Chapter 87: Up

I jolt awake at the sound of a fist on wood, then a voice.

"Hey, Five, it's me, Maxine," She says through the door. "Um, Runner Three and uh, the King of England are here, ready to go. You just about done enjoying the palace linens?"

I step out of bed just as the door opens. I throw off my nightgown as Maxine walks inside. She's seen me half naked multiple times. Her being here doesn't bother me. I only flinch when Simon and Jaime step in as I'm putting on my running pants. But neither of them seem to care that I'm well... not decent, so I keep my eyes down and put on my shirt as quickly as possible.

"Chandelier-a bit smashed, brocade curtains-just a tiny bit ripped. Still, a massive garden, a huge larder, a wine cellar, 100 bedrooms-and most of them zom free. Pretty good thing you looked into here, Your Majesty," Simon says those last few words with a sneer. Jaime simply crosses his arms.

"Yeah, I'm not goin' by that."

"Oh no, sir. Of course not, sir."

"Ain't you supposed to be reportin' from your recce?"

"Oh, full report coming up, sir. Situation changed, sir. Report ends, sir."

Jaime nods, annoyed but seemingly not in the mood to push it any further. He looks over at me, his eyes flashing with a mixture of pain and anger, and I wish I knew of a way to say I'm sorry without actually saying it.

He blinks and regains his composure. "Today's the day then, Five. I've hooked us and the roller guards up with headsets. You there, Sam?"

I put on my headset just in time to hear his reply.

"Certainly am, Your Royal Highness."

"I'm never gonna live this down, am I?"

"I would imagine not, Jaime Skeet," Janine says, "by the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island and his other realms and territories as King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith."

He scoffs. "You always was formal."

"I like to do things properly."

"Yeah, well, we're gonna need to do stuff properly today. Come with me."

We quickly follow him out of the room, and as realization of what's going to happen settles in, I feel my heartbeat quicken. This is it. This is the day we stop Moonchild or die trying.

I swallow against the lump in my throat. God, this is terrifying.

"The satellites are coming into alignment later on today," Sam says. "Comansys Tower is surrounded by Moonchild's mind controlled soldiers ten feet deep. But if we're going to stop her plans forever, stop anyone else from being mind controlled, we have to do it today."

"We have the skills and the technology," Maxine says. Simon nods.

"We've got our British luck and our Royal Majesty."

I decide not to remind him that Maxine and I are both American.

"And I've got a way into Comansys," Jaime says as we leave the palace and head for the gates. He gives a command to the roller girls at the entrance, and they open the gates, causing a group of zombies to look our way. "Come on. We got no time to lose. Run!"

We run off, my heart pounding in my chest. The only thing that makes me feel better is when Simon grabs my wrist. The familiar gesture puts me at ease, but I frown when I notice the side eye I get from Jaime. Simon notices as well, but he says nothing. There's just a look of anger and slight pride because he knows that what everyone thinks when I let him act so friendly towards me.

Usually I would ignore such looks, because I don't care what they think of Simon, because I know he's still a good person. But I have a feeling that the look Jaime's given me is not just about me being close with Simon.

I really do wish I could tell him I'm sorry, because I am. I'm sorry about Cameron. I'm sorry she had to die. I'm sorry that he carries such guilt over her and Jasper and Archie. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

The words ache to spill from my lips, but I choke them down, swallowing them while they weigh heavily in my stomach. Now's not the time. As much as I understand that, the words-the guilt-still eat away at me.

I hate it.

"There's a mind controlled patrol heading your way, guys," Sam says. He's nervous. The slight shake in his voice is what gives it away. "Wherever you're going, you'd better get there quickly."

A smile pulls at Jaime's lips as he leads us down the subway stairs, and when we reach the bottom, he speaks.

"No need to worry, mate. We're here."

"This?" Scoffs Simon, and I can see the mockery burning in his eyes. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, but the underground is swarming with mind controlled people, not to mention zombies."

"Don't judge a book by its cover. Thought you'd have learned that by now."

From the shadows steps a figure, and I feel myself tense, fearful it may be a mind controlled soldier or a zombie.

My heart plummets to the bottom of my stomach, and I feel a sneer make its way on my face.

No, it's not a mind controlled soldier or a zombie.

It's much, much worse.

"Hello, there," Amelia greets. "Glad to not have missed you."

