Chapter 41: Light Up The Sky

I'm shivering. I clench my fists to keep them from shaking, but it's no good. The cold November air is too much, and yet still I don't move from where I sit on the bench. My teeth are chattering and my flesh is covered in goosebumps, but here I have solitude, at least for a few minutes.

I glance back down at my Bible, and I sigh, noticing the white puff of air that comes from my mouth. It's been awhile since I've read my Bible-weeks. So I came here to make sure I got a few chapters in.

So here I sit, in the worship area. Janine had it set up for anyone who wanted to worship. I like to come alone, since while there are quite a few Christians in the township, not many are Baptists. Not that I mind, because we do believe in the same God, but some believe in things that contradict the Bible, or they use a different one than the King James Version.

I already have the apocalypse and my own thoughts that try to sway my beliefs, I don't need someone who is Catholic or Presbyterian or Mormon or anything else helping along with it.

That being said, I do like that there are people who believe in God. A lot of people turned their back on Him once the apocalypse started, so it's nice to know that I'm not the only one here who believes.

Although, I do wish there were more Baptists, so maybe one could be a preacher. I miss hearing preaching, and going Sunday school. I miss Junior Church, although now I would be in Teen Church... I miss it, because it helps keep me on track.

I haven't been on track lately. With everything that's been happening, I've barely had time to read my Bible, or pray. I've been working, planning, thinking. Constant thoughts are spinning through my head now that we think we know where the Laetitia Greenwald is.

How many days has it been since we made that discovery? Since I heard Maxine's voice? Four days? Five? I can't tell. I don't remember. All the days are blurring together. I haven't even talked to Sam and Paula about Kefilwe yet, even though I've been meaning to. I haven't done much of anything I've been meaning to. It's like my mind is becoming fried because we're trying to plan, trying to think of what to do all while still keeping the township running.

I shake my head. I came out here for some peace, and still I find myself going back to my problems, my worries.

I look up, my eyes staying trained on the night sky. It's so pretty, the stars. There are no clouds to cover it, and the moon is shining just bright enough to give me light. The lamppost set around the streets help as well.

The stars shine back down at me, and I feel small. I am small, compared to the universe that surrounds me. I'm small, weak, fragile. And yet... I'm still here. God's still... letting me be here.

For how long is the question...

I look down at my Bible, pulling my eyes away from the stars and the pictures they create up there in the night sky. It's hard sometimes, to believe the words this book says. It's hard to believe in anything good when times get tuff, when things get chaotic... and stressful.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tired, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

-James 1:12

I really hope that these times will come to an end. It's easy to read this, but so much harder to live by it.

But I guess things are getting better. We know where the Laetitia Greenwald is, but that's only one step into the plan. We have to know just how we should get inside and get our people out. We have to know who will go, how many, and what we'll do. Comansys was a large company, and even now, it has a lot of smart people. They wanted our people and I know they won't give them up easily. Every detail in the plan must be perfect, or we might not be able to get our people back.

My thoughts suddenly come to a halt; I feel as if someone is standing behind me. I twist around, spotting him just before he is able to jump into a bush.

"Stop right there," My voice is stern, cold. The brunet freezes, a wince appearing on his face at being caught. With a sigh, he turns to look at me. My face contorts into a suspicious scowl. "What are you doing out here?"

Milo's eyes dart away from me for a second. "I was coming out here to draw, until I saw you here."

"You were coming out to draw when it's this dark out?"

"We have light out here. That's why you're able to read out here," He replies, crossing him arms.

"Very true." I nod, then pat a spot on the bench beside me. "Come sit."

He hesitates, a slight sneer starting to spread on his lips. I send him a sharp look.

"Sit."

Milo scowls, but obeys. He sits down next to me, shoulders tense and eyes staring straight ahead. I place a bookmark in my Bible and close it, setting it aside for now. Then I look at Milo, my eyes studying him for a second.

"So, are you going to tell me the real reason you were out here?" I ask.

He keeps his gaze ahead. "I told you, I came out here to-"

"Draw. Yes, that's what you told me, and it would've been believable if you'd actually brought your notepad and pencils with you. But as far as I can see, your hands are empty."

Milo grimaces, his cheeks turning red in embarrassment.

