7 --- 4

Anna groggily opened her eyes and found herself staring into blue eyes and a shock of bright blonde hair.

"Damn." Samantha muttered. "I thought you would be out for longer. I guess we have to do this now, so Anna, what is your favourite color?"

Anna's waking brain did not comprehend the question before Samantha snapped the bone on her ankle. She let out a loud yell, as soon as the pain fairly subsided, she opened her eyes and shot Samantha a vemonous look.

"Sorry." She said sheepishly. "Nate said I had to do that so your leg won't heal the wrong way."

"They couldn't get someone who knew what they were doing?"

"I am the only one one around with first aid training." She shot back defensively.

Anna snorted and got up on her elbows to survey her surrouindings. It was luxurious, the large bed and everything else in the room screamed expensive. "Where are we?"

"In some hotel suite just outside the city."

Anna tried to get up and realized she was in her underwear. "Why the hell did you remove my clothes?"

"Would you rather one of the boys did it? Your clothes were torn and dirty, and I had to see your wounds."

"My wounds don't need treating, I can heal."

"I didn't know that at the time." She lowered her voice. "I am still learning about all these powers."

Anna struggled to her feet and got up from the bed with shaky legs. She waved away samantha's attempt to help. She half hobbled away from the bed to a full sized mirror. She looked dreadful, her long black hair clung to hee skin, there were slightly colured bruises all over eyes, jaw and her neck. They were several scratches on her stomach including a ghastly one that stretched from her navel to the underside of her breast, she didn't even remember how it got there. She tried to put her weight on her injured leg and winced painfully.

"I can't believe you can even stand, when I saw you last night, I really thought you were going to die."

Anna didn't reply, she took a second look at herself in the mirror and knew if a human went through all of that, it was definite death. Rather than feel weak and tired from her healing injuries, she felt a certain pride. I survived all that.

"I need a shower." She simply said, she tried to walk away but her injured leg wobbled and she sruggled to keep her balance, Samantha was by her side in an instant but Anna jerked away.

"Why are you being so stubborn? There is no shame in asking for help."

"I don't need your help."

Samantha looked like she was going to reply but bit it back at the last second. "i laid down some clothes that Nate made me buy for you and we are having breakfast outside. You should come join us if you are hungry." With that, she stomped out of the room.

Anna ignored her tantrum and proceded into the shower. She did not take time to admire the luxirous shower as she immediately sprayed hot water down her healing bruises. The cuts stung a little under the temperature of the water but she ignored it. When she decided she was clean enough, she stepped out, dried her body and changed into the clothes Samantha laid out for her. It was almost an excact replica of the clothes she wore yesterday. *Smart girl.*

She went out of the room and was greeted with the sight of the others sitted around a table. Her stomach growled at the sight of the full breakfast before them.

"Good morning Anna, nice to know you are feeling better." Nate greeted her with a smile that reached his amber eyes. Both Brian and Roger also smiled in greeting. Samantha, however met her with a stony glare.

Anna smiled back at him, he looked to be fully healed than she was. There was hardly any evidence that he was severely wounded yesterday. She took a seat across him and wasted no time into diving into the food, she munched a toast while pouring coffee. "So what happened while I was out?"

"Not much. You and Caleb really created a mess. I took care of Caleb's body or what remained anyway."

"And Kurt's?" Kurt's name instantly changed their cheerful mood, they might have only known for a few hours but they certainly missed his precense in their midst, only if she had been able to sense Caleb faster.

Nate seemed to sense her guilt. "Don't beat yourself on it, you handled the situation the best way you could."

"Yeah." Garret agreed. "and the fact that you could even beat that Caleb guy is mighty fucking impressive."

"A fight that could have been avoided if she had just entered the portal with us." Samantha added grumpily.

Anna was just about to tell her where to shove it but Roger beat her to it. "Don't be stupid, she got the job done and now we have one less person hunting us." Brian nodded in agreement.

"So what else happened?" Anna asked, wanting the conversation to move on.

"Brian portaled us out of there right before the cops arrived on the scene." Nate contined. "Then we had to portal twelve times before we got out of the city."

"He fainted after though and I had to carry." Roger added with a smile. Anna noticed he was more lively than last night when was reserved and quiet.

"I only got dizzy for a while." Brian defended himself loudly.

"it doesn't matter." Nate cut in. "that amount and range of portalling is impressive for a new breakout." Brian kept quiet and tried to hide his blush.

"So how did we get here?" Anna asked before taking a spoonful of eggs.

"By luck. Brian portaled us close and it's just outside the city. The management won't ask any questions as long we have money."

"How can you even afford this place?" Roger asked. "I have never been in somewhere so fancy."

"I have a --" He stopped and sighed in realization. "I had a job that paid that paid well."

"How do you know Victor won't find us here?" Samantha asked.

"I don't." He answered casually.

"So what are we going to do? We can't hide here forever."

"There is no we, Anna." He replied curtly. "You guys are not ready to face Victor and the rest."

"Fine with me." Samantha piped in.

Anna ignored her. "So you are going to take on all of them?"

"Not if I can take them by suprise."

"And how are you going to do that?"

He reached into his new jacket and brought out a small dirty handkerchief which he unfolded to reveal tiny strands of red hair. Anna looked back at him in confusion.

"The redhead who escaped." He clarified.

"And what are you going to do with it?"

"Use it to track her of course."

"You can do that?"

"How do you think I found you that night?"

"You are going to sniff her out like dogs do or what?" Brian asked excited.

"More like energy signatures."

"Can we all do it?" Roger asked.

Nate shook his head. "It is reserved for a few lucky willers, it is not a very common ability." He answered humbly. "If she is still in New York, they will be looking for her. I can find her first and use her as bait."

"That's cold." Brian commented.

Anna frowned. "That sounds dangerous, a lot of things could go wrong."

"Don't worry, I fare better when I know I am going into danger." He replied cheerfully, the others didn't look convinced.

"You should let me heal fully and provide backup for you." Anna said a suggestive tone.

"The longer we stay here, the higher the risk of Victor finding us plus I need you here to protect the others."

Anna inwardly agreed. "Do you really think this plan of your will work?"

He shrugged. " If it doesn't, I always have a plan B."

"Which is?"

"Go straight to Victor's base and kill him or die trying."