Chapter 21

"Kyle! Come on you need to wake up! I don't what they stuff is but you have to fight!"

"He's going to yell a lot…" Rocket sighed. "Come on, kiddo! You need to wake up!"

His eyes fluttered open again, the scenery the same just having closed them. The kid instinctively cuddled more up against his parents still there giving loving smiles. The exhaustion slipped away, ever slowly crawling away. Kyle! Wake up! Kyle's eyes widened trying to spot Crane but the man was nowhere in sight. 'I don't want to leave…' The blonde tilted his head up to his parents.

"Kyle. It changed. Wake up. What's wrong sweetie?" His mom softly asked after encouraging him.

"I just thought…. I heard Crane… he's a friend… I'm dying… right?"

"Not anymore." His dad shook his head with an encouraging smile. "You feel it, don't you?"

"I'm still tired."

"We know, Kyle. We're you just rest as long as you need to. Keep fighting." His mom smiled.

"When do I get to stop?"

"Someday, we'll be right there when you do." His dad answered. "We love you so much."

"I will miss you so much…" Kyle whimpered. 'I don't want this to end… still so tired…'

"What is that stuff doc?" Crane asked, the concoction wearing off after around twenty minutes immediately at Kyle's side checking on the boy. He couldn't tell but thought he saw just a bit more color on his skin, his breathing definitely seemed a little stronger again. But Crane didn't put the suspicion of poison aside just yet. On the other hand, if it really did help, it could be the only shot.

"I don't know, there is no label on here… no color, the bottle is blue." Camden walked over quickly eying the breathing and taking the pulse with his fingers. "He definitely seems to be getting stronger. If it's some kind of aid in healing, Kyle could very well respond faster than others with his special position. I really do think this is supposed to help Crane. If that man wanted him dead, he wouldn't have shot the other one. Bozak would've slit his throat."

"I think so too but still… I keep thinking… like how many people know about his 'perks'? People usually react with fear to it or try to use him, the people at the tower try not to be afraid but it still scares them."

"I see your point; it can't be easy looking after Kyle. There are people there that would use Kyle without a care and sadly, there is probably plenty. I…I've been working tirelessly…"

"I know you're doing your best doc. Anything yet?"

"I'm certain a cure is within reach but despite the better equipment here, Kyle's blood and tissue is not making the breakthrough I thought it would. I'll admit I might have been overly excited though and not patient enough. But his extreme reaction to antizin bothers me… my thoughts immediately jump to a co-existence to the virus with his body, possibly even a co-dependence at this point without turning him. But there is still much research to do. Don't think about this too much, Crane. For now, let's just get him back on his feet. I'll take a nap, I'm exhausted. I suggest watching shifts, short ones until we all had some sleep. Not much time left till morning. And we might get unwanted company then."

"Broadcasting being in trouble really was dumb, huh? It's the only thing I could think of… I'm so tired I still can't believe I managed to get a hold of a radio when we ran out there… I almost just lost him…"

"Sleep Crane, you need it."

"I'll take the first shift." Rocket offered.

"I'll take the next one, wake me when you get too tired." Troy said.

"Thanks you two… for coming…"

"You don't get kidnapped again, alright?" Troy smiled with a sigh.

"I already told him not to…" Rocket chuckled. Crane nodded off as they talked, the man slipping away too tired to acknowledge the revolting slight gnawing hunger inside subsiding quickly with rest.

The night passed by without another intrusion, the morning going smooth as well with the empty bottle now on the counter and Kyle's breathing no longer weak along with the pulse. But despite morning passing to after noon and into evening, the blonde didn't stir but Camden saying he would need far more rest was encouraging. So was his eyes being back to normal no longer a weird flashing mess going back and forth like back when he trashed about. No reaction to light at all, was not and Camdem ever as straight forward as he was pointed it out. All heads turned to Brecken, Jade and Rahim coming in during the evening.

"What happened to both of you…" Brecken perfectly summed up their reactions, devastated at the sight.

"Well, this is morbidly convenient…" Camden sighed, Jade having gently taking Kyle's hand while Rahim put a hand on Crane's shoulder.

"N-no, y-you have to have good news!" Crane didn't like what the remark implied.

"It's been too long, Crane. His pulse and breathing got stronger now but I think he slipped into a coma. Any second this could derail. I can't take care of a coma patient here."

"I'll search the place top to bottom!" Crane pleaded.

"We'll help!" Rahim added.

"Crane, he has to wake up. He's out of time. Do I have to remind you that his biology is a complete wild card too?"

