"Pick her up," Robert ordered and the troopers did as he said.
He exhaled, watching them take Abby away through an end, before turning around to the wheezing academic that was getting up, pulling herself to her knees.
Robert casually observed as Vanessa groaned in anguish, her face marred by blood, shattered and disfigured. She sat on her knees, slowly raising her swollen gaze. Vanessa managed only to stutter the first syllable of Robert's name before bending her head, her breathing laboured.
Robert stared at her for a while before removing his hands from his pockets and walking toward her, his footsteps resonating. The vibration of the battle below could be felt beneath their feet.
Robert squatted to meet Vanessa's gaze, before raising her chin up with a finger.
He studied her face like an optician, hardly recognizing "The most powerful academic," he whispered. Robert brushed away her blood soaked hair, providing him more view of her face.
