"How did we do today, Five?" Milo asks hopefully, and I give him a thumbs up in reply.

This is the third lesson in sign language I've given him, his brother, and his sister so far. They're the only constants that seem to want to learn. While there are a few other runners who come-a kind, younger woman named Jody and a somewhat flirtatious man named Simon, for example-none have came all three times or have the excitement to learn like Milo and Willis do. Penelope seems interested but her shy nature makes it harder than it already is to talk to her.

"Will you be able teach us tomorrow?" The brunet questions, but before I can reply a voice comes over one of the loud speakers.

"Runner Five? Runner Five, report to the main gates immediately, Runner Five. It's an emergency.

That's definitely not Sam's voice.

But still I grab my headset from off the wooden bench-I've learned to keep it on me at all times-and hastily put it on as I make my way to the front gates. I hear the same female voice grumbling and complaining through the headset.

"Where is the switch that makes the-"

The loud noise of the gates beginning to raise cuts her off, although this time without its rather loud beeping. It almost seems abnormal not to hear that...

"Ah, excellent," The woman states. "Runner Five, you're the only person available and we rather desperately need you to..." Her professional tone of voice trails off as I hear multiple papers shuffling. "Ugh, why does Mr. Yao keep this place in such a Godawful state?"

I smile a bit at that.

"It's not as if we have infinite resources for him to-" Her rant is cut short as she makes a noise of disgust.

"What the hell do you think you're doing in my coms station, Janine?" Sam asks, sounding more than a bit agitated.

"Never mind about that. What is this brown sticky goop covering the desk under your keyboard?" The woman known as Janine (didn't Willis mention her a few days ago?) takes in a shaky breath. "Please don't tell me it's-"

"It's marmite, Janine. Plain, simple, ordinary, delicious... marmite."

I hear a feminine grunt of annoyance. "But why have you-"

"The jar broke. I may have been demonstrating how to use it to crush a zombie skull."

I roll my eyes as a silence follows his words.

"Now... get out of my chair." He sighs in frustration, "and away from my mic. You know we had a deal: we don't interfere with your private quarters, and you don't-"

"It's an emergency." Her words are clipped and precise, somewhat like Evan's. It's a voice I'm used to, but hearing it semi-arguing with a pissed off Sam is something entirely new.

"Such an emergency you couldn't come and find me?"

"We've had word on Roufflenet that about seventy zooms are headed for Brunswick," She explains, "but their communications are down; We can't raise them. We need to send a runner to get there ahead of the horde and warn them of what's coming."

"And you choose Runner Five to do that? You do realize she can't speak, right?" There's a slight hesitation in his words, but that doesn't stop the sting.

"She's the only runner available. It's either her or no one. We'll figure something out."

"Y-yeah, you're right," Sam stumbles. "Runner Five, go."

Finally. I think to myself, taking off through the gates. I listen to the murmurs that come from my headset. I can't make out the words, which I'm sure is what the two are aiming for, but I can hear the edge in both their voices. Probably over the fact that I can't speak to actually warn them.

Well, there must be some person in Brunswick who knows sign language, right?... Dear God, I hope so, or else this mission is going to be a complete disaster.

"Okay, Five. Yeah. Looks like Janine was right," Sam states, "One of the New Canton satellite settlements fell a few weeks ago. We don't know what happened. Probably the usual: someone got bitten, didn't want to admit it, come back home and bam! Seventy new zombies wandering the wilderness."

"And there's the fire."

"Yes... thank you, Janine. I was just getting to that," An annoyed Sam mutters, and I give a half smile as he continues. "Brunswick is fairly isolated. They used to be 'Brunswick technology park'. Set in forty acres of rolling countryside... Not great food stocks but a coms hub, and they traded working tech for other supplies-"

"Until the fire!"

"Yeah, alright. Thank you. I was getting there..." I hear a few huffs and can imagine a shared glare or two.

"There was a fire, last night. One of their building went up like a torch-killed their areals. It's still burning though. No fire engines around to put it out now. We had a runner arrive from Brunswick to bring us the news, and we've sent one of our guys to bring them some emergency supplies but-"

"Their communications are gone," Janine states, interrupting Sam for at least the third time.

"We can't tell them that the fire's attracting the zombies like moths to a flame," She continues. "If moths wanted to eat your face off."

A moment of silence erupts after that. Even I'm unsure of what to think, so instead of thinking a reply I grab the small notebook that's lying on the ground, not slowing my pace for a second.

The silence continues until Sam decides to break it. "That's... poetic, and creepy."

"I have friends in Brunswick," Janine snaps, ignoring Sam's sarcastic comment. "Good people. Equipment from Brunswick is what keeps you talking to your runners, Mr. Yao."

"So yeah. There are seventy zoms moving at a slow shamble towards Brunswick, and if you can't keep up the face, Five-"

"Soon they'll be fifty more zombies in Brunswick," She finishes.

