"I don't see him with them…" Rahim announced, spotting Crane and the others approach disappearing into the tower popping up in the lobby again. Eyes reached for the kid to find none, Gerritsen almost falling with how fast she hobbled to them on her crutches, expressions darkening, filling with grief and anger resembling those of the group arrived.
"Alright Kyle, prank is over!" Gerritsen shouted with a forced smile, voice shaking and Crane silently stepped forward offering a hug that was taken quickly.
"Fucking damn it…" Brecken punched the wall, the room silent save for sniffles and sobs and angry growls. "How…" He could barely ask yet part of him burned to know what exactly happened. Jade stepped up being the most composed of them, Crane certain he'd break out into swearing if he opened his mouth.
"When we came he had jumped out of the Garrison, kid got out of his grip but he was shot. He had claws instead of hands. Never seen someone turn like that, into a volatile. Rais' bastards gunned him down like an animal while he turned."
"Fuck…" Blake growled with a sigh.
"H-he s-survived! H-e has to have! H-he told me he c-can't turn!" Gerritsen sobbed. "It's a plan, it has to be!"
"Gerritsen I want to believe that too but we saw it with our own eyes." Crane almost sobbed himself. "He was scared yesterday and asked for an antizin shot but it almost killed him, Zere said it was like an allergic reaction." 'I want to believe her so badly but I've seen what he could do without turning and I had never seen claws like that on him.'
"He didn't even get to have hope in this shit hole…" Brecken growled utterly frustrated at the outcome.
"Let's hold a funeral, to commemorate him." Jade suggested, everyone slowly agreeing slowly moving into action.
"What's it like being dead?" Osman asked helping himself to a beer, a rare luxury from their gatherings.
"A lot of work." Kyle sighed with a smile leaning back on a tattered mattress.
"I can't believe that worked. You got carried like a sack of potatoes and they didn't notice?" Nazim raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, are you doubting my handiwork? I spent on all night on that on top of hunting that volatile." 'And I still had to sharpen up those claws a little to resemble mine.' The blonde scoffed, gaze straying to the bloodied vest having worn it on top of his clothes, the hidden blood packets and size the modifications. Kyle himself actually really worried about that part himself having betted a little on his luck when it came to survival. "Hey thanks for shooting me Shakkur."
"No problem friend, anytime again when you need to die."
"Trick only works once." The blonde smiled but the smile broke off many times, hard to keep on his face.
"You come visit anytime you feel lonely." The man smiled under his gas mask.
"Shakkur, you live near the fishing village." The kid pointed out. "Maybe I'll stop in at night. Maybe. You know I can go Nazim, I can tell you're still scared. I don't want to end up hurting any of you."
"No! I will not be scared! Maybe a little bit still. It will stop soon. Today still a little bit of alcohol." The man protested taking a sip.
"You know, a guy imagines a lot what he'd end up doing in Harran but I never saw myself holding a dead volatile with my brother to throw it onto the street at the right moment." Osman mused with a sigh.
"Thanks, everyone. For not running out, wouldn't have blamed you if you did. I hate those things myself."
"There is one more thing. You have to see this before we do this."
"We've seen your claws, you're wearing them right now." Osman replied.
"No, you need to see the ones I hate. Because they'll be the reason everyone will think I turned into a volatile." They came out in the blink of an eye replacing hands, the metal ones slightly digging into the flesh, the boy ignoring the pain, Osman's and Nazim's eyes widening stepping back as fear crept into their eyes. Kyle had considered that they might run or shoot at him but in a display of loyalty to their partner the men held themselves back battling their fear with Kyle having told them beforehand that he couldn't turn letting them know he'd been bitten a long time ago. They didn't say anything but had their doubts but the blonde didn't flinch or suddenly jumped them remaining completely calm pulling them back again just as fast, "They're the cue. When I jump out with these, you get ready for Shakkur's shots." Even after talking, they still hadn't fled or attacked, refusing to act on their fear knowing full well the scale of danger they placed themselves in by putting their complete trust in the kid's words wishing to help him as he had helped them. And after that Kyle's own heart slowed down again, confident he could trust them to stay.
"Do it again." Nazim swallowed.
"We have to be used to their sight." Osman agreed still equally as shaky both shuddering as Kyle repeated the motion prompting the switch a few more times despite being hurt every time accompanied every time by a comical lessening shiver from the brothers.
"See you around, friend." Shakkur bid goodbye, leaving the hiding spot making sure not to be spotted, Kyle turning back to Osman and Nazim as the three continued to celebrate their win.
"How are supplies holding up?" Kyle asked.
Zere turned to the door finding Crane to be the one knocking, the man immediately picking up on his visitor's expression noticing the lack of the smaller Kyle. "Come in."
"A few days ago when fighting Rais' men, Kyle played distraction lying to them making that claim so I wouldn't be shot. Because Rais started hurting people in the safe zones more than he already does, Kyle gave himself up. He tried to flee but got gunned down. Remember how you said you have a feeling he's a very special boy?"
