Chapter 89: Sacrifice

Please be sure to read the A/N at the end of this chapter!

"That's it. The self destruct sequence has started!"

My stomach twists in agonizing fear, but my feet don't stop moving. I don't stop moving.

"A place like this is going to take a while to go down," Jaime states. "I've got good news from where I am. Looks like the designers have placed the charges to take out the main support struts. That means this isn't good for Moonchild either. Even if she sends a signal, she'll never get to use it. There's no way she's gettin' out of there alive."

"And do we know what happens if she managed to send a signal but not use it?" Amelia asks.

"She'll still change everyone," Paula answers. "She still makes us all happy all the time, no matter what happens to anyone else."

"And everyone in the world will be susceptible to mind control," Janine says, her voice stone cold. "Any individual who is able to crack the code and replicate Moonchild's tone generation will have complete power."

"So let's not let that happen," Maxine says, and I nod.

"Any sign of Runner Three?" I ask.

"I think we have to presume it was he who told Moonchild where Runner Five was heading," Janine says, and I gasp.

"No! Simon wouldn't-"

"His reccee yesterday-rather reminiscent to his long runs to visit Pro. Van Ark."

"He wouldn't... not to me. He wouldn't sell us out to-to Moonchild!"

"We have to presume that, Runner Five."

"Five, I'm setting up your way back here," Maxine cuts in. "I'm guarding it with my life."

"And guarding your life with your life," Paula says sternly.

"We are all coming back. We're coming home. This is going to work."

"Runner Five, I have the sound linkup prepared for you," Amelia says. "There are speakers on the far edge of the roof. They must have been intended to play music for the rollercoaster. You'll need to connect my device there."

"And you'll have to be close to Moonchild when we broadcast. You've got one shot at this."

A nervous laugh leaves quivering lips. "No pressure, right?"

"Right," Sam says, and I hear a slight crack in his voice. "Um, now how is Moonchild going to broadcast the signal? I mean, shouldn't there be a giant satellite dish or something? Because I don't see anything."

"I don't know," I say, and my brows furrow together. I hadn't thought of that. "Maybe it's on another building? Whatever it is, we have to stop her from accessing it before the satellites align and she can transmit her signal to everyone."

"Run, Five," He says, breathlessly, fearfully. "You've got ten minutes before the world ends."

I nod, my face red from exertion, my mind reeling. "Uh, Amelia, how exactly am I supposed to get your device? You're in that control room and I'm up here."

"What? No, Five, the finishing touches were done wirelessly. The device is already in your bag. I've been working on it since we sent you and the doctor off. Really, how did you not realize you had such a thing?"

"There were other things in my possession that took most of my attention," I growl, ears burning in embarrassment. Still, it's nice to know I won't have to make any detours, especially since time is so valuable.

But even so, I can't help from letting my thoughts drift back to Simon. He wouldn't sell me out, would he? Why would he do such a thing when he's also at stake? What would he have to gain from this? He doesn't want to be happy. I don't even think he wants to be forgiven. And getting revenge on us doesn't seem like him. I mean, why would he have rescued me so many times?

Because you're immune.

I stumble... I am immune.  Moonchild's signal will have no effect on me... Would Simon really do that? Would he really sell us out because he knows I'd be okay, because he knows the one person who still believes in him won't be effected?

I shake my head. No. Simon's not like that. There's good in him. He is a good man. And I won't let these thoughts stop me from doing what I have to do.

I run, alarms blaring all around me, the cold air stinging my eyes, burning my lungs, but I keep pushing. I keep going, even as the first signs of exhaustion start to kick in.

I reach the speakers, quickly throwing off my backpack and rummaging through it, looking for something unfamiliar. It's in the left side pocket, the one I never bothered to open because I didn't think anything was there. I grab it, taking only a second to examine the small, rectangular black box before using the plugs connecting to it to plug it into the speaker.

"Good," Janine says. "This needs to sound like it's coming from everywhere. Let's pray it works."

"Ready when you are," Amelia says, and suddenly the speaker screech, and I cover my ears.

"Oh, Runner Five, it's you!"

I turn back, and see a familiar face at the far end of the roof. Moonchild smiles at me, but all she gets in reply is a snarl.