"Good to see you, Amy," Simon replies, a sly smile making its way onto his face. "Now I know the mission can't be totally suicidal if you're willing to join."

"I'd rather the mission be suicidal," I murmur. Amelia gives me a raised brow, but says nothing on it.

"I have every intent of living to a ripe old age. I can't speak for the rest of you."

As she speaks, Jaime leads us to a door in the wall. He opens it, only to lead us down a hallway with yet another door. This one though, is locked, with a security scanner near it. Jaime pulls out a keycard... it has the Royal Crest on it.

My eyes go wide in realization. I...

My God.

"This was the Royal Party's bunker. I've been pokin' through all the stuff in the palace library. This is where the royals come if they're in London when someone sets off a bomb. And it's got secret tunnels to most of the big buildings in the city."

He swipes the card, and an automated voice rings out from the scanner.

"Welcome, Prince Edward."

We all look at Jaime curiously, and he shrugs.

"Yeah, I might have swiped a card. I found it by a bedside table."

"Good work, Mr. Skeet," Janine says, before pausing. "Apologies. I meant, good work, Your Majesty."

"You could call him Majesty Skeet," Sam snickers, earning a frown from Jaime.

"Yeah... don't do that. Now let's go."

The door opens, but once it does, loud moans reach our ears. Everyone freezes, eyes searching. There's no zombies here, but we can hear them down the tunnels, moans and growls echoing into a chorus of death and plague.

"Seems like the Royal Family wasn't the only ones with access down here. The undead got VIP treatment too." Simon's voice holds a bit of playfulness, but I know he's faking it by the way he holds my wrist. It's uncomfortable, but not painful, although it is teetering on the border.

"Someone must've gone down here after they were bitten, infecting the security personal guarding the tunnels," Janine says.

"That sounds like a lot of zoms, and in a very long funeral with nowhere to run to." A small noise leaves Sam's throat. "I don't like this. I think we need to find another way."

"This is a secure route to where we need to go. It's the only one we've found that can bypass Moonchild's defense perimeter," Janine snaps.

"We can use the anti-zombie formula Veronica gave us," Maxine says. I smile at her cleverness, but I don't get the chance to tell her that before Simon speaks.

"She didn't exactly give us a lot."

"What do you care? You're immune to zombie bites."

"Yeah, but Five's not. And I don't know how to say this nicely, so I won't, but if that stuff wears off and she gets bit, then you'll not have only lost your best runner, but one of the only few people immune to mind control. Plus if Five dies, you can bet I won't stick around to save the rest of you."

I stare at him with wide eyes, unsure how to respond.

"I guess it's a risk we'll just have to take." Maxine hands the formula to me, and I splash some onto my clothes-some of it landing on Simon because he's so close-before handing it to Jaime. He does the same and hands it to Amelia, and then finally it goes back to Maxine.

"Let's hope the stuff that got onto me lasts," Simon says. "Wouldn't want to get my face chewed off for a second time, right, Jaime?"

He ignores him. "Let's get moving."

We run along, our footsteps barely audible over the moaning of the zombies. Simon grips me tighter. It's almost bruisingly painful, but it's the only indication he's feeling frightened or doubtful. His face shows nothing, only a snide grin that appears whenever he notices me looking his way.

I simply blink back at him, unsure what he expects from me. My silence is not it, though, because his grin fades and he focuses his eyes ahead at the group of zombies. His grip tightens, and I audibly wince.

It's something that would go unheard if the zombies were being loud like before, but the serum we're all wearing keeps them calm. I hear Sam sigh in relief.

"It's working. They're all just staring at their feet. It's like-it's like you're not even there! Veronica is a genius!"

"Yeah, but how long will it last?" Simon murmurs, and I grit my teeth as he keeps his tight grip on me.

"Simon, you're..." I whisper. "You're hurting me."

He immediately loosens his grip. "Sorry."

"Wow. It almost seems like he actually means it," Maxine says to herself, and Simon glares daggers at her.

"We need to stay quiet," I murmur, quick to change the subject. "This serum won't last forever, and I doubt making noise will help us in the slightest."

So we keep moving, our steps quiet and careful. I can hear Sam through my headset. His breathing is quick, terrified. I can only imagine how he must look in that coms shack, watching us and praying that Veronica's serum will last.

I imagine him with one hand in his hair, bottom lip pulled between his teeth and brown eyes wide with worry. It's how Sam is. He's attentive, watchful. At least, he is when it counts, and that's what matters.