"Yes, yes I do." Zere nodded, his face speaking the silent apology his own heart throbbing at the news.
"He turned into a volatile while he was fleeing. He confided a few things in me that I have no idea if they would help in a cure but maybe you can see something by just hearing about it."
"A volatile?" Zere gasped, blown away from the information only to become more.
"He never said an exact date but it was definitely over a month ago probably more like two months ago when he was bitten the first time. That bite on the arm you saw was just another taken for Gerritsen and he used it to have a reason for the antizin because he had a dizzy spell in the tower. That day when he saved her, he bit himself out of a choke hold and he got scared. He didn't turn after that first bite. That was the burn wound he showed you, it was his mother."
"How horrible… go on."
"After that day, he gained above human senses and strength and never had any antizin before. I'm guessing because he never turned yet, having had that blood biting himself out of the choke hold must've scared him probably had just a little bit of doubt all the time when it came to turning. I think he might've had some extra speed too. There was a limit on how much strength he could use though when he hit that, he was a wheezing mess for a few minutes. And his eyes glowed at night, just the irises but once you saw them, you can't forget them. He got stronger at night too; he guessed it did more than double. And as you saw yourself, zombies ignored him unless he got hurt. I never asked him more about it but it might just be bleeding wounds that draw them." A bit of silence was between them and while Crane wasn't crying, his face conveyed the pain inside clear as day, Zere giving an awkward pat on the shoulder.
"Thank you, for letting me know all this. I don't know if this will help but I'm sure it will once I think more about it."
"What about the antizin syringe?" A little bit of hope shone in his eyes.
"I'm afraid that's no longer possible. When he jumped away, we rushed to him immediately and I dropped it because of strongly he pulled. We were so confused and worried for him that I stepped on it crushing the syringe. The tiny bit of blood that was on there is far too smeared and tainted on the pavement to give conclusive results. I'll do my best to find something in what you just told me, I think it would've made Kyle happy if it helps in a cure."
"I think so too. Thanks for hearing me out." Crane smiled sadly.
"Crane. You did your best."
"Doesn't feel like it." Zere sighed after them leaving the trailer, the dark skinned man wanting to cry himself, frustrated that this time a child lost his life to the horror that had bred in Harran.
'I must find a cure! He was such a young kid.'
"I'm already bored."
"Take another nap." Nazim raised another eyebrow.
"You suggested yourself to stay low in here for two days." Osman pointed out.
"Yeah because I didn't think of how boring it would be! I'm caught up on sleep…" Kyle sighed. "Sorry, I thought this would be easier. How is your… stub… I know helping me was hard on you…"
"It's doing okay. I'm keeping it disinfected."
"Did you ever think sealing it completely? With more burning…" Kyle asked, his voice unintentionally lowering a little at the grave subject.
"Actually I have…"
"We don't have anything suitable, though something as simple as a torch would probably do but since we didn't do it right away we're worried about trapping an infection inside now…" Nazim sighed.
"We need antibiotics before we do it…" Kyle concluded. "I'll go for a night run and find some even if it takes me all night. I won't let you die from your severed hand, partner." Kyle smiled. "Runners fear the night so there should be no problem with being seen."
"Are you sure about this? I want my brother alive too but we just pulled a big stunt to fake your death. I can look for it at day too so you don't have to risk the plan ruined." Nazim pointed out.
"It'll be fine. Because everyone is scared of the night, Harran becomes my playground." The blonde smirked.
"What are you trying to do?!" The whole tower was in a flurry, Gerritsen trying stubbornly to push past Blake having noticed the girl in the lobby decked for run.
"Get out of my way! I have to see the spot!"
"Gerritsen, look at me!" Crane gave a gentle shake having just come from helping Dahlia having hunted a goon and bomber for her to try to occupy his mind. "He's gone, I don't want it to be true but he's gone! You'll only get yourself killed going out with your broken leg! He wouldn't want that…"
"People don't turn into volatiles right away; it has to be a trick!" Gerritsen shot back, her words becoming a stutter. "But he's… he was different…"
"I know… put your stuff in your room."
"Why?" Gerritsen hobbled back miserably, the question not really aimed at anybody. 'Kyle… you aren't really dead? Right? I don't want it to be true…'
Kyle smiled, the sun swallowed by the horizon plunging Harran into darkness, green glowing eyes looking over the streets crawling away out of hiding a little away from where Nazim and Osman were. The kid leapt off, feeling the night only strengthen him, the gift and curse cruising though his veins waiting to be tapped into. The cool breeze of the night brushed his cheek walking among the zombies, the boy targeting pharmacies and ambulances first rushing off at volatile speed. While he didn't expect much from them, they were the easiest to look through because if he didn't find antibiotics lying around in there, he'd have to look at riskier venues. The fact that antibiotics were the target slimmed down the chances of just finding some in a drug store or such extremely low. It's one of the most prized loot one could find, high up there near the top with weapons, other medical supplies, canned food and antizin.