"No, I won't lose him!" Crane turned his head back to Kyle. "Come on, kid. I know you can do it. You have to wake up! You can't do that to me! Kyle, wake up please!"

"Come on, Kyle. I don't think I ever got to thank you for saving me." Jade tried to smile but it faltered quickly.

"Come on, I'm gonna need a teacher." Rahim joined.

"Come on, kid… I know it gets tense but the people at the tower do care about you. They're all counting on you." Brecken said.

"Kyle, you have to wake up…" Tears started down Crane's face, the room heavy with growing grief.

"Crane… it's just Crane… I must be out cold…" 'No, they sound… desperate…' His head turned to his parents slowly standing up with soft, sad but encouraging smiles. Kyle's hand wiped away coming tears. "Why didn't you get to stay with me? Why did you have to leave me behind?! Why am I this way?!" Their arms closed around the boy allowing himself to sob. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell…"

"Oh my baby boy… we're so sorry… you shouldn't be in so much pain… but remember you're strong and you'll always be able to stay you." His mother sniffled.

"They need you Kyle. Harran needs you now. I know it's not fair. I wish we could've stayed with you, we fought hard. I hurt you so much as that monster… sorry will never cut it but that's all I can say. You have to keep fighting and remember your mother's words; You're strong Kyle and you can do it. We love so much. One day we'll be together again. Maybe we could meet Crane someday too. You can tell him from us that we're endlessly grateful for taking you in and we're happy you met him."

"I'll let him know dad. I'll miss you…" Kyle sniffed wiping away more tears as e stepped reluctantly. "Bye for now, they need be…. And I'll fight this thing with Crane all the way. I love you mom and dad…" Kyle turned away, his parents nodding with smiles and the boy closed his eyes taking a deep breath. 'I'm not done yet.'

"His eyes moved!" Rahim exclaimed, Crane almost spilling the mug of coffee hastily putting it down and closing the little gap to Kyle's bed as everyone crowded around watching the ivy green eyes flutter open.

"Thought we lost you, try not scare us again alright?" Brecken chuckled while Crane was flowing with tears helping Kyle sit up, Jade, Troy and Rocket giving encouraging smiles.

"I knew you would pull through…" Crane said pulling Kyle into a hug.

"No you thought you lost me, your face says it all." Kyle smiled hugging back.

"You should know better than to try fooling your boy." Jade chuckled but the happy atmosphere shattered, Kyle's eyes suddenly widening in the hug darting down to Crane's neck right by his face. The hunger. And it was bad. Really bad. Without warning, the blonde pushed the man away, ripped out the drip and tried darting for the door but turned around pressing himself in a corner as Troy was leaning in the doorway about to head out. "What's wrong Kyle?"

"You're safe now, Bozak is gone." Crane assured.

"Stay the hell away from me!" Kyle pleaded trying to sound aggressive but everyone tried moving closer especially Crane and Rahim. Rahim's eyes widened in realization, one step closer than Crane to the boy pressing himself against the wall like a scared animal.

"The hunger… isn't it?"

"Stay away! I can't… I'm trying…"

"You can do it, we trust you." Rahim en courage, dismissing the warning again taking another step closer. Kyle lunged with his heart dropping to his stomach and Jade yelled for Rahim to get away who raised his arm in defense. The blonde's teeth sank into the flesh of the arm, hand grabbing the limb, metal claws slightly scratching in and tears dribbled down his cheeks fighting the smile his lips tried to quirk into. Rahim cried out, Jade rushing forward to push them apart as did Crane grabbing the kid's arm to pull him off while Rahim kicked out regretting the instinctual move. Kyle let go almost crumbling from the kick but smiling that he managed to let go scooting back into the corner, coughing and spitting out Rahim's as much as he could trying to stop himself from licking it off his lips. Jade immediately placed herself between Rahim and Kyle and Camden's hands flew to bandages while Crane took a step closer carefully. Kyle, shaking flashed Crane a snarl in hopes it would stop the man in vain everyone trying to softly talk to him and the kid suddenly turned his head to the wall bashing his skull against it trying to do it hard enough to black out while his body tried to fight against the intended self-harm.

"Kyle, stop! I-I'll back off! Please!" Crane's plea went on death ears.

"We have to stop him, if he hurts himself so much not even this stuff help him! He's still weak!" Camden exclaimed.

"Kyle, no! Stop it!"

