Days Later

Lincoln stood still, aiming the sniper rifle. The weapon was a prototype, able to extend to five feet for a perfect 3000 feet confirmed kill. It seemed impossible, until he found out the only way. And he loved the thing enough to dub it "Stealthkill." He was given unlimited access to the Agency's tech. The toys were amazing. Five guys, buyers of Lisa's hardware and deadly chemicals, sitting at a table, among the unsuspecting people around. He steadied his breath, held it in before firing off the kill shots. All five went down, with onlookers screaming and moving away from the bodies.

Lincoln detached the sniper nest, an armored truck that was able to stick itself above any high place. He chose a tunnel nearby. The huge vehicle hit the ground, as he re-entered the driver's seat. He sped towards the bloody scenery, stopping right at the table, blocking off a car passing by. Several people were already snapping pictures and recording. Lincoln did not make an effort to hide his face once the phones turned to him. He grabbed a suitcase that was set down by one of his targets, and immediately took off with it.

Lynn finally left the labs, and headed back down to her room. Luna stood waiting in the hall. "What did they say?" She looked back at the point where the needle burrowed itself into her skin, extracting the blood. "I have traces of AZ-165. And its similar to what they found in Lincoln, known as 132. Mines is more enhanced in terms of strength. The source is unknown, but there was an unidentified compound that makes up half of the serum. They're saying its alien, in nature. I call it cool." Luna snickered. "Oh, you. Digging the power. That's so like Lynn. I've got 149 in me, which is from a lizard, so, you know. I wonder which one of us is better..." Lynn crossed her arms. "Don't get any funny ideas." Luna walked directly up to Lynn. "Why? Are you feeling threatened?"

Lynn felt the hostility. "Back up there, fly eater." Luna's expression changed to a serious one. "Or what? You'll leave again?" Lynn looked into Luna, now silent from the words. Luna's eyes, angry, yet hurt. The shimmer of a locked away pain was trying to get out. "Luna..." Lynn grabbed her arm and held it. "Please, stop." Luna looked down, knowing what she was doing. Lynn carefully approached her, and softly set a hug. "I'm here, you know that. We're here. I'll make it up to you, Luna."

Luan walked out from her room. "Hey, guys." She observed the scene. "What's this?"

Lynn peeked over. "Nothing. Same old." Lynn tugged Luna's arm and headed towards Luan's room. "I know what'll cheer you up." Luan entered back in her room as they approached. "What are we going to do today?" Lynn shut the door behind once entering. "We're staying in today. I want us to talk." Luna brushed away at her eyes. "I'm sorry, dude..." Lynn shook her. "Get out of your head. That was then... This is now. Truth or dare?" She removed her left shoe.

"Its your turn. We don't know your story, Lynn. Here's your truth; where did you go?" Lynn had plenty of time for a good cover story. Since the injection given from Future Lynn, she had time for the perfect getaway of a story; Lynn, at first, didn't speak about what happened to her, what she saw, during the first few days at the Agency. When Luna came, they deduced that Lynn was also a victimized lab rat from another Vial Corp facility, which was backed up by the serum inside. That was too perfect.

"Before I was... captured..." It was harder to lie to her sisters than the strangers floors above. "I was living with a nice man who took care of me for awhile. His son passed away right before he met me. Said it was a sign."

Lynn threw the football at Mr. Thompson. "Ooh, nice throw, Lynn! You have such a good arm." Lynn smiled widely. "Thanks, sir!" He threw back the ball. Lynn made a leap, catching it in midair.

"I ended up south of town. Right away, I didn't know. I had more than enough strength to keep going." Luna was lost, finally speaking in calmness. "Wait, how did you even? That sounds far-fetched." Lynn laughed. "Buses helped, too."

"So... you were... happy?" Luan tapped on the floor with her fingers, visibly disturbed and hurt. Lynn didn't even notice how she was saying it. "No... Not- I wasn't. There wasn't replacing you in anyway. Living with him, it never felt like home. It never felt loud." Luna placed her hand on Luan's shoulder.

"Okay, okay. Luan's turn." Luan grabbed Lynn's shoe, lifted it up and dropped it down. The shoe pointed at Luan. "Oh, goddamnit... I can't decide for myself..." Luna spoke for her. "Truth, for you. Do you... wish you were happy again?" There was a long pause for answers. Luan knew what she was expected to say, but she hesitated to actually answer. "Yes, yes I do..." Luna observed the girl. "Hmmm..." Lynn scanned them both.

Lincoln walked past the room, completely ignoring them. "Linc's back!" Luan jumped up and raced out of the room, leaving Luna and Lynn still in criss-cross position on the hard concrete floor. "You gelt that, right? Its almost like she-" Lynn finished her sentence. "Like she didn't at all."

Lincoln sat on his bed, in disappointment. "Knock knock!" There was the Luan he was used to. "Who's there?" But this wasn't a joke. "Its me." Luan entered, sitting down beside him. "Anything?"

