Honest by San Holo feat. Broods

The sound of gunshots pulled me back to consciousness. For a second, I thought I was on the beach with Amelie again. But I was in a jungle. There was a blanket on me and a fire beside me. I sat up, looking around curiously. I heard Cliff's voice. Sam's voice. I pushed myself to my feet, following the noises. I found a discarded handgun and grabbed it, just in case I needed it.

The voices became more clear. I groaned, climbing the hill in front of me. Cliff was on his knees in front of Sam. He immediately noticed me. "Taylor," Cliff said softly. Same turned, looking relieved. "I told you she was safe." Then to me. "Well, where I left you was safe."

"It was a cozy blanket, but I thought you both might be doing something dumb." Cliff struggled to his feet.

"You were right," he said, looking at Sam. I knew he was directing that statement at me though. He hugged Sam. "A bridge between worlds. You're my bridge to the future."

The tar goo left him, his military garb transforming to a button up shirt and trousers. I smiled softly. He was finding peace. A gunshot rang out, pulling us out of that beach. We came out of it at Port Knot.

"You alright?" Sam asked. I nodded.

"You?"

"I've been worse." I helped him stand, checking my cufflink.

"The network's down but there might be some supplies in storage."

"Good idea." He allowed me to help him into the facility. He sat on the conveyor belt, taking out the used blood packs in his utility belt. Empty grenade cases next. He pulled up his shirt. A bullet had grazed him on his ribs.

"He shot you?"

"I mean, I shot him, too."

I shook my head, digging through the backpack on my back. Higgs was paranoid. He'd have first aid supplies in case the network was down. And he did. I paused briefly. His wedding ring was tied to the front of it. No, there's no time for that now. "This'll sting. It's old school antiseptic. I'm sure the Doctor is at Central Knot with everyone else, so he can do what I'm about to do better." He looked at me. "You need stitches. You're going to keep bleeding otherwise."

"You know how to do that?"

"My mom was a doctor. So, yes, I know how to do stitches. And Higgs was paranoid, so I have a fully stocked first aid kit here." I put my hand on his side as I began to stitch up his wound as gently as I could. "How're you holding up?"

"I'm not that injured." I looked up at him. He knew what I meant. "I don't know. Amelie's always been there for me." I stared at him.

"No, I meant Cliff." I squinted, studying his face. He didn't have a reaction. "He didn't tell you." I tied off the stitching. "Cliff's your dad."

"No, that's not," he began but he stopped as realization dawned on his face. He pulled his shirt and suit back down. "So that's what he meant."

"Yup."

"I'll...deal with that later," Sam shook his head. "We've got to get to Central Knot so you're safe with everyone and I can get back to Amelie's beach to stop her." I nodded. I finished putting in the order for what he needed out of storage. It rolled down the conveyor belt. Some of the containers were a little worse for wear. "Good enough," Sam decided. I shrugged. There wasn't much I could do other than input the clearance codes for everybody's lockers. I'm sure saving the world is a higher priority than security.

"We'll have to continue on foot, doesn't look like any cars or bikes are in storage."

"That'll take a few hours. We'd better get going." I nodded.

We had a hard time navigating through the various BT territories, especially since the number of BTs out had tripled, but we managed to make it over the last hour before Central Knot easily enough. I wiped some sweat from my brow as Sam helped me navigate the rough terrain.

As we got closer to the facility, there was a loud moaning sound. "Sam, what the fuck is that?"

"I don't know," he said, following the giant whale floating through the sky. "But I think we should run now. And don't stop running. No matter what."

I nodded, immediately breaking into a dead sprint. I heard Sam behind me. For being much larger and stockier, he kept up really well. I wonder how many times he's had to run from catchers or Mules. I hit a wall, flying backwards. Sam managed to catch me, sliding to a stop.

"There's a barrier. Why is there a barrier at the gate?"

Another moan as tar began to rise around our ankles.

"That, that's why there's a barrier. Great," I answered myself. I was suddenly terrified. BTs, no problem. I've never had to fight a catcher. I've always been too careful.

"Stay close to me unless I tell you otherwise," Sam said, grabbing my hand. "This way." He began running across the tar until he got to a building, helping me up onto the roof before climbing up himself. He handed me an assault rifle. I nodded, aiming and opening fire on the giant catcher. Just enough to distract it from what Sam was doing. Immediately, he showed me up with a rocket launcher. Oh well, at least I helped invent that.

Its jaws opened and a chiral colored lazer started to fire from its fully opened jaws. We did not have time to move. I threw my hands out, forming a forcefield around Sam and I. When it was done, I fell to one knee. Sam looked at me but I waved him off. I was fine. Just struggling. Rage gave me limitless power. But it seems I was done being angry. Higgs gave me peace and it took that rage away.

"I can't do that many more times."

"Noted," Sam said, throwing a grenade into its mouth as it tried again. I caught my breath again. I was out of ammo. A rocket launcher popped up through the tar. I held my hand out, willing it to come to me. It did. I broke open the case, lining up a shot.

"Duck."

Sam dropped onto his stomach as I fired all four shots at once. The catcher screeched, not quite dead. Sam scrambled back up on his feet, throwing the rest of his grenades at it. The clouds began to clear as it wailed, turning to chiral crystals. The building started to sink back into the tar as it disappeared into the ground.

Fuck me I'm tired.

"Are you okay?" Sam asked, helping me to my feet. I nodded. My powers are weaker now. I suddenly remembered Amelie telling me she had fixed me. I reached down and touched my stomach. She actually did it. "Are you going to vomit, I'll hold your hair back."

"No," I shook my head with a smile. I kissed him. "Whatever happens, promise you'll come back to me."

"I'll always come back to you," he nodded. He was still confused but he wasn't going to argue with me because he didn't really know what to argue about. "C'mon, you don't look so good."

"I don't feel so good," I admitted. Sam helped me into the facility lobby. Heartman was waiting there with the Doctor.

"She's going to pass out," the Doctor said. And then everything went black.