Chapter 76: Listen All You People

"How's the leg holding up, Owen?"

Runner Six rolls his eyes, while I suppress a smile. "It's fine, mate. Just like the last ten times you asked."

"Sorry. I just-oh, you know. This is your first non-supply mission since Amelia shot you, and I feel like that would kind of hurt worse than a regular bullet wound in the leg because of the... betrayal."

"Don't worry about us," Jody says. "It's really sweet, Sam, but Owen's been running for awhile now. It's Five I'd be worried about." She turns to me, her expression sincere. It doesn't make me feel better. "Are you sure you're okay... after what happened yesterday-"

"I'm fine. It was just a... incident. I'm still not completely over what happened to me... although what I did to others, what I did to you was worse-"

"I'm okay. It's not as bad as it looks. And the bruises are almost gone. Hardly can see it now."

I smile tightly, even though I know she's really wrong. I smile because I know she's trying to make me feel better. I smile because this will make her think I'm feeling better.

"Okay, this is an easy one," Sam says, quick to change the subject. "Just a quick run to pick up some wiring from Brunswick-"

"Brunswick?" I repeat.

"Yeah, to get Owen back into the swing of things-the more important missions, ya know?"

"Yeah, it's just... that's where Caleb..."

"I-I'm sorry, Five. I wasn't-"

"It's okay. Just a run to Brunswick, then?"

"Well, there's also a pharmacy you'll pass on the way there. Maxine was hoping you could check inside on your way back. Said there should be some-"

"Sam Yao? Sam Yao, are you reading me?" A new voice says through my headset, his voice tinged with static. "This is Bernard Prior, New Canton Permanent Advisory Council."

"Yeah, I read you, Bernard. What's happened?" He sucks in a deep breath, and the air becomes tense. "Oh, please tell me there isn't another gunman loose in New Canton, because one crazy gunman lost in your compound is unlucky, but two just looks a bit careless."

"There's no gunman, Mr. Yao. We're requesting assistance from Runner Five to rendezvous with Ilene Sosa at Beauchamps Lido."

"Why do you need me, exactly?" I question, bracing for the worst.

"Oh, good, you're already listening in, it'll save time." He sounds much happier than usual.

"We're actually close by, mate," Owen says. "We can all go. What's the problem?"

"We don't need anyone except Five," Bernard snaps, and I raise a brow, even though he can't see it. "And there is no problem, Runner... whoever you are. There's the complete opposite of a problem."

"Then why do you need my assistance?" There's a bit of sass in my voice, but it's gone the instant Bernard replies.

"Because we've captured Moonchild."

My heart stops in my chest. I suddenly forget how to breathe. I forget how to run.

So I trip.

"Are-are you joking right now?" Sam sputters as Jody helps me to my feet. "You seriously-you captured Moonchild?"

"Yes, which is why we need Runner Five to help us escort her back to New Canton."

"She isn't at New Canton?" Jody asks.

"No, she is with Ms. Sosa, and we would like Runner Five to help escort her to New Canton for questioning."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Owen asks, eyeing me a bit wearily. I look away, trying not to cringe. "I mean, what if Five has like, PTSD or something? I don't think seeing Moonchild would be very good for her-"

"No," I say, every fiber in my being screaming for me to just shut up, to say no, to not go... but I don't. "I have to do this. I-I can't live in fear of her forever, not when I have to work on stopping her. And now it looks like we have. I can-I can stop everything if I just face her now."

Jody and Own give me a few odd looks, but I know Sam understands. He knows that this could be a way to changing my fate, so that's exactly what I'm going to do, because this-facing her while we've captured her-could be my way of changing how my story goes. I have to do this.

"Okay," Sam says after a long moment. "Four, Six, keep going in the direction you were going. Five, head east. You should be meeting up with Ilene in ten to fifteen minutes if you keep up a good pace."

I nod, a small whisper of confirmation leaving my lips.

"Excellent. We look forward to seeing you," Bernard says, and I raise a brow even as I start running. I don't think I've ever heard Bernard say he looked forward to seeing me.

