Chapter 20

The infected exploded all at once splattering blood everywhere painting the surroundings with red, Crane relieved that Kyle didn't get caught up in a blow. As per usual, there was just enough time to breathe before Bozak ordered them to run yet again for their lives. "Keep it up and you might save your lives. Can you beat us? CAN YOU? Your lives hang in the balance! Ready… set… GO!" Kyle stuck by Crane for this one, the infected below and the toads easily avoided or swiftly struck down running by from the boy. "Run, boys! RUN!"

'When I get to you, you'll be the one running Bozak. And since you enjoyed being shown the spikes so much, I'll display it all when I kill you…'

"Let us see your speed! Run them down!" Kyle and Crane to a stop on container finishing the run and their captor didn't waste a second in announcing another trial to go through. "There's more than one switch to deactivate the bomb. But not every chest has the switch."

"I'll punch the traffic light thing on the red container up there, it looks suspicious." Crane said.

"Alight I'll check those locked doors, along the edge!" Kyle replied as they broke apart.

"Good, good…"

Crane was proven correct with the red container coming crashing down and finding a crate with bomb inside.

Kyle smiled in relief, managing to pick the lock nervously on the orange container finding a crate with bomb inside. He had thought about kicking in the door first, it would certainly save time and the crates looked sturdy enough to withstand a door clattering against them but the blonde didn't want to reveal all his cards. He was sure Bozak had noticed an unusual amount of strength for a preteen boy but maybe he could still play it off as anger and adrenaline. Crane thought they might get released if they did all of the man's little games but Kyle wanted a plan to bust out ready and it would require every trick. He had already picked out a spot by the fence. Eyes flickered with emotion as Bozak's voice came on again, Crane coming up next to him by the container as he stepped outside. "Come on, try harder! No risk, no reward!" The bolters came out of vents and even cracks in the floor, the creatures each carrying a few bullets. "Anything you can catch is yours to keep!" Instead of focusing on hunting the bolters both looked closely at the area they were confined in instead using the hunt as a guise, Kyle skidding to a stop by where they came from in front of the elevator as one had run into it. "We will see you transform from man into monster. Transform into BOZAK! We must see more blood on the field!" His eyes wandered over the picture more closely with a guy triumphant on top with a trophy while others grabbed after him, all dressed the same way as they were. Something about it irked him, giving the kid a bad feeling. "Admiring the art, boy? Beautiful isn't it?"

"Doesn't have anything special…"

"Aren't you interested in the generous hunt I allow to make the request easier? But I suppose you feel like you don't need it with your specialty…" Bozak mused much to Kyle's annoyance and after a few seconds, the timer hot zero. "You must kill them ALL now! You hear me? KILL THEM ALL! Time is your enemy! Do you understand? Now FIGHT!" 28 virals came crawling onto the field joined by two demolishers. Kyle snarled scratched by a viral as three darted at him, one dispatched by Crane glancing to a demolisher, hand tightening around the double barrel shotgun. "All right, all right… you can buy yourself more time. If you can make it through the gates!" Virals screeched and Kyle rushed at the attackers with Crane having his back with the gun, the duo separated as one of the demolishers charged in with the man turning his sights on it. Crane lost his balance stumbling in his landing, the viral shot as the gun almost slipped out of his hands. Unfortunately that didn't leave time to dodge the demolisher slamming into him from behind sending the man coughing and flying, face turning to the demolisher barreling again as Kyle yelled with a growl seeing Crane get slammed. The boy with a venomous snarl rush forward, viral kicked away and the blades got dropped for his claws morphing out jumping up to the demolisher's head, the slapping arm used as stepping stone with a grin. The claws rushed into the flesh goring the monstrosities face, arms crossed and yanked out at the sides again sending flesh and blood scattering as the demolisher's blood ran from the deadly set. The demolisher tumbled and fell with a roar, tripped easily by Kyle gazing at it coldly and quickly hurrying over to Crane drop kicking an attacking viral as he leapt over the man and helped him up. "Yes, YES!"

"Nothing seems broken, thanks Kyle."

"I'll get us more time. And worry less about me Crane." Kyle smiled. One time boost was all they needed, the second demolisher riddled with bullets in the head by Crane and the last viral slumped down with a garbled screech.