"I had a feeling you were always meant to be here. This is my last day. It's your last day. It's the last time any of us have to suffer. It's so right that you're here." She's smiling as she says this, and then she reaches down to grab something. It's...

"Is she putting on a neural net?" I ask.

"I don't think so," Paula replies. "I've been speaking to Pro. Downes. We never did know how Moonchild planned to control the ZRD. There's no obvious interface. But apparently, before the apocalypse, Comansys has been working on an entirely new operating system. The research was supposedly discontinued, but I suspect Moonchild carried it on in secret. I think she has a method for passing her through the ZRD."

"Which is?" Sam asks.

"I always knew I had a special destiny. I've always known it. I was meant to give my life to save the world." Her tone of voice is airy, light. It's unsettling.

"She's going to use her own brain as wetware to program the ZRD. It'll fry her, no doubt about that," She says. "That's why the research was terminated. They never found a way to do it without killing the subject."

"So if I don't stop her before she sends the signal..." I trail off.

"You'll have to send out a counter signal. And if you want to do that, your brain will also be destroyed."

Sam gasps in horror. "That's-th-that's-you can't let Moonchild send out that signal!"

I start racing towards her, determination and fury burning in my chest. If I can get that off her head-or at least distract her, I can maybe buy us some more time.

"I was planning to-oh my God! What the hell are those?"

My feet screech to a halt, mouth open and eyes wide with horror as corpses carrying weapons and armor step in between me and Moonchild. They're not zombies-no, I can't call them that. Zombies don't move like that. They don't move that swiftly, that efficiently. Not even fast zoms.

I hear Moonchild's light laughter in the air. "Oh, did you think I wouldn't have a trick or two up my sleeve? Welcome to the new fast zombie. Not just fast-agile, fine motor control, and sophisticated tool use."

"They're zombie fighters!" Maxine gasps, and I blanch when the one with a mace takes a step towards me.

"Uh, guys, what do I do?"

"What do you mean what do you do? Run! Run for your life!"

Suddenly the zombies lunge at me, and with a fearful yelp I turn and sprint away as fast as I can. They're fast, and smart. I hear Sam screeching at me to duck and the second I do I feel a woosh of air as a mace flies over my head.

This woman really does intend to kill me.

Although, I guess I should've known that when she said today was my last day.

I grab my axe from off my back, and I spare just a moment's glance behind me before slowing to twist my body around, axe gliding through the air. It pierces through flesh and bone, and when I rip out my axe, the zombie staggers, death finally taking it.

One down. Three to go.

I keep running, the zombies still chasing me around the roof. They're smart, still trying to catch me but keeping an eye on my axe, as if waiting for me to swing so they can dodge and use that chance to catch me and bring me down.

One puts on a burst of speed, hands going to grab my left arm and shoulder. My heels dig into the ground as I make a hard right, evading the zombie just as we reach the edge. Its feet can't stop it, the momentum too much, and it tumbles off the edge.

"Watch out, Five! The one with the sword's going for you left leg!"

Sam's warning gives me just enough time to spin around and swing my axe upward, the blade cutting through the jaw and into the brain. It falls.

"Great job! Just keep going. They just don't stop! You've got one chasing you and the one that just fell off the roof-it's climbing back up!"

I grimace, staying ahead of the zombie. I take another right, having turned myself around and am now heading straight for Moonchild.

"You're nearly there, Five," Amelia says. "The world is depending on you. And we're ready, and so is Moonchild."

"I'm going as fast as I can!" I pant, but I don't get a reply as loud whirling sounds fill my ears, and the ground begins to shake.

"What the hell is that?" Maxine screams, and Sam gasps in both horror and amazement. "It's the satellite dish. Oh my God!"

"It was a bit weird that Comansys had this on the roof of their main office building, even for them."

I continue running, but as I look up the loop-the-loops of the rollercoaster are closing up. There are bits and pieces all sliding into place. It's the biggest broadcasting station in the world... just waiting for today.

God help us all.

"Moonchild's hooked into the ZRD, and she's using her tone box to control the zombies," Paula says. "I don't know how she has the concentration."

"Fully deployed," Maxine says. "That's your cue, Five. We need to grab her focus for just a moment."

"There will no more suffering. There will be no more pain. We shall be happy, now and forever," Moonchild says. She's less than thirty feet away, but that zombie is right behind me. If we don't break her concentration before that thing catches me-

"Ninety seconds until the satellites are in alignment. Now, Miss Spens!"

