Chapter 20: Ready To Start

"Runners, take your marks!"

I get into sprinting position, looking at the others on the track beside me. Since they are all adults, they look a lot more muscular and fitter than my tiny self does. I grin.

It's going to be so fun showing these New Canton Runners how it's done.

"Runners, ready! And go!"

A gunshot goes off, and I'm sprinting as quickly as I can, passing quite a few of the newbies. I am one of the few more experienced runners on this course. I, along with other experienced runners, were asked to help show some of the newbies how it's done. Why New Canton asked me, an Abel runner, to help them is beyond me, but I still agreed since Sam said he needed me to do something here anyway.

I'm just glad Milo did not come along with me today. I'm glad I said no when he asked. He'd have a field day out here and that's the last thing I want.

"Approaching first target. Runners, ready weapons."

I grab my 'weapon', a.k.a., a rake. My axe is still strapped across my back, but they asked me to show the newer runners that you can kill a zombie with nearly anything. As I tighten my grip on the rake, I hear static come through my once silent headset.

"Uh, Runner Five? Runner Five?" Sam lets out a noise of annoyance. "Ugh, with this many cameras, you'd think it'd be easier to find someone in New Canton."

"First target in ten meters," The man over the intercom says. "Runners, strike when ready."

I push myself to go a little bit faster before I jump up and slam the rake down into the fake zombie head. There's a squelch that sounds awfully realistic, and I scrunch up my nose at the splatter of juice that gets on my arm.

"Oh, there you are," Sam says. "I can see you now in the training yard. Wow. New Canton's got an interesting way of training its new runners. I-I mean, four marks for efforts, but I'm not sure all the business with the fake body parts and semi-realistic spatter is exactly, you know, necessary."

"Second target coming up. Look sharp, recruits."

"Um, okay, Five, that's enough massacring watermelons today," He chuckles while I slow down to a stop, pouting.

"Aw, but I was just getting started."

"I guess it's too bad I found you so quickly then."

"Yeah, I thought you were bad at 'Where's Waldo?'."

"I am. I'm better at 'Where's Runner Five' though... unless your name is Waldo. Is your name Waldo? If it was then I'd understand why you'd never want anyone to know it."

I laugh as I put the rake back on the rack, giving him an eye roll that he probably can't see. "Yeah. That's totally my name. My dad really wanted a boy so he signed the birth certificate before I was even born. He was disappointed I turned out to be female."

"Is that why he was constantly getting you into life or death situations?" He jokes.

"What is it you need me to do, Sam?"

"Oh, uh, we've had a look at the map Darren gave Zoe. And good news, she did find a stray kitten at those sewage works. I don't think I've ever seen her happier. Anyway, other good news, the map."

"What about it?" I question.

"Exmoor Militia. That's their map. Whatever was keeping the zoms away from Darren's hideout comes from an old research base five days' travel away from here. They used to be on Roufflenet, but dropped off about six months ago. No one knows why, so we're sending you out there, and if there's a problem with their coms equipment, we can get it fixed."

"One tiny problem with that plan," I say. "I know I watch you fiddle with your equipment on the days I have off because well, I have nothing better to do with my time, but I have no idea how to do any of that myself. I don't think I'd be able to do it even with you telling me what to do over coms."

"I was getting to that. Nadia's volunteered to go along. Trouble is, Nadia's still on report. She needs you to go and say you've forgiven her for that whole thing where she uh, sort of tried to accidentally/on purpose get you killed."

I blink. "I already said I forgave her for that. I mean, I never blamed her in the first place. I think you were more upset with her than I was."

"Well, yeah. You're my Runner Five. I already have to worry about you dying by zombies or crazies. I wasn't exactly happy that a radio operator was trying to kill you as well."

"My point is, I didn't blame her. After all, I-"

"If you're going to end that sentence the way I think you're going to, I suggest you shut the hell up right now  because we had this conversation months ago," He says, causing my eyes to widen.

"Well, okay then. No need to get sassy."

"Me getting sassy is the only way I can get you to listen."

I scoff. "Smart Alec."

"Hey, that's you nickname, not mine," He snickers. "Anyway, there's a form in your backpack which says that you request her to go on a mission with you. Apparently, you need to get us signed off by the Runners Special Advisor Council."

I nod. "Alright. I can do that."

