Asher and Nova didn't stop running until the tunnel was far behind them. The noise above had gone—no screams from the soldiers, no clashing steel. Just silence.
Nova glanced back. She expected to see soldiers silently following her, but nothing. Then she turned to Asher. "Why is it so quiet?"
Asher didn't answer. His eyes were on Zero, and his mind was totally scrambled, thinking about what happened to his soldiers.
However, Zero's body felt too light in his arms. Her skin had turned pale, and her breathing was slow—barely even breathing, because he didn't feel it when he placed his finger under her nose.
"We're close," Nova said, running ahead to ensure he was protected. "Just a little more."
They turned a corner, racing up the stairs that led to the outer gates of the Asylum. Massive iron bars stretched high above, but they were still functional. They both leaped off the ground and into the air. Nova shot down the two guards from earlier, killing them off finally.
