"What the hell are you doing here?!"

"Me? I was locked in the back of this fucking truck for four fucking days, what about you?" Law demanded, gripping Luffy by the shoulders. "Do you have any idea how fucking hot it was in there?"

Luffy hugged Law tightly, "I thought you were dead… I thought… I was… all alone…"

"Why are you here? I thought you were being evacuated," Law breathed out, sweat dripping off of him.

"I guess we got caught in the blasts," Luffy explained. "I woke up tied up in one of the ambulances… Everyone was already gone."

"So the others?" Law questioned, sitting up, one leg on each side of Luffy.

"You're the first I've seen."

"So that makes four of us," Law realized.

"Wait," Luffy murmured, pushing Law off of him. "Four?"

Luffy climbed to his feet, rudely pushing Law. Luffy threw open the doors and looked inside, his heart pounding wildly. He searched desperately, hoping to see him. And when he wasn't there it was like losing him all over again.

"Ah, Luffy," Brook called out, his flesh nearly rotted completely off. "So glad to see you."

"Hey, Brook," Luffy said, nodding numbly. He looked at the third occupant and shook his head angrily, "Who the fuck is this?"

"D Foundation scum," Law answered. "Seems I got full before I came to." Law smiled cruelly, leaning against the truck, "I don't know his name, we just call him Lunch."

"I was hoping…" Luffy trailed off.

"Look, Luffy, the others went into another truck," Brook explained. "We still have hope."

"Zoro?" Luffy questioned. "Can I still hope Zoro is alive?"

"Well…"

"Did you see him downstairs? Did he make it out of the hospital?" Luffy pressed.

Brook frowned, his cheek sloughing off, "I can't be certain. I was following after Law. We got separated from the others…"

"Why are you still here?" Luffy wondered. "Isn't that ring around your neck a tracking device? What good is Lunch if he can't radio for help or whatever?"

The soldier shook his head, his skin completely slick with sweat, "Communications are down. All of it."

"Well, you and I are still alive, Law," Luffy spat bitterly. "The Revolutionary Army doesn't have a very good aim."

"Was it the Revolutionary Army?" Law asked, narrowing his yellow eyes.

"That's what somebody told me," Luffy admitted. "Who else would it be?"

Law shrugged, "Could've been everyone and anyone beside the D Foundation."

"But the Revolutionary Army has done everything so far, it only makes sense for them to have done this," Luffy insisted.

Law was quiet for some time before speaking again, "I don't think any of this makes sense."

"People killing people to protest richer people killing people," Luffy snapped. "Bullshit causes and bullshit people."

"And what are you going to do about it?" Law asked, his eyes burning into Luffy's.

"I want to hold them responsible."

Law's cheek flinched, "What about us? Do we need to be held responsible?"

"Are you asking what I think or are you expecting a certain answer?" Luffy shot back.

Law tilted his head to the side, "What do you mean?"

"You think we are responsible. You think we need to die, don't you?"

Law looked alarmed; he straightened up, crossing his arms over his chest. "I've never said such a thing… have I?"

"You haven't, no, but they have," Luffy said, throwing out his arm wide. "Those people we killed. They've been demanding it. They've been ordering us to suffer with them."

"What are you talking about?" Law wondered.

"They've been talking to me."

"Who?"

"The zombies, the infected, the people going mad… They've said things."

"What sort of things?"

"Things you're thinking," Luffy decided. "It was you. Wasn't it? You were speaking to me, through them..."

Law shook his head, "It's not what you're thinking."

"What am I thinking?" Luffy retorted with a shrug.

"I can't control them," Law insisted. "I can't. I can't even control myself."

"You've been controlling me since the beginning," Luffy realized. "That's why… Why I knew when the zombies were coming. It's why I knew when to run. Because you knew… You were telling me what to do…"

Law looked panicked, "It's not like that."

"You took away my memories and then toyed with me," Luffy accused.

Law's face twitched angrily, "No. No, that's not it."

"You wanted me captured this time. Why?" Luffy demanded. "If you had warned me, if I had known, Zoro…"

"Things are different now. I know things I didn't know."

"Like what?" Luffy hissed. "I lost Zoro. I lost Zoro, Law…"

"Luffy," Law began carefully. "Please, let me explain. I need a moment. I'm thirsty and hot and tired and I just had a bad reset…"

"I lost Zoro." Luffy repeated, his eyes wide. "I lost him. I lost him. He's gone."

