She was fast, of that there was no doubt. If he had to depend on the eyes of a human, she would have been less than a blur. Even in her fatigued and tortured state, she would be more than a match for a platoon of the facilities hired goons. He did not have to depend on human eyes though nor did he have to depend on the reflexes of humans which is why when he started to react and held his hand, she probably didn’t even notice in her exhausted condition. Even when she threatened him with her blades he remained calm and unmoving except for his lips beneath the mask that formed a smile. Were she more informed of what she was dealing with, she would not have wasted the effort and would have conserved her strength for their journey ahead.<br/><br/>He remained still and silent as she backed away and said her piece. She did not wait for a response but he responded nonetheless even if it were only to the chill air. “Well now that we have the posturing out of the way, we might be making some progress.” Her condition was no secret to him from the start but now she it was at a point where she could no longer conceal it despite her impressive resolve. Her effort to remain on her feet showed by the sweat on her brow and her weakened state showed in her eyes as he walked up beside her. He shook his head. “We acknowledge that you are a tough bitch, of that there is no doubt. Even tough bitches could use a hand every once in awhile. Besides, we don’t need you killing yourself now. We are going to help you whether you want us too or not so you might as well just let us. If it makes you feel any better we are doing this as much if not more for ourselves. We need you healthy  and plus we get to hold an attractive young female. You owe us nothing.”<br/><br/>He scooped her up just as fast if not faster than she had moved up into his face with her blades earlier. “Don’t bother fighting, save your strength. It won’t take them long to send reinforcements. It would be better if we were long gone. We know the labyrinth of caves in these mountains very well. We can hide us until you have regained your strength.” Now without the lumbering humans holding him back, Izaya moved through the ivory coated forest with a speed that no human or animal could match. To add to the impressiveness, even with her additional weight, he left no trail that could be followed.<br/><br/>In virtually no time at all they were standing in front of an extremely small opening in the mountain that was naturally well hidden by boulders and shrubbery. Unless a person knew it was there, they would probably walk right past it. To add to its natural defenses, the hole was only big enough for a small human to fit through. Most of the hired mercenaries would be too big to follow here although there were other entrances scattered about the base of the mountain.<br/><br/>He placed her back down. “We apologize for the intrusion of your personal space but it was necessary at the moment. Through here there will be safety and water. Food, we can hunt on the other side of the mountain. Here you can regain your strength. If you still wish to stand with us against the humans, follow us.” Izaya turned towards the hole that was way too small for him to fit through. He paused and turned back to her. “We are assuming your night vision is on par with our own. Once we venture away from the entrance there will be a complete absence of light.” He turned back, his body morphed, elongating and thinning as he slipped into the opening and he reformed on the other side. He waited momentarily to see if she would follow then ventured deeper into the darkness.