To Be A Killer

Chapter 78: Bad Moon Rising (Part 2)

"Runner Five, are you alright?" Janine asks, although her voice makes it sound more like a demand. "We have had occasions where you have fainted shortly after your nose started bleeding. We can't have that. Not today."

"We won't. I'm fine. I promise. And I know. We need to stay focused on the mission." I turn my head away from them, ending the discussion. "What's going on with the battle, Sam?"

"Um, well, it looks like it's almost over."

"For now," Janine says. "They'll return."

"Well, there's barely any of the New Canton army left to return. A lot of it's just... just bodies. That's uh, that's... I think it's New Canton Runner 112 on the far end... closest to my camera."

"I went on a supply run with him once," Jody says, her eyes downcast, and I feel my heart sink, the air changing to something darker, sadder. "You know that Santa jumper I gave you as a late Christmas gift, Five? He taught me that pattern."

"The only person to blame here is Moonchild," Amelia says, and to my surprise she actually looks a bit upset over what's just happened in the battle. There's almost... pain in her eyes. "She left our people no choice but to fight back, and I've seen everything I needed to see."

"You've confirmed your suspicions?" Janine asks, and the blonde woman nods.

"Yes, I'm certain. Runner Five, you told us that Moonchild suggested that the so called Zombie Repelling Device is much, much more than that."

I nod, a look of confusion on my face. "Yeah. She said something about heavenly bodies aligning or something. Like I said, I don't remember much."

"She's desperate to get her hands on it because it's the key to extending her mind control, perhaps world wide."

"O-oh," I stammer.

Oh.

"I see," Janine says lowly, then pauses for a brief moment. "I'll order for its immediate destruction."

"No! It's a key which turns two ways," She exclaims quickly. "It could extend her mind control, but it could also allow us to break that control forever. Do you understand what this means?"

"I do. Mr. Yao, with me. Send for Dr. Meyers. We'll collect the ZRD on route. Runners Four and Six, back to Abel. Runner Five, rendezvous with us at the oak. We must move quickly. Run!"

With a sharp click the signal is cut, and I look over at Owen and Jody. The two are panting and shivering, even as sweat drips down their faces.

"I guess this is where we part ways," I say.

"Yeah. Don't get yourself trapped in a settlement with a bunch of mind controlled people again," Owen says.

"We'll try," Amelia says before I can, but the blonde man just glares at her.

"I don't care about you. You can choke."

Jody giggles at that, and I have to hide my smirk as Amelia rolls her eyes. Our expressions become serious only a second later.

"See you later, Five... Hopefully."

I bite my tongue to keep from sarcastically saying how I love the faith she has in me. Instead I nod and give the two a final wave as I change directions and head towards the oak. Amelia follows a step behind me, and after a few moments of silence she finally speaks.

"I do think Janine wanted me to go with you, but I think it'd be best for me to go see how my people are faring. With the battle over I have nothing to worry about health wise, but I do need to meet up with them for appearances," Amelia says. She scoffs when I frown at her. "Don't worry. I plan on keeping my headset tuned into yours. Plus I think I might know what that heavenly body Moonchild was speaking of is."