Chapter Nine: Alphamon's Final Cry

Aleena charged out into the clearing, her comrades flanking her either side. Scanning the battlefield, she saw it was torn up with chunks of loose earth and craters throughout. She immediately spotted the first Digimon of the three she suspected to be in the area. It was Alphamon—paralysed by Nyx’s bullet. He was fading between translucent and opaque and unable to move.

Looking back straight ahead as she felt Ben grab her arm, pulling her back as she saw a black-bull Digimon with four legs bringing his blade down towards them. “Talmon!” she yelled, tossing the yellow tablet to her partner. Reuben did the same and the two dived out of the way as the two Digimon swallowed their tablets. His red armour with gold accents managed to catch her gaze briefly before she spotted their next opponent.
“Aleena, get down!” Reuben yelled as the Digimon opened fire with something that looked a lot like an antique machine gun.
She leapt behind a hill, Reuben diving behind the adjacent one, as their partners exploded into data.

* * *

Talmon and Gabumon became amorphous blobs of data, a sphere of light encasing their exposed innards. In unison, both spheres fractured, an arm flying out of each. Talmon’s armour was lime green, while Gabumon’s was sky blue. The arms grabbed onto the blade, holding Vajramon in place as he pulled out his other sword and they completed the Digivolution. Their other arms exploded out, each carrying a weapon. The blue arm, holding a long sword, bashed Vajramon’s other blade backwards and caused him to retreat. The two shattered their spheres, looking at each other before they charged.

Vajramon had recovered. Spinning his blades around, he galloped towards them.
“Artalmon, block it!” The blue Champion Digimon ordered, pointing his blade at their opponent.
Artalmon used his sword to block the attack but was quickly overwhelmed by Vajramon’s physical strength. He was knocked backwards as Argabumon leapt into the air.
“Freeze blast!” The ice cold energy exploded from the metal, tearing through the centre of Vajramon’s chest and causing him to quickly reform as a Digiegg. “You’re getting slow.”
Artalmon laughed. “I’m saving my energy for the main event!” He stretched, twirling his blade loosely in his wrist. “Let’s go assist Nyx, he’s not staying under much longer.”

* * *

Aleena looked out, the blue pinstripe suit and ragged cloak made it clear their opponent was as archaic as his weaponry.
He was spinning a small knife around in his hand, and upon noticing Aleena’s face, he launched it.
Aleena fired off two shots with her gun, both hitting the blade, first causing it to spin and then stop dead and fall to the ground where it dug in.

A barrage of arrows flew all around her, aimed at Astamon. Diving back behind a hill when she could, she watched Reuben load and fire with speed and accuracy that excelled beyond the professional level. It did make sense, considering he had entered the Olympics more than once as an independent candidate. Aleena looked at their opponent and saw he was having a little trouble but was managing to shoot down the arrows. Rolling her eyes, she said, “I could have handled it.”
Reuben glanced at her briefly. “Little busy.”
“I’m going to go hit him in the face now, feel free to join in.”
“Aleena, no, it’s dangerous!”

Leaping up from behind the hill, she kept low and moved fast, avoiding the arrows and bullets as they collided. As soon as she was in range, she aimed for his throat.
Astamon threw his gun up into the air and grabbed onto her fist.
Aleena growled and brought her leg up towards his head.
He moved his head to the side but Reuben’s foot lay waiting, striking the Digimon in the temple. Astamon released Aleena, staggering backwards.

Aleena held out her hand in front of Reuben, watching the Digimon closely as he caught his gun.
“Maverick.” The tall Digimon ran and leapt into the air, his leg bursting into black flames as he spun it around towards them. In sync, they lifted their arms, blocking it, but the attack threw them across the clearing regardless. They both thudded against one of the lumps of raised earth, groaning in pain.

Aleena felt a trickle of warm liquid from her mouth and knew that it was blood. Her arms throbbed but didn’t feel broken, that Rock Serum of Simyan’s never ceased to amaze her. She shook her head, trying to avoid the grogginess that was impeding Reuben from acting. In her blurry vision she saw Astamon raise his gun, pulling the trigger three times. She pulled out her own handgun, focussing her eyes, and pulled the trigger three times. Standing up, she panted as the three bullets intercepted her opponent’s and they all fell to the ground harmlessly.
Astamon smirked, his sharpened teeth shining as he twirled his gun on his finger.