"Be ready to take her, Five!" She commands as the speakers squeal.

"Cynthia? Isn't that you, darling little bobotie? Is it you? What are you doing?"

Moonchild freezes, and the zombie behind me stills completely. "Dad?"

"Is that my little pickled herring?"

She gasps, looking around, trying to find the source of the voice. "Daddy?"

"Now, Runner Five! Take her down!"

I throw all my body weight at her, slamming into her and knocking her to the ground.

"No! No, what are you doing?" She screams as I rip the netting off her head, tossing it away from us. "No!"

"That's it, Five! Hold her down," Sam cheers as I grab her arms, pulling myself up so my knees dig into her back.

"Don't. Move." My words are ice cold and deadly.

"I can make you happy, Five! I can make everyone happy!"

"Yeah, I've heard that one before."

My head whips around at the new voice, and I grin when I see a familiar pair of blue eyes.

"Simon!"

"Simon... Runner Three, you are interfering with an important mission," Janine scolds. "Runner Five, well done. You've secured Moonchild. Now destroy the Zombie Repelling Device. We cannot allow that thing to be used."

"And what happens to the people already under Moonchild's thumb if you do that?" Simon asks as he crosses his arms.

"Well," Paula replies, "the likelihood is that they'll remain pliable, probably unable to care for themselves without constant input from Moonchild."

"So everyone in New Canton, everyone in London, no better than a zom for the rest of their lives?"

"At least we've stopped it from happening to everyone else," Sam says.

"That's not good enough! The satellites are still aligned. We can still save everyone. That's what we came here for, right?"

"It will burn Five's brain. I'm not letting her kill herself. It's okay, Five. Bring Moonchild back to us. We can use her tech-know-how if she's not completely bonkers."

I stand, placing my foot on Moonchild's back, applying enough pressure to keep her from getting up. I shake my head, my heart clenching. "No... I can't."

"Can't? You can't what?"

The words are thick on my tongue. "Simon's right. I can't just leave knowing so many people will be nothing more than vegetables for the rest of their lives."

"Five, no! We are not-you are not going to do that! It will kill you!" The pain in his voice is heartbreaking.

I nod, tears welling up in my eyes as I quietly reply. "I know."

"You can't."

"I have to. It's the only-"

"No, it's not," Simon interrupts, a pained smile on his lips. "Doesn't have to be Five's brain. Mine's never done anything good for me anyways."

I feel the blood drain from my face.

No.

"Simon, you'll die," Sam says, and Three laughs-painfully, brokenly.

"Yeah. Yeah, that's the plan."

"It'll be excruciating, Simon," Janine says, and I shake my head.

"No, no you're not doing this! I won't let you," I say, pointing a finger at him. "I've been doing everything in my power to make sure this doesn't happen. I'm not going to just let you sacrifice yourself!"

He shrugs. "It's either me or you, Five. And we both know everyone'll choose you."

"I won't! I don't!" I cry, not bothering to hold back the tears. "I choose you! I'll always choose you!"

He scoffs. "This almost starting to sound like a love confession-"

"Simon!" I bark, and his playful demeanor vanishes. "Please, let me switch. Don't-"

My words are cut off when a hand grabs my ankle and pulls, throwing me to the ground. Moonchild scrambles to her feet and takes off, and for a split moment I'm left trying to figure out what's just happened.

"Five, get after her!" Sam yells. "We can't let her escape!"

I stand, taking a moment to look at Simon, and he waves his hand at me. "You go, Five! Run!"

"But-"

"Go!"

I run towards him, and he opens his mouth to yell something at me, but his words die in his throat when I reach up on my top toes to press a kiss to his forehead. When my lips leave his skin a second later, I let out a sob.

"Goodbye, Simon."

Then, with pain and a new burning fury over what's just happened, over what I've lost, what I'm losing because of her...

I run.

•

"Man, the building's sort of folding up. Looks like it's eating itself alive."

"Yeah. Time for me to get out of here," Jaime says. "Roller guards have turned up just in time."

"We weren't going to leave you here, Your Maj," Natasha says, and he laughs in response.

"Still took your bloody time, didn't you?"

