A/N: Welcome readers and reviewers! Another update at my usual incredible
snails pace. Eh, not much to say here except "THANKS! I LUVS YOU ALL!"
A/N#2: Thank you Maran Zelde. I am honoured you will let me use that line from 'Robin Zim' for 'Dreams.' I have a place for it, but not for a while yet. ^-^
Acknowledgements: Thank you, my readers and reviewers. As always, my dear reviewers a special thanks. I always enjoy your words of encouragement. TwIsTeD ToAsTeR, (Luv the name.) ^-^ I'm glad you like it. Thank you for favoritizing this. I never thought of the assistants that way before. If that is the case, you probably will be very angry with me very soon. Apologies in advance for any sadness that may come. Maran Zelde, since Bubee and I can't have chitlen, I guess I know how Membrane feels, to an extent. Makes it easier to write. I'm glad I can keep enough suspense to keep you coming back. ^-^ DibMagician, I am glad you love it so far. I hope I can continue to keep you enthralled. Waffle Toast, thank you for adding this to your favorites list. I am truly honoured. Thank you for pointing out my use of thru and through, I realize it is not a proper spelling. Sort of like nite and night. For some reason, the spellcheck misses that. Thank your for the compliments. They make me very happy. Ces-Kirby. Cliffhangers are fun. Very fun. I luv when I can squeeze one in. (Yes, these are horns holding up this halo, why do you ask?! (Smiles evilly)) Raina, I haven't given up this tale, and I won't. I have made a promise to myself, and an unspoken promise to you readers and reviewers, to finish this, 'Dreams' and any other tales I decide to write no matter what. Unless, of course, I die. If I do die, (if I don't update in over 4 monthes just review or email me and ask, if I don't respond, chances are I'm dead.) then by all means feel free to take over and finish.it. I hate leaving things unfinished. Don't worry though; I don't plan to die anytime soon. (As if any of us do.) Dark Destiny, I am honoured you find my writing beautiful. It does not come as easy as it seems. My reviewers, I want to thank all of you again for your support. Your reviews motivate me and make me all tingly and happy.
WARNING: (If you've read this before, you can skip it. Same as last chapter.) Okay, a minor boost on the violence. The gore won't be too graphic, some blood, broken bones (actually, there weren't any broken bones in this particular chapter), even death, (but the death is insinuated rather than shown in detail). I still think it falls into the Rated PG -13 but if I'm wrong. PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I now know exactly where this story wants to go and how it is going to get there. Scary, eh?
YAY! WE"RE DOOMED!
Disclaimer: Invader Zim and such do not belong to me.
Hope you enjoy!
*****
Chapter Four: Early Afternoon
Almost in a panic Jes turns and leads us around a corner.
It seems our luck has ran out.
The hallway is short, leading to a dead end. With the footsteps sounding closer by the second, it is too late to choose another.
As we travel down the hallway, away from the sound of the approaching footsteps, Jes starts trying to open every door we pass. In less than a second, I am helping her. She hits one side, while I hit the other. Three doors apiece. It is an exercise in futility however, as every door we try is securely locked.
I reach the end of the hallway first, where the last door promises little hope of escape. Clinging to that fragile hope I reach for the door handle.
Desperate, I whisper an almost silent prayer.
"Please open. For my children, for Jes, please let it open."
If it doesn't open, we're doomed.
I hear Jes move behind me and glance towards her. Her back is towards me, facing the hallway entrance. Her gun is drawn and ready.
I turn back towards the door and jiggle the handle.
Locked.
End of the line.
We're doomed.
I hear the footsteps stop at the entrance of the hallway and I close my eyes and wait. Wait for the gunfire I know is coming. Wait for the end.
It doesn't come.
Instead I hear Jes' muffled scream of "Nik" and "Kabe".
I open my eyes in disbelief. I seriously thought I'd never see them again.
*****
Jes grabs me by my arm and drags me down the hall. As we approach, I notice that both Nik and Kabe are splattered in blood, almost as if someone has sprayed them with a large squirt gun filled with it. Both of them have their masks off and they are panting as if they had just finished a marathon. Fresh blood is smeared across their faces, as if they tried to remove it with a blood soaked rag. From the looks of their blood soaked sweater arms, they probably did. Kabe's pants are torn and heavy with fresh blood oozing from a huge gash in his upper thigh. His black hair is pressed flat against his skull, more from sweat than the blood. For a frightening moment, I see Dib where Kabe stands, Dib, Kabe's age, with all of Kabe's wounds. I shudder involuntarily and shake my head to clear it of the nightmare vision, then glance towards Nik. He appears to be in better shape, with no visible wounds. I can't help but wonder about Neb.