But ya know, no pressure. The sarcastic little voice in my head sings, making me grimace. So I have to make sure I get there before the zombies, and warn the people of Brunswick about the zombies, even though I have no voice to do so.

This oughtta be good.

•

It's about twenty minutes of running and having collected another two sports bras before Sam starts talking again, thankfully stopping the upbeat music that does little to help with my mood.

"Yeah, I see them. That's... wow. Haven't seen that number on the move for quite awhile. Five, you probably won't be able to seem them yet," He informs. "They're screened by the cover of the hill, but if Brunswick is at... uh twelve o'clock, there's a massive pack heading towards them from... eh... about ten past ten? Uh, quarter past ten... well, sometime in the pre-elevens anyway."

I let out a huff of laughter. The music might not have raised my spirits but for some odd reason that sure did. There's a brief pause, as if maybe Sam heard my voiceless laughter, but I don't have time to wander about it because he's right back to talking again.

"Right. The point is they're nearer Brunswick than you are, and Brunswick won't be able to see them, even if they're looking out. You're going well though," He assures. "If you manage to keep steady at that pace you should be able to make it a good... forty minutes before the zoms.

"Hmm... is that enough? Yeah, maybe try to speed up a little bit." At his words I start pumping my legs faster, gaining more speed.

"Runner Five! Runner Five," A distant voice calls out, and I look around in confusion.

"Did you... was that something through the headphones?" The radio operator questions.

"Runner Five, over here!"

The voice is clearer now, and I internally groan as I recognize the voice.

Please let me be wrong. Please let me be wrong.

"Janine, didn't we send Runner One to Brunswick this morning?" Sam inquires. "That's what I was told before my break."

Janine lets out a hiss of irritation. "No. Mr. Pluke is still recovering after that nasty business with the exploding unitions."

"Oh, yeah... unpleasant...So, right, yes. I definitely have a bit of paper somewhere here..." I hear the rustling of papers as he speaks, "to tell me who's out in field and at what time. Just-just hang on right here. Let me..."

Please don't let it be who I think it is.

"Runner Five, it's me, Runner Eight," Sarah greets as she approaches.

Jesus on a freaking boat!

I can hear Sam muttering out guesses on who is here with me, but I tune him out as I stare at the runner in front of me. She doesn't seem to notice the weary look I'm giving her, or maybe she does and just doesn't care. There doesn't seem to be any look of suspicion in her eyes either, but that's most likely because of the situation at hand.

"They sent me here this morning but my damn communicator's on the fritz again, so I can't get in touch with Sam to tell him that there's no one left in Brunswick," She explains. "We've taken them all to shelter until the fire dies down."

She nods as I cast a glance just to the left. "Yes, just over there is where we are."

I can still hear Sam talking through the headset, so I'm quick to take it off and hand it to Sarah. She gives me a questioning look before putting it on. We both slow down to a stop as she speaks.

"Sam, it's Runner Eight. Five just gave me her headset so I'm guessing there's something I need to hear."

I can hear Sam's mumbled voice through the headset, with Janine making an occasional input. Sarah's eyes widen only a fraction before she nods and returns my headset. I can almost see the gears turning in her head, and she motions me to start running again.

"Okay, Five," She pants, "if what Sam says is right, then we've got a lot of people to warn. The people in Brunswick are split along several small camps along the hill here. You need to go from one to the next to tell them the zombies are coming."

My eyes widen at her statement. Me?

"We can outpace them easily. I'll run to Brunswick now and probably barricade... barricade the East building-the one furthest from the fire-to keep the people safe until Abel can send in help to kill the zoms."

"Yeah. I heard all that," Sam pipes up, and I turn up the volume on my headset. "That's good, but don't you think Five should be the one building the barricade and you warning the people? Since... you know, you can-"

"Talk?" She finishes, and I scrunch up my shoulders just slightly at that. "I thought of that, but we have no idea of Five's skill is at building. It won't do us any good if the people are warned only for the zoms to end up breaking through the barricade."

"But-"

'It's fine,' I tap out quickly on the mic. It takes Sam a few seconds to understand it, but by the time he does I'm already running in one direction and Sarah in another.

As much as I would love to argue that I can, in fact, build a strong barricade to keep out the zombies, I know doing so would waste time. Time's not something we have at the moment, especially since I have to find someone who might be able to help me warn others.

I make it to the first camp, instantly grabbing a few people's attention. I start signing rapidly to them. There's only a few, maybe seven, but all of them look at me in confusion.

'Do you know sign language?' I ask the question over and over, each time getting shrugs and muttered 'sorry's. I run a hand through my hair in frustration.

'Does anybody here know freaking sign language?'

"I do."

I snap my head to the side and I sigh with relief as I see the young man offer me a small wave.

"Hi."

I offer him what I hope is a friendly smile, but with how desperate I am to get this news out I'm not sure I'm portraying the look like I should. 'You know sign language?'