Crane's eyes shot open tossing in his bed seeing Kyle being shot again, his heart still beating faster, having fallen asleep an hour or so ago after having hunted down the bolter brain for Dahlia given it to the woman making the quick trip back to the tower and gone to sleep again. His room felt emptier without the blonde in it, the man only more determined for a cure now so he wouldn't see another Kyle die with his own life very much still in jeopardy. It wasn't the only dream with the boy he had but the other one didn't wake him up. It was short and odd, simply Kyle standing in the street with those fleshy claws making a 'come' motion with them with a cocky smile of his and Crane never got more than a step forward before it would just stop. The man rolled over trying to fall back asleep again.
"Shit… bridge it is, that place better have some. Not too many runners would dare going there." Kyle sighed heading to the infamy bridge. He hadn't been that far on it before but seen the sections knowing the bridge used to be military field hospital. His eyes wandered up the tall concrete pylons of fatal fall height, arriving at the gap glancing to the bus. 'Maybe if I did volatile sprint… Plus I think one those might be used as a safe place, might have the potential for it. I don't want to bump into any runner camping out and that is fucking high.' The blonde tried the bus only to stop a step away at the edge with a slide rushing back up as his gut had drop in his pants. 'Nope, not happening. Hello, hellish climb…' His fingers barely reached the first bigger gap, the climb nowhere near the top already a pain in the ass but Kyle pushed on determined to find antibiotics for Osman. Determined narrowed eyes widening as his heart dropped missing the saving ledge in the next leap, his fingers brushing over it unable to hold, heart thundering in his chest as he reached out desperately, the familiar feeling creeping in begging to be accepted. His hands closed on the former ledge, green glowing eyes glancing down with a snarl and sigh. At this rate he wouldn't get there and back before day and maybe he wouldn't get up all the way and fall to his death. With his unnatural strength steady and one his left hand firmly grasped on causing the tips of his steel claws to slightly scratch the concrete, the boy slammed his arm against the wall with a frustrated growl, right hand balled into a fist as his arm below the elbow smacked into the cold concrete of the enormous pylon. His eyes widened, the spikes having rushed out with his frustration form the situation, bony sharp needle spikes evenly lined on his arm now stuck in the concrete having rushed out. The kid gazed at the newly discovered ability of his body, a tiny spark of familiarity within as if it had slept in him much like the other perks since that first bite coming out one by one when he had been in a tight spot. He wasn't worried at all about turning, his gut as confident as ever that it can't happen if anything a little excitement came and sense of wholeness as his lips pulled into a smirk with the forming idea gazing up the height he still had to go. The smirk turned into a full grin, the other hand releasing the saving grip, arm bent and pushed against the concrete pushing out identical spikes on the other arm getting them stuck as well. His eyes no longer carried frustration but unbridled confidence, the first arm bear the spikes out and reaching higher pushing them back into the concrete. The kid scaled the pylon switching between small gaps climbed usually provide by lights and the newly found perk quickly finding himself at the top finishing off the scaffolding without the spikes coming to a stop by the sturdy back cable doubling as a zip line. 'I never really used those…' He leaned over a little, slightly shuddering at the thought of hitting the water at that height. He wasn't hot on trying out just how much his body could take with risky tries. 'It can't be that hard to use…' The boy took a breath making sure none of his precious arsenal would take a dive into water before leaping onto it, the wind rushing in his face as he held on zipping down to the next section. His hand clamped shut around the railing stumbling forward, eyes looking down at the water below before turning to the bridge section quickly stepping from the edge with a triumphant smile. A few zombies moved about, the small crowd a mix of biters and the gas tank ones. Kyle's smile grew at the loot in the tents still carrying many medical supplies. Police and yellow vans stood around too, the doors in the back still closed and undamaged. The blonde searched for antibiotics first checking every little corner as that is what he had come for in the first place. After a few minutes, his hands closed around the first bottle finding two more sighing in relief sitting on the ground as he stuffed them into his backpack using the gauze packages on tables as cushions along with some smelly but decently clean clothes from people's bags shoving two med kits into his backpack as well. It was really good that he cleared a little space in there for the night venture leaving ammo with Nazim and Osman along with the bandages he still had clearing out any food and such he carried as well tightly cushioning the three bottles of antibiotic. His eyes gazed over the loot including bigger medical supply boxes with handles unable to fit in the backpack along with a few more med kits. A single attempt to somehow carry them all at once with his hands proved fruitless as expected. 'No way I'm going back here to pick that up. A smile played on his lips shifting his eyes to the plethora of duffle bags left behind. The kid worked fast having no interest in being out by day and increasing his chances of being seen, swiftly using discarded no blood splatter clothes to cushion the red desired cases of medical supplies, two in each tossing most of the clothes out, same done with the med kits although more than two fit in a duffle bag.
