Episode 2 - Chapter 5: Harris Brecken

A bloody trembling hand, clutching an equally bloodstained machete...

A crowd full of injured survivors walking in a shocked trance and slowly realising that they were no longer trapped in a nightmare...

One of them was a girl who appeared to be approaching 19 years of age. Her hooded green jacket, grey t shirt, blue jeans and black boots were stained in blood, whilst her tied-back dark hair was a complete mess.

Who the f*ck is this?

It didn't take long for my question to be answered...

Libby?!

It was the little girl I met ... only, she was much older and looked like she went through a ton of sh*t. Her tearful green eyes were painfully swollen red with dark bags underneath, whilst purple-red bruises and so much blood covered her face, teeth and neck. She was the one clutching the bloodstained machete, and the worst part? There were no cheerful smiles or laughs that I recently began to grow fond of - just complete and utter terror!

"Crane?"

What the f*ck happened to her?!

"Crane, are you awake?"

I swear I'm gonna make whoever did this f*cking pay!

"Crane?!"

(April 1, 2017 - Floor 19 in The Tower, Harran, Turkey, The Middle East, Europe - 8:00am...)

I awoke with a start, struggling to steel myself together after what I had just witnessed. God, it felt so real! What the f*ck was that?!

"Crane, are you awake?" Spike's voice repeated through the other end of my radio.

"Spike?" I asked after I switched it on. "Yeah, I'm up. Is there something wrong?"

"Yes, something bad happened to Brecken last night." Spike answered solemnly. "We need to talk."

Oh f*ck!

"Okay, okay, give me a sec and I'll be over." I responded, frantically pulling myself out of my zip-up bed and quickly getting ready. Once I did, I grabbed my rucksack and exited my bedroom to venture into the elevator for the bottom floor.

Despite the sh*tty beginning, my first day in the Harran Quarantine actually turned out great. Though unfortunately (through the electricity suddenly going out, which p*ssed us off!), I learned that there were different types of infected around, not just the biters. One of them was this tall bald dude in an orange jumpsuit that wielded a f*cking sledgehammer! - those were called Goons, according to Libby. But neither of us knew anything about the next infected we encountered, which was covered head to toe in big green blisters.

Good thing we had Dr. Zere around in his trailer to help us.

"Hi Spike," I politely greeted once I exited the Tower and arrived at his small hut in the playing court.

"Hey there," The African-American responded, turning from his computer to address me. "Listen Crane, you did great yesterday and from now on, if you need something - just stop by." He then handed me a rolled up piece of paper, a flashlight and a remote. "Also, here's a map of the Zone, a UV flashlight and a remote control. You run up on a volatile, give him a face full of UV and lead it into a trap which you can trigger with the remote, got it?"

"Got it," I answered, taking my new gear and placing them inside my rucksack. What the f*ck are these volatiles, though?

"Great. Now for the bad news," Spike continued, disappointment lacing his tone. "Despite your efforts, Brecken's mission failed."

"Sh*t, is he okay?!" I probed with concern.

"He's alive," The African-American confirmed. Oh thank god! "But you need to get back to the Tower. Jade called all the Scouts in and that means you."

"Okay, thanks Spike." I said appreciatively before I exited the hut and suddenly heard a familiar sound from my radio. Oh sh*t. Okay, find a place where nobody can hear you. Go.

Bearing that in mind, I ventured back across the metal fence and managed to land on one of the tall houses close by. Once I found a good enough spot, I switched my radio on. "Crane here."

"Report." My Boss spoke through the other end.

"I'm about to have a meeting with the Tower's leader."

"Acknowledged. Confirm his identity and contact us immediately." The woman ordered.

"Got it," I affirmed. "Also, could you reach out to my brother and let him know that I'm thinking of him? This is the first birthday I'm gonna miss, so it would be appreciated if you could."

"Acknowledged. I will contact Abraham for you."

