"Alright, this is the mic feed." A loud squeal of equipment comes a second later. I wince at the sound as Phil hisses at his mistake. "Okay, so that's not the mic feed. So um... this is the mic feed?"

"I thought Sam took you through all the equipment earlier?" Zoe asks with a raised brow.

"He was giving Sarah her breakfast at the time," Paula replies with a shrug. "She sees vegetables as more of a missile than a food."

"It's okay. I think I've got-" He's cut off by gunshots from those at post, taking out the few zombies that are probably mulling around the gates. "Yeah. Covering fire. Well, that's exactly what I was going to tell them to do. Right. Right. Okay, so today you're going to Meerkat Manor, the animal sanctuary."

Zoe gasps. "Meerkat Manor? Oh my God. Oh my God! Phil, why didn't you tell me that's where we're going?"

"Because I knew that'd be how you reacted, and I was kind of hoping you'd concentrate on the mission rather than meerkats so you don't get eaten by zombies."

"And the mission is to collect psychiatric drugs-antidepressants and antipsychotics, mainly," Paula says. "There's an arrangment between all UK territories, even Sigrid's, to exchange them between a neutral point... in an animal santuary."

I nod. I guess those types of drugs would be needed. The zombie apocalypse hasn't exactly been great for anyone's mental health, especially the people of Abel Township. Not only do they have to deal with zombies but they also have to worry about their home constantly being on the verge of destruction.

"I am literally going to heaven," Zoe squeals.

"Um, not to say this isn't important, because I know it is, but why did you have me scheduled for this mission?" I ask, shifting uncomfortably. "I mean, I'm not saying I believe myself to be above supply runs or anything. I just... am usually sent on more dangerous missions than this."

"Well, yeah, this is a nice, light mission for everyone," Phil says. "Callista-er, Five, we just thought, you know, with your..."

"With my...?" I prompt, biting back the rising annoyance and discomfort.

"Your uh, Moonchild... problem, we thought it might be better for you to do more non-Sigrid missions for awhile."

I'm taken aback by that. "What? Why? I'm fine. Haven't heard her since I was on that ship, and I was just stressed a few days ago when I... snapped like I did. We can't-we can't just not do those missions."

"Not we, you," Paula corrects, and I wonder just who this 'we' was that decided I couldn't go on more important missions. "After you told us what Moonchild had done for you, without your consent, without any possibility you could even answer back... oh, it's awful. I can't imagine how you feel, Five."

"No, you can't. It sucks," I snap. "But I don't think it's a good enough reason to pull me off of Sigrid missions!"

"We're taking it one step at a time," She assures, but I have a hard time believing her. "We just want to see if we can find something that helps with your Moonchild susceptibility. Veronica thinks she might be able to put together an earpiece that could counter the voices, but until then, yes. A few less Sigrid missions."

"Which is not to say that this isn't an important and dangerous mission," Phil says before I can interject. "You need to be out of there by nightfall."

"Zoms?"

"Pumas. So get going."

We all stand there in silence for a moment, the three of us casting sideways glances to one another.

"Um, Phil, hun," I say, a small smile on my face, "the gates?"

"Oh, God, yes. Sorry, sorry!" He clears this throat while I giggle quietly. "Raise the gate!"

The siren blares out as the gates go up, revealing some of the corpses that have already been shot down.

"Now run."

We do as told, stepping over the dead bodies and heading for the animal sanctuary. I've never been inside, but I have passed it a few times while on other runs. It takes everything in me not to say anything about this decision to keep me off of Sigrid missions. I understand why they-whoever "they" might be-decided to do it. It's for my own safety, to keep Sigrid from doing whatever she did before to make me pass out and force Moonchild to take control of my body. But just because I understand the reasoning behind the decision doesn't mean I'm okay with it.

I want to help. I want to be useful. Because of everything that's happened to me, I feel more like a burden than an asset. I'm supposed to be Head of Runners. I'm supposed to be the one that does what needs to be done, not sit on the sidelines while others risk their lives for me.

I mean, I've got so many things going on, and all it's done is stress the people I care about out. The least I can do is try to help in stopping the greatest threat to all of us. Anyone can go on a supply run like this. The dangerous missions, the ones I barely make it out of-those missions scare me, but the fact that I can and will do them are what makes me valuable. I'm basically worthless as a runner when I'm not doing them.

I'm replacable.

I shake my head, trying to will that thought away. I've gotten out of that mindset for the most part, but sometimes those pesky thoughts always find a way back into my mind, trying to pull me back into my old ways. I know Paula's been trying to talk to me about certain things-everything really. She says it's not good for my mental health to have gone through so much at such a young age and not talk about it. I know she's probably right, and that I should talk about it...