But still I run, ignoring the cold wind and the snowflakes that get caught in my lashes and sting my lips with cold. I pull my hat tighter down on my head, over my ears. My breath comes out in puffs, quick and sharp. I tell myself it's because I'm running, not because I'm afraid of facing her again. I tell myself she doesn't have that much effect on me...

But I know that's a lie. It's a lie I can't even get myself to believe.

Because I'm afraid of seeing her. I'm afraid I'll see her and want to feel that happiness again. I'm afraid I'll long for that feeling again.

I shake my head, trying to keep myself from worrying about seeing her before it even happens. Sam keeps saying things to me over my headset, trying to be encouraging, trying to make me feel better. It helps, but only a little bit. Hearing his voice puts me at ease, but knowing who I'm going to see shortly makes me tense up all over again.

"I-I need to do this, but I don't know if I can," I mumble.

"You're nearly there, Five," Sam says. He's trying to be encouraging, sound confident, but his voice shakes. "It's just past that adventure playground. And Owen and Jody are nearly at Brunswick. They've passed that pharmacy already, and plan on stocking up on meds on their way back.

"Dr. Lobatse really did a great job on Owen's leg. She said she learned field dressing in Nicaragua. She's uh, you know, more cheerful than any human ought to be, but she knows her stuff."

"You're trying to get my mind off the subject at hand, aren't you?" I ask, my words coming out a bit more blunt than I intended them to.

"Well, it's not-I mean, you don't-you don't need to worry. You're definitely like, 1,000 percent immune to Moonchild's mind control now. I know it will be weird... and hard to see her, but you're strong. A-and you know more about her than anyone else."

"Do I though? I barely even remember what happened while I was under her control."

"You do remember something. You told us what she said about the ZRD, which is more than what I or anyone could've known."

"Five, over here!"

My head snaps to my right, but I don't see just two figures like I was expecting; I see multiple, and most of them have guns-big guns. A brunette woman raises her hand to get my attention, and I shakily take a deep breath as I run over to them.

My gut twists when I see Moonchild. I feel a mixture of hate and pain and a ounce of longing there, but I push it away.

"Is it just me or does Moonchild look... smaller when she's chained up and surrounded by possibly a quarter of the population of New Canton wielding Uzis?"

'Don't exaggerate,' I tap into my mic, my eyes never leaving Moonchild, her eyes never leaving me. 'There's maybe seventy people with us here. New Canton has thousands and thousands of people in its walls.'

"Runner Five, it's good to see you," Moonchild says, her eyes bright. I have to fight the urge to smile and vomit all at once. "I've missed you."

"You shut your mouth," Ms. Sosa barks, her brown eyes flashing angrily. "Unless you want us to gag you. To think I drank your bloody ginseng tea."

Moonchild tsks. "Just trying to be polite."

"Not another word." She looks at me, her expression changing. "Thanks for getting here so quickly, Five. "It's because of you we managed to get our hands on madam here."

I blink. "I'm sorry, what?"

"After you destroyed her stash of that plant extract, we sent a squad to follow her. Hand picked all the people we knew that hadn't glugged down her CeretinPlus."

"That's amazing! But why didn't you tell us?" Sam asks, and for a quick second I almost see a grimace on Ms. Sosa's face, but then it's gone.

"Operational security. You never know who's been turned, do you?" She glances over at Moonchild. "It's amazing what a sniveling little coward she turns into when she can't just snap her fingers and get you to do what she wants, not that she still isn't dangerous. With Five's help, we can get her back to our holding facility before-"

"Before I can summon my fast zoms?" Moonchild asks, batting her eyes innocently for a split second before grinning viciously. "Ha. I don't want to harsh your buzz, man, but you're too late."

That's when we hear them in the distance, slowly getting louder and louder. Growls, snarls, groans. They're in the distance, all running towards us with speed and power no dead thing should ever possess. They're less than a half mile away, and from the looks of it there must be a couple hundred of them.

