We're on the road...again. Zane managed to boost a really nice Kawasaki ZR- 7S. I can tell that he probably doesn't know how to ride it, bit I'm not worried, Zane was always a fast learner. I can see why he didn't want to leave his car behind. If I had a ride like this, I might even ditch my bike for it.

We managed to steal an old trailer from the junk heap, personally, I think we shoulda left it there.

Zane insisted we bring his dog along because hes not fully trained yet and practically still a puppy. I know hes gentle, but I've had a grudge against all German Shepards since I escaped. Of coarse, I'm the one that has to sit next to him in the back seat.

We'd all decided to search the West coast since thats where most of us seemed to have settled. I know its stupid with Manticore right on our @$$es, but we don't have time to waste watching out for them. Besides, who would want to take on three genetically engineered killing machines. Even though I really hate that title, it fits.

We're back-tracking now, going back through LA and down to San Diego(sp). Its getting late and even though we don't need a rest, Zane's car does. We stop in a little hotel in King's Canyon. It may be small, but the rooms have four beds, and its reasonably priced. Tourism plummeted after the pulse, most people were afraid to leave their homes.

I've never heard something snore that loud before in my life, with the exception of Ben after a week doing the obsucle course and scouting. Zane's dog is the worst! Since I never had an animal, I didn't know they could snore like that.

I decide to go out for a stroll. the nights cool and fresh. I feel alive and ready to go. I should start to plan for the great Manticore escape. How are we going ta pull it off. What if we get captured? I really gotta stop being so negative! I shake it off and try to concentrate on other things.

"I better get back to the room before they get up."

As I walk in the door, I'm pushed to the floor. I see hundreds of tiny lazer points all over the floor where I'm lying. Zane and Jondy are behind the door, tied up and unconcious.

I figure emerges from the shadows. Its that women! Was it Yancy? Its kinda hard to tell these things when your on the floor with guns aimed at your head from shooters unseen. I don't dare to turn over.

"Max, Max, Max."

"Thats my name b!tch! Whats it to you?!"

"You've been very bad Max. Running away, trying to escape and succending, holding me hostage, what do you think your doing?"

"Kicking your @$$!"

I leap on the floor and go into a spiing kick aimed at Yancy, but I'm stuck down by the tazers. I can't move my body. The convulsions are too great.

"Enough!"

The pain stops and I ly there on the floor gasping and twitching.

"You...b!tch."

"Don't get mad at me Max, you the one who caused all this. You where even good enough to bring me your brother and sister. Oh they put up one hell of a fight, but we were just too much for them I guess. Maybe if you were here to help them, you might've escpaed and evaded us once again. We were very lucky that you decided to take a little midnight stroll. Now, you can come with us peacfully, or like your siblings over here."

"I'll never come with you. NEVER!"

I try to get up. I can't move fast. I do a crude pushup and pull myself to my feet. I don't care if I get shot, I won't come with her! For the first time, I see a man emerge next to Yancy. Hes not that fat little slime ball from the bar, but a tall handsome man.

He speaks

"Yancy, you can't kill her. Common, come with us and everything will be alright."

"Not f___ing likely! Who the he!! are you and if you know anything, which you obviously don't, you know damn well I won't go back there!"

"I tried Max, I really did."

"Go F___ yourself!"

He sighs and steps aside. The slime ball guy steps forward. Do they always travel in packs? All he says is too words.

"Do it!"

I can't move fast enough to escape all the tazers. Seemed they smarted up, there is a first time for everything, and turned up the voltage.

I'm blown backwards off my feet as the shock strikes me. I can't stand it, then it all stops. I'm still barly concious. I can't move at all when I feel the pr!ck of the needle entering by arm. I slowly drift off into a silent dark abyss.