were chilly in late spring, but beyond being uncomfortable, Rachel could handle being a little cold.<br/>
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Ezra knew they needed to take the opportunity to pack now that they were given the permission. He knew Rachel was telling the truth. After her outrage during the meeting, he doubted Hale would authorize her to step foot into the building. That didn’t mean that she didn’t deserve her possessions.<br/>
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“We will go.” Ezra decided. He gestured to himself, Anise, and Tobias. “Rachel, you'll stay here and help with the shuttle until we come back.” He turned his attention to Rebel, despite being confident that Rachel could take care of herself. There was no sense in trying to survive out in the wilderness if one of them died before they had the chance. “Stay in the area until we return? I don’t trust Hale.”​</div>