I don't know how many times I've changed sleeping positions. I've gone to my side, my back, my other side, my stomach, child's pose, and every other wired sleeping position but still even on this comfortable cot I can't sleep.

I can't say the same for Sam. He's been out cold for about an hour now, and I'm baffled by how he managed to get comfortable enough to fall asleep in the battered swivel chair. His arms and legs are all in awkward positions and I wince at the thought of how achy he'll feel tomorrow, or today; I'm not exactly sure what time it is.

My thoughts whirl about Van Ark and the Jeffro Complex and those sounds... the music that played briefly before we reached the gate... before the professor got bit. The thoughts of what they are and what they might mean plague me, and even with my thoughts and questions I can't come up with a good, logical answer.

I haven't told anyone about what I heard because neither Sarah nor Van Ark seemed to notice it. If they did they didn't show it at the time and Sarah never mentioned it to me afterwards. With that in mind I just assume she didn't hear it.

And I can't just say I heard music playing while I was running for my life. That right there is basically screaming that you're cracking and losing your mind.

I pull the thin blanket tighter around me, my constantly cold body aching for warmth. It's always been like this for me-constant cold, a desire for warmth. I was told your heart is just like your hands. The inside will show the outside. I never really believed it, but now that I think about it the saying would make sense. My hands are cold meaning my heart is too.

I mean, someone like me must have a cold heart. I've done terrible things. The memories constantly haunt me. They're burned into my brain and I know even in the years to come they'll never be forgotten. If anyone knew my past sins I'd be hated, never to be forgiven.

Only God is loving enough to forgive the things I've done.

I squeeze my eyes shut and keep them that way for several minutes, hoping that the complete and utter darkness will lull me to sleep, but it doesn't. All it shows me are flashes of memories-glimpse but just enough to stab my heart again and again until tears are fighting to slip past my tightly shut eyelids.

They beg to be freed but I refuse; Even when I see Wesley's face, and Bro. Reggie's, and Mrs. Robin's, and my Mom's, and my cousins' and everyone else's of who I killed.

But then I see her face... smiling, laughing, talking, and my eyes snap open in hopes to dispel her from my brain. I sit up and clutch the blanket against my chest, knowing sleep isn't something I'm going to get anytime soon.

Again I look at Sam passed out in his chair and frown. I set the blanket aside and stand up, shivering slightly as goosebumps erupt on my arms. I walk over to this chair and wrap my hands around one of the chair handles and drag the chair towards the cot, thankful it has wheels and that it doesn't squeak too much.

It's easier this way, since I won't have to drag him across the room and worry about waking him. It would be a difficult task since I'm me sized and Sam is a good eight inches taller than me and probably weighs more than me. The thought of me dragging him to the cot makes me grin and for once I'm glad my laugh is silent.

Once I get the chair close enough to the cot, I wrap my arms around Sam as best I can and try to pull him from his swivel chair. His tangle of long limbs make it harder to maneuver so I end up basically dropping him onto the cot, wincing when he groans and shifts where he lays.

His eyes open for a fraction, but his drowsy mind doesn't seem to comprehend me standing in front of him, and he simply mumbles something incoherent before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep once more. I grab the thinner blanket and drape it over him, knowing I'll regret it because I already feel the cold seeping into my bones but still do it anyway.

I stare at Sam for a few moments and realize if this were a movie then this would be the scene where I'd kiss his forehead and whisper goodnight.

A scoff leaves my lips. This is most definitely not a movie.

I lay down on the floor about a foot way from the cot. It's cold and hard, but not too uncomfortable since those sleeping bags don't offer much cushion in the first place. My eyes stay trained in the dark haired radio operator in front of me. His breathing is steady and slow, and the look of peace of his face is something to kill for. I wonder if I look like that when I sleep...

I doubt it.

Finally I start to feel sleep coming to me, and I send out a prayer of thanks as I watch Sam's chest rise and fall. Sleep overtakes me soon after.

•

"You've gotta be freaking kidding me," I mutter under my breath, adding in a few curses as the jeep I'm currently riding in hits a particularly large rock. I bounce up from the impact before falling down in my seat and I can't stop the scowl that appears on my face.

"This is nice." Archie grins. "I haven't ridden in a car since the apocalypse. Were they always this bumpy or is it just that we're not on a road?"

"Runner Five, Runner Twenty, confirm you're receiving me."

"We've got you, Nadia," She says with an eye roll.

