Chapter 83: Into The Light

"Hey, guys. It's update time." Sam sighs heavily. "It's not looking good, unfortunately."

"Oh, God," Maxine gasps. "Is everyone okay?"

"We're all fine. Um, that's kind of the problem. There hasn't been any attack from New Canton for almost two days  now. At first we were like, 'Yay, no attacks!', but-but then Janine went outside, which, totally stupid, but she went right up to their emplacements, and there was nobody in them. There was nobody anywhere. Moonchild pulled her whole force back."

"Where have they gone?" Maxine asks.

"Well, the day before, there was this massed attack by fast zoms. Some of them got inside the compound. We're just glad no one died at the time, but we think it made Moonchild realize the ZRD was gone, and now she'll be hunting you with everything she's got."

"I don't think she's found us yet."

"Yeah. Great, but the thing is, she knows where you're going-Comansys Tower. Janine says we have to get an edge on her. We're hoping Moonchild's family is a weak spot."

"I remember her speaking about her dad a lot," I pipe up. "She said he encouraged her to expand her education, keep going in her studies and all that."

"Yeah. From a photo album, we think we've pinpointed the house she grew up in. It's in Archway, which is pretty close to where you are now."

"You want us to go there on our way and see what we can find," Maxine says. It's not a guess nor a question.

"Yeah."

"And what if she's guarding it? What if that's how she finds us?"

Sam sighs. "I know. I know it's a risk, but I think you've got to take it. And you've got Tony and his resistance to help you in London. Archway's down that main road, past the church. Now run."

I purse my lips, but don't give any comment on the subject. It's a risk, yes, but what worries me is what will happen if we die? The thought of me dying is scary, but I take that risk every time I leave Abel's walls. If we die though, what happens to the rest of humanity?

Maxine and I are the only people in the world that are immune to mind control (besides the women in the prison). If we die, then they'll have to send someone else, but by then Moonchild will have the ZRD. This is a huge risk, and if we get caught, everything is lost.

There are shamblers all around, but we're quick to evade them. It's better to not be seen than to outrun them after being spotted. If they start moaning more after spotting us, they could attract more zombies or alert Moonchild's guards that we're here, if Moonchild does have any guards around here. I'm not completely sure, but I really don't want to find out.

So we continue running, our steps quiet on the concrete road that looks far too familiar for my liking. With the dead trees and quiet snow all around, this place feels almost peaceful, but the odd feeling of familiarity keeps it from being so. I can't help but think maybe I came here while under Moonchild's control.

I grab at my backpack strap, staying silent while I survey my surroundings. I can feel Maxine's eyes on me. I know what she's thinking, but I won't tell her. I won't tell her how I feel as if I've been here before, as if I know this place. No, I can't think on that. I can't think on what she might have had me do...

I have to stay focused on the mission. I have to stay focused on staying alive and completing the task at hand.

The moans are starting to fade out now, meaning we're reaching a small area where there are no shamblers, fortunately. Trying to keep our steps silent is hard when there's snow everywhere, but I find when I look back that we there's still something following after us.

"Sam," I say, my voice a bit scratchy from the cold air, "I think I see something trailing behind us. Can't  tell what it is. Could you..."

"Yeah. Yeah. Of course. Um, well, it's moving much too fast to be a shambler. Probably a fast... no, wait. Wait, it's a person."

"Mind controlled?" Maxine guesses.

"Mmm, no." He growls in annoyance, prompting a raised brow from me. "It's him. Amelia did say he'd rendezvous with you."

"Sam, now's really not the the time to play the pronoun game," I huff. "Who's h-"

"Hey, slow down, will ya! I'm fast but not that fast," A voice calls out, and I screech to a stop, spinning around with a grin on my face.

"Simon!"

He's panting when he reaches us, and a smile graces his face when he gazes at me.

"Hello, Five...and hello, Doctor. Long time, no see."

"Not long enough," Maxine grumbles, and I shoot her a glare. Simon smirks, scratching at his regenerated hand. Thankfully it isn't peeling or molting like last time.

"Runner Three, aren't you supposed to be coordinating the defense in London with Tony and the resistance forces?" Sam pipes up, prompting a laugh from the blond.