"Crane, catch! I was worried something like this could happen after you told me everything!" Camden shouted tossing a syringe with the needle covered, the covered quickly slipped off and Crane rushed forward stopping Kyle in the act of another slam, this time a hard one. In one swift move, Crane pinned Kyle against the wall, the amn feeling the tear down his cheek as Kyle smiled at him.

"Do it dad, please…"

"I'm so sorry…" Crane tilted his head away as he pushed, Kyle having instinctually already pushed back only and the man caught the slumping boy in his arms, gently placing him back on the bed.

"I remember the hunger back when I was bitten on the leg… it was horrible but I was too much in pain and I could still push it away… I can't even imagine how that feels…" Rahim broke the heavy silence, Jade's hand on his shoulder, Camden re-attaching the drip.

"That was the only shot I had. And he'll need food in which case he has to be awake." Camden pointed out taking note how much energy Kyle had to try to get away, eyes straying to the blue empty blue mystery bottle. 'That stuff is powerful.'

"What if we locked him into a room? I'm sure it wouldn't have to be long. What do you think, Crane?" Jade suggested, all eyes glued on the man standing at the side of the bed with his back turned to everyone with his eyes on the kid who had call him dad.

"I don't see another way right now." Crane agreed with a heavy heart.

"He might not be asleep for long. The decontamination room would be secure enough if he loses control. But with the power back on, anyone coming in could possibly kill him with the button on the other side. I won't mind having to lock myself in a for a few more days if that's what it takes." Camden offered.

"I'll get provisions for you and the boy." Troy added, the older Kyle giving a nod prompting the woman to head out.

"No one is pushing that button. I won't let anyone past me." Crane said, tone confident in his ability to do so.

"You'll have to rest in between." Rahim pointed out. I'll help out."

"You aren't doing anything! He bit deep…" Jade protested.

"You're coming with me Rahim." Brecken agreed. With not much light left, the group moved soon, Rocket surprisingly volunteering to stay by Crane.

The radio went silent, Rais glaring at it as a group of men he had just sent out to go to Camden's lab had been gunned down relentlessly from snipers. The man had been in charge of Harran after the outbreak but nothing came to mind of who was doing this and his head turned to Tahir with news of the Bozak search.

"There wasn't much to find out but in old town there are posters with challenges and messages from Bozak on them. But nothing on who Bozak is or where to find the guy. Are we attacking the lab again in the morning.

"No… how is the money coming?"

"Places are paying up well." Tahir chuckled.

"Good, just focus on that." Rais' hand strayed to the note.

"So Rocket, why did you volunteer?"

"My company that bad?"

"No just… you had the chance to go to the tower with Brecken. Without being shot at, even Rais' guys are keeping a low profile now. I'll be here for a while longer with Kyle. You know I told you-"

"Yeah I know. Kyle would tell me himself we'd be even now… Trust me mate, I don't like being a sitting duck ina coirner like this… but I don't really want to follow Brecken's orders… and I ain't with Rais anymore… I just… I was runner Crane, not a leader. Unless someone is you…"

"Come on, spit it out. I like compliments." Cfrnae chuckled, rocket rolling his eyes glancing away.

"Can't just solo Harran. I'll take that roof over my head. But you know I figure, in Harran the best way to survive is being close to the strongest person in Harran and that is, except right now, that kid in there. And with what happened, Brecken and his guys will probably have your back even more so you can make sure not to get kidnapped again."

"Just admit you've grown fond of him Rocket."

"I ain't attached like you Crane." Rocket countered. "But he's a good kid, nice to be around."

"He is…" crane agreed with a tired sigh as they sat in front of that door against the wall. Crane's head turned to Kyle stirring inside and grabbing a can of food from the stack placed inside barely stopping himself from tearing out the drip shortly glancing to them only to glance away again with a guilty face. 'Kyle, Rahim isn't mad at you, no one is… please say something…' Slowly after a minute of only giving Crane silence, Kyle turned around on the bed moving his straying gaze to Crane and rocket looking back with Rocket growing a little confused.

'I know… but still… I bit him… tasted his flesh… and part of me enjoyed it… you… y-you don't know what that is like.'

'I don't. But that doesn't change that it's not your fault. I saw how you fought back. Don't go down that road Kyle, blaming yourself for something there is no blame in the first place.'

'I'll try but it'll be hard to smile… Hey, let Rocket know that his rescue makes us even if he insists he owes me.'

'Already did. I don't think he wants to ditch his new boss yet.' Crane smiled, Kyle making a tiny smile of his own eyes glancing back to the can to toss it and open up another one.