Aleena exhaled and slipped her handgun back into its holster. Crisis averted, for now.
“I told you not to run at him.” Reuben groaned, pushing himself up and readying his bow.
Aleena looked back, narrowing her eyes.
Reuben rolled his eyes and sighed. “Fine. Go. I’ll cover you.”
Aleena nodded and then ran forwards as the arrows flew past her, Astamon shooting them all down only for more to replace them.

Reaching into the pocket on the back of her belt, she checked the magazine as she withdrew it. Inside, she saw purple bullets—Data Destruction capsules. Tossing her old empty magazine on the floor, she loaded the new magazine. Stopping in her tracks, she aimed—now much closer to Astamon—and pulled the trigger twice. She missed.
“Hell fire!” Astamon’s gun turned bright red and his fire rate increased.

Aleena dived behind a hill, and looked back to see Reuben out of sight too. Ignoring her comrade, she refocused her attention back on their opponent. Firstly, how on earth had she missed? What could possibly be distracting her? There was nothing different about this than normal, was there? Moving out of cover to the left, she noticed that seemed to be the side he was ignoring more. Aiming carefully, she pulled the trigger and grinned as it tore through Astamon’s chest. Astamon fizzled a little and then his data separated, reforming as a Digiegg. Sighing with relief, she realised that it was just her imagination. That was their target dead and that just left the perpetual annoyance—Alphamon.

Nyx and her partner walked out of the forest. The only difference was Agumon was now mechanised too. Her armour was orange and she was carrying a broadsword in her right hand. They all gathered in front of Alphamon as he began to move slightly.
Aleena walked over. “You stopped because?”
Nyx slung the rifle over her shoulder. “He was gaining immunity to the capsules. This means that our Digimon’s Data Destruction Blades won’t work either. Be careful.”

Reuben checked his arrow supply. “We’re support?”
“I’m still thinking of a plan.” Nyx furrowed her brow, rubbing her forehead.
“So I’m in charge till you come up with something.” Aleena smirked.
Reuben sighed exasperatedly. “You can’t possibly have a plan already. And even if you do it’s probably reckless and moronic.”
“You—” Aleena paused and looked at Nyx. “What’s the word?”
“Underestimate?” Nyx watched Alphamon’s form stop fizzing like TV static and stabilise.
“Yeah, that!” Aleena turned back to Reuben. “You underestimate me, Reu, so I’ll prove you wrong.”
“Just wait for Nyx!” he protested.
“Too late!” Aragumon yelled, throwing them all up into the air.

A black armoured hand flew forwards. It took all three of the Digimon to block it. “Quick, plan!” Artalmon yelled, struggling to hold the black metal palm back.
Alphamon relaxed his arm, his white cape billowing as he stood back.
“I’m taking charge. You’re with me, Tal; Gabu and Agu on front lines!” She turned back to her comrades. “You two make something that can beat him!”
“There’s no laboratory! What about safety?” Reuben yelled.
Nyx groaned. “Aleena, we aren’t chemists!”

Alphamon leapt back, summoning his black spear-like weapon from thin air.
Artalmon retreated next to Aleena and the other two Digimon charged after their opponent.
Aleena withdrew her gun. “Throw me!”
Her partner obliged, tossing her at Alphamon without hesitation.

She pulled the trigger repeatedly as she hurtled towards Alphamon. His hand flew at her, flicking her away as Aragumon and Argabumon brought their blades down on him. Artalmon caught her and turned, setting her down on the ground and shielding her with his body. She was just thankful the Rock Serum hadn’t ran out yet or that could have really hurt.
“Freeze Blast.”
“Burn Blade.”

The black knight Digimon was pushed backwards a few feet by the blast but, suddenly, his body shimmered. No more than a second later, all of the Digimon were scattered about, crushed into the ground.
Artalmon’s body flickered in front of Aleena and she knew that Alphamon was definitely a serious threat. Pushing herself to her feet, she looked around while the pain slowly ebbed away.