But wouldn't that make me even more of a burden to do so?

It doesn't take long to reach the sanctuary. We all manage to keep at a good pace. The quicker we get what we need, the quicker we can go home and I can find out just who decided I needed a break from running more dangerous missions.

"Okay, guys, you've reached the zebra enclosure," Phil says. "Make sure you close that gate behind you."

I do as told, and the gate clatters shut, bits of rust flaking off to the ground.

"Ooh, I can see them in the distance there," Zoe says, pointing ahead. She laughs. "See them grazing by the little spruce copse? Oh, this is much nicer than the last place they had the exchange. Honestly, who thought picking up antidepressants in a former abattior would be a good idea?"

I blink in surprise. "Oh, so you've done this before?"

"Don't sound so surprised."

I shrug. "I just thought you and Phil were mainly Jaime wranglers, going with him when he has different speeches to give and all that."

"Well, since I'm one of their biggest customers for Sertraline, it seems only fair to help with the supply," She replies casually.

I tilt my head to the side. I don't recognize the name of the drug. I only know about the ones Nicole has told me about, which were mostly antibiotics. I turn to Paula, who's looking at Zoe with mild surprise.

"You have depression? Oh," She shakes her head. "I don't know why I'm sounding so suprised. You always seem pretty cheerful, but presumably, that's because the meds are actually working, which is what they're supposed to do."

"We're glad the SSRIs do the trick for Zo," Phil says. "One of my cousins had depression, but nothing worked for him. He ended up... yeah."

Zoe sighs. "Yeah. Oh, look! Look! Up ahead. Is that an owl enclosure?"

"According to the map, yeah. Mostly just barn owls, though."

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

He doesn't reply on it, but I can practically see him rolling his eyes. "Hey, Zo, have you ever met the guys who run this place?"

The blonde frowns. "No, why?"

"Nothing. Just if you asked me to list the qualities of your dream man, 'runs a meerkat sanctuary' would be near the top. Ooh, I know. Why don't you all stay here tonight, see if anyone catches your eye?"

"Don't be silly," She laughs. "Paula needs to get back to Sarah."

The redhead shrugs. "No, not really. Sam and Maxie can look after her."

"I'm sure Five wants to get back to fiance."

"Which one?" I ask with a smile. "A lot of people actually still believe I'm engaged to Phil.

"Yeah," Phil laughs. "She can trade in one for another for one night. Come on, Zo, what have you got to lose?"

She sighs, biting the inside of her cheek. "Look, if you must know, I'm seeing someone at the moment."

He gasps. "What? Who?"

"No time to exaplin. I need to see those owls." She grins at me. "Come on, Five. Race ya."

I perk up at the challenge, taking off towards the owl enclosure with Zoe right beside me. She's gotten a lot faster since I helped with Jaime's 'Hearts and Minds' tour, but I'm still faster. Constant training and near death experiences keep me quick, and I easily make it there before she does.

I'm slightly breathless and while I don't think my face is as red as hers, I'm sure my skin has a pink flush to it from the sudden sprint. I open the door, knowing Zoe can take this time to look around while Paula catches up.

Phil is probably going to pester her about who she's seeing at the moment, but I don't want to know nor do I care. Zoe was one of the few people who didn't pester me when I was crushing on Sam and was too afraid to admit my feelings. I think it's common curtesy to leave her be on this.

But even though I won't ask, I still might join in on some teasing with Paula and Phil. Plus I have a hunch on who it might be.

Zoe looks above at the trees, a large smile on her face as owls flutter and fly above her, probably spooked awake by our presence. I see a few in the trees, sleeping peaceful. My eyes glide from their brown feathers to their sharp talons that I'm sure would rip a large chunk of flesh from Zoe's arm if she got too close. I stay by her side to make sure she doesn't try to climb a tree to get a better look.

I hear the door click a second later as Paula heads inside. She glances around, wonder in her eyes. She doesn't glance around for too long though. She only admires the owls for a second before heading heading to the other exit. I follow, pausing when I see Zoe is still looking around with wide eyes.

"Uh, Zoe, come on," I say. "We gotta go."

"Just a moment," She replies, not looking my way. Phil sighs heavily through my headset.

"There's no time to keeping looking at the owls. You need to get moving or you won't get to the exchange before dark."

She doesn't answer.

"Zoe?" He huffs when he again is answered with silence. "If you get moving, there's a capybara field up ahead."

"Oh!" She gasps, nearly running me over to get to the exit.

"There we go."