"I know, but I mean, honestly, who comes up with these names? Can't they at least make a fun acronym like um, like the uh-like the Areal Runners Special Executive."

I roll my eyes as I leave the training ground. "You're an idiot. And if there is an acronym that's fun, it's L.O.V.E.M.U.F.F.I.N."

"What?"

"It's from a TV show I used to watch before the apocalypse. It stands for League Of Villainous Evildoers Maniacally United For Frightening Investments in Naughtiness."

There's a few seconds of silence. "I... You truly amaze me, you know that? A-Anyway, I have a committee timetable with me. They're meeting at-ah, buggar. They're meeting in Hall 37 now, due to finish in five minutes and won't meet again until next week. Run."

I immediately start sprinting for my required destination, although it's really, really hard to sprint since there's a freaking swarm of people in my way. There's more people on this street that leads to the hall than there is in the entirety of Abel. Surely they don't all need to go this way to get to where they want to go.

I try my best to maneuver through the crowd, but I still bump into a few people, and I get some nasty glares from them.

Sorry that you couldn't give me the common curtesy of moving out of the way when I said excuse me, I think with eye roll.

With time ticking away, I press forward, knowing I have to get that paper signed in order for Nadia to go on this mission with me. I still don't understand why she's still in trouble when the incident happened, since I forgave her. But I guess New Canton is still trying to make sure laws are still intact.

I know in America, a person could get sentenced to life in prison over attempted murder, and the minimum is usually seven years if a gun is used. I guess laws are still a thing. I understand what she did was wrong moral-wise, but I forgot such actions could be punishable by law.

There's a lot of mumbles and murmurs from the people around me, making it one loud incoherent sentence. But then, I hear one voice call out.

"Excuse me!" A young woman says irritably. "Out of the way, please. Has anyone seen an Abel runner? An Abel runner? She looks like the old New Canton Five."

I stop, turning my head in attempt to find the owner of the voice asking for me. It's hard to see with all the people, but I see a woman with long hair that's been dyed purple making her way towards me. I didn't even know hair dye was still a thing.

She's sweating and obviously annoyed, but seeing that I've never met her, I don't know how or why she'd be looking for me.

But still, she pushes me out of the way of the crowd. "There you are. I'm Magdalena Rosina, New Canton Runner Thirty-six. I'm a friend of Nadia's. She asked me to catch you before you spoke to R.S.A.C."

I blink in confusion. "Why? Has she changed her mind about going on the mission with me?"

She shakes her head. "Oh, no. It's just... they know Nadia's our best operator, and they don't see why Abel should have her."

Oh, good Lord. She's a person, not property.

"There's still a bit of bad feeling," She continues. "It's all sweetness and light when the Advisory Council and your military officers meet, but most remember when a New Canton runner had orders to shoot an Abel runner on sight."

"Oh... that's-that's something alright," I say tensely.

"Yeah, R.S.A.C. is full of that old stuff. But don't despair; That's not the only committee with the power to sign off on her release."

I feel hope well up within me as I wait for her to tell me where to go.

"Perhaps we could send you to..." She shakes her head and frowns. "No, they're not meeting. Maybe the-no, they'll be on a break. Oh! Supply Management Subcommittee. Cafeteria 3 in C-Block. You know the one. The roof's covered in plants to graze the goat hood. But hurry. You must get your form signed before R.S.A.C. gets wind of what you're up to. You're a runner, so run."

I basically throw myself back into the crowd to start heading to C-Block. The cafeteria that Magdalena was talking about is pretty close to Hall 37, meaning I can't let anyone from R.S.A.C. see me heading for the subcommittee.

The only problem with that is I have no idea who is a part of R.S.A.C., so I have no idea who exactly I should avoid.

But I know that I need to get this form signed, because Nadia knows how to fix the communication equipment if it might be broken. There's only a few others who know how to do such things-like Janine or Amber or Jack-but they either aren't available or aren't willing to go along with me.

I can't go alone. Even without the equipment problems we might face, I have no idea what might be at this research base. There could be some genetically mutated creatures or crazy fast zombies or something. The possibilities are quite literally endless, and I don't want to go in there alone.

But still, if I go with Nadia... what if there's a fence, and a young girl, and a woman, and a weird man?

Oh, God. I hope this isn't it. Not now.

As I make it into C-Block, I head into Cafeteria 3 as told. There's a few different rooms in the building, but I don't have to guess on which door holds the meeting, since there are multiple irritated voices coming from the third door on the right.

