We did it; not free, but our chains are looser. I can't help thinking about Lola, as I slouch against the side of the building. I rest my arm on my bent knee as I keep thinking of how he held her. My eyes instinctively narrow at the thought. Next time I won't be so lenient. I should have finished him off. I muse back to the fight. Why didn't Shea come after us? He saw the direction we were heading. Maybe he knew he wouldn't have stood a chance against all of us. No, that wasn't it. Something else held him back, but what?

"Where do we go from here?" Sloane asks. Cody is sitting on his lap leaning her back into his chest. He has his arms wrapped around her, and is resting his chin on her shoulder as he asks this. Sloane and Cody are the perfect example of a links couple. They were the first to gravitate to one another, naturally. At first the Academy kept them apart, but when they discovered that L.I.N.K.S. can be even stronger with couples, they let them be. After a while they forced others to become linked to one another, the way that Sloane and Cody were. Naturally, they gave Damien to me, being that he was the second Hybrid. I never took to him, must be his winning personality.

I appraise everyone from where I am sitting. Eight of us, nine including me, were able to breakout.

Sloane - meaning fighter - name given by his prick of a father

Age: 23

6'4

Green eyes

Ivory skin

Shaved head - He shaved it after we escaped. He said it was a way of cleansing himself from what he did. Whatever!

Thick, muscular body (even legs)

Rough hands

Cody - meaning helper - name given by her mother

Age: 22

5'5

Hazel eyes

Black skin

Brown hair with golden highlights

Toned body, yet feminine, nice curves

Considered one of the most beautiful of the experiments - there were many high hopes for her. Too bad for them; Sloane's attachment to her was stronger than they had anticipated. He wouldn't let anyone near her if he could help it. They fitted one another like a glove to a hand.

Next couple, Aaron and