"Uh, guys," He says a few minutes later, "how much of that serum do you have left?"

"Just a few drops." I'm just about to ask him why when I notice the pair of dead eyes staring straight at me.

Oh no.

They're starting to snap out of it... the serum's starting to wear off.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

"O-oh. I think... i-it's alright. I can see the door up ahead through the cameras. Don't think it could be more obvious that this is where you need to go."

His small laugh makes me smile, even as one of the zombies takes a step towards me. Simon notices and pulls me closer to him, eyeing the undead being warily.

"Was it the Comansys logo that gave it away, or the enormous sign reading 'Government Authorized Personal Only'?" Maxine asks with an eye roll, and I glare at her for speaking so loudly. Her voice gets more zombies to jolt back to reality. We're ahead of most of them, but now some of them are shuffling towards us.

"Bloody handprints on the door. Looks like someone tried to get in, but couldn't," Jaime murmurs it mostly to himself, but he gives a nod to the rest of us when he notices our staring. "No worries. The keycard should get us in."

He reaches the door and swipes the keycard, like he did before, only this time the door doesn't open. He swipes again, and still nothing.

"Looks like they didn't fancy Prince Edward gettin' down here," Simon sneers. "Any thoughts, Amy? You know, before the zombies start gettin' too frisky?"

"I've brought a certain amount of explosives with me in case of such an emergency," She replies rather calmly. "Should be able to blow our way through this door."

"Bang goes our little surprise entrance," Maxine scoffs, and Sam huffs in reply.

"Literally."

"It's our only shot-" Amelia starts, but I'm quick to interrupt her.

"No, it's not." I pull away from Simon and slip off my backpack. Unzipping it, I reach into the side pocket and pull out the thing that's been running through my head ever since Sarah told me I'd need it when I left Abel.

Her keycard.

Sarah Smith's keycard.

"Where did you get that?" Simon asks. "I never knew they gave out cards for Her Majesty's Secret Service. Oh, she was a dark horse."

"I don't see why that would work when Prince Edward's-" Amelia's words are cut off when I swipe the card and the door unlocks.

"Guess she preferred Sarah Smith over Prince Edward." Jaime shrugs before pushing the door open. I suddenly become aware of just how close the zombies have gotten to us. As we rush inside and shut the door on the zoms, I hear Janine hum.

"She never told me she had one of those. Where did you even get it, Five?"

"We can discuss the details later," Amelia cuts in before I can even think about whether or not I should tell her the truth. "Right now, follow me."

•

"This is it," Amelia says. "Viewing platform and CCTV center for the north spiral of Comansys Tower."

"Yeah, I'm patching into those cameras now," Sam says, and my stomach twists when a small noise leaves his mouth. "It doesn't look great."

"It's not going to be easy, no," Amelia replies, and I roll my eyes at her.

"As if we were expecting it to be. When has things ever been easy for us?"

"Runner Five, you've got to get that Zombie Repelling Device to the eastern tip of the north spiral," Janine says in a commanding tone. "You'll have to climb up the building, somehow, but first you'll have to cross from one side of the building to the other."

"Yes, I get that. The fact that you had to explain it to me makes me think there's going to be something keeping me from doing so-or at least, something that's going to try to."

"Yeah," Sam says, drawing out the word. "Um, most of the floors near you are full of zombies, and there isn't enough of Veronica's formula left to get you through. And those that aren't-I mean, look at that screen to your upper left. That floor's got no floor."

"Or the one to your lower left," Janine says. "It appears to been a Comansys biohazard research area. The readings are showing that a flesh eating bacteria covers all the walls and floors... and ceilings... and furniture."

"So flesh eating chairs. Not the most popular IKEA line ever."

I just almost laugh.

"What about that floor? Looks perfectly clear on the monitors," Amelia points out, and Janine clicks her tongue.

"Ah, yes. Our readings show that several cylinders of chemicals were fractured, and it's filled with perfectly clear poisoned gas."

"Right."

"Got a plan, Five?" Simon asks, and my gaze snaps towards him, eyes wide. "Because you've always got a plan, haven't you?"

"Simon, you know I almost never have a plan. I just run and hope I don't die."

"Well, you had Sarah Smith's keycard. You must've known you'd need that for some reason, right?"

I shift uneasily. "W-well, yes, but-"

"You're smart, Five," Jaime cuts in, and he laughs at the shock on my face. "Whatever you come up with, we'll be here for you."