"Good. Don't get used to that comfortable ride. We'll be dropping you off shortly, about five kilometers out from Jeffro so you won't be spotted."

"Pst, Archie," I whisper, nudging her with my foot, "what's the date?"

"October fifteenth," She answers nonchalantly, and I blink.

That's tomorrow, or really today depending on the time in the real world... Odd, I've never had a dream take place in the future before.

"We're hoping our maneuvers will distract them so you two can get inside and plant the devices into the outside walls of the building," Nadia finishes, and Archie shifts uncomfortably in her seat, although that could be just from how rugged and rough this journey seems to be. I've left contact with my seat at least three times by now.

"Two in one devices, right?" Runner Twenty asks. "We don't have to use both sides."

"Both sides?" I mutter in confusion. What does that mean exactly?

"We have a two stage plan, yes, devised by Runner Five who'll be placing the devices which are in her backpack."

My lips part slightly in surprise. Me, create an intricate plan? That can't be right. I'm a runner, meaning I do what I'm told. I'm just the pawn and usually I'm happily so. I leave the plan making up to other people.

Maybe that's why I created this in my dream... Maybe Chrysalis Gracier is everything I'm not...

Figures.

"So we don't have to..." Archie's voice trails off as she pulls her bottom lip between her teeth and wrings her hands together.

"No," She answers, "but we will if we must. Prepare yourself; Entering the drop zone now. Time to jump off that jeep and get moving."

We jump off the jeep as told, and my feet stumble as they hit the ground, but I quickly gain my balance and start running with Archie who is just a step ahead of me. For some reason she's oddly quiet, and even more oddly I don't like it. I mean, I don't mind her talking, but after a while she can get a bit... annoying, but Anna was like too and she is supposed to be a representation of her in my head, at least that's my hypothesis.

But now she's quiet with drawn in brows and lips pressed together in a thin line as if she's deep in thought. We continue this silence for the next few minutes, and I turn my attention to making sure I dodge every tree limb and don't trip on one of the many small rocks that seem to be around. One fall and a broken ankle isn't something I want. If this is dream stays as realistic as the past ones have been then I'm assuming if I hurt myself I will feel the pain that isn't real.

Archie cranes her neck to look back at me, and I raise a brow at the small frown that adorns her lips. "Did you see that we past some Abel Township runners back there when we were in the truck?"

I shake my head. I was too busy wondering why the hell I was back here again to be looking at my surroundings. But still I'm curious. This isn't a dream set in the past so why would we be seeing any Abel runners?

What's the chance one of those runners was me?

"Did you see their faces?" I ask, and she shakes her head.

"No, but there was three or four of them."

"Keep your mind on the job, Runner Twenty," Nadia snaps. "This is a serious mission. Chrysalis requested you because you've done well in the previous missions, but if you can't keep focused we've got a dozen other operatives who could run in your place."

"It's okay! It's okay!" She says quickly. "I'm focused. Focus... focus."

"Your role is vital, Runner Twenty. Runner Five will be planting the six devices around the perimeter. You will run ahead and make sure there are no guards in the way-no zoms, and leading them away if there are. That way Five can get as close as possible. We need to be close."

"I understand." Archie nods solemnly. "This is important. I'm here, forgetting about the Abel Township runners. Totally forgetting. Forgotten. There."

There's no music after Nadia switches off, so our footsteps and mildly labored breathing is the only thing that keeps us from being engulfed in silence. Ducking under branches and stepping over rocks keeps my mind focused, but still this tiny part of me wonders why I continue having these dreams. I don't dislike them, but what meaning could they have?

I know my nightmares of the past are caused my crippling guilt that will probably be the reason I crack and lose my mind in the future if I do happen to go nuts. But what could this mean? Am I really that desperate to be important and do something important that my subconscious is making it up in dreams and making me a part of it? Am I really that pathetic?

That question plagues me, and I breath in deeply while trying to ignore the burn my lungs feel at breathing in the cold air. It's too real for my liking-too detailed for a dream. It'd really be nice if I could just abort mission and wake up.

"I can see it!" Archie says, pointing ahead. "There in this distance; Lit up buildings and those large walls."

My eyes strain as I attempt to see what Archie is pointing to, and every step closer the vision becomes more clear. It doesn't really look like a complex to me. In fact, it looks like a prison. Huge concrete walls covering and hiding most of the buildings except for the very tips of them, and atop of those walls are barbed wire in case someone tries to get out.