"Now, tell me why you were really out here." I say, and after a good ten seconds of silence, I speak again. "You were following me, weren't you? You were planning on causing some sort of mayhem again."

He doesn't have to answer for me to know the truth to that one.

"You know doing this-taking my things, interrupting my training sessions, riling me up before missions-none of that is going to make me want to let you hang out with Zach or Polly. And I won't give you the okay to let you start training to be a runner, either. Even though you're only thirteen, your immature actions prove to me that you can't be a runner-"

"I know your name," He says suddenly, quietly. I frown.

"Yes, I know. I was the one who told it to you."

"I... I could tell them who you are," He stammers, fists clenching and unclenching. "Everyone. I could tell them your name a-and then they could-could find who you are. It wouldn't take long for them to figure out just what you've done, I don't think."

I scoff in disbelief. "Are you... are you threatening me, Milo?"

He shakes his head, his eyes not once looking at me. "No. I thought about it though. This is the only thing that truly seems to terrify you, people knowing who you really are... But then I remembered just what you could do to me."

"You know I'd never hurt you."

"Not physically, but you would find a way to punish me if I told Janine or-or Sam or anyone what your name was."

It takes me a few moments to reply. "Why are you telling me this then?"

He purses his lips, as if wondering that himself. "I don't know. I mean, you asked why I was out here... This is why. But then I changed my mind, and you saw me before I could leave."

"I see," I murmur. "Is that the only reason why you changed your mind? Because you think I'd punish you more?"

He blinks, and I can see him silently questioning what other reason there would be for him not to tell.

"Oh, so it wasn't because if the people here found out what I've done, my somewhat good reputation here would be forever ruined, I'd lose my title as Head of Runners, and I'd be hated more than Amelia and Simon combined?" I ask, almost laughing at the horrified look that appears on the boy's face. I can almost see the gears turning in his head as he wonders just how much I've done.

Oh, Milo, there is so much you don't know.

"Milo, when I said I didn't want you to be like me, I meant it, and for a reason. If you want to be a runner so badly, then you're going to have to prove to me that you're responsible enough to be one, and as a thirteen-year-old boy, I doubt you're to prove that to me anytime soon."

"But how I can I prove that to you when you won't even give me the chance?" He asks desperately.

"Your chance is now. Start by doing what your supposed to be doing; Focus on school, keep your little sister out of trouble, do the after-school job that's assigned to you. Do that, and if you do well, then I'll let hang out with Polly and Zach again. And if you don't run off again, or cause any trouble, then I'll consider letting you start training when you turn fourteen."

His eyes light up. "Really?"

I nod curtly. "But remember, you won't be going on any missions until you're sixteen. Township rules... Now go inside. It's cold out here and I don't want you getting sick."

We both stand, and I grab my Bible. No name is in it this time, but I still don't want anyone taking it. Once we leave the worship area, I start heading a different way than the shorter boy. He looks at me in confusion.

"Where are you going?"

"I need to go do something. I have to talk to someone. You go inside. I may join you later."

He nods, and then runs off to get out of the cold. I actually forgot about the night air during our little talk. I ignored it, really. It's a bit harder now since I'm alone again, but I'm heading towards the coms shack.

Even though it's so late, I'm sure Sam will still be in there, possibly with Janine. The talks with New Canton sometimes go on for hours, mostly because no one can come up with an agreement of when they want to rescue our people or who should be the ones doing it. The Permanent Advisory Council keeps arguing with every idea Janine comes up with. I think they just really like to argue.

Once reaching the coms shack, I pause, wondering just what to say. I've been meaning to talk to Sam, since Kefilwe isn't going to, but I'm not sure how to go with it. I don't want to be rude, but I can't exactly be nice either. Kefilwe is my friend; Sam knows that. I'd hoped he and Paula would be kind to her because they know that. That obviously isn't the case.

With a huff, I softly knock on the door.

"Come in," Sam replies.

I open the door slowly, poking my head in to make sure I'm not interrupting anything. To my surprise, Sam is the only one in here. He grins widely at seeing me, and he stands up from his swivel chair.

"Five, hi," He says.

"Hi. You look happy."

