Catgirl18

Fran stared back at the small trading town of Herberten. It was funny how quickly something can become a ‘tradition’ but getting off the train at this stop on the way to the Lodge had been the usual for the 2 collective years she’d stayed in Alaska. Drawing her pack straps up she started her way up the mountain. Tall trees stretched to the sky on either side of her, their bark bleeding from a bleached white from years from of sun into a deep dark from years of being in the shadows. The path widened and narrowed, as all natural paths tended to do, as it weaved in and out of the forest. The talk show Fran listened to chatted cheerily in the background as she came across her favorite creek. Judging by the rock formations and the literal hanging trees she guessed that a recent earthquake caused the ground to split. That, plus the sudden split in the river that supplied the water, created a perfect rest stop on her journey. She balanced on the sturdy trunk til she got to a nest of thick

Maxine pulled back the curtain and stopped with a cock of her head. “Um…Sam sitting on someone isn’t really good for circulation.” “Oh I’m sorry. Am I the only one who realizes that this one wouldn’t sit still unless you make her?” “I have a name you know” 5 said casually. Sam, who was sitting on her tummy, rolled his eyes as Maxine went to check her vitals. As she took the needle out the trio heard a woman and man talking. If 5 had to guess it was 2nd grade teacher Elizabeth and farmer Joseph. Maxine dropped the needle and immediately rushed to the curtain to press her ear against it. Sam rolled his eyes before hearing his lady love giggle. Glancing over he saw her smiling and she signed to him. ‘Matchmaker Maxine’ Sam gave her an eye roll and signed back ‘I sometimes worry she forgets they are real people.’ ‘I doubt that’ “Yes” Maxine hissed happily pumping her fist before turning on her heel with a grin. “They’re going out on a date. Another happy couple thanks to yours truly”

“Want me to engage the offline operator?” 5 gave a chuckle. “Thought not. You’ve done great work in the treetops, Runner Five. All that research seems to be coming together, right? Everything’s leading towards something that could keep the zombies away, and if we can do that, man – nah, I don’t want to jinx it.” “Yeah probably best we all keep our mouths shut about that til it’s not a maybe.” Sam was silent for a minute before he started again. “In all seriousness, we have to stop putting you into these situations. Life’s not safe anymore, we know that, but if you take too many chances, sooner or later, you’ll draw the ace of spades and…. And….I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you for real.” “Come on honey. I’m the 5 that lived. I’m practically indestructible.” “Spoken like a woman who still gets colds 3 times a week.” 5 blew a raspberry at her fiance before trudging towards Abel. VROOOOOOMMMMM 5 about jumped out of her skin, whipped around at the noise to see the source. My

Daisy swiped the brush against her thumb nail meticulously, finishing the last of the coloring. Smiling at the result she shook her hand back and forth while keeping out her phone. Princess: GUURRRLLLL TONIGHTS GONA BE LITE Daisy chuckled before tapping out a response before she heard another ping. Kimmy: Thunderstorm tonight. Mat’s coming just for it. Wanna come along or are you busy? Daisy bit her lip. It was an adopted sibling tradition to have a ‘Black Out Night’ whenever there was a huge thunderstorm that came to Babbling Brook. But the party tonight was going to be great. Her friends were going to be there and there would also be….booze and…. Stuff and…. You: Something else came up. I’ll go to the next party. See yah tomorrow. *************************************************************************************** CRASH ……. BOOM RRROOOOOOMMMMMM “WOOHOOOOOO” Kim squealed as she raced through the rain and the muck on her DuneBug, speeding her way onto the upper path. Daisy

Cythnia Hill flipped through the binder, seeing nothing out of place before putting it in her carry on. “Cynthia?” Cythnia looked and was a little surprised to see “Sam?” “Hey I was volunteering under Dr. Cohns and saw you were transferring your research to somewhere in Wakanda?” “Yeah I was looking to visit there to explore my heritage for a while.” “Oh good for you. Need any help?” “Nah I’m just about to head to the station.” “Oh well I’ll walk you there.” “You don’t have to” “Don’t be silly. Here I’ll take your luggage. Come on.” ****************************************************************** Cythnia walked next to Sam in silence, enjoying his panting and huffing, before realizing what she’d advise one of her patients if they were in her position. “I asked Fran out on a date.” “Yeah, she pant told me” Cythnia stopped and looked at him, a hurt pang in her heart grew when she realized he wasn’t bluffing (and it was probably unhealthy to hope he was to begin with). “Soooo