"Miss Spens seems to have made her leave," Janine says, and if I wasn't so focused on the figure running away from me, I would've rolled my eyes. Typical Amelia. "Keep running, Five. You're nearly on Moonchild."

"I've got a zip line secured for you when you have her," Maxine says, and I nod, pumping my burning legs to go even faster. Moonchild's scraped up from me tackling her, but that doesn't slow her down much. She's not watching where she's going though. She keeps turning back to look at me. Her hurt expression makes me sneer.

"I was going to make everyone happy! Everyone! Now I'm going to have to find another way to do it-ah!"

She screams as her foot slips near the edge, and she falls, her hand flinging out to grab a girder.

"Oh my God!" Sam yells. "You've got to get her now, Five! Just lean over and pull her up."

"A lot of people want to ask that woman a lot of questions," Janine murmurs.

I reach her, dropping to my knees and leaning down to extend my hand to her. "Moonchild, take my hand!"

She looks at me. She blinks once, then twice. "Five, did you know it takes five days to brew ayahuasca? I always thought that was super significant. You and me, like water and tea. We need each other to really be something."

I groan. "We don't have time for this! This building is falling apart! It's going to blow up! Take my hand!"

She doesn't. Instead she looks out and around at the world below her. "You know, jumping from high places-it's been a problem since the beginning of my process. You've seen it-Francesca, Miranda... A minority of subjects throw themselves off buildings. My dad did that in the end, and I never understood it. But now I think I do."

"Take my damn hand, Moonchild!"

"Look down, Five. Really look. You know why they say you shouldn't look down when you're climbing? It's not because it'll scare you. It's because it'll make you want to fall."

"For God's sake, take Five's hand!" Sam yells.

"She can't hear you!" Janine yells back.

"Look at that view! All the millions of homes, and people and lives! All the trees and blades of grass and insects and zombies. All of it in one glance." She sighs wistfully. "If you go into that, you'll be one with everything."

"Zip line's secure. Five, if you get here, there's an extra harness for Moonchild," Maxine says.

"You know, the more I think about it, everything happened exactly as it should," She muses. "Shooting down your helicopter-I didn't know why they wanted me to do that. I just did it because they said they had an underground lab for me, and would give me the keys if I shot down this one little helicopter. I didn't think I'd be meeting you-that yours was the face my death would wear.

"I would've sacrificed everything, but it hasn't gone down that way. Maybe I can't make everyone happy, but I can make myself happy."

"You can't wait any longer," Sam urges, and stretch out my hand as far as I can, still unable to reach her.

"Moonchild!"

"Just one thing, Five. Tell Veronica to go deep into the archives of The Natural History Museum. Tell her to look for what's cross-referenced with those seeds. She's a clever girl. She'll go far." Suddenly she gasps, a bright smile crossing her face as she looks at me. "Now your aura's gold! Do you know that? Gold like the sun. We're both headed in the same direction, man, but I bet I'll get there first."

Suddenly she reaches and grabs my hand, pulling herself up for a split second to whisper in my ear.

"Race ya."

And then she lets go.

"No!" I scream, desperately trying to grab onto her, but it's too late.

"Oh, God," Sam whispers, shakily. "She let go. Why did she do that?"

"I don't even think I know why I do certain things, Mr. Yao, much less anyone else. I don't know why Simon... Five, that zip line's waiting for you. You've got to get there before the building collapses. Run!"

I stand, ignoring the shake in my hands, the shake in my breath, and I run. I run back to Maxine, back to safety, trying to block out Moonchild's last words that keep repeating in my head.

It takes me only a minute to reach Maxine, and I can feel the shake in the building as it prepares for its destruction.

"Here. Clip this on," Maxine says, and I'm quick to get into my harness. My fear of heights doesn't stall me. There's too much swirling in my mind to think of my petty fears.

Maxine squeezes my hand gently before jumping, sliding down the zip line. I wait.

"Okay, Jenny, am I good to go?" Simon asks.

"Are-are you certain?" She asks instead.

"It's penance, isn't it? I think it is. I think this might actually..."

"It's-it's the right thing to do, Simon. You're doing the right thing."

He laughs. "Love you too, babes."

Janine pauses, as if unsure what to say. "The ZRD system will connect in three..."

I jump, hair flying everywhere as I soar down towards the ground, away from the building. The wind stings my eyes, so I squeeze them shut, but still tears escape from my lashes.