I roll my eyes and leave the owl enclosure, and I have to blink at just how bright the sun is. The trees in that ecnlosure blocked out quite a bit of light, and now I have to get used to it again.

"You know, when I was a teenager, Mum used to drag me to this urban farm near us when I was feeling low," Zoe laughs, although it sounds a bit forced. "I've spent more time staring at pot-bellied pigs than you can possibly imagine."

Paula sends her a sympathetic look. "Did it help?"

She sighs. "No, not really. Well, that's the thing about depression, isn't it? You're not depressed because there's nothing nice in your life. You can't enjoy anything nice because you're depressed."

There's a second of silence before Phil gasps. "Ooh, wait. Um, I think I just switched on one of the local camera feeds."

I raise a brow. "You think?"

"Yeah. Ah, I can see the three of you. Honestly, Zo, Jaime's right. You need to work on your gait. You can damage your tendons that way. Also, there's about twelve zoms following you."

Zoe scowls, and it's only now that I'm straining my ears that I hear the faint moans of the zombies. "You really do kind of suck at this."

"Yeah... So, since I might have accidentally led you to your untimely deaths, before you die, is there anything you want to share with me?"

"I'm not telling you who I'm dating, Phil."

"Is it Runner Nineteen?" Paula asks. "He seems like your type."

"Oh, yeah, he does," Phil agrees, and Zoe just scrunches up her nose.

"He's allergic to nuts."

"Right. Is that... bad?"

She rolls her eyes as if it should be obvious. "No man's worth giving up pad thai for."

"Even now?" I laugh.

"Well, we might find the ingredients to make pad thai again. I'd have thought you'd be on my side with this, Five, considering how much you love peanut butter."

"Neither my fiancé not my fake fiancé are allergic to nuts though," I reply, and she shrugs.

"True. I suppose you got lucky. But, Phil, since you wanted to talk about leading us to our deaths, you do realize that if you get Five killed before she gets married, Sam will kill you."

"Oh, yeah." I hear him shudder. "It's always the nice ones you have to look out for... Those zoms are really decayed, aren't they? They look like those anatomy paintings that always gave me nightmares. Better speed up, guys. Run!"

•

"Those zoms are pretty nippy for shamblers," Zoe pants, and I cringe when I turn around and look at them.

They are basically skeletons with bits of stringy flesh hanging off of them, bits of muscles barely holding bone together. Don't know how they manage to stay upright, much less run. Zombies will forever continue to surprise and terrify me.

"It's strange," Paula says with a mixed expression, "having to be scared of zoms again. The first time I saw some out of the gate after taking the cure, I just... stood there. You had to push me out of the way, didn't you, Five? I'd honestly forgetten they could hurt me."

"Please try not to forget again," Phil says nervously. "Maxine and Sam would both skin me alive if anything happened to you or Five."

"No, they wouldn't. They'd both be very, very upset, but they-Sam especailly-would try to convince you that it wasn't your fault." She huffs out a laugh. "It's nice, having the same fears as everyone else."

"Is it, though?" I ask. I remember believing I was invincible. I still am, in a way, with zombies being my only weakness. But when I thought I didn't have any weaknesses... as much as I hated it, I loved knowing I could do what I needed to if the people I cared about were at risk. I could put myself through hell and back and still come out alive if that's what the people I loved needed from me.

Finding out I still had that bit of mortality left in me... It hurts more than I care to admit.

She nods. "Yes. I know it's probably harder for you to understand, seeing that you have more fears than any of us, zombies included. I pray you'll never have to know what I went through."

I don't say anything. Her situation is different than mine, so I suppose I shouldn't be asking these questions. The last thing I want is to make her suspicious of me too.

"And Sarah. Yesterday she sneezed, and this little bubble of snot came out."

Zoe's face scrunches up. "Uh, that's... lovely?"

"I got to wipe it away!" She smiles widely, as if that was the best thing in the world. "And I didn't have to worry about checking for nicks or cuts. Just because she's immune didn't mean I couldn't... But I got to hug her and run my fingers through her hair. Oh, it's so thick and dark now. She definitely takes after Maxie there. I feel-I feel like I've rejoined the human race."

I look away, knowing the pained expression I can't stop from shadowing my face would give me away.

"That's sort of what coming out of a bout of depression feels like," Zoe says. "When you're in it, everything's behind a glass screen. You can touch it, but at the same time, you can't touch it. And then suddenly, everything's there again, in full color."

"Yeah..." Phil hums. "Zoe, speaking of touching things, or, you know, people-"

"No."

"We won't gossip about it," Paula promises.