I take my request form out of my backpack.

"I tell you, it's too rich for my blood," A male voice says as I make my way to the door, and there are murmurs of agreement.

"Bernard," A woman sighs in annoyance, "the people want us to support the arts."

"I won't. I won't have it, Madam Chair," The man now know as 'Bernard' argues. "If this so called 'Creative Writing Group' wants to start up, I say they should take some personal responsibility. Why can't they make their own paper?"

"I'm concerned about the children," Another says. "The council's Taskforce on Education say that the primary school is already running through double its allotment of paper each week."

"And speaking of, what genius decided that six and sevens needed to learn about origami in this economy?"

"Everyone, stop that," The chairwoman spats, and I rest my hand on the doorknob, debating if now would be a good time to head inside or not. "Calm down. Don't you throw that agenda again or so help me, God..."

Her voice trails off when the door opens. All eyes fall on me.

"Oh, hello, Abel Runner."

I raise a hand to wave and hold out my form towards her. "I uh, need this signed. It's an operator requisition form. I need you to approve it."

"Let me see." She takes the form from me and studies it. "Yes, hmm. This seems to be in order. We do need to take a secret vote, of course, but I don't suppose you could help us to clear the goats out of Conference Area 5, could you? So we can move straight on to our next meeting after this?"

I tense. The last time I tried to do anything with the goats in Abel, I got bit, twice. One actually drew blood.

"They're very friendly, the goats."

I sigh heavily. "Fine, as long as you sign my form."

•

"Get! Get, you stupid little..." I growl as I put my hand on my stomach where the stupid goat kicked me. I nearly vomited  from the force of it.

And that's only one of my injuries I got from this idiotic thing I agreed to.

I'm doing this to help save Caleb. I'm doing this to help save Caleb. I'm doing this to help save Caleb.

"That's good," The chairwoman praises. "You've got almost all of them. Just one more to-good work. Thought it would butt you again there. Don't worry, I'm sure that bruise will heal quickly."

I deadpan, looking at my arm and legs before gently resting my hand on my stomach. "Which one? You know what, never mind. Have you signed my form yet?"

She forces a smile at me. "I'm sorry. Thing is, it's outside our jurisdiction. We'd love to help you, of course, but the membership just isn't comfortable. Some of us still remember when the council voted on a new barn without consulting the Agricultural Taskforce. They unilaterally decided to plant nothing but potatoes in the east and northern fields. None of us can deal with a repeat of 'Spud August'."

I grit my teeth, fighting the urge to punch this woman in the face. I know it isn't her fault, but I literally got my ass whooped by these goats and this is the thanks I get.

Right now I'm thinking of just stealing Nadia and taking her on this mission no matter what they say. And when we get back, I can just tell these committees to go screw themselves. It might anger Janine and possibly Amelia, but it'll make me feel better and I'm sure Sam would find it funny.

"What to suggest," She hums. "It's a long shot, but the group for Promotion of Right Thinking is meeting in A-Block, and the secretary's always had a soft spot for Nadia."

"Madam Chair." A man with dark hair that's beginning to gray pokes his head out of the room. I recognize his annoying voice; It's that Bernard she was arguing with. "I insist we deal with this writing paper situation before the end of this meeting."

She grabs my arm-thankfully a part that isn't bruised-and drags me off. "I'll show you the way myself. Come on. Quickly."

She pulls me along out of the conference room, away from those damn goats. We don't go towards the streets that are crowded with people, and I'm glad. With how sore I am, bumping and pushing into strangers wouldn't be very pleasant.

But instead she leads me over to the stone walls of the castle. She lets go of my arm and starts heading up the stairs, and I follow, naturally. I just have to remind myself to not look down... or to the side.

Up the stone stairs we go, going higher and higher. With each step I remind myself just how much I care about Caleb and how I'm probably going to strangle Sam for having me go on this wild goose chase. Well, I probably won't strangle him, but I will rant for like, twenty minutes while eating peanut butter cups and throwing the candy wrappers at him.

"Just a few more stairs," The chairwoman huffs. "We'll head along the top of the wall here. You could run the whole perimeter of New Canton if you want it."

"I-I'm okay. I just want to get to the um, right thinking people," I say, forcing out a laugh.