"Two..."

"This is gonna sting..." Simon whimpers.

"One."

Simon screams in agony, and I sob escapes my mouth just before an explosion causes the whole building to collapse. I feel a searing heat at the back of my neck. My zip line breaks, and I fall fifteen feet. I try to roll, but still the concrete gives me no mercy. There's a blunt pain as I hit the ground and then a stinging one as the concrete rips at my pale skin.

A pair of hands pull me to my feet, and start dragging me about as a piece of rubble slams into the ground, landing where I had previously been. I run, having found new energy even as the inside of me feels drained and broken.

With adrenaline pumping through my veins, I can barely feel the outside pain. I can feel blood on my skin, and I can see bruises start to form, but I don't feel it. Instead all I can think about is...

Simon.

He's gone. That nearly brings to my knees, but the hands holding onto my arm keeps me moving. Is it Maxine? I haven't bothered to really look anywhere but ahead. It's either Maxine or maybe Tony. I wish it were someone else.

We run through the streets, trying to get away from the heat and rubble and death.

"It's rather-in a way, it's rather pretty, you know-the building coming down. Rather graceful," Janine says. "A good death."

I say nothing.

"Yeah," Sam says, but his voice seems hollow. "Five and Maxine, you need to keep moving. There are aftershocks, loose masonry falling." He pauses to laugh. "Can't go through all this and then get conked on the head by a falling pub sign."

"We can't keep going for much longer," Maxine pants. "We're both covered in cuts and contusions, and Five's got a serious head injury. I think she may have a concussion."

I blink. I have a head injury? I reach my hand up to touch the side of my head, and am shocked to see my entire palm covered in blood and dirt. Did I get this from the fall?

"It's okay. Only a bit longer to go. The Ministry's sending a Jeep for you, Five," He laughs again, but this one seems nervous, "they reckon they're going to ask you to stay on in London, help with reconstruction. Apparently, the uh, King likes you."

He likes me? Oh. I guess he's forgiven me for what I said.

I shake my head rapidly, and Maxine grabs my face to stop me. "Hey, hey. Try not to move your head too much. We don't know the extent of your injuries. If you don't want to stay in London, just say so."

I still shake my head, my lips trembling as tears begin to fall down my face.

"Hey, it's okay. You-you don't have to stay. I'm sure Jaime will understand." Maxine pats my shoulder. "Do we know if what Simon did... do we know if the signal worked?"

"Something happened," Paula replies. "We've got reports from runners in the field that the Deadlocks have just fallen over, like they're sleeping."

"Message from Tony to say that one member of his crew is confused, but back to normal," Janine says.

"I've got Ed on the radio already," Sam says, voice airy and happy. "He's coming back home to Molly! Ms. Sosa's also-yeah, she's really grateful for what we've done for her and her kids, and Nadia says that a bunch of New Canton people guarding Treetop Base have just sat down. They're disoriented, confused."

"So something happened," Maxine says.

"We'll need more research to determine exactly what happened," Paula explains. "But it looks like the threat of being happy forever is gone."

Maxine tenses, And when I turn to finally look at her, I see her shoulders are scrunched up in nervousness.

"That reminds me. Um, love? When I get back-you always wanted to start a family, right?"

"You know I can't. I'm still half zombie."

She nods. "We'll have to fix that sometime. But in the meantime... I can."

There's a pause. "But you never wanted to-I mean-"

"Apparently apocalypses have a way of changing your mind. Besides, we never had the right donor before. I know how close you two got while I was away, and Sam and I talked it over."

"Oh!" Sam says in surprise. "I uh-I um, oh. I-I thought we were going to discuss this privately."

"We will," Paula says. I can hear the tears in her throat. "We-we will."

"Keep in going, guys. You're nearly there."

•

"Hey, Five, over this way!"

I look up. My jaw is clenched as I run, my hands shaking and my blood roaring in my ears. It's getting harder to breathe, harder to think. It's taking everything in me not to fall apart.

"Thought I'd do a victory lap with you," Jaime says. He's smiling, genuinely, even while he's limping in attempt to keep up with my pace. It takes a great deal of effort to return the gesture. "You and the doc saved the bloody world."

"Again," Sam mumbles, which takes a laugh out of His Majesty.