"I love the confidence you have in me, but-but I'm not the leader. I'm just a runner-"

"But you're not," Sam says. "You've learned so much. I mean, remember the Treetop Base? You were so smart in getting yourself and Nadia out of the base on the ground, and getting yourself back to Abel. A-and you've done so much more. I mean, you're just-you're amazing."

By the look that everyone's giving me and the heat I feel in my face, I can tell I'm blushing very hard. Maxine gives me a small smile and puts her hand on my shoulder.

"Just tell us what we can do, and we'll get going."

I nod, letting out a breath of air. "Okay. Okay. Um... uh, think, Singer, think."

I begin to pace, racking my brain for some kind of solution. Finally I stop when the thought comes to mind. I only wish I had a way to say it gently to the others.

"Alright, my thought is, we have to choose the route that, if we all die, Runner Three will still be able to get through and deliver the ZDR to the northern spiral."

They all stare at me in silence. Correction: most of them stare at me in silence.

"That's your plan?" Simon gasps. "You want to choose the route that will be easiest for me if the rest of you die?"

"That's what I just said, isn't it?"

"But that's-that's insane!"

"You're the one that's going to live through whichever route I decide we take. The rest of us can and may possibly die. And while it's not the best way to choose a route, it's the one we're going to have to go with."

"But-"

"If I die, I want to make sure you can get that ZRD where it needs to be."

He opens his mouth to speak again, but he then promptly shuts it, and gives me a somber nod. "Okay, so which floor do you think would be easiest?"

"Well, the floor with no floor is a bad idea because if you fall, you're probably not gonna be able to get back up there for awhile, and the flesh eating room would be painful and terrifying for all of us, so the only other option is the floor with poisoned gas."

"And how do you plan on getting through the floor without dying from the gas?" Janine asks.

"Well... we could try blowing out the windows? That way we would have some air which might give us some extra time."

"Do you have any idea how you plan to do such a thing?"

I falter. "Uh... C-call... Call Pro. Downes. She might be able to help us find a way through."

"You don't seem very certain, Runner Five."

"That's because I'm not. I'm not usually the planner here, Janine. But we don't have time to sit and think up the details. We'll see if we can come up with something as we go."

"You know, they're putting a lot of trust in you," Simon whispers as we start heading towards the staircase.

"I know. Terrible decision, really. There's a reason I say I'm just a runner." He gives me a certain look as I say that. I can't quite place it. "But I'm doing my best to make up a plan that'll keep all of us safe."

"Yeah. Even me, it seems," He chuckles.

"Especially you."

I haven't forgotten what I heard. But I won't let him die, not today. I see him give me another look. This one I recognize. It's one of confusion and shock, but I give him no answer, not even a glance. I doubt he'd believe me if I told him the truth anyway. I didn't even believe me at first.

I hear chatter over my headset. It's quiet, but there. I believe it's Janine talking to Pro. Downes, which is good, seeing that we're missing a vital part of my crazy plan. She's a genius, so she could know of someway to blow out those windows.

I don't watch where I'm going. My mind is too focused on other things. The result is me running right into Jaime. He lets out a small yelp of surprise as we both tumble to the ground.

I grunt as the floor races up to meet me, but my eyes then dart to the dark skinned man on the ground with me.

"Shit. Shit. Sorry," I say quickly as he gives me a look of annoyance.

"Yeah, yeah, just watch where you're goin' next time, al-" His words are cut off by a wince when he moves, and when he stands, he grits his teeth. "Damn it."

"What's wrong?" Maxine asks quickly, but His Majesty just starts moving along again. None of us miss the way he limps.

"It's just my ankle. Ever since we went runnin' on that beach and I sprained it, it's been... easier to hurt, I guess."

"Sorry," I say again, and he simply shrugs in reply.

"Wait, did you say you sprained your ankle?" Pro. Downes jumps into the conversation. I flinch at her sudden intrusion. "That's-that's not good at all."

"It's a sprained ankle, not brain cancer. I'll be fine."

"But speed will be of the essence here."

"So you have a plan?" I ask, praying that no one notices the obvious relief in my voice.

"I do. I have drones-built from parts of the air ballon you used to leave the Comansys flotilla-that I can use to blast out the windows on the thirteenth floor."

Simon groans. "Why did it have to be thirteen?"