"The time has come. Just one last step. Put your weapons in the chest. ALL of them except your metal claws, kid." Crane and Kyle glanced to each other wondering what came at them now, maybe Bozak wanted his stuff back for another victim. It certainly wouldn't be surprising but the next words revealed a far darker reason sending their hearts dropping into their stomachs. "Only one may take the crown. Only one may become Bozak!" Directed to other chests as the man laughed after his words presented with the handguns, their hearts dropped into their stomachs. Eyes met and the handguns having been picked up dropped again at Bozak's words, the ankle bomb quiet indicating no time limit as the ice coated their spines.

"Forget it Bozak!" Crane snapped with a bellow, eyes glancing around angrily.

"Ah of course, reluctance… I saw that coming but thought maybe I'd just give a small chance but I suppose it'll take some motivation. You have ten minutes!" The man laughed, the beep not even compatible to what it held before.

"I'm sorry mom and dad… I can't survive…" The claws lifted to his throat as Crane screamed and a tear rolled down Kyle's cheek as he flashed the man a warm thankful smile.

"STOP!" The shout was so loud it froze the kid and Crane in fright, the horn blown causing him to falter in his move allowing Bozak a short breath for more words. "If you try suicide again, he blows. The same goes for you, the boy will pay."

"You want to see a monster!?" Kyle exclaimed with a snarl, Crane unable to get a word in at all before the spikes rushed out on the lower arms along with the flesh bound blackish claws and the red took over the white of the eyes. "Here is your monster! Now let us go!" Crane glanced around for a reaction as did the blonde, the response coming after a second of silence.

"Truly… a sight to behold… But it's not enough but I do thank you for showing me kid. Time is ticking and suicides aren't allowed." Bozak laughed, the laughter thundering through the speakers causing both of his victims to snarl in anger. While Crane felt his heart about ready struggling to come up with something on the spot, Kyle had managed to reign it in and drown the despair as he fought to hide a smirk instead.

'You have no idea. Crane, be scared. I have an idea.' Kyle whipped around and rushed at Crane with a heartless expression. 'Move for the gun.'

'Kyle, what are you doing?' Crane didn't know but trusted him and reached for the gun as Kyle was beside in seconds. The spikes rushed back into the arms without leaving a trace, meaty redirecting the swipe all too fast for Bozak to react and see the ploy. The claws dug into the light, soft skin for a gash, blood splattering onto the ground and their legs. The blood hissed and fizzed splattering onto ground and dousing the bombs, Bozak's eyes narrowing as Crane's didn't blow when it should have. Kyle shakily forced himself to look at the legs, Crane's damaged, the fabric gone on both pants and the bombs timers went dead after a few sparks. "My leg will be fine." 'What's next?' "Kyle! I'm fine, come on!" Crane shook the boy on the shoulder, looking up at him again and pulling himself together upon the man's assurance pushing aside the gnawing guilt. Their hearts pounding and adrenaline rushing through, the blonde ignoring the bleeding gash leaving a crimson trail and the first bullet came almost catching Crane in the heel. Kyle lifted his arm again and the claws rushed down with the right arm on the chain link fence with all his might. The metal creaked, denting outward immediately and a few links broke, Crane almost frozen in amazement. The kid's claws rushed down again with a huff breaking a few more pushing through as a bullet sunk into his shoulder, Crane barely stumbling out of one by luck. Kyle stepped back glancing to Crane following suite and the two rushed forward slamming into it with all their might busting through the fence, dripping with some blood from where it came into contact with the gash. The two took off to the stands away from more bullets and Bozak's came to life with a bellow holding steadfast anger and concealed growing excitement.

"Neither of you deserve to live if you run! Don't think your rebellion will save you from your fates, Bozak will not forget! I'll make sure you'll not be using your tricks again, ungrateful brat!"

'Ungrateful!?' Kyle turned around with a snarl, yanked along by Crane and a bullet grazed his cheek, a thin line of red squeezing out the tiniest drop. Crane and Kyle stumbled into the stands and dove down, Crane immediately trying to tear of his sleeves to sacrifice them, Kyle hanging his head as haze of weakness washed over him, the boy shakily lifting his arm exchanging claws for hands again using the metal ones to help Crane cut some of his shirt into scraps which the man wrapped around the gash as tight as he could, the clothes soaking immediately both twitching as they ducked further as a few bullets hit some seats.