5 couldn't move She couldn't scream All she could do was look around. At them “Rock a bye baaaabbbyyy, On the tree top” 5 looking around frantically for her, fighting the garneys restrictions with all her strength. “When the wind blows, the cradle will rock” Finally 5 saw it. It looked to be nothing but a shadow, casting itself around the room. First over Maxines corpse on the over garney, her belly ripped open. Then over Sam's head on the steel counter, a look of stunned shock frozen on his face. COUGH COUGH “Paula?” 5 pleaded. “When the bough breaks the cradle will fall” Paula stepped into the light. Her eyes were whiting over and she was starting to cough up blood. GROOOOOAAAANNNNNN “And the parasitic little brat dies” the MoonChild shadow growled over her inhumanly as Paula lunged. ******************** 5 woke up screaming. It took her a while to realize that there was no zombie, Paula or otherwise, standing over her. But that.. THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP 5

The distant sound of thunder brought a sigh to Kellies lips. It had been a loooonnngg day and it wasn’t even close to being over. She clamped the sides of her hoodie closer to her face and made a mad dash for the last bit of cover: her bus stop. She stood there, catching her breath, as the rain seemed to create a sheet over the bus stop. She could still see a bit out as her eyes adjusted. This neighborhood was something of a gathering for the fun families. There was a cookie cutter white house with a perfectly manicured lawn next to an orange house with nature sounds drifting out of it. A blue house with a play area in the front lawn Another white house with a big gate and a ‘here lives spoiled rotten dogs’ flag hanging on a pole A pale peach house with a neighborhood library stand in the corner of the garden Her eyes fell onto another white house with a sign hung on the fence. Hanna’s Cozy Eatery Ring on in Kellie looked at the schedule Her bus wouldn’t be here for another hour

CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH Sam paused to look at the trees. The numbers were carved deeply into the wood so that, no matter how much time would pass, there would be no mistaking what they were. Sam looked quietly at the closest tree. 50 Patrick Haze He was a really great guy. He'd helped Sam ride out the panic attack when it finally dawned that he was in the zombie apocalypse. He was the first runner under Sam and… And… Sam sighed, tears stinging in his eye before continuing on. Looking at the grave markers they created. 3 Larry 28 Oliver Twinkle 65 Precious Nightingale 44 Barry/Berry. He always meant to ask. Never did. 5 Alice Dempsey Sam took a deep breath. “Hi Alice” he laughed, tears welling up in his eyes. “IIII… I need to talk to you about the current Runner 5. He… her name is Fran and” he laughed again. “She's just incredible. All of you were but… she's just… everything I ever wanted and needed in a relationship and she's practically indestructible. She” Sam stopped

“Runner 4” “Ready” “Ru…..Runner 5?” “Back from the dead baby” Amber was quiet for a few minutes before finally saying “Does..Sam..Know you’re here?” “Yeah I kissed him goodbye.” “Okie Dokie, you can take the heat if he comes in here upset.” 5 rolled her eyes but didn’t comment. “We’re going on a recreation-health care run. We need new toothbrushes and it’s Bin day at the hospital in 2 days. Since this is 5s first day back we’ll probably just stop at the college,” “Aw come on Amber. Sam’s knocked until someone bugs him. At least let’s go to the catch all mall.” “Weeellllllllllllllll” “Plllllllllleeeeeeeaaassseee?” Amber sighed. “Fine, but if it looks like your hip is hurting I’m sending a car.” “Fine” 5 sighed. “Alright, raise the gates.” BEEEEEP BEEEEEP BEEEEP BEEEEP BEEEEP “Covering fire” BANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANG “Annnnnnddddd Go” ******************************* SMASH 5 and Jody stepped into the store before 5 randomly thought “wonder how we’re still able to find places

Janine placed the origami bird on Sam's desk. “Care to explain?” She asked with a look of annoyance. “Ummmmm, well I'm not that good with history but origami was invented…” “MR. YAO” “what” he asked with a shrug. “The family building had this with various instructions written in the folds” she explained as she opened a flap on the wings to reveal a message. Santa can't do his job on cookies alone. Be sure to eat your veggies if you want to be big and strong as Santa. They make the cookies taste better too. “Oh that's adorable” he gushed. Janine rolled her eyes. “While the message is positive this is still a superficial way to use paper. Please instruct your runners to not use supplies so carelessly.” And with that, Janine strode out of the commons shack. ************************************************************************ “It's only December 14th, Love.” “Just open it” 5 said with a warm smile. It was the first time Sam'd seen it since Abel was blown up. So, Sam did open the