"He's not gone," Law refused, shaking his head.

"How do you know?"

"I just do," Law replied.

"And what the fuck was happening back there?!" Luffy ranted. "Ace?!"

Law nodded, "He's alive. I just found out. That's why I agreed to find you."

"So I could see Ace and Marco?"

"No, because you were in danger," Law admitted, licking his lips. His teeth were stained with blood. "You can't live without the T-serum."

Luffy shook his head sadly, "Don't tell me you believe whatever fucking lies you were told."

"It wasn't a lie," Law argued.

"I'm dumb. You know that. But I have a pretty good sense when people are lying to me."

Law laughed, loud, "Bullshit. You're clueless, Luffy."

"Don't make fun of me!"

Law was quiet for a minute or two before continuing, "Luffy, they've gotta be alive."

"People die every day, Law."

"Yeah, I'm painfully aware of that," Law replied through clenched teeth. "That's why you should trust me. I won't lie to you. I have no reason. We will find Zoro."

"How? We said we'd meet at the museum, the museum is gone…"

"He thinks you were taken away by the D Foundation," Law pointed out. "So it's really easy to figure out where he's going."

"Where's that?"

Law smirked, "Where they were supposed to take you."

"And you know where that is?" Luffy asked hopefully.

Law smirked even wider, "I don't but I bet my Lunch does."

Law and Luffy turned, staring at the D Foundation soldier pointedly. He raised his hands and nodded, "I'll take you there. I swear. Just, please, I need some water and food first…"

"There isn't shit you can eat or drink around here," Luffy murmured, kicking at one of the stones beneath his feet.

"There should be cases, black cases," the D Foundation man gasped, jumping from the back of the armored truck. "Every D Foundation vehicle has one. Emergency rations, flares, water…" the man fanned himself, "We've already used the entire case in there."

"We're losing time," Luffy decided. "Drive. You can stop for supplies when we get out of town."

The D Foundation soldier climbed in the driver seat. He adjusted the chair and mirrors and buckled himself with shaking hands. Law smirked in amusement. The man tilted his head, "Coming?"

"Come on Brook," Luffy called, walking to the passenger side. "Let's all squeeze in up front."

"I have to refuse," Law grimaced, shaking his head in refusal. "The stench is awful. I can't bear to keep smelling it."

Brook frowned, "I am so sorry. My apologies. How embarrassing…"

"Our sense of smell is pretty strong," Luffy replied.

"Nah," the D Foundation soldier blurted. "A dead man could smell him a mile away."

"Okay," Luffy snickered. "Sorry. You wait back there, Brook."

"Of course," Brook sighed, bowing his head. Flesh melted off his body, pooling like soup beneath him. "I'm sorry…"

"Don't apologize," Law said simply. "I just can't fucking stomach it in a small space any longer." Law smiled, his yellow eyes glowing, "See you soon." And without another word he shut the back doors. He walked around to the open door and climbed inside, his sweaty body pressed against Luffy's.

"It doesn't smell very good in here either," Luffy murmured, twisting his lips upward to push against his nostrils.

Law nodded in agreement, "Yeah. Sweaty men smell."

"Where are we headed?" Luffy demanded, turning toward the terrified driver.

"A secret warehouse location in Louisiana."

"Let me guess," Luffy murmured, closing his eyes, "Shreveport."

The driver nodded, "Yeah. Shreveport."

"Tell me where, exactly," Luffy stressed. "In case anything happens to you…"

"I… I…" the driver panicked.

"Don't worry," Law cut in, "We won't need him when we're closer. I'll be able to find the way." The driver visibly blanched, his entire body shaking violently with fear.

"We'll let you go alive," Luffy added, "As long as you aren't a threat to us."

"I'm not… I'm really not. This is just a job. I'm just trying to pay off-"

"We don't care about you, Lunch, or your motivations," Law interrupted coolly. "Just drive."

An hour later they were stopped at a small roadside grocer.

"There isn't much left," Luffy realized. He grabbed the last bag of pork rinds, popping it open between both hands. He shook the salty contents into his mouth, chewing rudely.

"That's disgusting," Law choked out, turning away. "I'll never be so hungry."

"No offense, Mr. Law," Brook called out, dousing himself with aerosol air freshener, "But I've seen you eat some disgusting things."

"Yeah," the D Foundation man wheezed, "Humans."

"Careful, Lunch," Law hissed, "I'm feeling peckish."