"Hey, what is that smile about? What are you two doing!?" Rocket glanced back and forth.

"Telepathy. One of Kyle's abilities and I have it too but only with him."

"How do you know it's only with him?" Rocket raised an eyebrow.

"I already tried on you. It didn't work." Crane replied.

"You can have the first shift. So what did you say?"

"Already forgot." Cane shrugged, rocket closing his eyes for a nap.

"Asshole…" Bozak snarled, the bullet popped out with the other gang member glancing to the guy here and there. There was no flinching. Not even when he accidently sat down though standing up followed right after. His bloodied hand closed around a little blue bottle taking a little sip.

"Looks like they found you. The assassins came to buy the healing stuff. What's that Kyle guy like?"

"Some kid going into his teens. Blonde and green- eyed." Bozak replied with a scoff, but the lips quirked into an insidious smile. "How angry were they?"

"Furious" The old man replied.

"So that kid is the merchandise… You would like him gramps." Bozak chuckled.

"Sounds like you would too."

"Can't get enough of monsters." Bozak smiled.

"What do you want?" Their guns pointed at the assassin, strolling in and stopping front of him, sniper rifle on his back, blade at his waste and hands raised. Again Crane wasn't giving an answer, the man instead turning his head to look at Kyle currently deep asleep after having eaten quite a bit, the morning sun outside marching towards noon.

"Why?" His fingers tapped the glass.

"None of your business." Rocket growled, shortly glanced at by the taller intruder shifting his gaze back to Kyle.

"For his own good, that's all there is to it." Crane growled.

"Did it work?"

"If you mean that stuff in the bottle, yeah it did."

"How long till he's on his feet?"

"How about you answer my questions for once?! Who are you and why do you want to know? Hey!" Crane as per usual didn't get any of his questions answered again as the man turned around and started walking away.

"Answer his questions, damn it or you have a bullet in your back!" Rocket snarled causing the man to pause however it was calm almost like he didn't care or took Rocket seriously.

"Why is Kyle important to you?"

"Like your friend there said; none of your business."

"Oh my son fucking is and I just almost lost him so the ice is thin."

"You're not his real dad, are you?"

"Why would that fucking matter? He was alone; I adopted him, that's all that matters to me and him. Who are you?"

"If you shoot me in the back, you're all going to die." The assassin kept walking and Crane shook his head at Rocket to stop him from pulling the trigger. This guy sounded serious and it made the tower runner want to heed the warning. So far he had helped. But Crane wouldn't trust the guy yet, not by a long shot. The day passed slowly, Kyle either drinking water, eating like a starved lion or sleeping soundly. And by evening, Crane found himself smiling like an idiot from joy.

'It's gone, Crane. The hunger. Who do I thank for hauling all the food here?'

"Troy. Troy got all that stuff.'

'Camdem, I'm okay now. Just still really tired.'

"I bet." The man chuckled, the doors being unlocked and Crane immediately put Kyle in a hug before letting go so Camden could check on the kid, the drip no longer necessary.

"It's astounding… the speed of recovery… I've never seen anything like it… Rest is still ahead though, no street roaming for you yet."

"You know if someone needs help out there, I'll be fine with Camden here." Kyle shifted his gaze to Crane.

"I won't leave you out of my sight. Bozak came by… one of them… after I managed to get you here with Troy and Rocket. But he got run off."

"It won't stop until we take out Bozak…"

"Hey relax… Bozak, however many there are, can't surprise us anymore. Everyone knows to be on the look-out. I know I've asked this before but… are you sure you have no relatives in Harran or some family friend who took avacation here at the same time?"

What happened?"

Crane sighed but answered. "While you were asleep, a guy came in, the same guy that brought the stuff in the blue bottle. Wanted to know how you were doing. Ignored my questions."

"I'm sure… but maybe there is someone only my parents knew. But they never in Harran before or didn't tell me about it before."

"I feel like you had a good bond with your parents so the former is more likely." 'And that concerns me… I don't like the impression I get from that guy. Reminds me of mercenary work, my kind of work.'

"Maybe he'll come by again. Wake me up if he does and I'll try to get a look at his face."

"It's pretty covered. You would just get a little skin and his eyes. But it's worth a shot."

"I almost forgot to tell you, Crane but my parents say hi. And they're happy that you found me and I'm supposed to tell you that you're doing a good job."

"Wait, are your parents alive?!"