'I should check those vans too.' The vans proved to be locked and Kyle didn't carry a single lock pick glancing away with sigh before looking back at the mocking locked doors. His hands closed around the handles refusing to budge and with a might yanked gave away with each door torn off and tossed aside with a few pummeling down into the water. The kid grabbed the reward for his work, mostly a few more med kits. The last duffle bag got zipped tight after few minutes, the pile at his feet. He knew how to get them over the gap but carrying all those would be a problem with only two hands. Even using his strength lasting so much longer at night, he could maybe fit three on an arm if he walked with them out in front of him. 'One could maybe go over my shoulder and another on this one so the balance is even… wait… I have these now.' The kid pushed out the spikes with a smile. Getting back would definitely be slower and be tight on time but possible. One duffle bag after another got grabbed and thrown over the gap using zombies as cushion being knocked down by them one by one lashing out with growl to ultimately hit nothing and stop quickly, the duffle bag sliding off the body onto the concrete sticking solid landing with nothing damaged inside. 'That's done now I just need to get them over… without another long climb, I need to make sure to keep my strength to get all that back to them especially if I still want to make those drops…' The kid turned around, the last one tossed checking with what he had to work with which wasn't much. 'Maybe...' His hands closed around the metal pole having dismantled the set up a little to gain a long metal pole poking the ground with one end. He backed a few steps aiming to vault but stumbled to a stop barely lifting off the ground with bad gut feeling dropping the metal piece with a frown. 'Great… I don't want to climb again…' Glancing around with his chin dropped into his hands his eyes topped at shuffling gas tank zombie as an idea slowly formed. With a smile, Kyle got up walking over to one of them. "I need that." The machete given a little more impact with a buffed strike cut through the suit managing to decapitate the zombie, machete shortly dropped as the hands rushed to the tank, carefully and swiftly taking it off. Kyle eyed the red tank before glancing to a few more. 'Maybe two… or just one… I'll kill another one." Another tank got taken, cautiously dealt with like the other one. 'Maybe three… no, two should be fine. Maybe just one… One tank can send an adult flying, I'm thirteen… I'll try just one." After few more minutes, Kyle stood at the edge comically bent over in order to aim, the tank strapped to himself with cloth over the backpack secured it as best as he could wondering he'd hurt himself that way. 'This has to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever done… and maybe the dumbest… and laziest…' Before he could change his mind and change his plan, the boy stabbed the knife from his boot into the bottom of the tank, the well known fizz coming with the pressure sending the boy with his heart pounding trying to aim over the gap, a yell escaping his throat smashing into a car providing a stop with the windshield turning the zombies curiously to the noise. The knife moved fast, the fizz higher pitched and Kyle barely ripped off in time and threw it away. His hand moved to his head, lowering again with blood. "Just great…" The tank, discarded not a second too early exploded rupturing the calm night with a bang but unfortunately for the blonde caused another bang leading to more because he had thrown it blindly managing to have it explode over a car's fuel tank. As much as it hindered his stealth, the cascade of explosions also incinerated the zombies drawing them in with the noise almost scorching the boy too, hand flying to the loot ducking out of the way of a flying car door. Rocket jumped from his sleep in the safe spot of the pylon, heart thundering as explosions echoed, the man frozen on what to do clutching a weapon quickly as the bridge trembled with noise. The blonde rushed off barely carrying everything, haphazardly taken, spikes pushed out quickly as the zombies not caught in explosion and preferring him over the noise rushed at him as he leapt over cause, the first duffle bag starting to slip within a minute, his eyes shifting down to it with a snarl dangerously choosing to run along the edge to avoid getting flanked. His eyes further darted down to the fishing village below, a faltering step caught quickly tapping into his perks more as he sprinted a little more forward, eyes narrowing on a dumpster below and the duffle bag slipping out of his fingers duffle bag with medical supplies facing the edge and deadly height got dropped with an aimed swing to it. The duffle bag landed in the dumpster drawing a villager having seen the object suddenly out of the sky slowly out of the hut, Kyle's lips pulling into a grin having lost some weight, flashing murderous bloodshot eyes at a rushing zombie clump causing them to stumbled back with a terrified shriek allowing Kyle to get on the road as the bridge slowly touched on ground again. Kyle jumped and ran with his heart pounding, adrenaline rushing through his veins, a herd of volatiles deciding to jump on his heels pulling off the bridge as the boy tapped into what he could do using turns and jumps almost like a zigzagging hare to gain a gap between his pursuers, speed slowed down slightly by the weight he carried having to readjust a slipping duffle bag here and there as he barreled for his next stop, halfway there with zombies on his ass spinning around to punt another car bowling over a crowd, the boy starting to slightly pant but keeping the zombies at bay. The entrance came into view, Kyle veering off a good few meters before it with a skid away from the lights and around to stay in the dark, eyes narrowing on the trash pile near the entrance and another duffle bag stuck the landing with throw in which Kyle temporally slowed down ducked out of a nearby biter darting at him. The smile grew a little again glancing back at the biter childishly sticking his tongue out at the monstrosity, the carried load a little lighter again as he pushed to run just a little faster having caught his breath a little in the moment he slowed down to get to the final stop before rushing back to Osman and Nazim with the goodies, the duffle bag with the single large medical supply kit in position.