"What resistance forces are those? Half his people went gray, and the other half are with Moonchild. He's down to a grandad with a walking stick and a thirteen-year-old girl, who, to be fair, does pack a mean punch."

"So much for defending us on our way to London," Maxine says.

"Yeah. Just, uh, just little old me to help."

"One person to help is better than nothing," I say, trying to be optimistic. Simon simply hums.

"And on the plus side, I am immune to zom bites and... death in general."

"Good," Sam says. "You can jump in front of Five and Maxine when the waves of zoms I've just spotted reach you."

"Direction?" I ask.

"Uh, south, north, and uh, yeah, east. Okay, head to your right. There's a garage, a pub, and a cinema. Pick one."

"Wonder if the pub's got any bottled Pilsner," Maxine says, and Sam laughs.

"Yeah, good luck with that. Move."

We do head for the pub, even with my comment that, in the garage, we might find a vehicle that has gasoline left in it. Simon grabs my wrist and leads me into the pub. Maxine notices the action, and sneers at him, but says nothing.

Although, she might be making that face at me. The people in Abel know I've forgiven Simon, and yet they still act surprised or disgusted when I show him kindness.

It's because they think he's the villain, the monster, not realizing that I am just as filthy, just as disgusting. No, they'll never know that. Like Simon has told me before, I'm the 'hero'. They see me as the good guy and him as the bad guy. They can only question why a hero would care so much for a villain.

I scoff. I am anything but a hero.

The pub is empty, fortunately for us, but that being said there are no weapons to be used in our favor. There aren't even any broken bottles. Well, actually, there are broken bottles, but they're either too broken to be used or completely covered in dried blood-dried human blood.

And I'm not touching that. Just because it's the apocalypse doesn't mean other deadly diseases are gone, and I am not getting anything from a bloody broken bottle.

Simon lets go of my wrist so he can look around, while I make sure to lock the front door and make sure the windows are blocked. The zombies are coming quickly, and we have to make sure they can't get to us before we can find an escape route.

It's cold in here, no surprise, but I see torn blankets in the corner of the room. Well, there's blankets in all corners of the room, but only one has my interest. It's the single one the far corner. I tip my head to the side. Why put several blankets in three corners but only one in the last? There's something about that blanket too... It reminds me of the old one Sam used to have in the coms shack, before he got the one I got him for Christmas.

Why it suddenly pops into my head now, while there are swarms of zombies gathering outside the pub, is a mystery, but I walk towards the blanket and pick it up.

A small scrap of paper falls from one the blanket's folds. I pick it up, and my brows furrow together.

Cellar.

I recognize the messy handwriting. It's... mine. I was here, for some reason. It's clear the handwriting is mine, but it's scratchy, as if I was forcing my hand to do something it didn't want to do.

"Five, what are you doing in that pub?" Moonchild's voice rings in my head, and I see glimpses of the pub, like a old film. I guess it's the memory of me looking around, going into different areas and rooms, but it's so... fuzzy. "I only am letting you go on this adventure to my home because you promised you'd be quick. Plus, it's like, so nice that you want to know about me and my life. That's why we work so well together, ya know? We want to truly know each other..."

I grab the blanket, throwing it onto the other corner of the room. There are no cameras in here. Moonchild can't see me. I grab a piece of paper and a pen and scribble on the word, fighting against Moonchild's commands for me to leave immediately.

Not just yet. I have to... this is wrong.

It isn't. This is right.

It's not. Have to help them.

Have to leave.

"Five, we don't have time for this. Leave the pub now."

Happiness overwhelms me, and I drop the note and run off.

I blink, back in the present. I looked around this place, for some reason. There's something in the cellar that I saw that would be of some use, and not use to Moonchild! I disobeyed her to get that note out, but why? And why did I request to go see Moonchild's childhood home?

That doesn't seem like something I'd do, even under the influence of mind control.

But maybe I didn't do this for Moonchild. Maybe I did it, at least subconsciously, for Abel.

So the question is, what did I see in that cellar?

"Sorry, Maxine," Simon says as he joins us in the main room of the pub. "Nothing on draft, nothing in the fridge. How long has it been since I had a cool, crisp half of lager?"