"No, I met them on the edge. I was slipping, Crane. You don't exaggerate when you say you almost lost me. I had to fight to wake up, without that stuff… I would've died. My parents were there. I was so tired… I just want to stay with them…"

"I would say for you to let them know that I'll do my best but I don't want you that close to death again. "

"They know, Crane." Kyle smiled. "Hey doc, when can I go out again?"

"You'll rest at least for a few days."

"This is gonna suck…"

"I could get Rocket to bring you some books." Crane offered. "And I'm here."

"Guess you're right." Kyle yawned.

'I feel like I'm indirectly called boring…' The next day was made much of the same structure with Kyle a little more awake though Kyle having spread the good news to Brecken via telepathy to make sure they didn't worry much, it brought in Rahim and Jade at his side.

"So, how do I learn any moves? You're probably not allowed to show me but maybe you could tell me how." The group stood in the hallway to give Camden space for his research past the decontamination room leaning against the walls.

"I don't really know how… it works, Rahim. You can't seem turn, that's the most important thing. Everything I can do I found out with… anger… and grieve… and fear, killing a friend with the claws… but if it's worth anything, Crane has telepathy. But it's bound to me as in he can talk to me, no one else will hear him."

"Alright, how do I do it? Tal to you?"

"Crane was also scared to death for my safety when he found out." Kyle sighed.

"Rahim I don't think there is anything else to me besides that and not turning. I suffer the hunger too and I'm pretty sure antizin kills me now as well, not eager to try it out."

"What about the strength? We could figure that out, right?" Rahim almost looked like a hoping puppy.

"I was angry, just after my friend. I knew on a human scale, my foot should have been pounding kicking a car even with my boots but I was so angry I didn't care. I mean if you have the strength, you have it, should be as simple as that. I just wouldn't have ever turned to a car to kick it if I hadn't been so angry. Do you feel like you can lift or carry more?"

"I don't know, I didn't really push myself lately."

"Because you got hurt." Jade pointed out.

"Well, there are heavy things in here so just try to lift something up. Outside you could try kicking a car." Crane suggested.

"Just don't be afraid. If you get scared and falter, it might not work." Kyle added. "How about trying that forklift, even, just shoving it out of the way would be super strength. And it's in her so no biter will try hanging at your back." Rahim agreed with unrestrained enthusiasm and the tower residents moved to the room, Jade brother strolling up to it with confidence. That swelling balloon of confidence deflated real quick as Rahim placed himself behind the machine to shove it with no luck. As much as he tried and bumped it, only his shoes were the only thing that ever moved scraping against the hard floor.

"Guess super strength is a bust." Crane remarked.

"Why don't you give it a try?" Rahim sarcastically remarked though Jade and Kyle gave the tower runner a curious look and Crane sighed.

'Well, I am kind of curious.' Crane gave it his best try but just like Rahim he just looked funnier the harder he tried as the forklift didn't budge. "What about your speed?"

"You're eager to know now too?" Kyle raised an eyebrow.

"It's Rahim's fault, he makes it sound exciting."

"I scraped open my knee and was running from volatiles. Goes for the red eyes too, I got cornered."

"What if you chased us?" Rahim suggested.

"I'm guessing the fear would be missing. The hunger is gone, Kyle will never hurt you now."

"I agree with Jade." Kyle said. "But you can keep trying telepathy with Jade, you have a much stronger bond with her than with me if it has to do with a bond anyway. The arm spikes are the only thing not really tied to anger or fear. A friend just really needed the help but he still relied on me finding any antibiotics so there was still pressure. The only tip I have for you is to imagine some on yourself over and over again and probably look really silly trying it. It won't hurt."

"You're imagining him trying?" Crane chuckled at Jade rolling her eyes at indeed imagining Rahim trying. "We still get noticed so we didn't get that perk for sure…" 'That one would've been really great..'

"How do you feel at night?"

"What do you mean?" Rahim blinked.

"I get stronger at night… it's like a general boost to everything…"

"Oh yeah, what would I feel?"

"Just feel stronger I guess…" Kyle shrugged. "Maybe tend to sleep less?"

"I was pretty exhausted and hurt myself when I was running with you to Camden with Troy and Rocket. But that could've been adrenaline too."

"Well, how about you stay here the night Rahim? And then you two try the forklift again. Try pushing it together so we have something to go by." The boy suggested and both eagerly tried in vain when it came to moving it, the forklift definitely on the heavy end when it came to the weight range. "So, how is living with Gerritsen?" The kid chuckled turning to Jade as they headed back.

"Don't get me started. She's calming down though. Begging me to teach her."

"Are you going to?"

"A little bit when there is time for it and her leg is fully healed."