"It doesn't cut down the distance much, but the traffic is better. The permanent council haven't made a formal announcement, but we're to surpass 25,000 souls by month's end." She gives a small smile as we reach the top of the wall. "Starting to feel like the morning rush twenty-four seven down below. You know, only special personal and committee heads come up here, and the guards, of course. Like old Tim up ahead. Hello, Tim. Snipe anyone today?"

Tim turns to look at us, and I flinch so hard I nearly fall off the wall. I mean, really, is that a man or a bear? He's huge. He reminds me of Vladimir from 'Tangled'-the thug that collected unicorn figurines.

He gives a simply grunt, and the chairwoman smiles. "Good to see you too. Abel Runner, do you see that line up ahead where the brick changes from light gray to dark?"

"I've been trying not to look at the brick, since it's-well, you know, below me, meaning I'd have to look down... at my feet... and the people below me. By doing so I'd imagine how easy it would be for me to slip and fall to my death. So uh, no. No, I didn't see it. Thanks for pointing that out though."

"Uh... right. Once we cross that line, we're on the original castle wall. Eight centuries old and still holding out the hordes-the dead ones anyhow." She stops and points up ahead. "Rec Hall's down the stairs and down that passage. Be quick. They're due to start debating Ideology in Appropriate School Curriculum soon. That could tie them up for a few days."

These guys have waaay to many committees and meetings.

"I'm going to stay up here a bit longer, enjoy the air while I can. Best of luck with you."

I nod curtly before maneuvering by her to make my way to the other set of stairs. I quickly but carefully make my way down, feeling ever so thankful to get back down onto the ground again. The walls were sturdy but had to rails to keep you from falling off onto a building, or through a building. I think both would be painful.

Once at the bottom of the stairs, I head down the passage, going as quickly as my legs can carry me. Going quickly actually is less painful than walking slowly, although when I turn corners I have to be careful not to run into anyone.

"Can't you go any faster?" A familiar voice says in the distance, clearly annoyed.

"No, it's hopeless," Another says sarcastically. "Go on without me."

"Come on. I had to pull a bunch of strings to get the committee to let you sit in on a meeting. We can't show up late, not after you came to the last one still covered in sewage."

"What will they do?" Zoe asks. "Turn the hose on me?"

Phil chuckles. "It made a good idea last time-woah!"

He turns a blind corner, running straight into me. I stumble back and wince at the pain that spreads across me body. Phil grimaces.

"Sorry. Sorry. I didn't see you there... Wow, you look... you look like you had a very rough night."

Zoe rolls her eyes. "You'll have to excuse Phil. He's very agitated about his gardening club."

Phil scowls at her. "The Invasive Species Council is a critical part of New Canton's governing arm, thank you."

"When you joined the council, were you aware the Invasive Species in question were... not the zoms?"

His scowl deepens. "Left unchecked, Japanese knot weed can eat through walls." His eyes dart down to the paper in my hand, the scowl disappearing. "Is that a requisition form? Can I see it?"

I hand it over to him, and he starts speed walking away, leaving me and Zoe to run after him.

"I thought you were under orders not to try running and reading after the last time," Zoe says, but he ignores her.

"Let's see. Abel Township requests... communication personal-Nadia. Oh... nothing to do with us."

She shrugs. "What a shame."

"Don't worry, Phil," I say, awkwardly patting him on the shoulder. "You're my favorite radio person... besides Sam."

He purses his lips. "Second favorite. That doesn't make me feel much better. What would I have to do to become your favorite?"

I hum as if actually thinking about it. "Make me love you."

"As much as you love him?"

"Yeah. Sure. Let's go with that."

He snickers, but then puts on a straight face and nods. "I can do that. I mean, you were the only person who'd listen to my James Bond theory. I'm sure we'd make a great couple."

I snort. "I'm sure we would."

"So, as my first attempt to win your affections, I'm going to help you find someone to sign this off. Zoe'll help too."

Zoe frowns. "Why? I don't want to be her favorite, as she put it, 'radio person'."

"She helped with the kitten expedition. I don't even think she likes cats."

"I don't," I say. "But you don't have to help me. I'm already heading to the Promotion of Right Thinking group."

"Yeah," The blonde says, "and there weren't any kittens anyway."

"We're helping," He states flatly. "Plus, I know just the person to go to. It'll be a lot faster. Trust me. If we hurry, we can catch him and make the I.S.E. meeting."