"Feel free to stay here and wait for the next delivery," She sasses, and Simon purses his lips.

"Waspish doesn't suit you, Dr. Meyers."

"And that new nose doesn't suit you."

My eyes go wide at her insult. "Not cool, Max."

"Neither was him betraying us. We trusted him."

"Well, that was your fault, wasn't it?" He cuts in.

"Stop!" I shout. "We can't argue now. There are zombies outside-a ton-"

"Yeah," Sam interrupts. "My guess is about a hundred zoms with forty coming out of the trees, and both of your exits are blocked."

"Yeah, so let's focus on getting out alive right now, okay?"

Simon nods, his shoulders tense. There's a defensive look in his eye, and I really don't like it.

"You're right. I'm gonna go check out the cellar. Might be something useful."

"What do you think you'll find?" Sam scoffs as Simon disappears. "Beer barrels? And what good will that do? Are you gonna roll them at the zombies? That didn't work for Donkey Kong; I doubt it'll work here."

I sigh, deciding not to say how the cellar was my next suggestion.

"Runner Five, look down here!" Simon yells, and I practically bound down to the cellar, with Maxine following. He motions to a small door on the wall. He opens it, and Maxine and I gag at the sudden smell of stale water, decay and feces.

"What is that smell?"

"Sewers!" Sam exclaims. "Just the break you needed!"

"Oh, yeah. It's easy to say that when your nose is 100 miles away."

So that's what I found... I left a message for Abel just in case they tried to reach Moonchild's house and ran into an obstacle that blocked the main path.

I really need to give my subconscious mind more credit.

"And look," Simon walks away from the door and over to a small wooden box that's open. He pulls out two bottles. "Unopened rum. You lucky things are comin' with me. Five, would you mind puttin' one of these in your backpack?"

"Uh, sure."

"Go," Sam urges. "That sewer is your only escape route. Head south. Run!"

•

"I consider it a professional failing that I never researched a way to run without breathing," Maxine gags. "Sam, we keep passing these access doors. Do you think we-"

"No, ignore them... Seriously, though, this is great. The sewer runs along your route, and your scent is masked. You're basically safe."

As soon as the words leave his mouth, I hear echoing moans from the connecting tunnels.

"Why did I have to say safe?" He groans. "It's right here on the list of banned words."

We start to run forward, but there are zombies ahead. We turn back, but I can see shadows from my electric torch. They're coming at us from all directions. Simon reaches out to grab my hand, but Maxine grabs my arm and yanks me towards one of the access doors that's rusted shut.

"Help me get this open, Five."

"Yeah, you do that," Simon says, reaching into my backpack And grabbing something while I pull at the small door's handle. "I'll take care of the zoms."

My heart beats fast, and I realize that this door isn't going to budge. At least, it's not going to with this attempt.

I let go of the handle, ignoring Maxine screaming at me to continue helping her. I look down at my hands.

This wasn't how I wanted them to find out.

"Maxine, stand back."

"Three, what the hell are you doing with the rum? You-you're drinking it?" Sam yells, momentarily taking my mind off the task at hand.

"My favorite cocktail-the Molotov," He replies. "Just need a little room for the fuse. Cheers!"

"Five, help me!" Maxine yells, but I push her away, thrusting the torch into her hands. "What are you-"

I curl up my fist and hit the door, hard. Pain shoots up my hand, but I pull back, readying for another hit. The echoing moans get louder, forming a chorus of chaos as the zoms get closer, closer, closer.

"What are you doing?" She screeches.

"Simon, are you sure this is a good idea?" Sam asks, and Simon chuckles in reply.

"My nan always used to say my mate Phil was a bad influence, and she was right. He taught me how to make one of these when I was fourteen. Had a load of fun blowin' up all the cars in the scrapyard before my nan caught us."

"Five, stop it!" Maxine yells, but I continue to hit at the metal door, even as my knuckles start to bleed, even as my hand feels like it's going numb, because I'm close. I'm so close. I've already dented the metal. I just need a little bit more.

"Fire in the hole!" Simon tells before chucking the cocktails at the zoms. There's growls and fire and the smell of burning, rotting flesh. I reel back and let out a scream as I hit the metal one last time, my fist going through. Maxine stares at me in shock and horror, but I ignore it as I pull back the metal, giving just enough space to crawl through.