"Aw, come on now," Luffy laughed, his mouth full, "We've all eaten things we aren't proud of…" Luffy swallowed thickly. "I was so hungry once that I decided to eat a spider."

"No, not that story," Law groaned, covering his mouth.

"I scaled the wall," Luffy retold excitedly. "And I reached up and grabbed the spider, ready to pop 'er into my mouth… when all of a sudden… Hundreds of tiny babies exploded out from off 'er back and they went everywhere. Down my arms, all over the walls and ceiling…" Luffy scrunched up his face, "I found spiders in my underwear."

Law shivered, "I couldn't sleep for days."

"There's food over here," the D Foundation man announced, gesturing to Law. "Looks edible."

Law walked past the empty shelves to where the driver stood. Law grabbed a pack of sunflower seeds and inspected them. His stomach growled painfully as he leaned over, grabbing a pack of pistachios. He began shoving the small packets of seeds and nuts into his pockets.

"We're leaving," Law proclaimed, straightening up.

"Oh, okay…" Brook murmured, searching quickly for food.

"Aren't ya gonna help carry some of the waters?" Luffy asked, gesturing to the packs of bottled water.

Law smiled, he slowly extended a single finger in gesture and answered sweetly, "No."

Luffy scoffed around a mouthful of food. He turned and shook his head, snickering, "He's the same as always," he choked out.

The driver nodded, "He's terrifying."

Luffy laughed loudly, shaking his head, "Hell no. Law? Scary?" Law paused, his back pressed against the door. He smiled at Luffy, his face looking more wicked than ever.

The driver exhaled, "He's… well…"

Luffy nodded, "He's a kitten."

"Meow," Law murmured before pushing backward and out of the store.

"You're crazy," the driver hissed.

Luffy laughed again, "You know him and I are the same right?" Luffy leaned in closely, his breath warm on the driver's skin, "We could both kill you with our bare hands. We could both eat you. It's just I choose to be misleading." Luffy picked up the massive, towering stack of water with ease. "At least he's honest."

They'd been driving for several hours when suddenly the collar around Law's neck began to beep. The driver pulled over abruptly, causing Law and Luffy to hit the dash roughly. The driver parked and threw open his door and was running down the empty interstate before Law and Luffy had even pulled themselves back to their seats.

"What the fuck?!" Luffy barked, rubbing his sore arm.

"Where are you going?!" Brook shouted after the fleeing driver, his head popping out the back to investigate.

"Shit. Shit. Shit," Law groaned, tugging at the tight, metal collar.

"What is it?" Luffy questioned. "What's going on?"

"Beeping is bad," Law breathed out. He turned and met Luffy's gaze, "If you find yourself alone, don't worry, you'll be fine…" And without a word of warning, Law pushed Luffy out of the cab, knocking him to the ground. Law slammed the door shut and locked it, his eyes closing tightly.

The beeping sound increased in volume and frequency until finally, with a heart-stopping fervor, it reached a deafening pitch of alarm. And then Law was shocked violently. Volts of electricity coursed from the collar and into his body. His body convulsed involuntarily and his teeth slammed together, breaking apart and through the soft skin of his lips. Pink foam oozed from his mouth and his eyes rolled into the back of his head. Urine soaked the front of his pants, dripping down his legs and to the carpeted floor.

"Law!" Luffy shouted, punching his arm through the window. He opened the door and moved to climb into the truck, but the moment he touched the seat, the current shocked him. He recoiled automatically, his skin on fire where the electricity had entered and exited. "Fuck!"

And then it ended.

Law was slumped on the seat, his body smoking. His hair was singed; his skin was streaked with black vein-like trails of soot. Blood crept from his nose and ears. His blood flowed profusely from his torn mouth.

"Is Mr. Law alright?" Brook asked, jumping from the back of the vehicle.

"Go stop Lunch," Luffy ordered.

"Uh," Brook stared after the disappearing man with concern.

"I don't care if he comes back," Luffy murmured. "I just want him to stop running."

Brook nodded solemnly, "Understood."

Luffy climbed into the cab, sliding beside Law's mangled corpse. He examined the collar angrily, scratching his chin in frustration.

Suddenly the radio squawked, "Vehicle Five, you're in range. Do you need medvac?"

"Vehicle Five? LAW has pinged. Are you in possession of LAW, Vehicle Five?"

"Vehicle Five?"

