The train's stopping was abrupt, to say the least.

Michael had partly felt it coming, for he had been leaning against one of the metal walls. When the electric current coursing through the walls tapered, he felt it.

Since he did, he had had a moment's preparation.

Ember, on the other hand, had had none. When the train came to a sudden halt, she was thrown to the back of the train car. The impact as her body hit the wall could've seriously injured anyone.

That is, except Ember.

"What happened?" She asked, rubbing her hand across the back of her head. She didn't have any broken bones, but she definitely was going to have many bruises.

"They've stopped the train," Michael hurriedly explained, "Your father has raised the alarm. They know where we are." He pushed himself to his feet. "We need to move. Now."

"Why?" Ember asked, "My father finding me would be a good thing."

Michael stared at her for a long moment. Outside the train car, sirens could be heard. "You're going to come with me, because you want to know just how much cyborg you are."

"My father could easily tell me that."

"Perhaps, perhaps not. Face it, Ember. If you want the truth--the whole truth--about who you are, then you have to come with me."

Outside, the sirens grew louder.

"Make your decision," Michael said and wrenched open the doors. "I'm leaving, with or without you."

Cursing herself, Ember walked over to the door. "We'll never survive the fall," she commented, glancing at the ground far below.

"Well aren't you just a bright ray of sunshine?" Michael replied and reached a hand into his backpack. Smirking at Ember, he revealed a grappling hook connected to a length of rope.

Bending over, Michael secured the hook to the train and then dropped the rope off the side. "Ladies first," he said and gestured out the door.

"How gentlemanly," Ember mocked and wrapped her hands around the rope. Taking a deep breath, she swung off the train.

Almost immediately, her hands started to slip, and Ember began to panic. "What do I do?" She sputtered.

"Just keep moving," Michael instructed, "And don't look down."

At his words, Ember's gaze dropped and her pulse increased greatly. "I can't do this," she whispered.

"Yes you can," Michael encouraged and crouched so they were eye to eye. "Just put one hand under the other."

"I'm slipping!" Ember cried.

"You know what? I should've gone first," he grumbled and lunged for her hands just as they lost their grip.

He had not foreseen the sudden increase of weight, nor the pain that accompanied it. As gravity pulled on Ember, so did it pull on Michael's shoulder. Pain bloomed from his shoulder, and before his eyes, his metal arm broke apart.

Michael had never let go of Ember, but regardless, she was falling.

"Ember!" Michael screamed and watched, helpless, as her face contorted with terror. Within moments, she disappeared into the shadows, and soon a muffled thump was heard.

Panic gripping his heart, Michael swung himself over the edge and wrapped his one good arm around the rope. It took some time, but eventually he reached the ground where he found Ember's form.

"I can't believe you dropped me," she snarled and slapped his across the face.

"How--how are you alive?" Michael stammered.

Ember rubbed her arms. "I think you're right. I think there's metal in my bones, and quite a lot of it too."

"That's amazing!" He murmured. He could practically see her metal skeleton and the trials she would be able to survive.

"I don't think now is a good time to chat," Ember said and pointed at the search lights in the sky. Helicopters whirled through the clouds, and the ever-present siren filled the air.

"Oh, here's your...arm," Ember stuttered and handed Michael the remains of his arm. "Sorry about that."

Michael shook his head. "There's no use trying to fix this now. I'll just have to get a new one back at headquarters or maybe I'll build one along the way. Regardless, I think I have an idea."

"Have you ever heard the story Hansel and Gretel?" Michael asked, fingering the nuts and bolts in his hand. As his plan assembled, a mischievous smile split his face.

"I think I've heard of it," Ember replied.

"Well, we're about to leave a trail of breadcrumbs," Michael explained and dropped a screw on the ground.