"Come on!" I yell, giving Simon only a passing glance because I know what that look in his eye means.

I scramble into the large dark space, pulling a sputtering Maxine along with me. Simon follows, and we run as fast as we can away from the danger while I hear Sam stammering through my headset.

"What the-what was that?"

"What was what?" I ask, hoping I can play this off. "Si made the Molotov cocktails to hold back the zoms. S'not the first time we've used fire to-"

"I think he's talking about you punching through and ripping apart metal," Simon interrupts, while Maxine nods vigorously.

"Oh... that."

"Nice try with trying to avoid that, though."

"When the hell did you become a bloody superhero?" Sam yells.

"I'm not a superhero. It's fight or flight instinct-"

"Bullshit. Fight or flight doesn't give the power to rip through metal, Five!"

"Okay, okay," I groan, running my non-bloodied hand through my messy, sweaty hair. "It's from Van Ark'a treatments. When my adrenaline or whatever gets going, I sometimes have the ability to do... what I just did."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Maxine asks.

"And have you think of me of more of a freak than I already am? No thanks."

"Yeah," Simon agrees, gesturing to his hand and face. "I mean, you know what Van Ark's stuff did to me and you hate me. I understand why Five keeps her secrets."

"We hate you because you tried to kill us all, not because of how you look," Maxine replies. "Not all of us are as vain as you."

He opens his mouth to reply, but then closes it again, looking away in annoyance and frustration.

It's dark, the light from the torch being the thing that keeps us from plunging darkness. I feel very uneasy, and I know Simon feels the same way from the grip he has on my wrist. Maxine keeps her eyes ahead, quietly looking around as we walk down this tunnel where rails are planted in the ground.

"Where are we?" I whisper.

"I uh, I reckon... yeah," Sam murmurs. "It's a tube tunnel. You're looking at the northern line."

"Oh... that's good, I guess."

"It's great, actually." He laughs to himself, and I smile. "I think, yeah. If you can make it as far as Archway, you'll be right on top of Moonchild's place."

Suddenly the tunnel lights switch on, and I cringe at the yellowish LED lights. The three of us in the tunnel share wary looks.

"Uh, did one of you guys find a light switch or something?" Sam asks, and I shake my head.

"No, I was about to ask if that was you."

"I've only got access to the cameras here."

I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I don't like this.

"How far are we from the next station?" Simon asks.

"About half a mile. There's a train on the station behind you stuffed with zoms. Backpacks, smartphones-man, they have had the longest commute. Did we really use to pack in that close to people twice a day?"

"I didn't," I shrug. "But yeah, shows how much of a safety hazard that was. I mean, all it took was one zom and they're all dead."

There's a loud clang from down the tunnel.

"Um, is-is there any place you can step off the line?" Sam stumbles.

"No. Why?" Maxine asks.

"The train just started moving. The driver's human, city type."

My eyes go wide. "She's found us."

"Run!"

We don't need to be told twice. We book it down the rails, our legs going as fast as we can push them. From behind us, we can hear the train, groaning against the rails as it picks up speed.

We all know the intentions of the driver. Moonchild must know that I'm the one on this mission. She knows because I am the runner that Abel sees as their best, even though I don't see it as true. She knows that I am immune so now she has no use for me. She doesn't care for me anymore...

I cringe at how much it hurts to think that.

We keep running, panting heavily as we hear the train coming up from behind us. We're sprinting with all our might, hearts pounding, blood pumping.

"Five, this would be a great time to tell us if you have any other... abilities that could save us!" Maxine yells, and I look at her with bewilderment.

"I was experimented on, not bitten by a radioactive spider! I'm not a superhero!"

Simon stumbles, letting go of my wrist before regaining his balance and managing to keep pace next to me. He doesn't grab ahold of my wrist again, but I barely notice as I keep pushing myself onward, desperate to outrun the subway train that's speeding down the rails after us. I can see the light as I look back, and I feel my blood drain from my face as I see just how close it is.

"Thank God!" Maxine cries. "It's the station."

"The train's right behind you! You've got seconds!" Sam yells in panic.

