The Halls Are Alive

by Madame Pomme

G.E.A.R has taken everything from everyone of us. Be it a home, a friend, a family, or a neighbor, they have taken them away. We are done with hiding, done with waiting for the friends who will never return to us. So we are making a stand. We are the Abnormals, and G.E.A.R better watch out, because we're coming for them. [Superhuman AU]

5. Chapter Five

Mission Status: FAILURE

-One month before 113's video-

-Unknown Location, America-

"You're absolutely sure there are only six?"

"Yes, one hundred percent."

"And the chance of them calling for reinforcements is...?"

"About ninety"

"Good. Great. That's juuust perfect."

"Oh, will you please shut up."

A van was drinking down a small, secluded pathway towards a large barn. The seven men from 469's rescue were watching the van. 469 himself, Matthew Williams, was with them. He looked healthier, his clothes were less ragged.

The van stopped in front of the barn. Two heavily armed security guards got out of the back and led two thin prisoners outside. Another pair of equally armed men hopped out and stood beside them. The driver and passenger got out as well and nodded to their partners before planting their feet firmly on the ground. They didn't move as the other guards took the prisoners towards the barn.

"Mattie, do your thing." Gilbert whispered over his shoulder. He then walked to the side of the bush they were hiding in.

Matthew crept forward, he hoped more than anything right then that his invisibility would not fail him as it had been known to do every now and then. He kept silent as he inched towards the guards.

They didn't see him. He turned to the one on the right and tapped them on their shoulder. The guard screamed.

The prisoners halted. Matthew still couldn't be seen.

"Who's there?" The left guard demanded.

Matthew wasn't an idiot, so he didn't respond.

"Who's there?" He demanded again.

"Who's there?"

Suddenly, Matthew found himself staring down the barrels of two separate shotguns.

He was visible.

The guards got into attack position, and the prisoners were surrounded by the others. The guns were fired. Someone was screaming.

"Put your ha-"

They were both punched in the face before that sentence could be finished.

Matthew sighed. "Thank you, Alfred."

"No problem, bro, don't worry about it."

"FALL BACK, FALL BACK!"

Alfred and Matthew looked at each other. This wasn't part of the plan.

"COME ON, TO ME!"

Dogging bullets, they ran to Arthur, who was back in the bushes with the two prisoners. Both were female, neither looked very old. Soon, everyone joined them. Everyone except Gilbert. Bullets flew everywhere.

"They have to be around here. I want men on every side, find them!"

Bullets. Everywhere. Matthew whipped his head around. Where was Gil? He couldn't breathe. Ludwig was yelling next to him. Arthur was telling Ludwig not to go. Go where? Matthew couldn't breathe. He had found Gil.

Gilbert was being restrained by the guards.

Gilbert was unable to get away.

Gilbert was knocked unconscious.

Gilbert was dragged into the barn.

Gone.

"C'mon, we have to get back. Come on, Ludwig, there's nothing we can do now!"

Nono no... No... He couldn't be gone. Ludwig was shooting at the guards. Where had he gotten a gun? Gone. He only vaguely heard the prisoners' names. Michelle. Erzsébet. Subjects 501 and 209.

Gilbert was gone... Matthew was being dragged away. Gone. They had saved two other Abnormals. But they had lost one.

The man who had given him his freedom was gone.

And it was all his fault.