"Paula told me thirteen's a lucky number in Judaism," Maxine says with a raised brow.

"Shame I'm a Catholic..."

"But you see," Pro. Downes continues, "the gas was originally designed as a failsafe in case any biohazards were released into the environment that required immediate ratification."

"You mean like the flesh eating bacteria on the fourteenth floor?" Jaime sneers.

"Well... yes. Clearly it proved to be ineffective in that instance. However, the windows are constructed of self healing plastic to prevent contamination to the outside."

"Wait, wait," Sam sputters. "So as soon as you blast them out, they'll start sealing back up again?"

"Yes, and concentrations of the gas will once again rise to lethal levels."

Jaime nods, his lips pinching together. "Right, and I'd slow you down too much."

"I'm so sorry. I should've watched where I-" I start.

"It's fine. I'll stay back here. Just make sure you stop Moonchild, alright? You can apologize and make it up to me afterwards."

I nod. "Deal."

"Alright." Sam inhales sharply. "Professor?"

"Triggering the drone's strikes now."

There's a loud explosion, the sound of glass shattering ripping through my ears. My heart pounds in my chest as Sam commands for us to run. We swing open the door to the thirteenth floor, and Jaime closes it once everyone but him is through.

We run, and I pray that I made the right choice. I can see the glass windows starting to reform even now, seconds after they were destroyed, and I push myself to run faster.

Simon keeps my pace. There's a certain gleam in his eye and I feel that he's enjoying this a bit too much. But still he has a grip on my wrist, holding tightly enough to give me assurance that he's not going to do something that will get me or anyone else killed.

But I keep running, through the hallways, through the rooms with toys and games around the desks. If I actually had the time, I'd reach out and grab something for the kids. I know they'd like that, but I think they'd rather just have me make it through alive.

So I keep running, my blood burning underneath my skin. I look around and see panicked faces. All of them, except Simon, are terrified they won't make it out.

But we do. Not always, but this time we do.

Simon laughs when we reach the exit, away from the gas and the healing glass.

"That was a rush," He pants. "Let's do that again!"

"Let's not," Maxine deadpans.

"Why not? I might manage to die this time."

"Do you-is that what you want?"

He shrugs. "Well, everyone else gets to do it."

He cringes when his eyes land on my face. I know my expression shows the horror I feel over what's just tumbled out of his mouth. He quickly looks away.

"Uh, guys," Sam says, "that was super heroic and everything, but I've got some bad news."

"Moonchild's followed us," Amelia says-through my headset, that is. I look around and notice she's not here. How long has she been gone? "I've locked myself into the control room here, but she must have seen how we entered the building. She's after you, Runner Five, and she's done something to the communications system so she can-"

The speakers squeal to life.

"One, two. One, two. Testing, testing." Moonchild huffs. "Saying 'one, two' is so lame, man. I mean, you could at least try a tune. Oh, we shall strive together, not apart. For doing so, we sanctify our hearts.

"That's a really good song, man. I used to make fun of that song when I was a kid, but now I really dig it. I get it."

"I feel like I've heard that before," Maxine says with furrowed brows.

"Everything happens for a reason, ya know? I watched you all coming here, and I thought, 'Yeah, the King of England, you'll help me spread my message. Maxine Meyers, we're going to do such groovy work together. Runner Five, you and me were always meant to be together. And Runner Three-'"

"I'm not bloody listening a single word more from her," Simon says through clenched teeth, and my blood runs cold at the look in his eyes. He's practically seething. I don't know where this sudden anger has coming from, but it's... frightening.

"I can help you, Runner Three. I can make you happy. I know that's all you've ever wanted."

"Where is she?" He asks, looking around, before his eyes widen in realization. "Atrium. Okay, I'm going to go bloody deal with her. Five, Maxine, you get up that tower. I'll keep her occupied down here, at least."

He lets go of my wrist and dashes off, and a sudden spike of panic goes through me.

If I'm not with him, how am I going to protect him from what I know is coming?

"Simon!"

"Let him go, Five," Janine says, her words sharp. "He was never going to... We could have never relied on him."

"No, you don't understand. I have to-"

"Stick to the plan!" She shouts, and my words die in my throat. "It's all up to you now. We need a way up that tower. Runner Five, it's time to put what you've learned into action. Go."

•

"Hey, guys, how're you doin'?"

"Jody!" Maxine exclaims with a smile. "How are things back at Abel?"