"It's not telling anyone I'm worried about."

"Oh." Phil gasps loudly. "Oh! It's someone embarrassing, it's it?"

I scoff. "There's no such thing as an embarrassing partner if they make you happy." I tilt my head to the side. "Does this person make you happy, Zoe?"

She groans. "Not you too!"

I laugh, and Paula nudges her playfully as we run. "Oh, come on. Tell us. We won't judge, I promise."

Her eyes harden. "I can absolutely 100% guarantee that you will." She looks behind her. "Those zoms are catching up. Let's move."

She's painfully good at avoiding the subject, I'm finding. I can't say much, because when Caleb kept pestering me about Sam I refused to say anything about it for the longest time. It took me a few months for me to even realize I liked him, even longer to admit it to others. Even then I refused to tell him until it became life and death, and it was his life, not mine. I nearly died tons of times before that and would have taken my secret to the grave.

But what could she possibly mean when she said she was 100% sure we'd judge her? Who on earth could she have access to see who we'd judge her for? There's very few people Paula or Phil dislike. And me-well, I've got quite a few people I don't care for, but none of them seem like Zoe's type.

Maybe she's just being dramatic, like I was with Sam and admitting my feelings to him.

I can hear the zombies behind us, but they sound louder than before. I look behind me, straining my neck to get a good view. Good isn't exactly the right word. Still, I furrow my brows at the sight of them.

"Phil, didn't you say there were twelve zombies behind us? Because there seems to be a bit more than that."

"Uh, yeah. You're picking up more zoms, which is bad, but what's worse is there's a place up ahead where they nurse injured bats. There's one in there at the moment with a broken wing."

"And why is that bad, exactly?" Paula asks.

"Because Zoe will want to stop and look at it."

"But it's a bat with a broken wing, Phil! A bat! With a broken wing!" Zoe squeals. "Oh, if that doesn't make you feel all gooey inside, you're a monster."

"Okay, but can you have like, fly-by gooey feelings? Those zoms are getting closer. Also, pumas."

She gasps happily. "Pumas?!"

"I have to ask: is there any animal you don't think is adorable?" Paula asks as we push ourselves to go faster. "Cockroaches? Blue-ringed octopuses?"

"Octopi are the best!"

"So that'd be a no then."

"But you see, this is my depression test. Do octopi make me feel gooey? Yes? Not depressed. No? Starting to get depressed again," She explains. "It's how I know I need to go back on the meds."

Paula blinks. "That's... actually quite sensible."

"Okay, guys, you need to keep moving. Those pumas look hungry, and they'll pick off the slowest," Phil says.

"So don't be slower than the zoms?" Zoe guesses, and I nod.

"That's usually a good idea. Come on!"

My legs are already beginning to burn, but I have a good while before I'll need to slow down. These zombies are faster than I'd thought they'd be, and persistent. I grab my pistol from my holster, thankful Sam reminded me to bring a weapon before going out today.

I suppose this is what I get for believing this to be a non-dangerous mission.

I can't exactly hear anything that sounds like pumas in this enclosure, but I'm not exactly sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Of course, they will pick off the zombies first. There's only been one known zombie animal, but the reason for its turning is still unknown. As far as we know, animals that eat zombies don't turn, but they can still carry the virus if they've recently eaten a zom, so it's best that we make sure they don't catch us either way.

We keep running, the moans of the zombies ringing in my ears. I keep forgetting just how dangerous regular zombies are. I know what they can do if they catch us, I always do, but I forget just how terrifying they can be when there are twenty-seven of them all chasing you.

I twist around, aiming my pistol at one. I fire, the sound of the gunshot echoing through the air. I miss, hitting one in the shoulder. It pushes it back a bit, but it doesn't stop it. I bite back a curse as they keep coming, the noise seeming to spur them on. I was so stupid in not thinking to bring my axe. They're almost close enough for me to fight them off with it. It's been awhile since I've had to use it, honestly.

Maybe I do need to do more non-Sigrid missions to remind me of the dangers of regular, old supply runs. It seems I've forgotten quite a bit when it comes to them.

I fire my pistol twice, one bullet after another. They both hit this time, taking out two of the closer zombies. I swallow down the rising fear as the other twenty-something behind us keep coming. I don't have enough bullets to take them all out. I didn't bring an extra clip.

Stupid, stupid girl!

"You're doing great, guys," Phil says calmly, probably just to keep us from getting too panicky. It doesn't help much.

"But the zoms are catching up to us," Paula pants as I twist and fire again, taking out another zombie. "The only reason they haven't caught us already is because Five's taken out the ones in the lead. I-I think I'm scared. Yes, I'm definietly very frightened."