I stiffen.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

They'll be on us in minutes if we don't move.

"Well, don't think we didn't plan for that, love," Ms. Sosa says before looking at the men and women around her. "Lock and load! Come on, Five, let's get moving."

I don't need to be told twice. I start running as fast as I can, with Ms. Sosa running right beside me. She has ahold of Moonchild. I think she wants to ask my to keep ahold of her and her restraints, but I keep my gaze ahead, refusing to look at either of them. I can only do so much, and my hands are already shaking from the swirling emotions going on within me.

I can't trust myself to keep a steady grip on her, and I won't do anything that might help her escape.

We're staying ahead of the zoms, but just barely. They truly are fast, but we have guns, and we're definitely using them to our advantage. Gunshots ring in my ears. I don't flinch at the sound like I thought I would. Moonchild's eyes stay trained on me-I can see it from the corner of my eye, feel her gaze burning into my right cheek-as if she's just waiting for me to look over at her.

But I don't give in, not until a few minutes later when she speaks to me.

"Runner Five, how have you been? I've been really worried about you."

To both our surprises, I sneer at her. "I've been a lot better now that I'm free from you."

"You don't mean that."

"Did I or did I not tell you to shut your gob?" Ms. Sosa snaps over the gunfire, and Moonchild rolls her eyes before sending her a snarky smile.

"Hope those fast zoms aren't too much of a downer for you."

"We're coping."

"There really are a lot of zoms," Sam mutters, fear woven in his voice. "Some of then look almost alive, like-God! L-Like Moonchild turned them a couple days ago."

"Don't panic, Sam," I say, and I pretend not to notice the look Moonchild gives me when I say his name. "We're nearly at New Canton. We'll be at the north gates in maybe two minutes."

"Yeah, but you're tailing a massive, great zombie army behind you."

"And that's why we have sharpshooters lined up," Ms. Sosa cuts in.

"Oh, yeah. I-I see them. Yeah. It's all going to be alright."

I nod assuringly. "It's all going to be alright."

Moonchild clicks her tongue. "I don't see why Sam's so worried. He should know I'd never do anything to hurt my Five."

My eyes go wide in surprise at the angry growl that comes through my headset.

"She. Is. Not. Yours." Every word is punctuated with malice and hatred, and his sudden change of mood makes me too afraid to tell him she can't hear him.

"Bernard, open the gates. We're comin' in."

The dark skinned woman smiles, looking at me and then Ms. Sosa. "Are you sure you want to do that?"

I give her an odd look, but her smile stays. What are you planning?

"Open the bloody gates!"

The north gates open, and bullets fly as we run inside. I keep running, giving room for everyone else to get inside. Ms. Sosa stays beside me, as does Moonchild. She has a certain gleam in her eyes, and when she looks at me, that grin still on her face, I'm hit with a realization.

She wanted this. She wanted me here in New Canton... with her.

Why?

I can't think about that now. With that Cheshire Cat grin she's wearing, it's obvious that whatever plan she has is about to go into action. I have to get out of here.

"Sam, something very bad is about to-"

"Everyone's in! Shut those gates right!" Ms. Sosa yells, and the gates close. "No zoms will be getting through that in a hurry."

"They certainly won't. And no people will be getting out either." Moonchild laughs airly, and I feel the blood drain from my face.

She's beautiful, but in the way that a forest fire is beautiful.

"Bernard, if you're ready."

"I'm ready. Broadcasting the signal to all channels."

A loud sound comes through the speakers-organ music mixed with auto tune and-oh, God. This is bad.

"What the hell is that?" Ms. Sosa demands, and I watch in horror as everyone in New Canton freezes, their eyes glossing over.

"It's not-it can't be!" Sam exclaims. "It's the mind control tones! It's playing to everyone in New Canton, and they're-Jesus! They're all turning towards you. Oh, God! It worked, Five. She's taken over everyone in New Canton! Every single one of them!"

I grab my axe, then back away from Moonchild.