"Thank you. Crane, out." I replied, switching my radio off and venturing back into the Tower.

Okay, Brecken's mission failed unfortunately. Jade's called a meeting with the Scouts though, so this is my opportunity to meet with him and confirm his identity.

(Floor 19 in the Tower - 8:09am...)

Once I opened the elevator door, I walked down the hallway towards the Headquarters where I figured Jade's meeting would take place. Due to what I learned from Libby yesterday, Brecken seemed like a cool dude who cared for everyone and that was pleasant to hear. But at the same time, my mission was a constant reminder not to grow close with anyone.

And that was becoming so f*cking hard! Speaking of which...

"Crane," A woman's voice spoke as I opened the green door leading into the HQ. Oh. Jade!

"H-Hi," I greeted her. Don't humiliate yourself here, pal!

"Listen," Jade began fiercely after she stopped me in my tracks. "Brecken went out to collect the Airdrops last night. He lost his group of runners to biters and then Rais' men ambushed him, beat him to a pulp and stole the drop."

Ow, f*ck! That must have hurt!

"Now, Brecken wants to get the next drop himself. But we can't let him, and you've got to back me up. Okay?" The woman demanded.

"Sure,"

"Good," Jade replied, leading me towards the main doors where we heard Lena angrily exclaim: "For god's sake, Brecken! You can't even walk straight! We need you alive, you idiot!"

"This guy's stubborn, isn't he?" I questioned.

"You're telling me," My acquaintance agreed with a very small smirk painting her face. Huh, discount Abraham in spades. "Okay, we're going in now. Act confident."

Yes, maám.

Keeping Jade's orders in mind, the two of us entered the Tower's base of operations to find Lena treating a Caucasian blue-eyed dude who appeared to be around my age at the latest. He too was clad in a yellow t-shirt, brown pants and black combat boots, whilst bloodied bandages were wrapped around his dark hair. Jesus, he's gone through hell.

"Brecken. Lena." Jade greeted the two.

"Maybe you can get through to him!" Lena suggested as she furiously stormed out.

"Jade," Brecken sighed, his words laced with an English accent. "Who's your friend?"

Here goes...

"Kyle Crane." I introduced myself, receiving an intrigued look from Jade as she followed him to the kitchen fridge with me in tow.

"Look, Brecken," The woman began. "The last thing we need is for you to go back out there. We can figure out another way without jeopardising you." She turned her head to address me. "Right, Crane?"

"I'll go, I'll do it." I offered politely.

"Right, yes!" Jade exclaimed in a pleased manner. "Crane will go, he'll be happy to!"

Cue Brecken to slam the fridge door with a beer in one hand and stalk towards me with visible frustration. "Jesus - no offense friend, but you're as green as grass. You can't just—"

Hearing this, Jade interrupted by placing a hand on his shoulder which caused him to grimace. "Crane will manage, he'll start in the right spot. And Lena's right, you need to be here taking care of the Tower, convincing them that there's still hope around the corner."

It didn't take long for my new acquaintance to process this and ultimately, he sighed in defeat. "Oh hell. Maybe, one more try before we go to Rais?" His mood then improved. "Yeah. Okay, fine."

Wow. That was... quick.

Sensing how pleased we were, Brecken decided to address me again by offering his hand and despite initial surprise, I took it. This isn't the GRE's man at all.

"Good Luck, Crane." He commented.

"Thanks, good to meet you." I replied as we shook hands. Once we did, Jade flashed a small smile as she led me out ... only to stop when Brecken called out: "Jade? A moment, please?"

"Sure," She answered before suggesting to me: "Why don't you have a look around and see if anyone needs assistance? I'll contact you when it's time."

"Okay," I said, briefly watching her return to the HQ before I walked back out into the main floor.

Well, I'll be heading out for the airdrop tonight and since Jade's showing me the ropes, I'm in for a sh*t ton of awkward fun. I wonder who needs help around here, though?

Hopefully, this will work out.