Thomas should have expected something like that but he hadn't. He hadn't expected Derek to take off before he'd been completely ready so he was left lagging behind, keeping up and keeping Derek's back in his sights and managing to stay close. He was running hard but his lungs didn't burn and his legs pumped quick and fast, pounding the ground and sending him closer.

"Never took you for a cheater!" Thomas called back, ducking under a branch and stepping around a few rocks and fallen logs while keeping pace as best he could.