"Don't think I won't kill them. I won't let you take me again."

"We'll see," Is her reply.

"She hasn't got me," Ms. Sosa snarks, jumping away from Moonchild and grabbing my wrist. "Come on, Five! Run!"

•

"Quick. Through here. It's dining room 5B, shut off for refurbishment. Shouldn't be anyone about."

"How the hell did Moonchild do it?" Sam asks while I follow Ms. Sosa through the large and barely lit dining room. "How the hell did she take over the whole of New Canton? I-I thought you have to drink CeretinPlus for months before you were susceptible. But then-well, we never did find out how you got to be susceptible, Five. I mean, hypnotism plus the ZRD, but you never drank CeretinPlus, right?"

"I never touched the stuff," I reply. "There must've been something else-something we didn't think of."

I should've known. This was too easy. Capturing her like they did-she never would have let that happen, not unless she needed it to.

"We can think about that when we're away from here," Ms. Sosa says, and Sam sighs.

"All those people though. I-I-I just can't believe she's... she's taken them over."

"They're my friends, Sam. My people. Do you think I want to believe it either?" The brunette sighs heavily. "After everything my Esteban did, everything we worked for together, our children... She's not going to win. We'll get our home back from her, and then she'll be sorry. She'll be sorrier than anyone's ever been, damn it! Sam, have you got eyes in this building? We could use your help."

"Um, yeah. I um-they shut me out of NC systems as soon as Moonchild took over, but uh, Janine's been rigging something for me and um-yeah, there we go. Cameras! Yay!" He says with a small laugh, and I give a small smile as the mood lightens ever so slightly. "I'd say give me a wave, only... yeah. Probably more important things to focus on."

"Can you see any clear route for us to get out of here?" I ask.

"It's uh, not so good. There're people streaming towards you from all the nearby buildings. I can't believe how many people live in New Canton. But it's a bit clear in the kitchen." He lets out a small noise. "How did this happen, Ilene?"

"If I knew that, I'd tell you," She replies. "Okay, Five, let's head for Block D kitchens, but grab a few bottles of water from the shelf. I'm parched, and there won't be anything to drink where we're going."

"Where are you going?" Sam asks as I put a few water bottles into my backpack, handing one to Ms. Sosa and taking another for myself. I only take a sip, but then slowly take another when she looks at me expectingly.

"Down. This was a castle, you know, and do you know what castles have?"

"Uh, really creepy, dark dungeons?"

She grins. "Got it in one. It's a real maze down there, and there's one tunnel-our waster course-that leads directly out to the grounds."

There's a loud thud at the door, and I jump. There's another thud, then another, then another, and I see the wood of the door start to splinter.

Oh, no.

"They're using the fire axes. Five, let's get out of here."

My legs start moving before my brain can comprehend I'm running. The sound of splintering wood and loud voices are just near deafening as we head through the kitchen, and then into a back room that's nothing but stairs-dark, stone stairs that leaves little room for us. The walls are stone as well, and they're thick, sturdy. That's why New Canton was based here, after all, for how sturdy everything is.

We head down the narrow stairway, the only light being that of the lanterns that are hung up on the walls. I don't know why they're still lit. I don't know why someone would come down here to keep them lit, but I think that's a question best asked another time, once we're away from Moonchild and her new slaves.

With shoes wet from the snow, I have to keep from going too fast. With the mind controlled people just behind us, I have to keep from going too slow. It's cold down here, the air like knives to my throat, to my lungs. It's bitter, but we continue, too afraid to stop, too afraid to turn back.

We reach the bottom of the staircase, entering a dim hallway that branches off into several different directions. Ms. Sosa leads, I follow.

I can't hear anything behind me-no footsteps, no voices-but I still feel as if something is really, really wrong. I keep my mouth shut, unsure if I should voice my discomfort. It's not until the silence becomes too heavy for me to bear that I speak.

"You're sure this is the right way, right?" I ask.

"I know my way around this place, Five," Ms. Sosa says blankly.