"Had to learn it," He explains, pointing to his ear as I notice the small hearing aid that's placed there.

I nod, my mind racing as I remember that time is very much of the essence. 'I need your help.'

He tips his head to the side. "About the fire? You are aren't the Abel runner from this morning-"

'There are zombies coming, seventy of them. I need you to help me spread the word that at the East building of Brunswick is a barricade. Everyone has to go there unless they want to be eaten alive.' My hands are going at lightening speed, and I see the boy's eyes widen in shock at my news. I glance over at the people watching in confusion just a few feet away, but the young man makes no move towards either them or me.

I grind my teeth in frustration. Come on!

I grab the boy's hand and lead him right to the group of people who I'd been trying to speak to earlier. My tight grip on his hand seems to snap him out of his daze and he quickly begins explaining what's happening. Those hearing the news nod frantically before heading off to the East building, while the two of us make our way from camp to camp.

"I'm Caleb, by the way. Caleb Shelly," The boy pants from beside me. I simply nod in response, reaching down and grabbing a perfectly good water bottle from the ground.

"Do you normally pick up random stuff from anywhere?" There's a hint of amusement in his voice.

'If it has value... and I'm Five.'

His eyes dart from my hands to my shirt, and then to my eyes. "That's your name?"

'It's what I'm called.'

He opens his mouth to question it but by now we've already made it the next camp. We quickly make our way to warn the two standing nearby, explaining where to go and wasting no time before moving on, with Caleb trying to edge me into a conversation.

Sam's voice sounds into my ear, startling me slightly. My running partner notices my flinch and gives me a questioning look. I tap my headset lightly and turn its volume up once more.

"You're doing well. That's twenty people running back to Runner Eight's barricade... Keep going. Those people are depending on you."

"No pressure or anything," Caleb adds, and I bite back a smile. He notices and his eyes light up. "Wow. Someone actually laughing at my sarcasm. I'm gonna have to mark this down."

'I didn't laugh,' I sign as I continue running towards the next camp, my face now completely neutral. 'I didn't even smile.'

"But you almost did."

'Almost.'

"Almost is still something in my book-"

"Five, who's that talking to you?" Sam asks suddenly. "I know that's definitely not Runner Eight-"

"I'm Caleb," The red head replies a bit breathlessly, "Also known as 'Runner Five's temporary voice'."

"What?" He asks incredulously.

"I'm her temporary voice, since she has no other way of warning Brunswick about the zoms," He clicks his tongue. "Need to get the word out somehow, right?"

"Yes, of course," Sam mumbles, still sounding a bit confused. "Keep going. Just a bit more and you'll have gotten everyone heading towards Runner Eight's barricades."

"Got it," Caleb says, "I was saying that for both me and Five-"

"Yeah, I uh-I got that."

•

"Okay, you've sent another fifteen people back to Runner Eight's barricaded building. I can see the last group just ahead of you and you're still in front of the zoms. Just about. These guys can see the zoms. They just need to know where to go-if you just wave at them..."

I start waving at Sam's command at the last group, which tells them exactly where to go. Caleb quickly follows suit after a short second of confusion.

"Yes! They're following."

I turn over to Caleb. 'You should head with the group. I'll catch up after I hear what they have to say."

I point to my headset as his face falls slightly. "I was hoping you wouldn't say that. This is the most exciting thing I've done in a while."

I blink. That's one way of putting it.

"There's a reason I think if it like that." He answers, as if reading my thoughts. "I might tell you about it later."

I raise an eyebrow at that. 'Who's to say we're going to keep talking?'

He shrugs, a smile gracing his features. "Call it a gut feeling." Then he turns around and runs off, his feet hitting the ground in a tap, tap, tap, tap pattern that's not much different that my own.

Through my headset I can hear Janine rejoicing quietly over the fact her friends-one specifically-made it out alive, but playing it off when Sam inquires about it.

"Certainly not, Mr. Yao. I'm grateful to Runner Five, that's all. Ben... Mr. Jones and I worked together a few years ago while I was still in the private sector."

I can picture his face already. "Oh, really?"

"Yes, and I expect you not to ask questions. I'm grateful he's alive...You've done good work today, Runner Five." Her praises are clipped and sound mechanical, but if I listen very, very, very closely, I can hear a touch of sincerity in it. "You saved these people's lives. Now, back to Brunswick as quickly as you can. You and Runner Eight can take shelter at the barricades until we send runners to take care of the zombies. Brunswick's very important to the operation of Abel, Runner Five. You've done more than you know today."

By now I'm already halfway towards the barricades, the distant but still deadly growls and groans motivating me to keep my speed up. As I run, I count my steps. It's a good distraction to keep from thinking about when I'll return back to Abel in about a day.

And how I almost can't wait to do so.

A/N: New chapter. Yay! Hope you liked and if so please be sure to leave a comment or vote on it. Thanks everyone!