"Oh," He laughs. "Yeah. Janine just left. She and the P.A.C. finally have come up with an agreement-well, on one thing. We have a bit of a plan on who will sneak onto the Laetitia Greenwald and what we'll do to get our people back, but before we add any super specific details to the plan, the P.A.C. thought there should be a test to prove the runners going are able to do the job."

I hum in thought. "I guess that makes sense."

"Yeah. We chose one runner and New Canton chose one of theirs. We chose you, obviously."

"Obviously?" I question with a raised brow, and he nods.

"Well, you were the one who heard the transmission."

"But I wasn't the only one on that mission."

"Yeah, but you-you heard it before anyone else. You had the vision over a month before it happened. That's why I suggested you. Well, that and the fact that you've done so many other awesome things in the past. But you heard it, a-and when it actually happened... Man, I can't tell you how happy I was. It was just-you are amazing!"

My bottom lip is pulled in between my teeth. "I... thank you, but I had no idea when we were going to hear that. And we might not have ever heard had it not been for Cameo. And Kefilwe was the one who got Janine to look at the background noise. I... actually need to talk to you about her."

"Janine?" He blinks in confusion.

"No, Kefilwe-Dr. Lobatse. "

"Um... alright. Go ahead, I guess."

"Why are you and Paula still being so negative towards her? She's done nothing to you or her. I asked you to be nice to her because she's my friend."

Sam rubs the back of his neck, his eyes darting away from me as he bites the inside of his cheek. "Well, I know, but-"

"Don't you care about me?"

His gaze snaps to me almost instantly. "Of course, I do. Why-why would you even ask that?"

"If you care about me, then why won't you do as I ask and just be kind to her?" I ask, and I watch as his face falls. "I'm not asking you to be her best friend or anything. I'm just asking you to be kind when you're around her. You and Paula both. Is that really too much to ask?"

He sighs. "No, I... I guess not. I'll try to be nicer to her, and I'll talk to Paula too, if you want."

I give him a close-lipped smile, and then grab his hand with my free one and give it a small squeeze. "Thank you."

He smiles back at me, and I guess we have one of those silent, mutual moment.

Then his eyes shift to my other hand. "What's that?"

"Oh, it's my Bible," I reply, holding it up. "I was reading it in the worship area before I came in here."

"You were out there? In the cold?"

I give a half shrug, my smile just the same. "It's one of the few places I can get peace and quiet."

He nods. "Where's it bookmarked?"

"In James. I sort of just flip through it, find a random chapter and read it. I usually almost always find something that applies to me."

"Must be fun when you end on Psalm 119," He chuckles, and I raise a brow, a smile starting to grow in my face.

"Longest chapter in the Bible. I'm surprised you remember that, seeing as to how you stopped believing when the apocalypse started."

"Some things stay with you, I guess. And I didn't stop believing right after the apocalypse started. It was a little bit after. I just... didn't understand why such a loving God would just let all this happen, let so many people die."

"Didn't?" I ask, slightly surprised that he used the past tense of the verb.

"Don't," He says quickly, but it doesn't sound all that convincing.

Maybe God is finally starting to answer my prayers.

"Ah, I see. So, this test... what will it be, exactly?"

"I don't know. They didn't say. I don't think they're going to tell us though. I think it's like, supposed to be a 'in the now' type of thing-see what we'll do under pressure. That's probably why they won't tell me anything either. They want to see how I'll guide you."

"Or they could've just not thought it up yet."

"Or that. You never know."

I laugh softly, before taking a seat on the small cot. I kick off my shoes so I won't get the cot dirty, and then I set my Bible down beside me. "Do you know when we'll be doing this test?"

"Um, I think a little over a week? Like eight days or something like that."

"Well, I guess it's a good thing I don't have to worry about getting sick. I used to always catch something during the winter, especially near my birthday. I won't have to worry about that now though, because of..."

"Yeah," He says quietly. "I know."

It's been months, but I still don't like to talk about what Van Ark did to me-the treatments he gave me. I don't want to think about what it did to me, and what it might do to me-how it might change, and how it might change me. Sometimes I wonder if I'm really even human anymore.

"Hey, I forgot your birthday was this month," Sam says. "You're turning seventeen, right?"