Nik answers my unasked question by way of greeting. "I'm sorry Jess." He says touching Jes' arm. "Neb is dead."
I hear Jes draw a shuddered breath from behind her mask.
"I'm sorry Jes." Nik says again, gathering a shaking Jes in his arms. "He told me to tell you he loves you."
I stand there, uncomfortable. I'm not sure what to do. I feel horrible about the news. I truly liked Neb.
Upon reflection I realize now that she and Neb had been more than casual acquaintances. They were always working near each other in the lab whenever they could. With my limited experience with relationships, I never really thought about it. I never put two and two together. Until now!
The sudden realization causes me to catch my breath.
I am the cause of all of this.
Unwittingly, I killed Neb.
I killed Step.
If they hadn't tried to liberate me, they would still be alive.
Part of me tries to rationalize that I never asked to be liberated, but it doesn't wash away the guilt.
*****
In a sudden frenzy of movement Jes pulls away from Neb and spins around towards me. Something hard and cold hits the left side of my face, shattering the left lens of my goggles and cracking the right. I drop to the ground from the force, my right hand stopping my fall as my left hand rises to protect my head. My left ear is ringing from the blow. My gas mask has provided some protection from the sudden attack but not much. Inside the mask, blood streams from my nose, and is beginning to line the bottom of my mask.
Dazed, I look up at Jes. Through a pain induced fog, a cracked lens and spinning vision I notice a gun pointed at my head. As I look past I see Gaz, years from now, her squinting eyes make even narrower with hate.
My breath freezes for a moment, as time seems to stop.
"You failed us." She mouths at me.
"I know." I try to say. It comes out like 'I ngo' though a gravelly voice harsh from disuse.
I glance at the floor for a moment, mustering up courage.
"I'm so-ee!"
I look back up as I tell her the only thing I can, that I'm sorry. I am so very sorry I failed you and your brother.
Gaz is no longer there. Jes is holding the gun, her face unreadable behind the mask and goggles.
"I'm so-ee!" I say again, quieter. She has every right to kill me.
Slowly, I drop my gaze, lower my arm and wait for my deserved death.
As I wait, I think of my children, the vision of Gaz still fresh in my mind.
My deepest sorrow, my deepest regret, is for my children. Destined to live this nightmare existence. I will never see them again. I have failed them. They will never have a chance for a normal life. For the life of freedom they rightly deserve.
"It's not his fault." I hear Nik say. "Neb chose this mission and so did you. You both knew the dangers before you came here. If you kill him, all of our work, Neb's death, everything, will have been in vain."
"I don't care." I hear Jes reply through clenched teeth.
"You do care or you wouldn't be here." Kabe interjects in a voice so soft I almost miss it through the ringing in my head.
I chance glancing up. The gun pointed at my head seems to shake.
"Would Neb want you to give up?" Nik asks.
I watch in fear-drenched amazement as Jes first lowers the gun, then drops it. She turns and gives Nik a tight hug. I can hear her sobs though the mask. A heart breaking sound that I am the cause of. I still don't know why she didn't kill me.
*****
Kabe reaches down and picks up the discarded gun before coming towards me. Instinctively I pull away. For a moment I foolishly expect him to finish the job Jes had begun. Instead he quietly shushes me and tells me its okay before grabbing my gas mask and gently removing it from my head.
Despite his gentleness, I reel from the pain. Darkness reaches the perimeter of my vision as stars dance in the forefront. By past experience I know this is bad. I know that I am on the verge of passing out and take a few shaky deep blood flavoured breaths, struggling to remain conscious.
I watch as Kabe reaches into a pocket located somewhere under his sweater. He opens a small packet and pulls out a small orange pill capsule.
"This will help you." He tells me, as he carefully breaks the capsule in two. A tiny amount of white powder falls from it. Taking my sore jaw in his hand he tilts my head back, and with gently persuasion he forces the remaining powder into my mouth. I gasp as fire seems to spread through my body, flushing away the pain and filling me with an odd sense of vigor.
I know this feeling.
The package is different, but the content is the same.
I created this powder.
It acts as a painkiller and invigorator. It is safe enough that if accidentally consumed by a healthy person, it would not physically harm them, but rather give them a slight euphoric high. Undoubtedly another less than honourable use of my creation.