"Sounds like the zombies are chasing somebody. "One of the guard towers remarked with slight yawn by the entrance sipping some coffee. The fellow man got ready with him to receive a desperate incredibly lucky survivor following the safe signs but nothing came.
'That is a long throw.' Kyle glanced over his shoulder having maintained his immediate vicinity zombie free, being constantly pursued but staying on top with the night strengthening him as it did the zombies, the next started shortly after the last dropped and his right hand closed around the straps of the duffle bag already in position in his hand. '3…2…1… Now!' His arm swung out, the duffle bag let go, the few others on his arms so much more conformable now making running so much easier as the boy smirked glimpsing the duffle bag land on the couch where Irwin always stood in the wheel station. He then changed direction to rush back to Nazim and Osman as time pressured him on if he didn't want to be spotted during the day, his wounds from the harsh landing back on the bridge luring the zombies.
"The sun is starting to rise… I hope he's okay and found some…" Nazim sighed, all that was missing now was the antibiotics as the man had found a torch to use during the day finding one close by. Their heads turned to the footsteps coming in, smiles spreading onto their faces as the blonde walked in with a smile of his own. "Your head!"
"That's nothing!" Kyle chuckled only to regret it almost tripping over a corner. "Ow… okay, fine… not nothing, the windshield hurt me… It doesn't hurt much; it'll be over in a day."
"You found so much loot?" Osman gasped amazed at what the kid lugged in dropping himself in an armchair leaning back, arm spikes pulled back in awhile ago as he had managed to fit all onto his arms and hands normally with the three duffle bags less.
"And I found what we needed." The boy grinned leaning forward, opening the backpack set down at his feet pulling out the bottles causing the brother's smiles to wide. "Three! Three entire bottles!" The two cheered, Nazim jumped forward throwing an arm around the kid's shoulder.
"Who's the best runner in Harran?"
"Nazim-" Kyle chuckled not allowed to finish.
"Right here! Right here brother! Kyle, the best runner in Harran right here!"
Irwin blinked grabbing the large red kit, climbing down and showing to Jaffar, Zaid curiously hobbling closer followed by Kurt. "It was lying on the couch, I swear it wasn't there all day yesterday…" Jaffar eyed the mysterious kit, everyone happy at the discovery and equally much wondering how it got there. Crane was well known for his skills… Jaffar reached for the radio to thank the man he suspected how must have been on a harrowing night run since it must've appeared then.
"Crane, it's Jaffar. Just wanted to thank you for the medical supplies, I'm guessing you would have the balls and skill to drop a kit off at night."
"Uh… I wasn't out at night and nowhere near the station Jaffar. I didn't drop that off…"
"Oh… well, you have a good day." The finger went off the button again, the question of who remaining.
"Mystery medical supplies…" Crane mumbled it to himself wondering who the gift giver could be. Everyone avoided the night just to save their own ass let alone drop off presents to people at night much less something as precious as medical supplies which everyone vied for. The only one that night didn't bother was Kyle, on the contrary it had only given the kid more of an edge than he already had. It was quick, the consideration, the wish that it had all been a dream or Gerritsen was right that the blonde had tricked everyone but what he saw came crashing down like a tidal wave. But the day would be a long one only to tear on his thoughts more and try to blur what he knew.
"That's a duffle bag in the dumpster!" Harun walked over and pulled it out, the people of the village gathering around as the man unpacked the mystery bag that no one had noticed before, smiles spreading on faces as the two larger medical supply kits got pulled out. Harun's eyes strayed up to the bridge in thought eyes shifting back to the gift out of nowhere everyone sure they would've noticed the duffle bag if it had been there before. Spending so much time in one small place really caused one to notice the slightest change, the gift wondered about as much as it was appreciated.
Rocket's account of the explosions on the bridge spread quickly, the entire garrison in on it within an hour, the runner's experience the hot topic of the day quickly spreading into safe zones they stopped by, while the fishing village spread the account as well having heard the explosions having frightened the crap out of them at night. In fact it had spread so fast that within three hours, Crane had heard about it stopping by the fishing village learning about the second medical supply drop and the tower was in a buzz about it too faster than the sun could make its way across the sky halfway. The explosions on the infamy bridge was Harran's hot topic within hours of the morning which only beckoned curious runners, a group of Rais' men sent to check it out and see if it had just been a rampaging sudden goon or something else. Crane himself after hearing about it, headed straight to it joined on the way by Jade out on a run and surprisingly Rahim having been the most annoying little brother one could think of along with Volcan, Rahim only allowed as it was simply supposed be a quick looking over the situation and nothing else although Rahim didn't care overjoyed to be running with the other three quickly nearing infamy bridge. And so were Rais' small group with a runner from Karim.