Nyx yelled, “He has the ability to manipulate time; only he and his opponents are able to fight within the temporal space and he has a trump card still held back.” She was one smart cookie; Aleena had no idea how Alphamon had done that.
Aragumon changed back into a rookie, too weak to go on.
Nyx clenched her fists. “Argabumon, freeze the ground. We’ll bring the fight to him now!”
“Let’s go, then!” Aleena yelled.

Argabumon threw Agumon back to Nyx and she set her partner down safely in the trees. “Ice Meld.” Argabumon’s body shimmered and then he was absorbed into the ground. Ice spread out from where he had disappeared until the entire area was like an ice rink.
“Aleena, you know the plan?” Nyx yelled.
“Of course.”
Reuben shouted, “Don’t get cocky; he just defeated all our partners without breaking a sweat!”
Aleena caught a bag, thrown to her by Nyx, pulling the straps on her shoulders. “I don’t play nice either!” She pointed at Alphamon, narrowing her eyes.

* * *

Nyx aimed with her rifle, pulling the trigger as soon as her sight was on Alphamon.
The black knight Digimon dodged to the side but Aleena withdrew a combat knife from her waist, throwing it and chasing after it.
Alphamon slipped on the ice, struggling to move his weapon to block the knife.

Grabbing a handful of Reuben’s arrows, Nyx strapped explosives onto them, and passed them back. Reuben unleashed all five in quick succession while Nyx moved steadily across the ice, careful not to slip.

Alphamon managed to lift his spear into the path of the explosive arrows but Aleena’s knife dug into a sweet spot and the explosives detonated at the same time. The air around the Digimon filled with black acrid smoke.

Nyx ran up to Artalmon, taking advantage of the smokescreen, and Artalmon grabbed onto her firmly and then threw her into the air where she could see down through the smoke. Nyx knew she had to be quick. Tearing the pins from the grenades, she hurled them at her enemy while he was still blinded.

It went to plan; Alphamon had no time to react due to the smoke, so he was launched backwards across the ice and into a tree.

* * *

Aleena stopped running, skidding across the ice and trying to keep her balance. She threw several sticky grenades, using her momentum to increase their speed as they each attached to a tree and exploded, smashing them. The foliage cascaded around Alphamon, crushing him.

Aleena watched, hopeful it would keep him down for a moment. She felt herself slowing, almost to a stop, when Artalmon grabbed onto her from behind and threw her backwards, leaping back slightly himself.

Artalmon then caught Nyx, also throwing her backwards as Alphamon exploded out of the trees, knocking them into the air. Alphamon tossed the trees like a baby throwing toys out of their pram, making them mostly inaccurate but forceful. Luckily, Artalmon managed to bash them all, except one, away. The two girls jumped in sync over the lone flying tree as it crashed into the ice. As soon as their feet touched the ice, they both started into a sprint. Aleena pulled the trigger until her handgun was empty, and then threw the magazine to Nyx. Unluckily, all of the DDC bullets missed.

Nyx withdrew twelve explosive rounds, sliding them into the magazine as it moved past her while simultaneously launching a remote explosive with her free hand. Spinning around, she threw the ammunition back, falling onto the ice with a thud.
Aleena held her handgun sideways, allowing the magazine to slide in and pulled the trigger four times.

The remote explosive attached to Alphamon and was detonated quickly by the four explosive bullets, launching him out of sight through the trees; a trail of data chasing after him.

They all began to pant, revelling in their victory and trying to gather their feet on the ice. Aleena helped Nyx up and they headed back to Reuben. He tossed a golden pellet to each of them as the ice faded and Argabumon reformed, exhausted. Aleena crushed hers over Astamon’s Digiegg while Nyx took care of Vajramon. Reuben handed the final capsule—for Alphamon—to Artalmon.

There was a loud rumble and Aleena looked up to see Alphamon and a purple glyph in the sky. The glyph began to grow until it covered an area much wider than she could see.
“That Digicode says something about summoning!” Nyx exclaimed, her voice shaking from panic. It was still baffling she could read some stupid squiggles as words. She grabbed onto Reuben’s hand firmly as Argabumon changed back to his Rookie form.
Aleena smirked. “He thinks his trump card can beat us. Nyx, take him out.”
Nyx breathed deeply, regaining her confidence. “Ask nicely, and the answer becomes a yes,” she teased, waving her rifle.
Aleena rolled her eyes. Niceties were not her forte. “Please.”
Nyx lifted the gun. “Ready.” She pulled the trigger.