"Hiding will get you nowhere. You have made Bozak angry. Our wrath will be upon you." Crane glanced around catching the metal gate they had seen while running but a glance to Kyle showed that his strength was draining. He had to come up with something NOW AND FAST.

'There have to be doors too… Kyle, can you do the same to that big gate again that you did to the fence?'

'I-I don't know… I'll try.' Kyle crept away, Crane chiding himself for asking quickly following. It wasn't far but with bullets in wait it felt like a thousand miles, hearts already racing just creeping to the edge of the seats. The kid couldn't even try stumbling and falling away from a shot getting in the way to the gate, Crane and Kyle crouching behind seats again within a second but their eyes landed on a door. The duo dashed again, Kyle slamming the handle with his good arm breaking it and Crane tackled into the door slamming it shut behind him, flashlights quickly on, hearts pounding as eyes frantically looked for infected. Crane had hoped since, the infected came through certain spots mostly what looked like vents on the ground that they had only certain pathways. The tower runner took the lead both running as fast they could down the hallway, zigzagging along the stadium.

"Wonder where the zombies come from? Well, you won't know but here you are!" Their hearts beat just a little faster but nothing came right away. But ahead of them, frantic wandering virals turning their heads to them and Kyle shoved Crane behind him with a snarl. Crane lighting up with hope at the emergency stairway down to the lower for when the elevators didn't work. Kyle stumbled again, Crane turning to the kid to help him up suffering being scratched in the side from a viral for that. Kyle shut his eyes, the screams of more infected echoing and the drag of a goon as Crane dealt with the viral whilst cursing furiously. The blonde's legs wobbled again, a barrage coming down at the man protectively in front of Kyle. He could feel his strength fade, the whisper of his body beckoning persuasively promising survival by giving in to what cursed in his veins. Crane would die. He loved the man like his own father now. A tiny sad smile played. At least if it all derailed, now that Camden guy could find a cure right? Fear had always still lingered. It had been so close to being gone but now it was there again weakening his shaking bones as something inside urged to grow, to expand, to take control for power to survive yet it threatened to take his humanity as well. He thought he had felt it before when getting hurt craving flesh. The craving that was becoming so strong now, he knew soon it'd becoming fleeting thoughts of biting Crane. The man's voice faded out, Kyle closing his eyes with a tear running down his cheeks and the eyes flew open again with the pupils slits now completely red devouring his unique green as he charged forward with an almost guttural snarl mixed with a yell, spikes and claws out. The infected scrambled back with terrified screeches before lurching forward again annihilated by slashes and kicks, the goon swing caught with the non slashed arm, weapon easily resting on the grabbing hand. The arm redirected the slam while slowing it down, the goon used in a kick to slam down a few more infected. Kyle whipped his head around allowing Crane to see his eyes properly, the man's eyes widening a little bit of green speckling almost chewing in seemingly in a constant flux pushing back and forth against the red and the blonde yelled for his friend to step back as a viral busted through a vent to land on the victim. Crane stepped back, the viral missing screaming at the man and screaming again in agony as the spikes razed over the creature's back, Kyle quickly turned around again ahead, thoughts washing back and forth between being sharp and a hazy jumble, pouncing at the heightened senses easily and swiftly predicting every move and his strength pushed past his daytime limit with dribbles of blood down his lips robbing an already dangerously famished body of more precious blood. Crane barely had to lift a finger easily catching his breath. The man almost shuddered again upon seeing Kyle's eyes, pupils black slits with the blood red around them. Inhuman. He didn't want to think that way but for a moment he was afraid as the kid had turned again but ran past Crane and slashed the throat of a viral from behind with zero mercy or a drop of compassion for the suffering should. It was cold. Strikes perfect and fast, instinctual. If he wasn't so much concerned right now for their lives, the man might have been amazed or felt dizzy just by glancing at the bloody display, shrieks of fear reoccurring from the turned infected.

