JP - Anastasia is going to get blamed for this

Riley nodded "we'll take the van back to cabin I could use some rest."

Lifting Anastasia to her feet he led her to the van before driving off.

That poor little van would not get far when a huge truck slammed into it.

Riley cursed as his vision blurred from being disoriented. "Anastasia you alright?" he called out as he struggled to undo his seatbelt.

Anastasia could be heard screaming as she was dragged from the van. A roar sounded over her and an armored hand grabbed onto Riley. Pulling him out, he would be met with the familiar face of Nero, but he looked…younger. Giving the speedster a sadistic grin, he asked, "Wanna play?"

Riley was shocked to see Nero but figured Thrane had something to do with it “Let her go Nero.” Riley growled breaking free out of the grip.

Nero got a confused expression on his face. “How do you know who I am?” He asked with a growl and shoved Anastasia to some guards that had already tranquilized her. “Answer me, speedster!” He flexed his claws, ready to strike.

“I knew the old you the one I assume they cloned you from” Riley answered as he activated his powers to heal his injuries from the crash. Looking over the guards holding Anastasia he grew “if any of you value your lives you’ll leave her alone and walk away.”

“Ignore them!” Nero roared and grabbed onto Riley again, snarling loudly into his face. “What the fuck are you talking about?! I’m no clone! Dad said I’m me!” He slammed the speedster into the ground, his power pressing into Riley and causing everything to go off balance. “Don’t piss me off…or I’ll disobey dad and just kill you…”

Riley coughed up blood and tried to focus as his body stitched itself back together. If Thrane sent Nero he knew it was because he had confidence that Nero was able to go toe to toe with him. “They have anastasia hostage and even if I ran away with her it’s possible they would the underground of the cabin” Riley thought to himself as he assessed the situation “ I also used too much energy healing myself.” Letting out a sigh he put his trust in his friends and family “just let her go and I’ll come willingly.”

“I was told to bring you both, so I can’t do that.” Nero snorted, disappointed. “Boring. None of you ever fight back…” Pulling Riley along, he shoved him into the truck with Anastasia where the guards quickly collared and cuffed the speedster, not wanting to risk anything.

“You have to come too, Nero,” One of them said.

“I’ll do whatever I want!” The teen snarled.

“We will send Thrane if you don’t…” Another muttered, glancing at Riley and Anastasia with sympathy. It was Cook.

Nero growled, but got into the truck and sat down, crossing his arms. “Fuckers…”

Riley scooted over to Anastasia to make sure she was alright “it’ll be ok the others will find us” he throught to himself as felt the truck drove away.

Nero merely stared at Riley and Anastasia for a long time. “Why are you so protective over her? Dad says she used to be a crazy mean scientist or something.” He explained. It was obvious he had no memory of his old self and was already as monstrous. Thrane had raised him to be even more frightening than before.

“She has no memory of that life anymore and thus is a new soul in Loreen’s body” Riley replied he remembered how nice Loreen was in the different timelines “she’s someone precious to me now.”

Nero just looked even more confused. “What’s that?” He was referring to the word precious, something he did not have any understanding of. All he knew was pain, misery, and the odd joy he got from playing with others. The scars on his body were odd and intricate, matching the ones on Anastasia. “Why doesn’t she have memories?”

Riley thought of bringing up what Thrane had done but decided not in case it enraged Nero “Amnesia but I’m not sure what caused it. I found her on the side of the road.”

“Weird,” Nero merely said and snorted, snapping his teeth at a guard that got too close. “Fucking humans…all you are is food!”

The guards merely moved further away from the boy, looking at Riley with worry.

Cook merely met Riley’s gaze, apology in his own eyes.

Riley simply gave Cook a wink not worried about his capture, after all he just had to wait until River found out about his disappearance.

Sadly, Cook did not look convinced. In fact, he looked more worried.

Riley laid down and tried to rest as much as he could before they arrived at the facility unaware of what awaited him.

When they arrived, the guards would let Nero get out first. The moment the truck doors opened, they would be greeted by Thrane, who had his arms crossed in a calm gesture. A cold smile formed on his face at the sight of Riley. “So nice of you to join us, Riley…” He said calmly.

Nero, for once, kept silent and refused to look at Thrane in the eye.

Anastasia was awake now and the moment her eyes fell on Thrane, she began to panic. “No…no! Not you! Not you again!” She whimpered loudly.

“Be silent, woman!” Thrane snarled and his power surrounded her, keeping her quiet. “Annoyance…you were supposed to be dead.” Sighing, he turned his attention back to Riley. “Nero, get to your room or I’ll break your bones again…”

Nero hugged himself and obeyed after glancing at Riley.

RIley gave Nero a sympathetic look before looking at Thrane “So what happens now James bond monolouge while I’m strapped to a table with a laser inching slowly towards me?”

Thrane chuckled. “Apologies, but this is no James Bond film, Riley…you’ll be meeting your fate soon enough, though…” Turning, he made his way inside, leading them all along. The guards were having trouble with Anastasia, who flailed and fought wildly, tears falling down her face.

Cook eventually stepped in and had them stop, doing his best to calm her and get her to follow. He kept her close to Riley to keep her at least calm enough to walk willingly.

“It’s ok Anastasia just stay close to me” Riley assured her as they dragged him through the halls.