"I-I know. I just... something doesn't feel right."

"We're being chased by all the people of New Canton who are now under Moonchild's control. I don't reckon this should feel perfect."

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself from saying any rude remark, and keep going, my eyes searching for something that might explain this bad feeling. We go silent again for another few minutes until Sam's voice shatters it, for which I am thankful.

"Wow, this really is dark and creepy. Wouldn't want to get stuck down here."

"I think we're safe... for now," Ms. Sosa says.

"Yeah, I can't see any signs of pursuit, but it won't last long. There's bound to be someone on Moonchild's side who can guess where you are.

"Still, time for a quick breather and a gulp of water," She comes to a stop then motions to my pack, where I keep my barely drank water bottle and some more unopened ones. She takes out one from her small pack and takes a drink, then looks at me. "Well, don't just stand there. Drink up. We might not get another chance."

I raise a brow at her sudden concern for me to stay hydrated, but still I take a gulp, then another, all while she watches me with an odd satisfaction.

"Lovely. You've got over half the bottle down, and you had a sip earlier, didn't you?"

"Have you suddenly turned into Five's mum?" Sam jokes, but I don't laugh.

"Just checking, Sam."

Then she reaches into her bag, and pulls out a small black box. With the click of a button, tones begin to play out.

"What are you doing?" Sam all but shrieks, while I jump back, away from her.

"Come on, Five. Don't you want to come back to the fold? Moonchild really misses you." My. Sosa frowns at me when I shake my head, even as tones ring through the room, in my head. "Don't back away! You know you want to do what she says. You remember how good it feels, how right!"

"Oh, my God!" Sam shouts. "She's been turned!"

But she hasn't been, not just now. Not even before when Moonchild took over. She didn't get the glossy look, so she must've been under her control before we even reached New Canton, just like Bernard.

How long has she had hold on them?

"Five, you have to get away. Jump over that railing. You're going to need to run out through the New Canton watercourse."

I do as told, sprinting as fast as I can away from her as I hear her talking over a radio.

"Moonchild, are you reading me? I'm sorry, but Five's not biting. The drink didn't do the trick."

"Oh..." Moonchild replies. She sounds so sad, hurt almost. "We'll have to get that Zombie Repelling Device another way then. I didn't... I didn't want to have to do this... but, Ilene, you know what to do if someone isn't persuadable."

"Get out of there, Five!" Sam yells. "Now!"

•

"I don't understand, Sam," Nadia says over my headset, her voice just barely audible over the gunshots and shouts from behind me. "Everyone?"

"Everyone," He responds. "You're the last New Cantoner standing. At least Treetop Base doesn't have dungeons. Keep going, Five."

"Where? I have no idea where I'm going," I say, my words breathless and frantic. In these tunnels I've gotten lost, which is why they were able to catch up to me so quickly. I'm not sure where to go or where to turn. I just keep running. "Ilene was the one showing me the way, and since she was under Moonchild's control I have no idea if she took near the waterway or in the exact opposite direction."

"That's why I contacted Nadia. She should know some of the inner workings of New Canton, and if she doesn't know them that well, then... well, she at least knows them better then I do. Just don't stop running."

"Take the left branch of tunnels," Nadia says. "It zigzags. They won't get a clear shot. How did this even happen?"

"Headshots, lads!" Ms. Sosa screams. "Shoot to kill! Five isn't one of us! Not anymore!"

The loud pops and bangs of guns being fired echos through the stone walls, but I keep going. Nadia was correct about the zigzag motion of the tunnels, so I just might-

"Ah!" I yelp as a bullet flies by, nicking my right arm. It's just a scratch, not even bad enough to be considered a flesh wound, but it was still too close for comfort.

"That one nearly winged you!" Sam shouts. "And I thought Moonchild would never do anything to hurt you."

"Well, apparently she changed her mind after she found around I couldn't be put under her control anymore." I keep running, ignoring the small amount of blood running down my arm. "But Nadia, yeah, Moonchild has hold of everyone."