There's only one small section of the wall that isn't concrete. It's actually not even considered a wall, but a fence-a chainlink fence. I remember Van Ark saying he was kept captive, so maybe this was here so the workers or 'prisoners' could catch a glimpse of the outside world.

God, these people are terrible aren't they? The section isn't even that big.

"I'm nervous, Chrys," Archie says, drawing my attention back to her. Her blue eyes bite into mine as her emotions swirl through them. "I'm really nervous-butterflies. I'm sure I'll be fine-"

"Just focus on the mission. Runner Five has the supplies?" Nadia asks, and Twenty is quick to confirm.

"The microphones."

"That's one thing they do. The more of them we place around the perimeter, the more detailed and oral picture we'll build up of what's going on in there. It'll help us make our decision.

"Remember, keep off the path as we've discussed. Just follow the plan. Concentrate on the plan and you'll be fine."

"And what if something goes wrong?" Archie says in worry.

Then I'll wake up, hopefully.

"If something goes wrong, we'll let you know what to do," She answers. "We're switching to secure channels; No unnecessary coms. We won't be in touch with you again until you reach the target. Go."

"No good luck?" Archie scoffs.

"And good luck."

•

I almost let out a low whistle as I get nearer to the Jeffro Complex. From far away I could tell it was big but closer up I can see just how magnificent it is, even when still covered by the tree line. The concrete walls are thick and sturdy, and I see no cracks meaning they must keep this place well kept up, at least they do in my head.

"Checking in, Runners Five and Twenty. You've been going for three as a half kilometers. It's time to spread out now," Nadia states. "Runner Twenty, head west, closer into Jeffro. Runner Five, keep on your current path for the being."

"I would wish you luck, but I'm sure you won't need it," Archie says offering me a small smile, and my lips turn up a smile in reply.

She's just like Anna.

"Runner Five relies on planning, not luck," She corrects, although there's less of a bite in her voice now.

Archie chuckles. "I guess that's why you're in the council, huh?"

Council? I wonder, but before I can think about it too much Archie's ran off to get closer to Jerro's walls while I continue at my speed. One hand grabs at my backpack strap while the other wipes away the thin sheet of sweat that's created on my forehead. Every breath, every step, every heartbeat, seems so real I almost believe it is, until I remind myself that I am Chrysalis Gracier, that is.

I stop at one of the nearby trees and hide behind it as I catch a glimpse of Archie running faster towards the Jeffro Complex. She's made it to the walls by now, and starting to circle the perimeter. I can't see much from this distance, but I can't see any guards near this part of the wall.

"Alright, Runner Five, start running towards the corner of this first wall up ahead," Nadia says, and immediately I'm sprinting, trying to make my footsteps as quiet as they can be so I won't be heard. No one may be on the ground but they may be up on the walls watching, but they can't see directly down so the closer I am to the wall, the less of a chance I have from being caught.

"Runner Twenty's running outright over you as agreed. She says there's nothing up ahead."

"I can say it myself," Archie interjects. "There's nothing up ahead, Five."

I nod as I continue sprinting, the wind whipping my ponytail back and stinging my face because of its temperature. With shallow breaths and slightly aching feet I make it to the wall.

"So place your first device there, just near that corner."

I unzip my backpack just enough to reach my hand in and pull out said device. It's a simple black, rectangular box with wires of the same color crisscrossing over it. On the back are strong suction cups designed to make this thing stay and not easily be taken off from the building if spotted.

Even with that in mind, I place the box onto the wall lower to the ground so the grass can hide it. A small clicking noise leaves the device's speakers once it's connected.

"Yes, that's good. Remember if you can't get them on the wall, get as close as you possibly can without getting seen by the guards. Now we should be able to-yes, that mic's coming online. I'll patch you into our audio stream."

I nod and start running again, in the same direction Archie was heading since I know there should be no guards around. Through my headset there's static before a voice patches in. A voice I easily recognize.

"Yes, this is Van Ark. For God's sake, do I have to this security routine every time? Just put me through to her."

My eyes widen as there's footsteps and then silence. What kind of sick dream is this? I saw him get bit. He's a walking dead man now. I know it. Why would my dream have him in it if he's dead? Is this some sort of guilt trip it's trying to put my through? Is my mind trying to tell me what would happen Sarah and I would've gone first and got bit? That Van Ark would've returned to Jeffro?

Archie says she saw some runners from Abel? Maybe if Van Ark had survived, he'd go back to Jeffro Complex and we'd come to work on a vaccine.

