XI
Miles and Haruna ran to the elevator. The doors slid open as the first gunshot echoed through the floor. Others sounded as the elevator doors closed. Miles pressed the button to go to the second floor.
Haruna turned to Miles. "Who is he?"
"Dylan?"
"Yes, Dylan."
"Complicated."
Haruna pressed the emergency stop button to pause the elevator. "Give me the uncomplicated version."
"You want to do this now?" Miles said.
Haruna folded her arms in front of her and stared at Miles. She tapped her foot.
Miles sighed.
"I lost everyone close to me when they discovered I was an Aion. My dad paid for the best implants, but cousins, brothers, and even my mother wouldn't speak to me. My dad stopped speaking with me when I couldn't see more than ten minutes ahead. Being an Aion cuts you off from everyone. Even after he found out, Dylan never looked at me differently. He is one of my only real friends and the best soldier I've ever met. Something bad happened to him a few years ago. It broke him a little, but he can't stand by and do nothing when someone is in trouble."
"What happened?"
"I don't know. Reports said he fired white phosphorus over a village..."
"But you don't believe them."
"Not for a second."
"And that's why you're here helping him."
"It's part of the reason."
"And what's the other?"
"If not for Dylan Price, I'd be dead a thousand times."
Haruna pressed the emergency button again, and the two continued to the second floor.
The door opened, and Miles led Haruna over to the front entrance. Miles gestured to the ledge just above the patient entrance. He broke the window.
