To Be A Hero

Chapter 10: Brain Damage

This is bad. This is bad. This is so, so bad.

I breathe in deeply, trying to calm myself down. I remind myself that this was what we wanted. This is the only way we can get closer to finding a cure. This has to be done.

Everything's going to be okay. Everything's going to be okay. Everything's going to be okay.

"I've missed you,"  Moonchild says.

Can't say the feeling's mutual.

She laughs. "Always the charmer, you are... I do know I'm dead. It's so beautiful, man! It's like they say, 'You're never really dead while one person still remembers you.' You do remember me. So, here I am. I'm the me you remember. You've made me from your memories. No one else can hear me or see me. I'm not real to them, but I'm real to you. I'm quite moved."

From the corner of my eye I can see Moonchild's eyes running me up and down in what might be appreciation. I almost gag.

"You're looking well, Five. Fit. Healthy. Living. I know I told you to forget it all, but I think I'm a little bit offended that you really don't remember all those conversations we had, when I told you about some of the ideas that I had-those things I never shared with anyone else, least of all them. But I'll remind you. In fact, I'll do better. I'll take you there. Just keep running. I'll tell you when to turn."

I close my eyes for a split second, fear flooding my veins. Tears sting the back of my eyes when I hear her laugh, the sound echoing in my mind.

"Of course, what your friends haven't asked themselves is: now that I have you back, why would I ever want to let you go?"

My heart nearly stops in my chest, my eyes flying open. My jaw clenches in anger.

No. I won't let you have me again.

"But I already do have you. You've been mine the second I laid eyes on you in those caves. And you never truly got rid of me, even after you got free of the mind control. Don't you see? You were always meant to be mine."

No.

I keep running, focusing on my footsteps, my rhythm. This is my rhythm, not the one of the mind control. I'm okay. I'm going to be okay.

I can't psych myself out. I can't lose myself here. I have to finish the mission. I can do this. I have to do this, for Paula, for everyone.

Just breathe. In and out. Don't freak out. Everything's going to be just fine.

I try to focus on the things around me-the cool air that stings my nostrils as I breathe in, burning my lungs. I focus on the beads of sweat running down the back of my neck, sticking my shirt to my skin. I focus on the feel of the grass under my feet, the sight of dying trees swaying in the wind.

I just need to stay focused and keep my cool. I can do this.

I can do this.
I can do this.
I can-

"Yes, that's it," Moonchild says encouragingly. "You're on the right track. And so fast!"

"Look, it's working!" Veronica exclaims. "It's definitely working!"

"Uh, are we allowed to talk?" Sam whispers.

"Why wouldn't we be?" Maxine asks.

"I don't know. Just, Five got that glassy look in her eyes and then started haring off over the fields, and I know we've got Jody and Louise running interference in case there are some zoms in the path, so I thought maybe I'd spoil the magic if I said anything."