The theory is a plausible one, and it does make a pretty good amount of sense, but still I can't help but feel like something... isn't right to say the least. I feel doubtful of my own theory.

And this is just a dream.

I keep my pace steady, slowing down just slightly so I don't tire myself out too much. I can see Archie in the distance, her form becoming a small speck in my vision.

"Are we bringing everyone in?" Runner Twenty questions. There's hesitation and slight nervousness in her voice, although those two things are most definitely not in the voice that answers.

"That's a confirm. We have 130 on their way to the Jeffro Complex. This is a full platoon."

"And what are we planning to do?" I question in a voice no louder than a whisper. My mind strains to remember if I had created a plan for this, but there's nothing. It's like I've been given bits and pieces of my own mind and then bits and pieces of Chrysalis's.

Although Chrys is just a part of my own mind but still apparently she's supposed to know something and I don't remember it.

"That depends on what we hear," Nadia replies.

"And what are we hearing?" Archie asks.

"Listen for yourself."

Static and radio waves cut through the headset before muffled voices come through, their words becoming more clear every second they continue to speak.

"How long will this treatment have to go on for?" Van Ark asks angrily.

"You know the answer. It could be indefinite."

I nearly choke at the answering voice. It's crackled and slightly garbled up, but I recognize it. The conversation is obviously over radio telephone frequencies, because of how one of the voices sound compared to the other, but even still I know these two voices. Both of them...

"It's not good enough, Paula," Van Ark booms. "You know it's not!"

"I don't know what else to tell you," She answers defensively, her tone guarded. "We're working as hard as we can. We've managed to hold back the progress of the virus in your system through plasmapheresis. It's an incredible breakthrough."

"It's daily bloody plasma transfusions, Dr. Cohen! Daily! For how long?"

"I've told you before, I can't change my answer just because you don't like it!" Paula shouts, and then a certain smirk plays in her voice. "Could be forever."

"What the hell?" I mutter as the transmission cuts out as Nadia reminds me I'm getting nearer to the placement spot.

This itself makes no sense. Pro. Van Ark never mentioned having a virus or disease when Sarah and I met him. Granted, we only knew him for a few short moments before he got bitten, but still why would my mind create something like this?

Thoughts of frustration and confusion swirl through my mind, and I sigh heavily. The sound almost resembles a groan, and a small sliver of bitterness creeps into my heart as I know when I wake up I won't be able to make such sounds of say words.

That thought is pushed away when I reach the second drop off point. I fish the device from my back and place it on Jeffro's stone wall closer to the ground. An audible click comes from the device, and Nadia tunes in shortly after.

"Okay, that's good. Second device is in position," She says while I start running around the walls again. "Great work, Runner Five. Now we've got audio access for several areas in the compound. Isolating channels."

Static spikes through the headset, but still I hear Nadia hum in interest. "Here's an interesting one."

"They give me the creeps, these people," A man says. I don't recognize his voice from anywhere specific, so I simply assume he's a guard. "They give me the bloody creeps."

"More than the zombies?" Another random man asks casually.

"At least they are zombies. You can just kill them," He shudders. "Theses are... half-zombies."

Half-zombies? What the hell?

"We certainly are learning a lot," Nadia says. "Good work, Chrys. I'll patch you in to any-oh, well it seems I've found another one. Keep running, Five. Let's see what we have here."

I nod, my hand grabbing at my backpack strap as I pick up my pace a smidge.

"If you could just send me more supplies, or a few more people to work on the project," Paula pleads, sounding almost desperate. "Didn't you say there was a scientist in New Canton?"

My eyebrows scrunch together in thought. Is she talking about Archie? Or Chris McShell?

Before the question can go into too much detail I hear Van Ark laugh; The icy darkness in it cuts through my thoughts immediately.

"Oh, not for much longer," He chuckles. "You've got all you need, Dr. Cohen. I do wish you'd stop pushing."

"I don't even have basic equipment here," She argues. "Our autoclave only works functions intermittently; Our centerfields-"

"You're getting what you want out of this too," He interrupts calmly-slyly. "Aren't you, Paula? Aren't you, my dear?"

There's a long moment of silence as I keep running, and for a fraction of a second I think we've lost connection.

But then I hear Paula answer. Her voice is low, sad, and full of shame.

"Yes."

A/N: I'm baaaaaack! I hope you missed me because I really missed all of you guys. I had a great time on vacation. Well, mostly great but those are minor details. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and please vote and comment because I love hearing from you guys. Thank you and have a blessed day!