•

The door squeaks open as Phil, Zoe and I all stick our heads in the room.

"Hello?" He says cautiously.

"What is it? I'm trying to sleep."

I internally groan at that voice. This is not the person I had in mind.

"Sleeping in the conference room?" Zoe questions as we enter, and Phil sends the man in front of us an apologetic grin.

"Bernard, sorry, but you've just been drafted in the Permanent Advisory Counsil, right? To fill in the hole Esteban left?"

Bernard narrows his eyes at him. "How'd you know about that?"

He shrugs, smiling a bit nervously. "Oh, uh, well, you know. Just like to keep my ears open."

"Some people need to keep their mouths shut."

Zoe raises a brow. "So, in summary, you are on the P.A.C. now?"

He nods reluctantly. "Why do you ask?"

"Our friend, Abel Runner Five," He gestures to me, "needs this requisition form signed."

"I know. I'm on the Supply Management Subcommittee, and we said no, as I recall."

"But I'm not asking you as a member of the Supply Management Subcommittee. I'm asking you as the newest member of the Permanent Advisory Council."

He blinks in disinterest. "And?"

"And wouldn't you like our radio show to mention what an amazing choice you are for the P.A.C., and how helpful you are to the little people?"

I send Phil a raised brow. "Is that an insult to my height."

"No... of course not."

"I hate you."

He smiles widely. "No, you don't."

Bernard rolls his eyes, but snatches the form out of Phil's hands. "Very well." He scribbles down his signature and hands it back to me. "There you go."

"That's it?" Zoe asks incredulously. "One signature and you're done? No debate? No vote? No putting it on the minutes for next week? And we accuse Abel about being a dictatorship."

"I can take it back if you like."

"No, no. That's wonderful," Phil says. "Thank you so much. Come on, Zoe, Five. Time to find Nadia."

"I believe she's in Meeting Room 7," Bernard mumbles, and Zoe crosses her arms.

"How do you know that?"

"Never mind," Phil sends Zoe a glare. "Come on. Let's catch her."

We leave the conference room, and as I stare at the messily written signature, I can't help but grin widely.

"If I wasn't incredibly sore, I'd hug you," I say to Phil, and he smiles in amusement.

"I'm still wondering just how you got so banged up."

"I got beat up by goats."

"Oh... that sounds uh, unfortunate."

"Yeah, it was. And I didn't even get the form signed after I did that. So yeah, I think I love you know. You earned it. You earned my love."

He laughs. "Wow. And I was thinking I'd have to get you at least three jars of peanut butter until you'd say that. It feels good being a favorite though."

I snort, shaking my head as we head to the meeting room where Nadia resides. We open the door, and she looks up from where she sits, disappointment in her eyes.

"Runner Five, I'm so grateful that you tried, but I heard that the S.M.S. turned you down." She sighs and rubs her arm, her head down. "I suppose getting out of here was always a long shot."

"No, we did it," Phil says, as I excitedly hand her the requisition form. "Sign, sealed and delivered."

She stands up, and her eyes grow wide in disbelief. "How did you... the handwriting's terrible. Who's signature is this?"

"If we told you, we'd have to kill you," Zoe says with a straight face. "Probably with a poison tipped umbrella."

'She's joking, right?' I sign to Nadia a bit fearfully.

She shrugs. "But it's official?"

"As official as it gets," Phil answers, which makes her eyes light up with joy.

"Fantastic! When can we go? Sam, do you read me?"

"Yep, I'm back," He answers a bit wearily, and I scoff.

"Took you long enough."

"Did I miss anything?"

"More than you know."

"But it's all sorted?"

"Yep."

"Yay," He cheers, although it sounds very forced. "You're going on a road trip."

Nadia and I share a raised brow. "Is something wrong?"

"Wrong? No, no, of course not. It's exciting news." He's not even trying to sound convincing. "Amelia's going to use this mission to try out our new automated operator system. It's just like me, only not. So that'll be great... just great." He sighs heavily. "We can head out as soon as you two get back to the gates."

I give Nadia a sideways glance. "This should be... interesting."

A/N: Hey, everyone! I hoped you enjoyed this chapter. Five was really out on a wild goose chase, wasn't she? Anyway, this chapter is dedicated to DejaDeville

Be sure to vote and comment. Thank you and have a blessed day!