"That's probably the only way Jade will ever have peace from her." Rahim chuckled. "By the way, Gerritsen misses you."

"We'll swing by the tower again as soon as he gets the okay from Camden." Crane said.

"Can't wait to get called a bad friend again…" Kyle mumbled causing everyone else to chuckle.

"Is the kid gonna make it?"

"Guy said what we bought helped but had him in locked in a room. We'll stop by tomorrow again. Any idea why he would have locked up?"

"Well, that place is lab, isn't it? But the guy sounded angry whenever he thought you could hurt the boy… maybe catch to that medicine we bought…"

"Ready? On three. One…two…three!" Groans accompanied a furious shove where both poured everything into it before they leaned against the back of the forklift instead of pushing it, panting. Please tell us it moved Kyle… or Jade…"

"Maybe…?" Kyle tilted his head little with a shrug.

"Oh look, there is just a tiny skid mark! You moved it a little bit… very little…"

"I can't push again…" Rahim sighed. But wait, we moved it! Crane, we moved it! We HAVE super strength!"

"No we just have the boost Rahim…. But still, we have the boost!" Now Crane cheered too.

"No night runs for you Rahim." Jade warned before he could even speak of the idea knowing her brother well. The group headed back, Jade and Rahim leaving in the morning while rocket decided to hang around in the University again until Crane and Kyle would head back. Past noon, for once Crane was taking a nap over the day finally resting more himself as things seemed to calm down and Kyle watched the cameras in boredom. Camden and him didn't really talk much unless the man had a question. Not that Kyle minded the quiet unlike the sitting around. But the peace washed away as his eyes narrowed on the unknown intruder coming in, Camden spotting it out of the corner of his eye as well.

"That is the man that brought that medicine and came to check on you." Without a warning, Kyle snatched his handgun by his backpack and rushed out, Camden calling after him to wait rousing Crane who after a blink rushed after the blonde.

"Kyle, wait up! Damn it kid!"

Kyle skidded to a stop around the corner face to face with the man having just jumped down from the vent. "Who are you? And thanks, for that stuff."

'He looks like he's up and running again.' The assassin turned around to leave but Kyle rushed forward to yank him down, a knife quickly at the boy's throat pushing him back as Crane came around the corner.

"Hey, leave him alone!" Crane snarled, the moment of distraction quickly used by the assassin to shoved Kyle against the wall, blade still at the throat one, hand on the wall beside the kid while Kyle had the handgun against the man's gut.

"I just have questions."

"And I don't care. But I'll answer one if you answer one of mine. I heard the rumors. You can't turn?"

"Did you write the note?"

"Kyle, you don't have to answer him! Back off!" silence spread neither answering the other's question.

"Yeah, it's true." Kyle caved first.

"I did." The assassin stepped away, knife no longer at the kid's throat turning to the vent again.

"Hey wait!"

"I said one question, kid."

"Why did you help us? Why did you check on me? I'll follow you!"

"Go play with your dad."

"Kyle, don't follow. I know you want answers, I d too. But you still need to rest. Come on, just take the helping hand for now." Crane said relieved that Kyle listened but not with a smile, the other man moving away in the vent and exiting the building.

"Doesn't take no for an answer, huh?" His partner chuckled.

"Stubborn one. Let' get ready and send out the flyers. The moment the kid exits that building we're going after him."

"Maybe he just wants a cure to be made and sees me as hope like the people in the tower do…"

"I can't shake the idea of an ulterior motive. Why not just help and be open with us then? Doesn't seem like a shy guy to me, just acts like a jerk." Crane growled.

"But the only one who would really want me alive is Rais. And he shot at his men. It can't be a sacrifice move because he clearly doesn't care about gaining our trust." Kyle sighed.

"GRE would've just grabbed you at the chance… Doc, what do you think?"

"I agree with your points. I could see them risk Kyle's life and just pull him out a back then but there is a tiny chance him being alive is important to them. But that would mean, they know. If they get their hands on you Kyle, they'll drag you out of Harran and make sure to leave Crane here unable to follow you."

"Don't expect anything else… but they shouldn't know. Unless they saw the hand switch all the way from up the chopper."

"Whatever the motive, we all agree that we can't trust the guy." Crane concluded.

Tahir handed the note to Rais both sporting smiles, another pack of cash brought in by some thugs. "And so the mystery person reveals the face. And tomorrow, the kid will be mine."

"Ready to hunt, partner?"

"Never get tired of it."