Aleena watched Alphamon’s head twitch and his hand created another glyph to block the bullet. The glyph shattered and his arm began to fizz but they’d failed. The summoning glyph was glowing extremely brightly, which meant it was ready.

Nyx screamed, “I missed!”
“No, look closer,” Reuben urged.
Aleena tried to look closer but she couldn’t see too much. Reuben’s right eye and Nyx’s left eye rolled around in the socket until they both turned lime green.  “I hate getting left out by the cyborgs,” Aleena groaned, resting back against a tree.
Artalmon placed his arm comfortingly on her shoulder. “You can always get a fake eye if you want one.”
“We didn’t get ours by choice,” Reuben said, casting a brief glance over to Aleena. “Nyx, take another shot and he’s finished.”
Nyx nodded and reached into her pocket and then her face dropped. Aleena and Reuben knew instantly. Laughing nervously, she pulled out the empty pocket. “I’m all out, I left the spares on the plane.”

Their eyes returned to normal and Reuben sat down on the floor, sulking. “That’s it, we’re finished.”
“No, stay positive; we can think of something!” Nyx shook her boyfriend’s shoulder. However, her sullen eyes and frown betrayed her worry. “We still have this.” She looked over the makeshift DDC grenade they had concocted. “Maybe when he comes down we can hit him with it.”

Aleena sighed, realising what she had to do. “Tal, throw me at him. I’ll use the grenade they prepared earlier at close range and then it’s over.”
Artalmon shook his head. “Aleena, that’s too dangerous.”
Nyx looked up, her face lighting up. “Aleena, you’ll only have one shot. You sure you can make it?” Nyx held out the grenade.
Aleena grinned. “When was I last sure?”
Nyx pulled back the grenade slightly. “Never.”
“And when have I let that stop me?”
Nyx clenched her other hand, shaking her head. “You haven’t but this is different. Your survival rate is too low.”
“Then I’m going out with a bang.” Aleena winked and took the grenade from Nyx.

Reuben was coddling his head, looking at the ground but suddenly he looked up. “I’ll do it.” He grabbed hold of the grenade.
Aleena held on tightly, locking eyes with the long haired male as he stood up. “I can do this without you, got it?”
“Statistically, I have the best chance due to my eyes.”
Aleena moved close to his face. “I am not letting you take my place.”

Reuben looked at his fiancée. “Nyx?” They both turned to face her. The throbbing from overhead was becoming deafening now.
Nyx held up her hands. “He’s right, Aleena. My idiot fiancé will make a better suicide bomber than you.” She sighed. “I was hoping for a summer wedding.”
Aleena grimaced. “Fine; don’t screw this up.” She relinquished the grenade, standing back with an eye roll.
“I won’t; I’ll be back quick and then we’ll play cards tonight, like always.” He looked up at Alphamon and then back down. “I promise.”

“Be careful, Reu.” Nyx grabbed onto his arm.
Reuben looked at her.  “I will.” He turned to Artalmon. “I’m ready.”
Nyx stood back. “Back in time for dinner, okay?”
“You two aren’t an old married couple yet, stop acting like one,” Aleena snapped.
Artalmon grabbed onto the male. “You only get one shot, hold on tight.” Artalmon leapt into the air, arching his arm back.
Reuben pulled the grenade into his chest tightly. “I won’t fail.”

* * *

Reuben soared through the sky like a missile. The wind was blistering against his face as his eyes changed. The right turned green and the left became blue, both locking onto the target. A crosshair appeared in his vision with an impact time next to it. Nineteen seconds. He had less than a second to throw it at that point and then all it had to do was make contact.  