"Oh, we're doin' great now that all the bad guys are after you. But listen, Five was right to ask if there was a separate staircase. I know this style of building, and I think I can get you through that locked door to the stairwell."

"Are you going to get medieval on its ass?" Sam asks hopefully, and I snicker.

"Sort of."

"I-what? I'm confused," Maxine says, and I turn to her.

"Oh, well, I just saw it sort of like... breaking into this big, heavily defended tower is sort of like storming a castle. For that, you need siege weapons. Like maybe a battering ram? Me and Jody got into reading history books before well... yeah."

"Oh. So, what do you suggest we get for a makeshift battening ram?"

"Sam says there was some sort of totem pole in the office you just came through," Jody replies.

"Yeah, I did, but isn't it, like, disrespectful to use that?"

Maxine shrugs, as we head back into the office. "I think it's just some modern art, unless the Chinooks worshipped Ronald Mcdonald."

"Nah, that would be the Americans," I mutter, and I hear Sam snort. "What? I'm being serious."

"Come on, Five. I'll tip it over, you grab the end. Ready?"

I nod as she pushes the totem pole over. I grunt as I catch it, the sudden force nearly causing my knees to buckle.

"Alright, let's make a run for that door in three, two, one, now!"

We run through the office, slamming the totem pole into the door, breaking through. We're inside the stairway. I can hear voices from below. They sound happy-too happy.

"Oh, great. Mind controlled people are heading your way. Go up those stairs, now! Run!" Sam commands. Maxine and I drop the totem pole and obey, our feet going as fast as we dare to push them.

We climb higher and higher, and my heart beats fast in my chest as I so desperately wish to stop, but I don't. I keep running, climbing up and up and up until we finally, finally reach the top of the spiral.

"That was superbly executed, Runner Five," Janine praises. "I can see your thought and planning has paid off."

"No wonder they picked her as Head of Runners," Sam sighs happily, almost dreamily. "No wonder."

I frown. "But I'm not Head of Runners anymore, remember?"

There's a pause.

"Wha-Janine, you said-"

"Runner Five will be regaining her title once she gets home, as I told you, Mr. Yao. It was meant to be more of surprise, but I see no harm in her knowing now."

I almost laugh. While I never exactly liked the title, I feel almost happy knowing I'll be getting it back, but then a thought enters my mind.

"Where's Simon?"

Then panic.

Is he okay?

"I can't pick him up anywhere in the building," Amelia replies.

Dread spikes through me.

"Doesn't surprise me," Janine huffs. "Once a coward, always a coward. I think we can presume that his recce yesterday was simply him looking for a way out... Moonchild's well behind you now. Keep going."

There's a sign up ahead. 'Experimental Device 7' is what's written on it. We tell it to Janine, and she hums.

"Yes, that is what we're looking for. The technology to hook up the ZRD broadcast will be there. I'll guide through this process."

"Wasn't it-well, doesn't this show it on the other side of the building?" Sam asks.

"You're most likely holding the plans upside down, Mr. Yao. Runner Five, I'm patched in now... The lab is in rather more of a disarray than I expected, but yes, despite Pro. Downes's concerns, this device is perfectly equipped to hook to the broadcast system in this lab. Slot the ZRD into the curved plastic holder on top of the surface. That looks like the place where the connection will be made."

I do as told. A loud beep echos through the room. Suddenly, a plastic tube slides down on the ZRD.

"Was that supposed to happen?" Sam asks nervously.

"That's probably a part of the setup."

Suddenly, air flows through the plastic tubing, and I watch as the ZRD is lifted through the tunnel, going up and up until it reaches a spot in the wall where the tunnel connects, and finally it's out of sight.

My chest tightens.

"And uh, was that supposed to happen?"

"I don't-I'm not-"

"Seriously, it's so groovy of you to bring that little thing all the way here to me," Moonchild says over the speakers, and ice spikes through my veins.

No.

"So much better than attacking you and risking destroying it. I'll take it from here. Just did a tiny bit of reprogramming in the transportation systems to get here. But guys, this is going to give you so much karma in your next go-around. You've made me so happy, and now, I'm going to make everyone in the world happy, forever!"

A/N: Heyoo! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It's a longer chapter than normal, but that's to make up for not updating in forever. Also there's only two more chapters left in this book! Are you guys excited? Please be sure to vote and comment! Thank you and have a blessed day!