He shook his head. "This is the thirtieth body I dropped, out of seven leads that haven't gotten me closer to finding which rock Lisa decided to hide under. I'm no closer with this. Maybe I should pull out." She leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Linc, you should get some rest. You've been exhausting yourself non-stop. You don't see us all worn out, do you?" She began to massage his shoulders. "You need to relax." The way her smooth hands began to ease him. "Linc... About that time we-" He immediately stopped her.

"Don't even talk about that. You don't think I understand why you wanted it, but I do." Luan was all ears, slowing down her hand speed. "You just wanted to feel something, despite that insanity I put up with." She stopped. "Yeah, that's it. You didn't want to be down that hole. So you wanted it in anyway. But I didn't deny you that. Because of Lily, I wondered if maybe you were in more pain than meets the eye if you were pushed to the breaking point. Tell me... Did you feel something?"

"Yes. I felt something like peace and tranquility. I can't describe it, but believe me, I felt a little less dead inside. So to speak... Hahaha... So, I guess a thank you is-"

"No, just don't mention it."

She nodded. "And... Also, I'm sorry about what I said that night."

He laid down, turning toward the wall.

"Don't be. I'm going to sleep. Maybe you're right. I'll take your advice."

Keeping another secret from even Luan now. It doesn't matter. I found a bigger lead today, and that's worth the sleep.

Luan returned to her room. Lynn and Luna had begun a pillow fight. Luan then leaped to join in.

Hours Later

It was time. The others were gone. Lincoln shrugged it off, believing that Luna was being given a grand tour they had promised but rainchecked various times. He took the elevator up, ready to meet his recent lead.

A sheet inside the briefcase talked about a meet between a buyer for Lisa's technology and the seller known as 'V'. V was the alias of the main seller who set it all up, confirming that Lisa wasn't the only one. The meet was being overlooked in a five story deserted building. He quickly armed up for it, taking Stealthkill again. The plan was to set up shop from a higher position, but inside a nearby building.

Lincoln held the gun with both hands. "Lo-Lori, I don't feel good about this." His hands trembled. "Come on, twerp. You're just hitting a tree. Nothing alive." Her arms were crossed, as she got more impatient.

"A tree is alive-" Lori replied in a yell. "Just fucking shoot or I'll shoot you!" Lincoln, startled, quickly fired off a shot.

Lincoln broke into a room he hoped would be vacant. His lock-picking skills were perfect still. The room was unlit, and vacant indeed. He dropped his brown duffel bag down and looked at the target building. Kill all, and wound this V person, by shooting off the kneecaps. His heartbeat with mere excitement. V would be identified as the person coming with some sort of package. It was a simple job; extract the guy, and make him talk.

Lincoln pulled the table near the window and laid down flat, while loading up his rifle. He waited.

Thud. Lincoln raised his head. Thud. Something was being banged upon. But it sounded far. Lincoln paid no mind to it. Thud. This time, it was louder. And it sounded like it came from above. Thud. It sounded closer that time. Dust floated down from the ceiling as Lincoln got up and kept staring up. Everything was still. Then, the ceiling caved down on him. He jumped back as the mess formed. The table overturned, dropping the rifle. He drew the sidearm and stepped back. Within the white misty spot, he saw movement. He cocked back the gun. "Don't try anything stupid."

Everything began to clear, and the figure within the dust was more visible. The figure before him got up and did a full sprint towards him. He fired three shots before pinned down. "Ah, fuck..." Now, with his attacker directly facing him, he was able to see it wasn't human. He was positive he was looking back at a werewolf-type creature. It seemed like a dreamworld of such lore. The snarling, the fangs, the murderous look in its eyes told him it wanted to kill him. The thing roared in his face, spitying out a horrid odor. "Ugh... Bad fucking breath."

He kicked the thing's right foot, making it unbalanced as Lincoln knee'd it hard. He quickly stood up as it focused back at him. "Come on... Come on!" Lincoln engaged the thing in full combat. Something was wrong.

As he tried to strike a punch and kick, the werewolf was blocking and countering perfectly. "What the hell-?" Lincoln went down with a headbutt. The thing then placed its foot his chest and crushed out his air. "Umph!" The thing then sliced Lincoln's throat and uttered the only word that broke its silence, apart from the roars. "Die." Lincoln placed both hands on his throat as the thing jumped out of the window and disappeared into the ground below. The wound healed, urging him to get up and chase that monstrosity. He looked down, but found nothing.

He missed his window, upon an unseen factor. Lincoln dropped on his ass. The thing knew how he fought, it redirected all of his moves. And it showed itself as Lincoln was approaching a step closer to finding Lisa.

He called it in, with his emergency homing signal received by the Agency, disguised as a watch. He headed up into the roof, taking his belongings, which felt heavier now. The spots of blood were still fresh. Was there enough time to wipe them away? He had acted on his own this time.

The familar ship came into view above. Lincoln watched it lower down, while unprepared for things to come.

AN: Welcome back. We begin here.

Countdown to X; three.