Chapter 171: Ch 171: Fire and Smoke - Part 2

The kids started to get out of the facility with Ethan leading them. Noah followed them for some time before he turned around to head back. And that did not go unnoticed by the kids.

They stopped walking and looked at him with betrayed looks on their faces. But it was Ethan who vocalised the feelings of everyone in that room.

"Where are you going? Let’s hurry up and get out."

He extended his small hand towards Noah, but his eyes looked certain. He wanted Noah to come with him and the kids.

But Noah could not do that. He needed to head back and get Daniel and Alan out as well. He had a feeling those two were not fortunate enough to know what was happening here.

"I am sorry, but I need to get back. Daniel and Alan-"

"Those two are highly capable and can take care of themselves. But we need you. Please, come with us."

Ethan assured Noah, and deep in his heart, he knew that Ethan was right. Both Alan and Daniel were not people who would perish in this fire.

In fact, based on his visions of the future, the pair had a prosperous future together where they were going to save this world and become heroes.

However, even if Noah knew this much, leaving them behind was not an option for him. It hurt too much to even think about it.

"I... cannot leave them behind and go with you. But I am sure you all will do great. You are almost out by now. You just-"

The blank look he got back from Ethan told Noah that this was the wrong thing to say.

Right now, not only Ethan but the other kids were also looking at him like he was someone they had no idea what to do with. And that made Noah even more nervous, causing him to take a step back.

"Ethan..."

"I am sorry, but you feel too precious for us to let you go back. For the sake of our sanity, we will drag you out-"

Ethan reached for Noah, but he could not allow that. He did not know why Ethan and these kids were behaving like this, but he did not have time for their games.

As soon as Ethan was close by, he reached back with his guiding and knocked him out. It made everyone gasp and look at him like he was a monster.

"N-Noah-"

One of the kids whispered in a terrified voice, not knowing what to say anymore. They all looked conflicted about whether he was an ally of theirs or not.

And it did make Noah feel a little guilty to do this to these kids, but he needed them to focus on the task at hand and forget about him.

"I told you before, right? That you need to get out of here one day and forget about all of this. It is finally time. Here, take Ethan out and meet the protection forces. They will take you to your new homes."

These kids would likely be made to forget everything that happened here and get to live happier lives. There was nothing more Noah could want from them.

As for himself... it was time to head back.

"B-But, we don’t want to leave you behind."

One of the kids whispered, and it tugged at Noah’s heart. He watched as others nodded and reached for him as well. This was all making him feel a lot more guilty compared to what he thought.

And yet, he could not allow himself to falter because if he did, he knew he was not going to be able to make it through what was going to happen next.

So he took a deep breath and looked at the kids who were half-dependent on him.

"Kids, you all need to live your own lives. This is your chance to have parents and forget about the Labs. Don’t let me hold you back."

Noah assured the kids, and they slowly nodded. They dragged Ethan out as well, but they kept glancing at him once in a while.

It felt good to be recalled like this, and Noah could not help but feel his heart soften. But he hardened it quickly and turned to look at the fire.

It was time for him to head back and fulfil his destiny of freeing Alan and Daniel.

...

It was not hard to find the pair since they were still in the room he had left them in. Daniel immediately looked up as soon as the door opened, and he made a happy face as soon as he noticed Noah.

"Noah, you are back? Where did you go? What did you do? Can you tell me-"

Daniel sounded excited, but it was unfortunate that they did not have time to talk much. Noah looked at the mass beside Daniel and let out a sigh before he reached for Alan and woke him up.

Beautiful eyes blinked sleepily at Noah, and it took Alan some time to get up. But once he did, he smiled, and all the sleep faded from his eyes.

"Noah-"

He greeted Noah with a happy expression before his eyes sharpened, and he looked out with a tense expression.

The esper seemed to have sensed the danger out there as well, and Noah felt glad that he did not have to explain to at least one person that they needed to leave.

"We need to get out of here. This facility has caught fire, and we are in danger. Let’s go."

Noah grabbed Alan and Daniel’s hands and started to drag them out. Alan followed without question, but Daniel was a little hesitant.

"Wait! What is going on? Fire? But why-"

"We don’t have time for this. Alan, can you pick Daniel up and run? We need to get out of here before we get burned to a crisp as well."

Noah pointed out, and Alan nodded before he grabbed Daniel and put him over his shoulder like a sack of rice. He was truly strong for a young esper.