Buzz didn't even understand how his legs kept moving. They just… did. Panic shoved them forward, scraping across the metal walkway that snaked above the forge. Zza ran right beside him, clutching her shredded silk against her ribs like it was the last thing keeping her upright.
The human girl led the way, darting over beams and broken pipes like she owned the place. She didn't look back once. Not to check if they followed. Not to see if the forge-creature broke free. She sprinted with her shoulders tense and jaw set, face streaked with soot, eyes bright with something Buzz recognized from Zza on her worst days.
Fear.
Fury.
A whole pot of emotions boiling too fast to track.
Buzz shouted, "Wait— slow down— your legs are too long!"
The girl snorted. "Then speed up!"
Zza dragged him faster. "Buzz— pick up your pace— I swear I will carry you."
"I'm trying— my leg still smells burnt—"