His eyes widened and narrowed with fear stepping away from the slash of the monster he had faced in his mind before. Lips pulled into a snarl as own claws slashed back. The virals snarl got cut short to a gurgling mess its own blood in its throat. I'll never be you! I'm human! Green splashed back into the eyes a bit. 'I'm human…' The stench of blood coated both Kyle's the younger one stopping himself from turning his head to Crane close by him as horrid thoughts crossed him and his body cried out for flesh, anger at the slightest thoughts channel into fighting sending a viral flying with a kick. Crane pushed on with the kid or rather followed as Kyle tore into the enemies as they moved about blindly with the blonde only focused on absolutely destroying any turned in front of their face. A few virals didn't even get to crawl out of a dark corner, Kyle already at the hole when they came waiting like a hunter and pouncing brutally. He could smell them before they were even in sight, even make clear distinctions. The wave of the next assault ran out, Crane leading and glancing over his shoulder to see Kyle hunched linger at a dead body with what sounded like a quiet snarl. With a gulp, Crane called for Kyle to come causing the kid to whip around and leap after the running man wondering if he'd feel those claws in his back any second even though he had been protected multiple times already. Crane didn't know how he had managed but didn't exactly care, for once having a smile play as he pushed open the doors, a place of torture now a haven as his eyes glanced over the room where they had hunted bolters and leapt around on the hanging platform with the parking lot outside basking in the sun just behind the glass. Unfortunately, the room immediately flooded with virals, four goons and a demolisher, virals from behind dispatched by Kyle. Crane snarled at a scratch in the shoulder and Kyle's head turned to him hearing the suppressed curse and yelp, a splash of green back in the eyes which wandering to the glass. The kid took off, the charging demolisher ironically catching bullets for him and the blonde smashed through the glass, loudly shattering. Crane immediately dashed for the escape using the large mob of turned infected as meat shields and Kyle rushed back in right past him tearing into the monsters relentlessly, another demolisher at the scene being the last one standing as Crane stepped onto the pavement of the parking lot turning around. Kyle didn't follow him. He was snarling at the demolisher circling it, the demolisher shuffling to turn. Bozak's laugh thundered through the speakers.

"He craves bloodshed above all else now, your company is irrelevant to the kid now. You both cut down many but I still have many batches left if he kills that demolisher, I'll just keep him here with another playmate. You can run but we'll find you." The cruel man laughed again, Crane having taking some cover behind the closest car so he couldn't be shot at yelling out to Kyle begging him to come and snap out of it. Crane cursed moving out of cover and to the shed glass as his eyes widened in horror. Kyle's swayed, his arm absolutely crimson from the self inflicted slash and heaps of their bloodthirsty enemies coating it completely. The line of blood down his lips let a drop drip onto the floor as the boy struggled with his footing and eyes fluttered.

'He's lost too much blood! Kyle, we can run now!' Crane rushed forward and tackled down Kyle out of the way both almost trampled as the demolisher charged. It had been a miracle itself that Kyle had fought so long, so hard while losing blood as their makeshift quick fix didn't fix the problem only slowing the loss. Kyle almost stumbled trying to get up, eyes glancing up and freezing on Crane's neck as the man helped him and supported him dragging the kid out to the parking lot, the demolisher coming in handy again as a meat shield moving unexpectedly with a shriek as Kyle mustered his strength to glance back with a glare, the shooter cursing under his breath. "Hey, hey, come on, I can't lose you!" Crane almost fell, Kyle's legs growing weak clinging to the man as his fluttered again with a shiver. "Come on, hold on to me!" Crane scooped him up, relieved to see some fighting spirit seemingly leave as the spikes slipped back in from the blonde and hands gripped as tight as they could. Crane looked around, another punch in the gut delivered at the sun was just minutes away from winking goodbye. Kyle could barely hold on and Crane could feel him slip and Crane could hold off infected right now either. The wall towered ahead, the man desperately trying to see a way out back to old town, the closest gap along the cliff wall. A bullet hitting the car he crouched behind only highlighted the urgency. Running to somewhere on the side of the stadium was as suicidal as trying to squeeze along the cliff. Crane chose the shorter route. In old town just behind that wall, he had a chance to call for help. Over here, he was all alone being shot at and Kyle dying in his arms.