I nod. "Yep. My birthday is in twelve days. Although I really don't care. I just want to get our people back. That would be the best birthday gift, I think."

He picks up my Bible and places it in my lap, then he sits down beside me. "I think so too. I know how much you miss Caleb."

"And I know how much you and Paula miss Maxine. We know she's on that ship... but-but how do we know Caleb's on the ship as well? Or Ed, or anyone else who left?"

"Do you... is there any uh, reason that would make you think that?"

"You mean if I've had any visions? No. Although I do know we will get to the ship, mostly because I might come close to drowning while we're on it."

He chokes. "What?"

"Long story," I say, offering a half smile. "Apparently, I'm not the only person with abilities. Just like I had dreams as Chrysalis, she had dreams as me. Apparently she had one of me nearly drowning on a ship and told Tony, and Tony told me."

"But... she did dream of you nearly drowning, right? Not actually drowning? 'Cause if you died in that dream then I'll... I-I'll convince Janine to chose someone else to go on the mission."

The fear in his eyes nearly kills me, so I force a laugh. "No, I won't die. I come close to drowning, or I will come close to it, but apparently I'll get out alright."

He breathes out a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank God."

"Really, Sam, do you really think that's how I'd go?" I laugh again, although (again) my heart's only half into it. "With everything that's happened, I think it's going to take an army."

"Yeah," He chuckles. "That's true. It's good though. Means I won't have to worry about losing my Runner Five anytime soon."

"Please. When do you not worry? You worry too much and we both know it."

A scoff leaves his mouth. "I worry just the right amount for the job I have, thank you."

"If you say so." I grab my Bible and open it. "I never did get to finish reading my chapter. I uh, got distracted."

He raises a brow. "By what?"

"My own thoughts, and one of my kids," I answer. "Anyway, I want to finish reading this chapter. You uh, I don't know... you could read it with me."

"Trying to get me to turn back to Jesus, Five?" He grins, and I return it. Mine holds a bit of nervousness to it.

"Never hurts to ask."

Sam huffs out a laugh and looks me in the eyes. I simply stare back. Finally he sighs. "Sure. Why not?"

I beam at that. "Great! Here. I'm gonna start where I left off, but you can start on verse One. There's only twenty-seven versus in this chapter, so you don't have to worry about it being too long."

He smiles at me, but doesn't say anything. His eyes dart down the open book in my hand and he starts reading.

•

I sigh and use my free hand to rub my tired eyes. I glance down at my Bible  one more time before closing the book. We didn't read just one chapter. After we finished the first chapter of James, I decided to keep going. Sam didn't seem to mind. Now, a good hour later, we've read through the Book of James all the way to the end of the Book of Second Peter.

Well, I have, anyway. Sam fell asleep on my shoulder once we finished the Book of James. I'm impressed he read that far without complaint.

Now I just have to find away to get him off of me without waking him. Because as cute as we probably look right now, I've seen how this works in movies if I decide to fall asleep against the wall.

Somehow, someway, we'll end up shifting around during the night, and we'll end up waking up all snuggled up to each other and the last thing I need is another embarrassing morning. I've gone almost a full two weeks without any of those-no extreme bed head or running into a door. I don't want to break that steak anytime soon.

So I gently push him off of me, and then I scoot away, and let him lie down on the cot. I cover him with the blanket, ignoring the cold that constantly eats at me. It's something that's always there. You never get used to it, but you have learned how to ignore it when it isn't too terrible.

Walking over to the battered swivel chair, I sit down, wincing at the squeaky sound it gives when I do. This thing has definitely had better days, and I can't help but wonder how much longer it will have before falling apart completely.

Maybe if I can find some duct tape, we can find a way to give it another few years.

I giggle at the thought. The American part of me is coming out on that one.

I sigh as I look back at Sam, and I wonder if it was a good idea to tell him about me nearly dying on the Comansys ship-well, how I will nearly die on it. I was trying to assure him we will eventually get on that ship, but in all honesty, telling him might not have been such a good idea. Mostly because he'll begin to worry, and wonder what else I haven't told him.

And I promised I'd tell him if I had any other visions, and while these weren't exactly mine, he still may want me to tell him about them since they involved me and pain. And I don't want him to know about me nearly getting blown to bits or me getting terrible scars or anything like that. I don't want anyone to know that.