* * *

A brown scaly arm, easily the size of a building, erupted from the glyph. Taran screamed in fear, running out from behind the trees. This was all becoming too real for him. He was in actual danger. He grabbed onto Aleena, trembling.
She yelled, “I told you to wait in the trees!” He was so distracting! Why on earth she had brought him along was now a mystery.
“I’m scared!” Taran buried his face in her jeans. He didn’t want a big scary monster to eat him.
“That doesn’t change what I told you to do!”
Taran looked up as Nyx placed her arm around him. Aleena could be worse than that big monster, perhaps? But at least Nyx would be there for him. He leaned into her hug.
“It’s okay, honey, I am too.”
Aleena clenched her fists, ignoring them, and whispered quietly, “Throw it, throw it.”

* * *

Reuben launched the grenade; rocketing past, he was unable to see the outcome and felt his head become dizzy from the swift altitude change. He looked down at the ground wearily and then passed out.

* * *

The area around Alphamon exploded with fire and the glyph flickered and vanished, the scaly arm with it, as an object burst from the robust cloud of smoke. “He’s still solid, let’s go!” Aleena burst into a run. Her partner had ran ahead to catch Reuben but they hadn’t expected Alphamon to survive the blast.
“Can you run?” Nyx asked as her partner walked up next to her.
“I’m perky!” Agumon bounced up, high fiving her partner.
Gabumon balled up his fists. “We have to stop him from hurting Reuben.”
Nyx picked Taran up and started running. “Don’t get too far ahead, Ally!”

* * *

Aleena burst through the trees to see Artalmon set Reuben down against a tree. She breathed a sigh of relief as the others ran out all around her. “What’s the plan, Nyx?”
“Don’t die.” Nyx set Taran down.
“I think I can manage that,” Reuben mumbled, only half-conscious.
Nyx shook her head, smiling as a tear ran down her cheek. “You’re too weak!”
Reuben walked over, pulling his bow off his back. “You need me.”
Aleena looked at Nyx, raising an eyebrow.
The pink haired girl glared back but eventually sighed. “Fine, stay safe, Reuben.”

Aleena picked Taran up, putting him behind the trees. “Don’t leave this spot. This time I really mean it.”
Taran held up his little finger. “I promise.”
“What are you doing?”
“It’s a pinky swear; it means you won’t break the promise no matter what. You have to wrap your pinky ‘round mine. Like this.” He curled his little finger around hers.

She was shocked as she looked at him. He was so childlike. Well, he was a child. She wrapped her finger around his. “What now?”
“Now you say: pinky swear.”
“Pink—”
“Wait, can you promise you won’t get hurt?” Taran looked genuinely worried.
Aleena sighed. This was so tedious. “I promise.”
“Pinky swear,” he insisted fervently.
Aleena nodded. “Pinky swear.” They moved their hands up and down then she pulled away. “Stay there.”

She walked back out to the others as Alphamon withdrew his weapon, waking up mid-fall. “He’s tough.” The data trailing from him showed he was weaker than he had ever been though. This meant there was a chance.
Reuben cracked his neck. “Why isn’t he flying?”
“The wings were destroyed in the blast,” Nyx explained, pointing.
Aleena checked her gun. “He’s still a threat.”
“Move back or his impact will throw us back,” Nyx warned.

They all moved backwards and Aleena placed her fingers in her ears, nodding at Taran until he copied.

Alphamon crashed into the ground and there was a rush of sound as debris flew everywhere, blanketing the sky. Artalmon took the brunt of the fallout by standing in front of them, and it showed as he fell onto his knees as silence fell.

Smoke swirled around the area but, as it cleared, the large crater in front of them quickly became apparent. It was at least thirty meters in diameter and several meters deep at the point of impact. Alphamon slowly stood up in the crater, coughing as his body fizzed and crackled. He held out his blade, albeit slightly shakily at first.

Nyx coughed, yelling, “Don’t forget about his time manipulation, we prevented him from using it effectively on the ice due to the abilities distance limitation and the reduced movement potential.”
“It’s hard to forget.” Artalmon pushed a lump of earth off himself and stood back up, brandishing his sword.
“I concur,” Gabumon grumbled.
“Let’s go, guys!” Agumon beamed.
Aleena rubbed her head. “Your partner is too happy.”
“Not the time,” Reuben interrupted before Nyx had a chance to respond.

Alphamon rushed forwards, raising his blade.
Artalmon moved to meet him. “Holy Slash.” His white blade crashed against Alphamon’s weapon.
“Blue Blaster!”
“Pepper Breath!”