Luffy stared at the radio for several more seconds before picking it up, "This is Luffy Monkey," Luffy licked his lips slowly. "Don't go anywhere…I'm coming to kick your ass." Luffy leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes, "Or, if you wanna save some time, you can come pick me up."

"LUF?!"

Luffy let the transmitter fall to the floor, dangling back and forth by its twisty cord. He pulled Law's lifeless body into his lap. He pulled on the collar unsurely before making his decision.

"If I find myself alone," Luffy breathed mechanically. "I shouldn't worry. I'll be fine…"

Luffy dragged Law out of the cab and laid him on the ground. Luffy licked his lips and stared down at Law's ruined corpse. "If I find myself alone, I shouldn't worry…" Luffy rolled his fingers one by one into a fist. "I'll be fine."

Luffy punched his fist against the collar. The collar bit into Luffy's knuckles, cutting them deep. Luffy punched again, alternating hands with delirious frequency. He slammed his bloody hands over and over against the metal. "What the fuck are you made of?!" Luffy screamed in frustration, spit and sweat flying off of him. "You can't be stronger than me!"

"I'll be fine," Luffy repeated his mantra, slamming his hands down again. "I shouldn't worry…" He pounded against the collar and then, with his last string of sanity he barked, "I shouldn't. It's a stupid idea…"

And then he punched his fist through Law's throat. He cut through Law's tender esophagus and tore his hand through. He yanked the collar roughly, slicing through the remaining tissue. He curled his fingers around the collar and roared.

"If I find myself alone I shouldn't worry," Luffy repeated, sinking to his knees beside Law's decapitated body. "I'll be fine."

Luffy reached forward and touched Law's face. And then he retched, barely turning in time to avoid soiling Law. He vomited and vomited until he had nothing left to spew. He seemed to melt to the ground and he lay there motionlessly, withholding his air, until he passed out.

"Mr. Luffy… Wake up… Luffy…"

Luffy blinked slowly, his eyes adjusting to the darkness. "What's going on?"

"We need to leave," Brook said softly. "We can't stay here."

"Why not?" Luffy murmured, sitting up.

"The D Foundation is on their way."

Luffy laughed humorlessly, "Yeah, well, that's because I told them to come."

"And why on Earth did you do that?" Law asked.

Luffy spun around and stared up at Law with wide-eyed wonder, "You… Law… You're alive…"

Law rubbed at his throat, his fingertips cruising along the fresh, pink skin. Law blinked slowly, "It's a curse."

"No, you're alive. You're alive… I thought… There's no way…"

Law held the metal collar in his other hand. He gripped it tightly before throwing it far and away. He turned away and began walking, "Just another disappointment in a long line of disappointments…" Law pointed to another car, the motor running, "Here's the new ride."

"What do you mean?" Luffy asked, scrambling to his feet.

"We can't very well take the D Foundation vehicle now that the communications are up again," Law explained.

"No, I mean, what disappointment?! You're alive! I can't believe it…" Luffy cried, following after Law in a daze.

"Luffy," Law sighed, climbing into the backseat and stretching his long legs. "They lied. They have no clue how to kill us." Law blinked slowly, "In actuality, there may not be a way to kill us."

"And that's bad?"

Law laid down in the backseat, settling against the seat in what was a rather tight fit, "It's the worst news I've ever heard if we can't escape." Law groaned, covering his face with his hand, "I'm even starting to feel bad for Teach. He's out there somewhere, in some facility…"

"I think it's only you," Luffy decided, slamming the car door shut. "I don't think I'd be walking away from a decapitation."

"That's also a terrifying possibility," Law conceded.

"Damn, I have no clue what is happening at all anymore," Luffy admitted.

"Ditto."

"Where am I driving?" Brook asked quietly.

Law waved his hand, "Just drive east. I'll tell you when I pick up something."

"If we wait for the D Foundation we won't waste any time looking…" Luffy pointed out.

Law shook his head, "We also lose any chance of surprise or espionage. We can't exactly demand to see Zoro when we get there. What if he's hiding? What if we tell the D Foundation that he's there?"

"Damn, everything is so complicated." Luffy complained.

"We don't know anything until we get there," Law insisted. "Be patient and don't worry unnecessarily."

"Oh, I don't know, Mr. Law," Brook sighed, "I feel like all of the worrying is necessary."

"Also a possibility," Law agreed with a smirk.

"By the way," Luffy began unsurely. "Where's the driver? What happened to him?" Luffy asked, feeling guilty.

Law chuckled darkly, "I got hungry."