Maxine climbs up onto the platform, and I practically throw myself onto the platform as well. I turn to Simon only to see he's not yet on the platform. He's pulling at his pant leg.

"I'm snagged on a sleeper!" He reaches out to Maxine, who's closer to him than I am. "Help me!"

She doesn't move. She just stares at him blankly.

"Maxine?" Sam says. "Maxine, snap out of it!"

She still doesn't move.

"Runner Five! Runner Five!" Simon yelps, eyes going wide as he continues to pull at his pant leg. I scramble towards him. I can see the train coming.

Oh, God! Oh, God! Oh, God!

I grab him arm, pulling as hard as I can. I hear fabric rip as Simon's body slams into mine. My back hits the station ground hard. I feel a rush of wind as the train rushes by, and Simon clings to me like a lifeline. He doesn't shuffle off of me until the train is well down the tracks, but he quickly helps me to my feet.

"Are you okay?" I ask, breathing heavily.

He nods, face red and eyes still wide. "Yeah, thanks to you."

I nod, before turning to glare at the taller woman. "What the hell was that?"

"I-I don't know what, um-I just froze. I'm sorry." She shakes her head. "I-I can't stop thinking, ya know? I spent part of my residency in a children's ward. There were kids in the hospital with terminal conditions. They only got six or seven years of life. You got the full package, Simon, and it still wasn't enough for you."

I flinch at her words, even though they weren't aimed at me.

"Full package? That's what you think I had? I was..." He clenches his jaw, unable to say it. "You think I wanted to live forever? Ultimate years of bein' jolly old Simon? I just wanted a bit more time... I just... I was afraid of dyin', okay? I did a stupid thing!"

"I don't know how many of my friends died because of you."

"Look at my face! I have lizard skin! Don't you think I've suffered enough?"

"Please stop-" I try to say, but Maxine interrupts me.

"You got unlucky. That doesn't count as remorse."

He sneers at her. "Oh, you really believe I don't know what it is to feel sorry?"

"Guys, please just-" I start.

"Feeling sorry for yourself doesn't count," She argues.

I look at the two, clenching my fists in annoyance. "We don't have t-"

"Don't you think your girlfriend did just what I did? She wanted to survive, so she did what she had to do, paid the price, and isn't quite human anymore. Just like me."

"You want to know the difference between you and her? Paula did less than you for more reasons. She was held captive. Her life was at risk. And she feels like nothing she could ever do will be enough. Even giving her life wouldn't be enough."

"So, I can't tempt you into trying a cure from Van Ark'a box of tricks?" He sarcastically asks with a glare, but I cut in before she can reply.

"Both of you, stop!" I yell, angry and annoyed that they're wasting time on this stupid argument. "Shut the hell up! You're both acting like children!"

I turn to Maxine. "Dr. Bitchy, you don't know the whole story so stop freaking assuming things!"

Then to Simon. "Trash Can Baby, you need to stop feeling sorry for yourself and show us that you have changed by your actions instead of your words!"

I breathe in deeply. "And both of you, get a grip or I swear I will dropkick the both of you off of Comansys Tower with no remorse, do you hear me?"

The two stare at me in shock while I try to regain control over my breathing.

"Did you just call me a Trash Can Baby?" Simon asks, but I hear tones ring out before I can reply.

"Uh, guys, the train driver probably told Moonchild you survived," Sam says. "She'll be sending more people after you at any moment. And she controls nearly everyone in London. If there's any chance of you getting to her house, you need to leave right now."

"You're right," I say. "Come on, guys. Let's run."

•

Glass shatters as I elbow the window.

"This is it," Sam says. "If we're right, Moonchild grew up here. Look for books, notes, anything that might give us some insight."

"It is," I say.

"How do you know?"

"I just... feel it. I think I might have been here before. I can't really remember. Either way, let's get searching."

We climb inside the house, and the room right off of the living room is a library/study. There are papers everywhere.

Maxine picks up some of the magazines on the desk. "New Scientists, Scientific America... There's a box of cassettes over here, all dated." She picks one up. "This one is labeled 'Dad'. Battery powered tape player... I think one of the tapes might still be in there."