"You're a real outdoors kid, huh?" Crane smiled as they exited the building, the breeze on their face as they climbed onto the nearest roof.

Hope you like camping, dad." Kyle smiled back.

"Damn, that's a whole crate… a full crate…" Rahim was as shocked as everyone else. No one was hurt. It had cost them almost all of their money, every tower resident pitching it leaving scraps left.

"Why…" Brecken growled, not that he disliked the sight of the antizin.

"Let's just take the win." Lena assured.

"I don't know if this is a real win, Lena. Rais just sold us a whole crate with no strings attached, it just cost us almost all of our money. This isn't like Rais." 'Why didn't he just demand all the money? Didn't try playing into people's worries and make them hand over Kyle in the slightest. And the other safe zones… why is Rais collecting money so much all of a sudden?'

"Hey, it's that guy with someone else!" A hopefully peaceful confrontation turned to chaos within seconds, both flanking the two out of nowhere with Crane having avoided weak boards on a roof slammed own causing them to break and tumble down. Kyle tried to jump after them but the slim guy drove him back with a swipe with a machete switched out for a hand gun expertly predicting the boy's retaliations sending him running and leaping to the next roof for cover. Kyle felt his heart pounding in his chest, theses weren't like Rais's thugs or common Harran bandits. The guy moved fast, he moved perfectly, he could read Kyle as much as the blonde could him. He was able to scare Kyle. 'What the hell do you want?! Why do you attack me after saving me?!'

'Telepathy alright, noted. Go ahead, show all your cards.' The man smirked on the other roof in seconds, avoiding the metal claws with a step back tearing into his clothes a little as Kyle darted from around the vent behind him. The blonde's finger wasn't fast enough, the other trigger pulled faster, shooting him in the hand causing him to drop the handgun. Kyle immediately did the switch reaching for the gun despite the machete moving to intervene. The assassin pulled the weapon back which would've cut the kid's throat and Kyle smirked closing his hand around the gun.

'I knew it! Can't have me die.' The victory was small, the man's boot still connecting with his face sending him back clutching his gun and skidding to the edge, grabbing on as he dangled off.

"Who the hell are you, what do want from us?!" Crane yelled avoiding a shot hiding behind a wall cornered in a room by the physically stronger man. And he had proved muscles didn't mean dumb intercepting a punch from Crane and throwing him back reading the move out ahead in time.

"Don't worry, we just wait here. I won't kill you right away. My partner will give a call when he has that boy. You'll have to play with me while we wait, sorry if you were expecting him."

His finger pulled the trigger, assassin avoiding the bullet and the screams of three virals echoed in their ears causing Kyle to grin pulling himself up as the infected charged adult only to be dispatched quickly with a firecracker thrown onto another roof causing them to stupidly run off th edge.

With a standstill of bullets and silence spreading, the virals dispatched after a yell from his opponent, the man darted to poke hi head out shuffling a little out of hiding but his enemy had waited just behind the wall, the arms holding pushed down and yanked followed by a meaty fist to the face with the gun thrown aside. Crane tumbled back feeling his head spin, gun taken away, handgun taken with a blow to the gut sending Crane to his knees. His shaky hand reached for the blade he carried only to be twisted painfully out of his grasp while the other hand dug into his hair. Another punch to the face left Crane dizzy and scooting back against a shelf with his smug opponent sporting a cut and a bullet in the shoulder from Crane pulling up a chair, holding the gun on the man. "A little acting is handy, you lowered your guard. Let me tell ya this right now. Your life isn't important. You try something, you die. But maybe, maybe we'll let you live after my partner has the kid. So now we wait. Why don't we chat to pass the time. Where are you from?"

"Fuck you asshole." Crane spat, lips bloody. "Kyle will kill your partner, he doesn't stand a chance."

"I admit he probably has some advantages somehow but after years of being an assassin, one learns to see everything coming. Especially when sometimes you give the illusion of a chance to the target instead of the fast way."

"You fucking psychos!"