Initially I had been told that its intended use was to allow terminally ill patients freedom to enjoy their last days before their illness claims them. That was before my captors had given up the pretense of any honourable intentions. It wasn't until I had completed the powder that I was told of its true intended use. It was created for injured soldiers, to allow them to continue to fight in the heat of battle.
"Professor," Kabe's voice draws me back from my slight daydream. "Are you ready to go?"
I realize the ringing in my head has lessened drastically. Unfortunately, the blood running from my nose hasn't.
I nod as I gingerly touch my nose, sniffing back the blood and swallowing the salty metallic tasting substance.
I take his offered hand, still unsure of myself despite my newfound strength.
He pulls me up with little effort despite the deep gash in his leg. I don't doubt that he has already taken one of the pills he has given me.
Kabe releases my hand and watches me for a moment, before turning his attention towards Jes and Nik.
I glance at Jes and Nik.. Jes has her goggles and gas mask off. Nik is wiping tears from her cheeks as he whispers something to her. She looks towards me. Tear stained eyes unreadable. I quickly turn away. I do not want to invoke her wrath. I don't want to die.
Not yet.
Not while there's hope for my children.
*****
"Lets go." Nik says, his voice firm and commanding.
I watch as he wraps an arm around Jes' waist for a moment and guides her to the hallway entrance.
"We've been here to long as it is." Nik continues. "If they don't know we're here already, they will soon. It's time to get out of here."
Kabe and I follow.
As he leads us, Nik tells us the plan.
"I was able to create a false feed to the cameras on this floor and several other floors. Kabe found a service elevator not far from here and was able to bypass the security lock down. We're not sure, but we think it opens directly to an open shipping dock. When we reach the top, I will notify the van of our location. It will take a few moments for WWITS to break the code so we should have more than enough time to get the professor into the van then head for home." Neb pauses for a moment as he glances down a hallway. After a second we start walking again and he continues. "Neb, Kabe and I successfully set the bombs. When the professor is secure, we'll blow this place."
Blow this place.
No more WWITS.
My children will be free.
I cannot begin to tell you how happy this makes me. It is a dream come true. It is almost to much to hope for. With this place gone, I can die a happy man. My children will never have to worry about living this nightmare life. I don't care what my future holds as long as my children are free.
A/N#2: Thank you Maran Zelde. I am honoured you will let me use that line from 'Robin Zim' for 'Dreams.' I have a place for it, but not for a while yet. ^-^
Acknowledgements: Thank you, my readers and reviewers. As always, my dear reviewers a special thanks. I always enjoy your words of encouragement. TwIsTeD ToAsTeR, (Luv the name.) ^-^ I'm glad you like it. Thank you for favoritizing this. I never thought of the assistants that way before. If that is the case, you probably will be very angry with me very soon. Apologies in advance for any sadness that may come. Maran Zelde, since Bubee and I can't have chitlen, I guess I know how Membrane feels, to an extent. Makes it easier to write. I'm glad I can keep enough suspense to keep you coming back. ^-^ DibMagician, I am glad you love it so far. I hope I can continue to keep you enthralled. Waffle Toast, thank you for adding this to your favorites list. I am truly honoured. Thank you for pointing out my use of thru and through, I realize it is not a proper spelling. Sort of like nite and night. For some reason, the spellcheck misses that. Thank your for the compliments. They make me very happy. Ces-Kirby. Cliffhangers are fun. Very fun. I luv when I can squeeze one in. (Yes, these are horns holding up this halo, why do you ask?! (Smiles evilly)) Raina, I haven't given up this tale, and I won't. I have made a promise to myself, and an unspoken promise to you readers and reviewers, to finish this, 'Dreams' and any other tales I decide to write no matter what. Unless, of course, I die. If I do die, (if I don't update in over 4 monthes just review or email me and ask, if I don't respond, chances are I'm dead.) then by all means feel free to take over and finish.it. I hate leaving things unfinished. Don't worry though; I don't plan to die anytime soon. (As if any of us do.) Dark Destiny, I am honoured you find my writing beautiful. It does not come as easy as it seems. My reviewers, I want to thank all of you again for your support. Your reviews motivate me and make me all tingly and happy.
WARNING: (If you've read this before, you can skip it. Same as last chapter.) Okay, a minor boost on the violence. The gore won't be too graphic, some blood, broken bones (actually, there weren't any broken bones in this particular chapter), even death, (but the death is insinuated rather than shown in detail). I still think it falls into the Rated PG -13 but if I'm wrong. PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I now know exactly where this story wants to go and how it is going to get there. Scary, eh?