"Uh, I hate to rush, but you need to hurry. There are zoms on the street," Sam says.

"We can't rush or we won't find anything."

"Uh, alright. Um, Five-"

"I'm on it."

I leave the house as quickly as possible, spotting the group of zombies wandering up the street.

"Yo, zombies! Over here! Look at the pretty, tasty and totally not fast runner!"

That gets their attention, and I'm off. I run down the street, pausing only to grab a bike that's lying down on the sidewalk. It's a bit too tall for me, but I manage, giving out a few insults every now and then to the undead to keep them from losing interest.

"You know you could just use your noisemaker, right?" Sam says.

"Why would I do that when I've got my own voice to listen to? I'd much rather hear that anyway."

He sighs. "I see Simon's beginning to rub off on you already. I don't understand how you can stand being around him. He's not a good, like, influence."

I roll my eyes. "Since when did you become my dad?"

There's a pause. "Please don't compare me to your father. From what you've told me about him, he was not a good man."

I shrug. "Fair enough."

"But yeah. Uh, keep peddling, and have a listen. I think Simon and Maxi found something."

"Hold on," Maxine says through my headset. "I'm trying to find the beginning... Here we are. I think this is Moonchild's dad."

Click.

"Not now, Cynthia. I'm not in the mood."

"Please, Dad," Moonchild begs.

"Why don't you talk about yourself instead? Your first year at Oxford. That's much more exciting that what I've been doing."

"What have you been doing, Dad? Come on. Tell me," She says softly.

"Nothing! Nothing!" He sighs in defeat. "I've been doing nothing, do you understand? Just... sitting here."

"...I'm sorry, Dad."

"No, I'm sorry."

"Did you try those pills we talked about?"

"I couldn't see the point."

"Because they'll make you feel better. You know, I've been researching ECT. My results are significant. It could really help you."

"A research project?" He asks, perking up. "I'm so proud of you. Why don't you tell me about that instead?"

Click.

"There's a lot more like that. Her dad was obviously depressed, but I'm not sure where this gets us."

"Keep looking," Sam says. "Five, you've got those zoms a good few blocks away from the house. Loose them and head back. Maybe you can help us find something."

"I'll be back in a flash."

I peddle harder, and if only takes me a few minutes to lose the zombies on the bike. When I get back to Moonchild's house, Simon is waiting for me at the door. I hop off the bike and heads towards him. He beckons me inside.

"Find anything else?" I ask, and he nods, leading me towards the library.

"Listen to this. Hit it, Doc."

Click.

"I don't want to," Moonchild's dad argues.

"Come on, Dad. Help me out here. I need the experimental data. Do you want me to get the funding or not?"

There's a pause, then a long suffering sigh. "Fine. Where do I look?"

"Right here. It's not too bright? Good. Just watch." She clears her throat. "Subject 44B, now undergoing preliminary stages. Plant extract has been administered. Now look into the light."

There's the sound of a machine whirling.

"I don't-"

"Relax into the light. Let feelings of happiness wash over you."

"No, I..." He trails off. "Experimental data."

"B-bring to mind a-a happy time," She says, suddenly sounding nervous. "The first time you met Mum! She dropped her books, remember? You helped her pick them up, and she smiled!"

"Data..."

"You said it made you so happy." Her voice shakes.

"Experimental... data..."

"Right. Right. O-okay, we're going to stop. Um, terminating experiment at uh, 5:42 P.M.-"

"Data..."

"You can snap out of it, Dad."

"Data..."

"Dad, it's over!"

"Data..."

"Dad? Dad!"

Click.

"Pretty creepy, right?" Simon says. "Looks like she tried to 'fix' her dad, the way she's planning on fixing the rest of us, only the first time it didn't go to plan."

"She destroyed her own father's psyche," Maxine says. "I think she listened to this a lot. Listened to it over and over again."

"Guilt. You know what that looks like, don't you, Five?" Simon asks. His words are soft and hold no malice, but still I flinch.

"Well, now she's coming for you guys. She's going to throw everything she has against you," Sam says. "But at least now we have something."

I nod. "Now we know she has a weakness."

A/N: Here you go, guys! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please be sure to vote and comment! Thank you and have a blessed day!