The three attacks broke Alphamon’s already cracked blade, so he tossed it aside, leaping backwards.

“This isn’t over,” Nyx grumbled.
“We know, don’t worry!” Agumon laughed and then led the charge with the other Digimon.
Aleena ran after them as Nyx and Reuben split up around the edge of the battlefield. “Pincer attack, textbook,” she whispered, rolling her eyes.
“Battle Hawk!”
“Blue Blaster!”
Artalmon swung his blade down in unison with the attacks but Alphamon easily knocked all three away with a swing of his leg.

Aleena fired six shots from her handgun as Nyx threw a grenade.
The black knight moved his arms to block the attacks, clearly too weak to use his glyphs now.
Reuben fired an arrow but the Digimon dismissed it. The arrow flew through the smoke and Alphamon roared in pain.

“The trick worked,” Reuben exclaimed, breathing a sigh of relief.
“I didn’t expect him to fall for weak arrows and then one with a Data Destruction Arrowhead,” Nyx said, shaking her head and smiling. “Nice job, everyone!”
Aleena screamed, “Nyx!”

A black hand crushed Nyx, blood flying outwards. The other hand crashed into Reuben, who flew into a tree with a cracking noise. A glyph appeared on each of the Digimon and Reuben, exploding in an instant.

Aleena began to shake, screaming uncontrollably. Her friend’s bloody bodies covered the landscape and her own Digimon was barely clinging to life. Alphamon’s body was barely opaque but his strength, even in this state, was terrifying. They didn’t stand a chance. They never had.

She felt limp as she looked at Nyx’s lifeless body. Dropping her handgun, she fell to her knees, trembling. Aleena managed to look over at Taran. His face was a mixture of terror and confusion. She did this; she had brought him into a situation where he was going to die. It was almost like she was detached from her body, looking down on this horrifying reality.

A weak voice called out, “Aleena?”
She searched for the source. “Tal!” She grabbed her gun and scarpered over to him. Leaning over him protectively, she looked up at Alphamon. The huge Digimon’s face was a picture of apathy. “Don’t ignore me!” she screamed, shaking as her cheeks flared up. “Hit me!”

A smile crept along the Digimon’s face. “It’s over. You may keep your life, pathetic human.”
“No; you have no right to decide if I live or die! You already hurt them. Hurt me!”
“If you become stronger, I’ll consider your challenge.”
She grasped her gun tightly and yelled, “Why them, and not me!?”
“They had value; you do not.”
“They aren’t dead! They have value! They’ll survive this!”
“If you believe you can rescue them without me crushing you, then you may try.”

Aleena moved forwards slightly but the fist crashed in front of her before she managed to manoeuvre any significant distance. Looking up at him, she tried to muster a defiant glare.
“Your efforts are futile. I’ll admit you are better than average for your race but you aren’t on the same level as myself.”
Aleena fired off the last few rounds from her gun. “How dare you!” The bullets bounced off him pathetically, causing minor explosions, and she gritted her teeth. She was useless. That was it. She would just try and let him kill her. It was better than doing nothing.

“Aleena, we’ve got to go. Taran’s crying,” Talmon urged, touching her arm gently.
“I—” she faltered. Aleena had forgotten anyone else was even with her. Her chest was hurting, but she knew she had to ignore it.
“I know. Let’s go.” He pulled at her.
She closed her eyes, a tear trickling down her cheek. Grabbing Talmon's paw, she ran into the forest.
“That’s right, run in fear! Tell your people to stop infecting mine!”

Her breathing was haggard as she ran up to Taran. “We’re going!”
Taran pointed back at the bloodbath. “What about them?”
Aleena shook her head, tears trickling down her cheeks. “They’re dead, let’s go!”
“We can’t just leave them!”
“Remember what I told you: Do what I tell you even if you think it’s wrong!” She pulled at his arm but he didn’t move.
“But we can’t leave them, I like them!” He started crying and stamped his foot. “I don’t want to go!”
“Taran, I won’t ask again. We’re going!” She grabbed hold of his hand and started to run, dragging him with her as he sobbed.