I kind of wish I didn't know that, seeing really as there isn't much I can do.

For now I just need to worry about getting Caleb back. I'll be going through whatever test New Canton wants me to go through with their pick in eight days, and then we'll get on that ship, and I'll save my friends.

I'll save Caleb.

I'll do whatever it takes.

I nod, knowing that's exactly what I'll do. Besides, this test can't be too hard. It's probably going to be a couple zombies or something. Nothing too-

"What's the matter? Can't keep up?"

I blink, looking around. Odd. I don't recognize that voice.

I gasp suddenly, my eyes widening, fear flooding my veins, my heart rate picking up. Calm one second, panicked the next.

"Why don't you put on some of the formula on, Five? If we both do it, the zoms won't come anywhere near us, right?"

Formula? I think. Is she talking about Veronica's formula? I know she gave us information on how to grow her blue flowers, but... we've been advised to use anything we get from them with caution. I don't even know if they've spouted yet.

"Why won't you use the stuff? Why not?" The voice cries. "What's wrong with you?"

I jump up from my chair. I don't know what to do, or what to say. I feel so panicked. Something's wrong. Why is this woman so upset? I don't understand. I don't know what to do. What's going on?

"I'm going to kill you, Five!"

A yelp leaves my lips at the sudden change in time, and I jump back. Mud splashed up to my ankles.

Wait, mud?

I'm not in the coms shack. I'm somewhere else. It's raining. Cold rain is pelting my skin, soaking my hair, freezing me to the bone. I'm afraid, so afraid. I hear moaning, and weird squeaking noises. Like mice, maybe-some kind of rodent.

"Their bites will also be infectious."

It's a new voice-a different one from the female's. I can't see what this man may be talking about. It's all blurry from the rain-the cold, cold rain.

So I run.

Through the pouring rain. I can't see much if anything. The rain makes it look like a blur of color fading into gray. I think there might be construction equipment here. There's a bulldozer, or that least, I think that's what that yellow blob of color to right is, and that's maybe... a crane?

"Goin' somewhere, freak?"

It's that woman's voice. God, she sounds insane. She's in front of me, but her face is all blurry. I can't see it. Who is she? What does she want? She's just standing there, but I can feel it-fear, paranoia, terror. She has something in her hand-a weapon. I can't make out what it is. She's swinging it at me. I dodge it, ducking down to avoid being hit. She keeps aiming for my head. Why does she keep aiming for my head?

I have to keep running.

"Don't stop. Threats are still surging behind you," Sam urges.

I keep running. I can hear it behind me. Moaning and... something. I'm too afraid to look back. I'm too afraid to do anything besides run, even if it's towards the crazy faceless woman in front of me.

"Think you had me fooled?" She taunts. "Runner Five, I see through you. You're like all the other zoms-infected, perverted, but we've got power over you now. Cower! Come on! Cower! You're meant to run from me! You're meant to hide! Cower! Cower!"

Zoms? No. No, that can't be right. I'm not in the right place. I'm not bitten-not yet. Why is she calling me a zom? Sam wouldn't tell me to keep running if I'd turned.

What the hell is happening?

"Quick. Run, Five. Maybe she'll follow you."

I run past her, but she doesn't follow. She keeps looking ahead at whatever's chasing me.

"No! No! No, get off! Get off! Stop! No!"

There's a bloodcurdling scream, and I feel something hard slam into my face.

I fall back, my head smacking hard against a wood floor. I let out a loud groan.

"Oh, my God! Five!"

My eyes stay open, and I see Sam suddenly looking down at me. He grabs my arms and pulls me to my feet, not letting go of me even after I become upright again. My lips are wet, as is my nose. I taste blood on my tongue.

"Five, what happened? I was woken up a loud sound and I-I looked up and saw you on the floor bleeding," He asks, eyes full of concern.

"I think that sound was me running into the wall," I reply groggily. "And I just had a vision."

"Of what?"

I look into his dark brown eyes, brows scrunched together. "I don't know."

A/N: Quite a bit happened this chapter, huh? Hope you enjoyed it. Please be sure to vote and comment. Thank you and have a blessed day!