The fingers slipped from his shirt, Crane stumbling into the grass scrambling away from the edge as the last little bit of strength from an unconscious Kyle who had held onto the man slipped away. Crane hugged him close, frantically looking for a pulse, chest so shallow he could not see the kid breathe feeling a weak pulse fade away. "Kyle, no! Kyle, stay with me!" Tears flowed down his face, their ragged bloody bodies beckoning the infected. His hands fumbled with the radio. "T-this is Crane, I need help!" His eyes, having shortly lifted to look for a threat as darkness came in and not just in his eyes widened but a tiny smile cracked as the chest of the boy heaved ever so slightly buying a bit of precious time, a sliver of a chance, the night having set in just in time for the switch before the last barely there pulse could fade away.

"Crane-" Brecken's voice felt like soothing warm sun on the skin and Crane was well aware they were just behind the wall and Bozak could come climbing along the cliff any time now. He would probably hear every word now too but the man didn't care, he needed help now with Kyle dying in his arms and night settled in promising a nightmare any second.

"Brecken, I need help! Please, we got kidnapped by some Bozak guy, Kyle is dying, I need to get him to Camden now!"

"Crane, we're sending help!" Troy's voice rang out, Crane getting to his feet with a huff carrying Kyle switching on the flashlight well aware it would lure infected if seen but he had to run. Without fail while being tired, bloody and exhausted.

"I'm by the stadium by the wall, heading to Camdem!" With those words, Crane didn't talk into it again going as fast as he could with his heart pounding in his chest.

"Damn it!"

"Don't blame yourself…" Lena warned.

"Everyone is back here!" Brecken growled, trouble just had to come when they were all in the slums. "Fuck…" 'A night run all the way there is impossible…'

"I'll go!" Rahim volunteered.

"Don't be stupid!" Jade countered, lowering her voice with a frustrated growl of her own. "No one can get there in time…"

"That former Rais guy is still in old town."

"You really think that guy will risk himself for them?" Jade rolled her eyes.

"Troy, wait!" Savvy jumped from the chair stepping after the woman. "You're not really going…"

"Crane needs help, he saved our lives."

"It's night…"

"Then I better have packed enough flares." Troy left, Savvy gazing after her.

The volatile leapt at them, Crane trying to stumble aside and his eyes closed and opened again to a scream. From the volatile scrambling back from the blue flare tossed at his feet, head turning to a panting Rocket. "I'm never doing this again mate, don't get kidnapped again!"

"You're a runner, isn't running your thing? I thought you're the best." Crane joked a little, overjoyed to see the shorter man.

"Not night runs Crane! You look like shit!" Rocket dropped another flare, the two rushing to the clinic as fast as they could almost caught by a volatile in the back just a few meters further ahead this time stopped by a flare from Troy joining them.

"He's with us!" Crane quickly informed, Rocket still wearing his old stuff. They ran for their lives, flares becoming dangerously low as the clinic came into sight. "Almost there buddy, stay with us." Kyle whimpered and suddenly jerked, the claws rushing out all too fast causing Crane to stumble to avoid a scratch steadied by Rocket. The spikes joined, slicing his arm slightly and Crane grit his teeth, while Rocket had to yell troy into unfreezing staring at the man kid in horror. Claws moved back to hands but it wasn't over at all, the kid unconscious and restless burning up with a fever rapidly morphing back and forth.

Crane didn't care that he scuffed his skin sliding in, Rocket shortly holding Kyle more nervous and scared than he had ever been in his life before the man pulled in under the gap, troy and Rocket following with the latter just in time to escape a bite. With their hearts pounding, a single flare left and breath running out they dashed to a surprised Camden having already started setting up in the lab the moment he saw them come in. Crane placed Kyle on a bed, his blood immediately staining the sheets and Camden unwrapped the crude cloth bandage having tried to stop the blood from the gash. The man immediately took to needle and string while instructing Troy to hook up an IV bag while Crane and Rocket did their best to hold down Kyle barely managing.

"Troy, do you copy?"

"I'm okay Savvy but I'm busy. We made it to the clinic."

"Come on Kyle, you have to fight… I can't lose you…"

Kyle's eyes opened finding himself in an open field, fresh air in his lungs without the stench of death in it and ahead stood his parents smiling lovingly at him under a tree. His legs moved with the smile and eyes shining with joy as he ran into their arms, the family sitting down in the gently swaying grass in a hug. "I missed you so much…"

"We missed you too sweetie…" The woman gave a kiss on her boy's head with a joyful smile, a tear of joy accompanying it.