'Damn it, how much does he know about me?!' The boot crushed his hand refusing to let go of the gun ironically pinning his hand to the edge as much as it hurt him while the other hand tightly gripped the edge slowly slipping with no demolisher or goon to use as cushion below. The assassin's hand reached down and grabbed Kyle by the hair yanked him up and aside roughly, hand with gun kicked immediately causing to slide out of his grip sliding. Another kick followed immediately to the face, Kyle still nicked trying to roll away causing him to whimper and the man quickly picked up eth fancy handgun tucking it away watching Kyle push himself on all fours with a bruised cheek. "I won't need that gun to kill you." Green eyes narrowed on him, Kyle jumping to his feet and rushing at him with the machete pulled out. The man parried with his own blade, eyes widening as he almost tripped stumbling back and slammed against the wall of the higher part, Kyle's machete tip stuck in the concrete, blade edge an inch away from his throat. The blonde looked up at him a smirk, a leg sweep added, the attempted block shoved away, the machete shoved harder with a snarl. The man could feel his arms starting to bend and to sting certain to snap if he kept trying to push back, thin armor worn under the cloth the only thing to slow the cut shortly confusing Kyle but not deterring him from the kill. The assassin quickly stopped countering and twisting aside dropping his machete and jabbing Kyle in the throat with the other hand. Kyle gasped, stumbling back, gasping again as the enemy's boot slammed into his gut causing the blonde to stumble back further. Kyle eyed the edge. He could never whip out the rifle fast enough against this guy. Every martial move he seemed to try, he could counter, he could read his movements but his life was still his biggest card. Kyle threw the machete slicing the man's shoulder dodging it, turned around and jumped, hands grasping for the landing as his heart pounded in his chest seeing the guy come to the edge and look down out of the corner of his eye. It was far lower than the chopper. The blonde's hand touched the pavement, Kyle doing it only with the one not bearing the metal claws meaning so much to him, the switch perfectly executed and the blonde started to sprint. Fire crackers went off around him parting the mob to the side, glancing over his shoulder to see the assassin jump landing with a perfect parkour roll and pull the trigger sending bullet into Kyle's leg causing him to stumble. With fire crackers left in the satchel at his side, the infected were kept busy, Kyle standing up trying to run away from the guy every step closer to him. The infected slowly turned their attention back to them and the man spun the blade with ease in his hand, Kyle pulling out the flesh claws as the infected forced them back to back, the crowd forming thickly in a circle around them to dense for Kyle to dart away immediately. Red overtook the white and the two tore into the infected, firecrackers setting up easy kills allowing the assassin to avoid being bitten. And it thinned the crowd real quick. The kid tried to run but a wrench that an infected had held smashed into his leg thrown by the assassin having tossed more firecrackers causing Kyle to limp harder. Kyle scrambled behind a car as the man rushed at him jumping onto the hood and the blonde bit his lip pushing up onto his leg and kicking the car with all his mind, gasping afterwards as he collapsed on the street with unable to keep his footing. The man's eyes widened, the car sent sailing but still managed to jump with a rough landing allowing Kyle to take out his rifle. The bullet hit the his chest as the man steadied his footing ruining a headshot, a grin under that cloth as it had hit the bulletproof vest and his own hand moved his pocket quickly rushing forward causing Kyle to miss the next shot. Though not entirely but the man ignored the bullet in his shoulder, boot kicking the rifle out of the blonde's grasp trying to scramble away in response. He didn't pause to revel in Kyle squirming, not fond of the idea of reliving the machete situation, the antizin causing Kyle to scream. The kid didn't even feel the other two shots, eyes falling shut, fire crackers going off as he blocked out to distract infected as the man hoisted the kid on his shoulder and began a harsh climb onto a roof.

'So it is his weakness.' "Done"

"I was wondering if I should call. What about Crane?"

"Angry, isn't he?"

"Fuming." The man chuckled tapping his a knife blade against the leg of the chair, Crane knowing the gun would point faster at him than he could retaliate as his body groaned in pain.

"What did you do to Kyle you bastards?!"

"He's alive; he'll bring a wonderful cash prize."

"You work for Rais?!"

"Wrong, try again!" The man laughed.

"W-what are you going to do to him?!"

"Should tell him?"

"Go ahead. I want to get going."

"Trafficking, the buyers are ready."

"Y-you bastards, I won't lose Kyle!"

"You, can't do anything to save him." The man chuckled standing up, gun pointed at Crane's skull. "Well, you were moderately fun. I hoped for a little more but I applaud the shoulder shot.

"You know what, let him live. Let him scramble for money. Go ahead Crane, try to get your ass to a safe zone, you're welcome to try bidding on your boy. But the competition has had a heads up." Crane's opponent left, quick to move out of potential gun fire as Crane was left his weapons which the man quickly picked up to move his to a safe zone first knowing he wouldn't catch up. He needed help. He couldn't do this alone.

"Shot in the shoulder, too." The shorter man remarked with a raised eyebrow.

"Like you said, he had fangs. Crane made you bleed too."

"Ah, I expected more. A little bit."