"Ready?" Kyle glanced to Osman ready to pin him as Nazim took a deep breath with the torch lit, not really allowing to not be ready, the bandages off revealing more of the ugly stump. Osman nodded despite not really being ready as no one really was ever ready to have a bloody stump burned shut, the man biting down on clean cloth to stop himself from screaming loudly.
"Alright, I'm lowering the torch…" Nazim's eyes strayed to Kyle giving him a look mouthing 'Just do it.' With a deep breath and squinting eyes making sure to aim right, Nazim pushed the torch onto the stump, Osman struggling instinctively biting down hard on the cloth with a muffled scream pinned by Kyle. With a racing heart, Nazim pulled away again after a moment making sure to have properly done it, relieved to see he had managed it in one go dropping the torch in a bucket slightly filled with dirty water, hands running over his face. Osman's muffled scream quieted, Kyle releasing his grip and the man sat up holding his throbbing stump but glad to have it done.
Broken down cars weren't a new sight to the infamy bridge but blown up ones and the tents across the gap slightly in shambles was. Crane and co spotted Rais slowly creeping closer to the men not taking notice of them gazing over the wreckage themselves noting that the spot across the first gap did look ransacked. The stealthy approach didn't stay, both groups spotting each other, Rais group having a gun wielder shot before the trigger could be pulled by Crane as the awkward standoff between four on four commenced all eight on the bridge, eyes shifting back between each other and Crane didn't shoot right away again, heated glares exchanged. Rahim tried to step forward stopped by hand on the shoulder from Jade glancing to Crane keeping the thugs in line with the gun.
"Hey man, we're just checking out the bridge right now. Not looking for fight right now." One of them spoke up, hands raised. "You want to go ahead, go ahead."
"I will and you should know that none of us are feeling really merciful after you guys killed the kid."
"Hey I didn't shoot…" Another muttered.
"Didn't try to stop the others!" Rahim pointed out with a growl pulled back a little by Jade again.
"Well that dumb punk shouldn't have claimed to want to join Rais without meaning it!"
"Shut up, all of you!" Crane bellowed. "Don't ever call him dumb again… I don't have any patience anymore. Jade, no reason for all of us risk falling of that pylon getting to the next section. Take the gun. Shoot if you feel like it. I'm going to check over there."
"I want to come to!" Rahim protested.
"No, you're helping us here." Volcan said, Rahim bummed out but accepting the decision as three zombies staggered closer, the infected quickly dispatched causing the two groups to form a tense half kind of circle to keep their backs unable to be jumped while looking for each other's opening. With a moment to breathe, Crane made his way over a few cars and onto the pylon beginning the climb as fast as he could, the thugs staying in line with everyone curious to hear what Crane had to say as they glanced to the man again watching him investigate.
The partially taken apart set-up stuck out to Crane the most upon the first glance. Zombies or not and there are definitely zombies, the man quickly jumping on a van to deal with them, no runner would bother with it. Any runner especially with zombies would want to hurry up, running as fast as possible grabbing as much as they could find. Only the shared questions kept peace right now between the groups, Crane looking it all over as fast as he could. 'Why would anyone do that? I don't like those stabs in the pylon either when I climbed… What the fuck happened here?' The one that had been there was still walking when Crane jumped in and no demolisher corpse was lying around. 'What…" The zombies downed, his eyes narrowed on the vehicles with the missing back doors a few matching the ones scattered around. Goons picked up stuff but usually didn't take doors from vehicles. He'd never been up close this yet on the section but something just didn't fit about the vehicles. A runner would pick a lock they found or leave if they didn't have any. A goon might only try if someone hid in one but Crane doubted that had been the case. He knew one person no longer with them that could pull off a van door and would do it on purpose as well. The third thing that made Crane really question what happened were the tank zombie corpses, three of them, the fact that the corpses remained intact unbelievable. Beheaded in fact and missing the gas tanks. Two actually lied around on the scene, the place picked clean of any loot while the third tank was missing. 'No runner did this… And it doesn't make sense for the zombies either… Explosions, a cleaned out site with no sensible explanation even beyond Harran chaos, stab marks in a pylon and mystery medical supplies. Crane's thoughts were swirling. 'But… I saw… he's the only one for it to might make sense… but he died…'
"I don't want to owe anybody."
"He's hurting people in the safe zones because of that claim."
"I'll never give up again."
"H-He can't be dead! It has to be a trick!"