"Please don't leave again…"

"We're right here, you're safe now." His father assured.

Camdem stepped back, everyone exhausted and the only sound in the room was the faint steady rhythm of the machine showing a weak but steady heartbeat, the kid stable for now covered in bandages still wearing the clothes that had been forced on both of them with a blanket keeping him warm. "How long-"

"I have a feeling I know every question you'll ask, Crane." Camdem cut in, all eyes on him again. "I'll be frank, I don't know. I don't know if he will even wake up. He's stable now but he's weak. He's lost an incredible amount of blood and whatever just happened with him changing back and forth is probably not a good sign. I know he said he can't turn, and experience would prove so, but this just now… he was never this close to death before. I haven't really been able to make headway of his situation either so I'm afraid I'm not much help when it comes to helping in his case. There's nothing else we can do and wait, hope that his abilities will give him an edge. But prepare yourself Crane; a coma is a very real scenario right now and we're very limited here with what we can do."

"He'll make it, I know he will… he has to…"

"Camden, do you copy? This is Brecken."

"Brecken, we copy. Crane has made it here with two friends and Kyle but the chances look slim for the boy. I have him stable but he's far from being out of the woods."

"Thank you doc, we'll swing by. Doctor Zere wants to talk to you." As the two men talked, everyone started to slowly drift off to sleep, Crane the first one to slip away despite not wanting to being completely exhausted.

The hand balled into a fist with the sneer as the eyes sparkled with anger. "That little fuck…"

"And we just had it all ready." His partner glanced to his slim partner in crime.

"Come on, we have a deal to make."

Rais glared at the radio. As much as he enjoyed hearing Crane wail like that, a third party taking and putting in jeopardy what Rais saw as his pissed him off.

"I'm surprised… I didn't ask for your expertise…" The old man mused raising an eyebrow.

"You're right, you didn't. Where is that Bozak punk!?"

"Ah I see… interesting… Well, he's not here, he's off in the streets somewhere, I think headed to old town. I can let him know you are looking for him."

"Not now, I'm here to buy something. I know you have your own potions with your personal wizard there. I need something to speed up healing. By a lot."

"So Kyle is the name of the target…" The gang boss chuckled turning to a shelf with bottles in it. "Well, considering that man called Crane was wailing for Kyle mentioning dying you'll need the strong stuff. Not a chemist so no clue what really is in here but this is what I use for my own, pulled someone back up from the edge in a week." The older man handed over the bottle.

"I might ask for another favor for a future free hit."

"Thousand."

Birds chattered away unseen in the meadow and in tree, with mother and father below the biggest one with their sun in the arms. It was peaceful with the slightest soothing breeze and warm rays of sunshine of their skin, the soft gentle smell of flower dotted in the green grass in the air. Nothing hunted or chased them, nothing threatened their lives. 'I don't want this to end… It's nice here with mum and dad…' "I don't ever want to lose you again."

"It's going to be okay now. You're safe." His mother smiled.

"The pain is over." His dad added.

"I'm glad it is… I'm tired…" Kyle smiled back looking up to the blue sky with a few puffy white clouds drifting by ever so slowly, eyes closing slowly.

Everyone was half asleep including Camden, the unexpected emergency having turned a long day researching into a nerve wrecking extra long day. Crane, while he could imagine how a parent felt losing a child, felt it now first-hand. It was worse than anything he could have imagined as his hand held onto Kyle's smaller one, the man slumped over the bed utterly exhausted and sporting bandages himself. A string of hope was the only thing slightly stopping the twisting knife in his heart and dark bottomless pit of despair. He told himself that Kyle was different, that the boy could survive so much better than others but that didn't change the utter paleness of his skin, the weak breaths that looked like they'd stop any moment and weak pulse threatening to disappear. Grieve and exhaustion masked the intruder so no one saw the surprise guest come in. Crane jolted up at the prick and pain and his eyes widened, the hand of the newcomer shoving Crane aside on the floor while the other released three more darts from a crossbow causing Rocket, Troy and Camden having jumped to their feet to fall to the floor. "I-I can't move!" Crane snarled trying to move in vain, trying to look up, cruelly obliged by being pulled by the hair and kicked back against a chair. And the sight sent a shiver down his spine.