"Yeah. Gettin' to be a bit of a habit with you. I hear you turned down the offer to become the Head of the Royal Rollers and Runners. I don't blame you. Got to find a place that feels like home. Plus you can't leave your kids. I understand that."

I nod, thankful that he does.

"We all need that," Janine says, although the words rings hollow to my ears. "Someone or something that feels like home. Moonchild had it wrong. There are things deeper and more important than happiness. Duty, sacrifice, doing what you know is right, and to protect your home and your people who live there, whatever it takes."

"Hey, Janine, I think Jack and Eugene left an emergent bottle of Lagavulin in the bottom drawer there. This is the time I break it out, if there ever was one, I think," Sam says.

"...Yes. I could use a stiff drink."

"To Simon, alright? Come out okay in the end."

A pained noise escapes my mouth. It goes unnoticed.

"To all the runners-running and fallen."

"Yeah, to all of them." There's the clink of glasses. "And-And you know, I did think I saw someone-someone burned, standing up, walking from the wreckage of the tower. It could have been-"

"For his sake, I hope it wasn't. And it's best not to raise anyone's hopes. May the dead stay dead."

Sam laughs. "Yeah. If they'd just done that from the start, we'd all have been okay. Hey, Five, message from Bernard. They want want you to consider coming over to help with their reconstruction efforts for a few months. Looks like you'll be getting quite a few of those offers."

My lips pinch together, and I keep my gaze ahead. I don't want to think about this, not now. The pressure is rapidly building. I can feel myself beginning to crumble, to crack.

"Sam? Sam Yao? Dr. Meyers? Runner Five, are you receiving me?"

"We hear you, Veronica," He responds quickly. "Are you okay?"

"Oh, yes. Yes, everything's fine. What your runner did worked out very well. Mrs. Evans is back to her usual self. Well, she's a bit embarrassed... No, listen. I looked up the reference Moonchild gave to Runner Five, cross-referencing from the seeds. I think-my old English isn't very good, and I haven't had time to work out a translator, but-"

"Is this very urgent, Miss McShell?" Janine asks, sounding slightly irritated.

"It might be. I think there's-there seems to be an account of something that sounds like a zombie outbreak about 1,700 years ago. And they talk about some magic they did to stop people from becoming walking dead. If it's real-if it really happened-"

"Then there might be a cure," Sam gasps.

"For the zombie plague, yes."

My heart stops in my chest. A cure? After everything? After all we've lost? After all I've lost?

Sarah... Willis... my family.

It's too much.

I can't do this anymore.

I can't go on.

I'm not that strong.

My knees buckle, and I hit the ground with a sound of agony wrenching itself from my throat.

"Five!" Sam cries, but I barely hear him as Jaime and Maxine kneel down beside me, grabbing my arms. Maxine tries to examine my face, to see if I'm hurt. I am. Everything hurts. The pain- physically, mentally and emotional-it's too much for me to bear.

"Five! Five are you alright?" Jaime asks, clutching onto me, fear written across his face.

I look at him, tears and blood smeared across my face. I look down at my shaking hands, and his and Maxine's gazes follow.

'I'm fine.'

The End

A/N: Okay, guys! This is the end of To Be A Killer! I hope you liked it. Now I do have a few questions for you and I'd like you to answer in the comments! I love hearing from you. The most important one is the last one, so if you don't want to answer the others, please just answer the last question, okay? Thanks!

1: What was your favorite chapter and what was your least favorite?

2: Did you like Moonchild or Van Ark better villain wise?

3: Is there a character you like that our main character (Runner Five) doesn't? Or a character she likes that you personally don't? If so, who?

4: Since this story is through a first person narrative, how do you feel about Five's judgment on certain characters? (Examples: Simon, Amelia, Moonchild, Jaime, ect.)

5: I have a short story that takes place in Book 2: To Be A Survivor, that I wasn't able to fit in because it broke the flow of the story. It will have significance in a later book, but not Book 4. Would you guys like me to start Book 4 and publish the short story after Book 4 is finished? Or would you rather me write the short story first even though it will have no significance in the next book?

Please let me know what you guys would like me to do. Whichever has the most votes will be what I do, and I will announce in the next 'chapter' of this story, along with some random facts about the characters as a special treat for you guys. Thank you so much for your support on To Be A Killer. You guys are seriously amazing. Thank you and have a blessed day!