It took over too fast, Crane didn't care if he found himself crazy entertaining the idea pulling himself back to the scene and rushing back to the other runners, everyone staring at the man even Rais' men not interested in starting any fight now wanting to know what he had found out. "Vans were missing the back doors, maybe ripped off and somebody screwed around with the set-up for some, place is picked clean, no idea how much they got. There are stab marks, look like spikes of some sort going up that pylon." Their eyes glanced up to the enormous structure, one of Rais' men speaking first.
"Volatiles climb…"
"And pick a place clean of loot? Come on" Rahim scoffed.
"The holes don't look enough for volatile claws." Crane pointed out.
"Oh come on, some new zombie now?" Another thug sighed.
"One of you picked the place clean?" One of the thugs growled.
"A night run is crazy and you think we would try getting over there?"
Volcan spat.
"Well, no one in Rais' gang did it or has confessed to it!" One of the thugs spilled.
"Well no one at the tower did it!" Rahim snarled.
"I need them!"
"No way…" A realization struck Crane, all eyes on him.
"What is it? Also we should get moving and decide on how to deal with them." Jade asked nudging over to the thugs.
"Revenge for the kid, they'd shoot us in the back anyway if they could…" Rahim growled.
"I think they would." Volcan agreed.
"I just… damn… we need to get back to the tower." 'I desperately want to be the crazy one right now.'
"Is the pain getting any less?" Kyle inquired glancing to Osman resting.
"I think… might be the bottle talking…" Osman chuckled.
"Well even if it's the bottle then it's getting less." The blonde smiled.
"Hey if we ever get out of Harran, whatever happens afterwards you can stay with us."
"Thanks, Osman."
"You miss him; it's all over your face. Brecken's guy."
"I can get over it. I have to; it's better that way for everyone. Sides, you just offered partner, I still got you and Nazim."
"I don't know if people should be scared how tough Harran made you or be smiling with you." The man chuckled. "Hey, what it's like anyway when you put out claws? How does that feel?"
"I despise them, they disgust me. But it doesn't physically hurt that's what you wondered about the most right?" Osman nodded at the boy. "It feels like they were part of me from the day I got bitten by my mom, no matter how much I hate them taking them out and back feels just natural. The metal claws do hurt when I do it, I want them to so I don't use these because in a fight the urge to use them is there because my hate doesn't change how useful and deadly they are but I ignore it pretty well. The blood drawn from the metal claws from the flesh ones don't lure zombies, anywhere else though will." 'With the exception of the chest spot over my ribs but they don't need to know that right now. If it ever comes up I'll explain it then.'
"Man, I think I would crack if I had to live with what you do…"
"Zere, I need to talk to you!"
"Of course, come on in! What's the matter?" Crane sat down on the bed, panting from how fast he had hurried.
"I need insight. Here is the theory; partial morphing of some sort. If Kyle can kick cars around and all the things I told you would it be crazy to think he can change his hands into claws?"
"Well, I thought about what you told me and all I can come up with is that he was slowly changing into another type of zombie we didn't know yet or skipped any middle steps jumping straight to volatile, everything I thought I knew is turned upside down or he has something in his genes that saved him but left remnants of the virus that manifest in these abilities. But morphing claws… they don't seem that crazy looking at all of it at once… did someone see him use them before?"
"No that's why I just can't figure it out!" The frustration was quite audible in his voice. "I remember that he said he needs those metal claws."
"That only supports that he turned now if he was afraid of not wearing them. Perhaps he had an urge to use those actual claws when fighting and the metal ones suppressed that urge. May I know why you have hope again that he is alive?" Crane recounted the site, Zere listening intently keeping the account of Kyle death in mind and what the undercover had told him of the boy's abilities.
"I've seen him come up with little plans before but he was all alone when we came trying to run for his life. I just want to see him alive again…" Crane sighed tired of bits of hope to be crushed by the logical conclusions again.
"But I see why someone like you who knows Kyle would think he was the one on the bridge. I see the similarities too… If he really is alive, how could we get him to come to us? If it really was all a trick, some risky genius trick, then from what I've learned of Kyle he'll not come back Crane unless dragged out from the shadows. With the night his ally and everyone else's enemy he can easily gather what he needs then and hide out during the day." The researcher concluded sadly.
"It's useless…" Crane suddenly darkly chuckled. "Even if he is alive, Harran is his kingdom at night there is no way we can ever find him and he won't come to us because it would ruin having faked his own death. You know, on the first day he vowed he wouldn't stay longer than a week. And when he finally fucking started changing his mind, one lie for my safety caught up with him and he ended up keeping that promise even when he didn't want to anymore." Zere gazed at Crane sadly, the tower's newest runner worn with what had happened, the undercover agent still uncovering how close he'd gotten to the boy causing the dad and son joke to leave a sour taste behind. Crane left again thanking Zere for hearing him out bumping into Jade at the tower placing a comforting hand on the shoulder.
"Spotted an airdrop come down, you want to come with?"