"You won't, you're paralyzed. All of you are. You can still talk." The guy in white mask with blue tears had a cruel smirk, eyes sparkling dangerously and in glee receiving hateful glares and snarls. "I'm Bozak. One of them. Cheating isn't allowed."

"I don't care how many of you there are, I'll kill every single one of you trying to hurt us!" Crane snarled. 'Damn it, I can't move even a finger just my damn mouth! What is this?!'

"Trying? Already did but it'll get worse. You'll pay for cheating. You don't get to run away. You know my Bozak buddy would've stopped after that round. Kida got bored with it but then you and monster boy here just had to put on a show. Now he's all excited again, has to at least see that properly go down if not more." His voice wasn't sad but soft, a little drawn out as he explained happily. And his next words and the joy beaming from his just proved that the tone wasn't sarcasm, no sad back story attached but pure malice and evil reflected causing even Crane to feel fear sneaking up inside of him. But what really made the man shiver inside was catching a real good glimpse of those eyes. Nothing stood out but Crane knew he was afraid when he looked at them. "Not that I complain. I was actually wondering what I would do after he quit that particular thing. Now I don't have to!" The young guy laughed turning to Kyle and sitting down on the edge of the bed as he talked finishing with a little laugh. "He's not looking so good, kinda pale… really just hanging by a thread there, isn't he?"

"You stay the fuck away from him!" Crane bellowed again trying to move, Bozak looking at him with amusement all over his face and a chuckle.

"Guess I have to, it's not like he'll survive to play. Just look at him… so close to death…" His finger brushed over his neck a little infuriating Crane and the others enjoying every second of their anger and agony. "Oh yeah, here is your crap both of yours. You gotta survive to be picked up again you know and his stuff on the off chance I suppose…" Their belongings were tossed at Crane's feet. "OR I just take that off chance away right now." The knife slid out of the hoodie pocket.

"Don't touch him! Kyle, wake up you need to fight!"

"Crane?"

"What is it sweetie?" His mother asked.

"I thought I heard Crane… and fight… but I'm so tired, I can't… I can't even move anymore… I just want to stay with you and dad… this is nice… I'm sorry Crane… just… too tired… I don't have the strength anymore…"

"That's okay, we're right here." His father lovingly assured.

"We love you so much." His mother smiled with a little sob.

"I love you too. Bye Crane…"

"Hey, let's play a game Crane! Let's make it a bet! How many seconds do you bet it takes him to lose the rest of what little blood he's got left?"

"I'LL KILL YOU!"

"Barking is all you do… that's not fun, oh well." The knife moved to the blonde's throat suddenly jerking away with the bang and ping as a bullet ricochet and embedded in the shoulder. Bozak frantically looked around grazed by another shoulder at his side.

"You little fucker… now run." The assassin snarled to himself, Bozak hightailing out of the room slashed in the leg by the knee with a knife thrown to slice him briefly locking eyes with the assassin in the open decontamination room letting the younger human pass.

"Shall I shoot him on the street?" His partner mused over the radio.

"No, we might need him sort of if we need to cash in that favor to keep everyone where they are supposed to. But you know what I'm sure the weasel will survive, so shoot him in the ass. Just a little memento from us."

"Roger that!"

The murderer for hire stepped into the room with Crane and the others pulling out the bottle and syringe out of his bag. "Seriously… just getting tedious…" 'This better works…'

"… I'll miss you…"

"Who are you?" Crane asked with a slight growl as their help sounded annoyed more than anything using the bottle and stepping to the IV drip. "Hey, what is that? What are you doing to him?!" Crane didn't get an answer to his questions, the bottle placed on the counter.

"Use up the rest, this should save him."

"Hey wait, don't leave! Who are you? Did you write that note?" The man had stopped shortly turning around to Crane, his face almost completely obscured from hood and cloth, only showing a little skin just around the eyes a bit of hair poking out. Again, silence was the answer and their current benefactor left without another word. Their gazes were pulled to Kyle, his breathing growing a bit stronger. "Hey! Shit he's gone… Can any of you move yet?"

"No" Troy answered.

"Nothing" Rocket sighed.

"We'll be stuck like this for a little while longer I think." Camden pointed out.

"If I ever see that Bozak punk again…" Crane snarled to himself.