"What about the New Canton people guarding the plants here?" She asks.

"Do they seem mind controlled to you?"

"Oh, God," She gasps. "I think they're coming up here. I have to close the security shutters."

I hear her typing on a typing on a keyboard, then a couple of beeps, then a clang of the shutters coming down.

"Thank God Veronica installed those before she left. Five, do you see that ladder up ahead? Climb up it. That should bring you too the stables."

"Got it," I reply, racing over the steel ladder and climbing like my life depends on it, because it actually really does. There's a hatch at the top, which I quickly unlock and push open. There's light, and I climb up into the stables. It's quiet and empty, thankfully.

I head for the door, not waiting. I open it, but as soon as I do I have to close it fast, locking the door before any prying hands can push the door open again.

"Shit," I mutter.

"How many people do you think that was?" Sam asks.

"At least forty. They're-" I jump back when I hear banging on the door. "They saw me. I can't..."

"Back the way you came. Hurry before they break through or before that other group catches you."

I nod, quickly rushing back over to the escape hatch. Climbing inside, I shut it and lock it like how it was before, then I shuffle down the ladder, and keep running.

"You're going to be okay," Nadia says. "We're not going to let them kill you."

I flinch. Moonchild said something similar to me when I was on the Comansys ships.

"I won't let them kill you."

Funny how things change.

I run. I run as fast as my legs will carry me. My heart races, my mind screaming to just make it out alive, just get away from here, get back to Abel, to safety. I have to get away from Moonchild, from her slaves of people.

I don't want to have to kill anyone. They're just like I was. They believe this is right. They think they're doing good. I don't want to kill them... but I will if I have to.

Nadia gives me a few more directions, which I follow. My steps are frantic. There's no rhythm-not in my steps or in my breathing, but I do reach the watercourse and I start trudging along. The water is cold and I don't like the fact that I'm having to get my feet wet, but it's better than being just ahead of the mind controlled.

A sudden thought comes to mind, and I pause, groaning internally.

"I can't go out this way, can I? Not when Ilene suggested it. They'll be waiting for me... they'll kill me," I say.

"You'll have to do some nifty doubling back," Nadia says. "Climb onto that bank. This is where New Canton's water supply is pipped off the filtration."

"Five, wait. Turn your head a bit. I want to see that again through your head cam," Sam says, causing me to pause. "What are those metal drums next to the water course?"

I blanch when I see them. "Oh, God."

"We saw something like that in the tequila factory... There were vats missing." Nadia takes in a shaky breath. "She's been dosing the water... Five, climb through that hatch in the ceiling. I shouldn't know about this sequence, but Lem and I used to come here sometimes... after curfew. It's the runner's private gym."

I do as told, obeying as she tells me to run past the basketball court and then up a flight of stairs to the battlements. I run towards Exit West Seven, since apparently there is no one covering it.

"Are you okay, Nadia?" Sam questions.

"For the moment. They're not trying to get in here. I think they're just burning the calming plants."

"No, I mean-well, you know, with what's happened... everyone needs a home."

"Mind control can be broken. Five's was. We just need to get her out of there and get working on freeing everyone else."

"Right. Yes, right," He stammers. "You're nearly there, Five. I'm just going to switch over to one of the cams on top of the battlements. I-If I can rotate it, I can-oh."

"Oh," Nadia gasps as I keep running, looking but not stopping. "You see that too, right?"

"I saw it," I say. A dozen armored vehicles, hundreds of sub machine guns and more than a dozen mortars all put together, ready to be taken and used. "It looks like enough armaments to outfit a small army, and I think we all know who Moonchild's going to use it against."

This really is bad.

"Exit Seven is just ahead of you," Sam says. "Get out of there, and then get back to Abel. Fast as you can."

"Fast as I can," I murmur.

"As fast as you can."

A/N: I updated! Sorry for taking so long guys. This last month has been a rollercoaster, but I won't go into details. I hope you all liked this chapter! Please be sure to vote and comment! Thank you and have a blessed day!