YAY! WE"RE DOOMED!
Disclaimer: Invader Zim and such do not belong to me.
Hope you enjoy!
*****
Chapter Four: Early Afternoon
Almost in a panic Jes turns and leads us around a corner.
It seems our luck has ran out.
The hallway is short, leading to a dead end. With the footsteps sounding closer by the second, it is too late to choose another.
As we travel down the hallway, away from the sound of the approaching footsteps, Jes starts trying to open every door we pass. In less than a second, I am helping her. She hits one side, while I hit the other. Three doors apiece. It is an exercise in futility however, as every door we try is securely locked.
I reach the end of the hallway first, where the last door promises little hope of escape. Clinging to that fragile hope I reach for the door handle.
Desperate, I whisper an almost silent prayer.
"Please open. For my children, for Jes, please let it open."
If it doesn't open, we're doomed.
I hear Jes move behind me and glance towards her. Her back is towards me, facing the hallway entrance. Her gun is drawn and ready.
I turn back towards the door and jiggle the handle.
Locked.
End of the line.
We're doomed.
I hear the footsteps stop at the entrance of the hallway and I close my eyes and wait. Wait for the gunfire I know is coming. Wait for the end.
It doesn't come.
Instead I hear Jes' muffled scream of "Nik" and "Kabe".
I open my eyes in disbelief. I seriously thought I'd never see them again.
*****
Jes grabs me by my arm and drags me down the hall. As we approach, I notice that both Nik and Kabe are splattered in blood, almost as if someone has sprayed them with a large squirt gun filled with it. Both of them have their masks off and they are panting as if they had just finished a marathon. Fresh blood is smeared across their faces, as if they tried to remove it with a blood soaked rag. From the looks of their blood soaked sweater arms, they probably did. Kabe's pants are torn and heavy with fresh blood oozing from a huge gash in his upper thigh. His black hair is pressed flat against his skull, more from sweat than the blood. For a frightening moment, I see Dib where Kabe stands, Dib, Kabe's age, with all of Kabe's wounds. I shudder involuntarily and shake my head to clear it of the nightmare vision, then glance towards Nik. He appears to be in better shape, with no visible wounds. I can't help but wonder about Neb.
Nik answers my unasked question by way of greeting. "I'm sorry Jess." He says touching Jes' arm. "Neb is dead."
I hear Jes draw a shuddered breath from behind her mask.
"I'm sorry Jes." Nik says again, gathering a shaking Jes in his arms. "He told me to tell you he loves you."
I stand there, uncomfortable. I'm not sure what to do. I feel horrible about the news. I truly liked Neb.
Upon reflection I realize now that she and Neb had been more than casual acquaintances. They were always working near each other in the lab whenever they could. With my limited experience with relationships, I never really thought about it. I never put two and two together. Until now!
The sudden realization causes me to catch my breath.
I am the cause of all of this.
Unwittingly, I killed Neb.
I killed Step.
If they hadn't tried to liberate me, they would still be alive.
Part of me tries to rationalize that I never asked to be liberated, but it doesn't wash away the guilt.
*****
In a sudden frenzy of movement Jes pulls away from Neb and spins around towards me. Something hard and cold hits the left side of my face, shattering the left lens of my goggles and cracking the right. I drop to the ground from the force, my right hand stopping my fall as my left hand rises to protect my head. My left ear is ringing from the blow. My gas mask has provided some protection from the sudden attack but not much. Inside the mask, blood streams from my nose, and is beginning to line the bottom of my mask.
Dazed, I look up at Jes. Through a pain induced fog, a cracked lens and spinning vision I notice a gun pointed at my head. As I look past I see Gaz, years from now, her squinting eyes make even narrower with hate.
My breath freezes for a moment, as time seems to stop.
"You failed us." She mouths at me.
"I know." I try to say. It comes out like 'I ngo' though a gravelly voice harsh from disuse.
I glance at the floor for a moment, mustering up courage.
"I'm so-ee!"
I look back up as I tell her the only thing I can, that I'm sorry. I am so very sorry I failed you and your brother.
Gaz is no longer there. Jes is holding the gun, her face unreadable behind the mask and goggles.
"I'm so-ee!" I say again, quieter. She has every right to kill me.
Slowly, I drop my gaze, lower my arm and wait for my deserved death.