"It's going to be okay," He says. "You see those two cedar trees up ahead? There's a net hanging between them. It's on the plans as a security measure. Uh, there's a switch on-on the ground. Once you're through, you can drop it on the zoms. Then the pumas can eat them. You just have to get to those trees."

"This is why you're my second favorite operator," I say, firing again at the zombies. He laughs.

"I'm just waiting for Sam to mess up so I can become your favorite," He jokes. "But yeah, get to those trees, and um, maybe try to get to them a little faster than you are right now?"

"I'll give the zombie apocalypse one thing," Zoe pants, "at least no one asks me what I've got to be depressed about anymore."

I nod. She is right about that, but I'm sure once we're older and the apocalypse is done, there will be children coming to their parents about their depression and will get be told to get over it because they didn't have to live through a zombie apocalypse. Pros and cons of a global disaster, I suppose.

"I'll pull the lever," I say. "You guys go ahead of me. Go!"

I slow down, firing again and again at the zombies, trying to take some of them down as Zoe and Paula race ahead of me. I pull the trigger until I hear a soft click, then turn and sprint as fast as I can, the moans of the remaining zombies behind me.

I skid between the two trees as I reach them, Paula and Zoe both watching with wide eyes as I grab the lever. I barely feel the coolness of the metal as I grab it, the momentum of my body pulling it forward. The sudden jerk when it's pulled all the way nearly makes me eat dirt. A large weighted net comes crashing down on the zombies, slamming them all face down into the ground.

They snarl in fury, clawing at us, trying to break through the nets to get to the blood I'm sure they can hear pounding in my veins.

"That's all of them," Phil says, a small smile in his voice. "You're safe."

I've already let go of the lever, slowing down my pace to catch my breath, but not stopping completely. I know if there are any pumas around they'll be coming for the zoms, and us if we stay still. We weren't exactly quiet.

"Thank God the exchange point's just up ahead," I say, wiping the thin layer of sweat from my forhead.

"Yeah, now you can tell us, Zoe," Phil snickers.

She scoffs. "You don't give up, do you?"

"Please?"

"Absolutely not."

"We can guess," I say. "I'm like ninety percent sure I know who it is."

Zoe gives me a raised brow, and the look she gives me nearly has me cackling. Now I know why Caleb used to give me so much shit about me and Sam. This really is fun.

"How could you possibly know that?"

"Because I've heard your show. Me and Sam listen to it when we're bored, which is often. You have no shame. If it was anyone else, you would have told us, right? I'm right. I know I'm right."

"That's a really good point," Phil says. "She's got a point, Zo."

Zoe sighs. "Alright. Fine. You're right. It's-"

"Jaime," I finish.

"-Amelia."

Everyone gasps.

I choke. "What?!"

She looks at me in shock. "You said you knew!"

"I thought I did!" I yell. "I was almost certain it was Jaime. I mean, you guys seemed pretty close. I thought you couldn't say anything because he's, you know, the King of England."

"Amelia?" Phil repeats. "Amelia 'Never Had a Friend She Wouldn't Double-Cross' Spens? Amelia 'Heart of Pure Stone' Spens? That Amelia?"

"You promised you wouldn't judge."

"Oh, I'm not."

"I am," Paula and I say in unison, looking absolutely disgusted.

"Alright, I am too. What the hell, Zoe?"

She shifts her weight from one foot to the other. "Well, I was thinking she was there, and I was horny, and you're got to admit she's good looking..." She trails off as we head inside the building for the exchange. The lights are on, but it's empty. "Wait, hang on. Why aren't there any people at the meds station? There's always people here. I was looking forward to a chat."

"Stop changing the subject," Phil says, but Paula frowns as she also looks around.

"No, Zoe's right. It's deserted." She points to the table up ahead. There's a red sign where all the tablets are stacked up. I give her an uneasy look, wondering if it may be a trap.

"I'll go," I say, taking a few tentative steps forward.

Nothing happens.

I take a few more steps, feeling slightly better when Phil says he's got a cam in there. I get over to the table, and the blood drains from my face.

"Oh."

"What does it say?" Paula asks.

I swallow thickly, all thoughts of pumas and zombies and Zoe's terrible choice of a partner retreating from my mind. 

"Five?"

"It-it says, 'Sorry, Abel Township, but this is the last time you'll be welcome here. Sigrid's offered us the cure. We can't turn that down. It's needed here more than anywhere. We've left you the meds on the table... Don't come again.'"

A/N: Here you go, guys. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please be sure to vote and comment! Thank you and have a blessed day!