* * *

They ran out of the forest and onto a rocky outcrop. A steep drop and waterfall were looming just ahead. She stopped running as she felt Taran collapse next to her. Sweat was mixing with the tears and dripping from her face but she grabbed onto his hand as he struggled to breathe. “I know you’re scared but you need to—” She shivered as Nyx’s crushed body appeared in front of her eyes. “I need you to…”
Talmon pulled at her. “Aleena?”
“Yeah?” she muttered absentmindedly, having let go of Taran’s hand.
“You said Taran needed to do something,” he said.
Taran threw up into the water nearby, still sobbing.

She thought of Reuben’s face as the hand hit him. The look of terror in Nyx’s eyes burned onto her retinas. Every time she blinked it would reappear. “I need you to trust me one last time and keep moving,” she said, touching Taran’s shoulder. Barely able to stand, she breathed deeply.

Taran coughed, wiping his mouth. “No one is chasing us. I wanna stop,” he begged, tearful as he looked at her. “I wanna go home!”
“Taran, I need you to do this last thing.”
He sniffled and whined, “I’m tired.”
“I know, but just hold on tight. I’ll do the running and it won’t be much longer.”
He looked at her for a while before throwing up again. Glancing up, he coughed. “Okay, I trust you.”
“Good— Good boy.” Aleena ruffled his hair weakly but she couldn’t feel anything. She still felt like an outsider looking in.

Aleena picked him up. She looked at Talmon; he was too weak to jump. “I’ll carry you too.”
“I’m fine,” he protested, his data flickering.
“Tal, let’s just go, please.” Her partner nodded reluctantly so she picked him up in her other arm. Walking back a little, she ran and jumped off the cliff. “Thank you, Nyx.” She pulled the cord hanging out of her backpack as she plummeted. Nyx had probably known this would happen. She always knew.

The parachute erupted as they neared the water, slowing their descent a little. Taran began to panic next to her, flailing his arms about as they sank into the water.
Aleena tugged her backpack off quickly and swam to the surface.
Talmon yelled, “Aleena, Taran isn’t breathing!” He held up the little boy with his ears, but was having trouble staying on the surface himself.
Aleena growled, throwing them both out of the water and onto the nearby grass with what little strength she still had.

Aleena waited for a moment, her arms feeling heavy as she treaded water. She could give up now and never relive that moment. It would be so easy. All she had to do was stop moving and just sink. Slowly, she found her arms slowing and she began to slip under the surface.

“Aleena!”

Aleena opened her eyes, bubbles rushing out of her mouth as she frantically swam to the surface. Was that them? She couldn’t give up—not now. It was her job now to come back and save them and so she had to live on and get stronger. Turning to Talmon and Taran, she began to swim with renewed vigour.

Clambering out, she placed her head on Taran’s chest. The heartbeat was weak. Looking into his mouth, she gasped. “There’s something blocking his throat.” She stuck her hand inside, plucking the obstruction from his throat.

She looked it over. A small dead fish. Tossing it to one side, she pressed down a few times on Taran’s chest and then breathed once into his mouth, leaning back.
Taran began to cough and splutter out the water he’d swallowed. “What happened?”
“You had lunch a little early,” she said, leaning back. Withdrawing the flare gun from her hip, she fired it into the air. “Home time.”

She collapsed next to Taran, looking into his eyes. “You’re cold…”
He nodded.
She saw Reuben crash into a tree and flinched.
Taran muttered, “Aleena?”
Dazed, she replied, “Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
The words shook her from her daydream. “What for?”
“Looking after me.” He coughed in an almost pathetic manner but she still smiled.
“I’ll always look after you, little man,” she whispered, grabbing his hand. He was now the only tie she had to Nyx and Reuben.

Whirring helicopter blades filled the air as they lay there but she didn’t want to move.
“Aleena, it’s time to go,” Talmon called as the helicopter touched down behind her head.
She wanted to cry, but she didn’t see a need anymore. “Okay.” Slowly standing up, she helped Taran to his feet. “You’re not a runner.” She smiled meekly as she saw him struggling to stand like a baby deer.
Taran shook his head, almost tearful.
She helped him into the helicopter and looked at the pilot as he climbed out of the vehicle and looked around. “Where are the other operatives?”
“They’re gone.”