As I wait, I think of my children, the vision of Gaz still fresh in my mind.
My deepest sorrow, my deepest regret, is for my children. Destined to live this nightmare existence. I will never see them again. I have failed them. They will never have a chance for a normal life. For the life of freedom they rightly deserve.
"It's not his fault." I hear Nik say. "Neb chose this mission and so did you. You both knew the dangers before you came here. If you kill him, all of our work, Neb's death, everything, will have been in vain."
"I don't care." I hear Jes reply through clenched teeth.
"You do care or you wouldn't be here." Kabe interjects in a voice so soft I almost miss it through the ringing in my head.
I chance glancing up. The gun pointed at my head seems to shake.
"Would Neb want you to give up?" Nik asks.
I watch in fear-drenched amazement as Jes first lowers the gun, then drops it. She turns and gives Nik a tight hug. I can hear her sobs though the mask. A heart breaking sound that I am the cause of. I still don't know why she didn't kill me.
*****
Kabe reaches down and picks up the discarded gun before coming towards me. Instinctively I pull away. For a moment I foolishly expect him to finish the job Jes had begun. Instead he quietly shushes me and tells me its okay before grabbing my gas mask and gently removing it from my head.
Despite his gentleness, I reel from the pain. Darkness reaches the perimeter of my vision as stars dance in the forefront. By past experience I know this is bad. I know that I am on the verge of passing out and take a few shaky deep blood flavoured breaths, struggling to remain conscious.
I watch as Kabe reaches into a pocket located somewhere under his sweater. He opens a small packet and pulls out a small orange pill capsule.
"This will help you." He tells me, as he carefully breaks the capsule in two. A tiny amount of white powder falls from it. Taking my sore jaw in his hand he tilts my head back, and with gently persuasion he forces the remaining powder into my mouth. I gasp as fire seems to spread through my body, flushing away the pain and filling me with an odd sense of vigor.
I know this feeling.
The package is different, but the content is the same.
I created this powder.
It acts as a painkiller and invigorator. It is safe enough that if accidentally consumed by a healthy person, it would not physically harm them, but rather give them a slight euphoric high. Undoubtedly another less than honourable use of my creation.
Initially I had been told that its intended use was to allow terminally ill patients freedom to enjoy their last days before their illness claims them. That was before my captors had given up the pretense of any honourable intentions. It wasn't until I had completed the powder that I was told of its true intended use. It was created for injured soldiers, to allow them to continue to fight in the heat of battle.
"Professor," Kabe's voice draws me back from my slight daydream. "Are you ready to go?"
I realize the ringing in my head has lessened drastically. Unfortunately, the blood running from my nose hasn't.
I nod as I gingerly touch my nose, sniffing back the blood and swallowing the salty metallic tasting substance.
I take his offered hand, still unsure of myself despite my newfound strength.
He pulls me up with little effort despite the deep gash in his leg. I don't doubt that he has already taken one of the pills he has given me.
Kabe releases my hand and watches me for a moment, before turning his attention towards Jes and Nik.
I glance at Jes and Nik.. Jes has her goggles and gas mask off. Nik is wiping tears from her cheeks as he whispers something to her. She looks towards me. Tear stained eyes unreadable. I quickly turn away. I do not want to invoke her wrath. I don't want to die.
Not yet.
Not while there's hope for my children.
*****
"Lets go." Nik says, his voice firm and commanding.
I watch as he wraps an arm around Jes' waist for a moment and guides her to the hallway entrance.
"We've been here to long as it is." Nik continues. "If they don't know we're here already, they will soon. It's time to get out of here."
Kabe and I follow.
As he leads us, Nik tells us the plan.
"I was able to create a false feed to the cameras on this floor and several other floors. Kabe found a service elevator not far from here and was able to bypass the security lock down. We're not sure, but we think it opens directly to an open shipping dock. When we reach the top, I will notify the van of our location. It will take a few moments for WWITS to break the code so we should have more than enough time to get the professor into the van then head for home." Neb pauses for a moment as he glances down a hallway. After a second we start walking again and he continues. "Neb, Kabe and I successfully set the bombs. When the professor is secure, we'll blow this place."
Blow this place.
No more WWITS.
My children will be free.
I cannot begin to tell you how happy this makes me. It is a dream come true. It is almost to much to hope for. With this place gone, I can die a happy man. My children will never have to worry about living this nightmare life. I don't care what my future holds as long as my children are free.