"Sure, a run sounds good."
Osman's eyes opened again, the man awakening form a nap seeing Kyle dozed off himself on a mattress. The kid's face looked peaceful right now and innocent hiding the scars beneath. His eyes wandered to a note from Nazim informing that he made a quick trip for food.
The last thug of the four dropped as the pair took claim of the drop turning around to head back to the tower and Crane suddenly sighed to himself, Jade noticing the fleeting expression. "What's wrong?"
"I just remembered I forgot to tell that nut job Shakkur that Kyle died, he saw him as his friend. I'll tell after we get these back to the tower."
"I'll come along there too."
"You really don't have to Jade, it's fine. Damn, I should let those two brothers know as well…"
"But I want to. More friends?"
"Business partners. He poached from Rais with them, at least occasionally." Their way back got interrupted as they made quick stop at the bazaar, Crane spotting Dahlia motion for to him to come at the fence. "What is it Dahlia?"
"Good, you come. It won't take much time, don't worry I just have one thing to tell."
"And that is..?"
"Such impatience perhaps if you had some you would've heard the immortals of Harran speak. The Prince of the Night still rules Harran. That is all."
"What do you mean?" Crane sighed.
"If you seek to know the meaning, you'll find the answer. This is all I can tell, all I know. You are the only one that can draw the prince; it's up to you Crane." Jade raised an eyebrow at the fellow tower runner turning away receiving a shrug as the two headed off again to drop off the precious packages. Dropping them off at the tower, the two left again with Crane leading the way to Shakkur finding the man at his hut waving at them.
"Ah friend that brought precious air! Welcome back! Hello ma'am!"
"Shakkur… damn it… I have bad news…"
"You out of air?" Shakkur gasped, having a feeling of where it was going.
"No! I'm fine, breathing just fine. Your friend, Kyle… the green eyed kid… he's, he's dead. Shot." Crane watched the man as did Jade, glancing away and breaking out into sobs thanking for letting him know turning away. "I'm sorry…. I have to get going…" With Jade and Crane leaving, Shakkur glanced behind him sobbing a bit more before being certain they wouldn't show up again quickly stopping.
'Good thing I practiced just in case it did come up.'
Jade and Crane didn't run far before Jade's gaze slowed them down spotting somebody on a roof pointing it out to Crane. The guy didn't wear yellow and black possibly a survivor needing help.
"If it isn't my friend Yusuf!" The thug chuckled, the beanie wearing man corned by the cruel men.
"Wait, wait, wait!"
"What, got a dealer for us?"
"No, no but WAIT! I-I have information!"
"Information he says! Well then spill I don't like to be kept waiting."
"T-the brat, t-that kid always with Crane, he can't have antizin! He's allergic it can kill him!" The last words rushed faster as a blade drew near.
"Oh that's an unlucky stroke of luck for you…" One of the guys sighed with a smile. "That kid with Crane is dead. Turned while being gunned down. You information is useless now."
"Nazim?"
"Oh Crane, surprised to see you!" Nazim said zipping up his pants from having relieved himself, a small bag on him with some cans he had managed to find which seemed fine. Although out in the open, the rooftop had been the currently the only safe spot for business and he really had to go.
'Well, I guess I don't have to worry about finding those two. Nazim can pass it on to Osman.' "Glad Jade spotted you; I have something to tell you. It's bad news…" Nazim's gaze shifted between Jade and Crane questioningly. "The kid Kyle, your business partner, got gunned down by Rais."
"Oh…" Nazim had not seen that coming, in fact he never thought about what he would do if he bumped into Crane. "That's awful… I-I need to tell Osman…"
"Hey, wait!" Jade stepped forward with narrowed eyes. "I barely knew that kid and he grew on me even after screeching around with a violin at night in the tower. Didn't you poach with the kid? You don't seem sad enough." Nazim glanced at her trying to look more sad having thought his acting had been good enough caught off guard.
"Nazim, what's going on…" Crane growled.
"I need to go, Osman needs to know! Kyle helped so much! It'll be different without him. Please, I must go now."
"You know I want to see Osman. Just a chat, see how he's doing with his missing hand."
"Oh, we fix hand. Well sort of, we cauterized the stump. He'll be okay, we have antibiotics. I let Osman know, I'm sure you have important things for Brecken to do. And well Crane, 'secret' stashes."
"I won't give away any locations." Jade assured figuring that last comment was about her.
"She's trustworthy, she won't tell anyone. By the way Osman asked me before if I wanted to join you guys and I'm thinking about yes. So let's go say hi to your brother."
"Uh… um… okay but… news you gave… we'll be grieving… maybe cry too much to talk."
"That's okay Nazim. I'm still grieving too. We can cry as grown men together." Crane replied, one hand one the man's shoulder with a gentle squeeze, Jade watching with interest.
"Okay… I will lead the way." 'I need to warn Kyle somehow…'