I stare at Aaron with wide eyes, and he simply stares back, but his face is completely neutral. After a few terrifyingly awkward moments of silence I scramble for my notebook, scribbling down my question as quickly as possible.

'What do you mean saw something through someone else's eyes?'

Aaron shrugs. "You know. You saw what she saw." He frowns slightly, showing emotion for the first time since I've met him. "It's because she looked like you, or maybe you're just special. I have dreams like that too."

I blink in confusion. Is this kid saying what I think he's saying?

'What do you mean by special?' I ask.

"It means you're special like me. Can I kiss you?" The words come out in a fast jumble of sounds and it takes me a few seconds to register his question. I give him a perplexed look that obviously tells him 'what?'

"Well, can I?" He asks. "You're pretty, and you're like me. I've never met anyone like me before so can I-"

By now I've already grabbed my things and am climbing down the loft. This kid's nuts, and would probably be put in an institution if it weren't for the zombie apocalypse.

I head straight for the house, looking back every few seconds to make sure that creepy little kid isn't just behind me. A part of me wonders if his parents are as odd as him, but they just hide it better. That's why I slept in the barn, since if they were planning on killing us and then eating us they'd have a harder time getting to me than Sarah. Selfish, yes, and also a bit paranoid, but Aaron's a strange child and most children get their parents' habits.

I climb over the fence, seeing as it's locked, and give it a raised brow. If it's locked how did Aaron get out? He's a little small to be climbing the fence.

I push the thought aside while simultaneously adding it to the list of weird things about that kid. Once I reach the door I barely even raise my hand to knock before it's swinging open, revealing to me a very alive and uneaten Sarah Smith.

"Morning, Five. Did you sleep well in that barn?" She grins slyly; It could almost be considered a smirk. I shrug in reply, my hands too full with my pillow, headset, notebook, and pen to write anything down in answer.

I briskly walk inside, sliding past Sarah and into the house. Drowsily, I shuffle into the kitchen, where Avery sits with her husband who is eating what looks to be very, very stale corn flakes with what probably is canned milk.

"Good morning, Runner Five," The woman says with a smile. "We have some different cereal that you can pick, or if you'd like I could cook you something."

I shake my head with a raised hand in thanks before grabbing one of the bowls placed on the counter. I pick out Lucky Charms, which is odd since I was never too fond of the sugary sweet breakfast before. Still I pour the cereal into my bowl and reach for the can of milk I see nearby, using only a little bit since I don't know how much they have left if this.

After sitting down at the table, and putting a spoonful of cereal in my mouth, I nearly gagging at the taste. It's almost too sweet, which tells me I've gone far too long without a Hershey bar, but still I chew and swallow, knowing I'll need the fuel for when we run back to Abel Township.

"Five, have you seen Aaron out anywhere?" Avery asks. I jerk my head towards the widow which shows the barn outside. I don't write anything down since I'd rather not talk about the little discussion he and I had earlier.

"Oh, of course. He does like to go out there quite a bit," Travis chuckles. "Hope he didn't scare you."

Yeah, that's totally not what he did,
I think as I take another bite of my cereal, but I want to get my mind off of that and my dream quickly so I change the subject to something else. I wonder if Sam's checked in yet. I'm sure he and Maxine will want us back soon so we can talk more about what we saw.

I remember how Sarah was wearing her headset this morning, so maybe she's already been talking to him for a while. Slipping on my headset-but not doing the same to the camera-I click the headset on and listen in.

"Is Five awake yet?" Sam questions.

"She's up, although I can tell she's not much of a morning person," Sarah answers with a sliver of amusement in her tone, and Sam chuckles.

"Is anyone? Anyway, is she ready to go?"

"Not yet I don't think."

"You don't think?" He repeats.

"I can tell she's a bit anxious to get home, but I'm not sure if she's dressed and ready yet," She says. "Right now I'm heading for the barn to find Aaron since his mum was worried. I saw him go there and Five didn't mention him when she came up to the house so I'm guessing she didn't see 'em."

"Runner Five was in the barn? What was she doing there?"

'That's where I slept for the night.'

A small squeak comes from Sam's mouth and the sound of the wheels on his chair scraping against the floor follows.

"Oh, good morning, Runner Five," He says, surprisingly without stammering. "Did you sleep well?"

I shrug and take another large spoonful of cereal into my mouth. 'Well enough.'

"Huh, I'm guess that's because you slept in... the barn?" He guesses.

'Probably.'

"And why did you sleep in the barn exactly? I'm not judging; I'm just wondering why you would turn down sleeping on, you know, a nice, warm, real bed."

'Because I'd have to share it with Sarah,' I answer, standing up taking my bowl to the sink.

"Oh, um alright," He says awkwardly, and not a moment later Sarah enters the kitchen with Aaron right beside her.

"He was in the barn," She states. "He and Runner Five have a lot in common, I think. Especially with the two and their silence."

The blue eyed boy turns his gaze over to me; His face is expressionless but his eyes send me a message that sends chills down my spine.

"That's not all we have in common."

•

Not even ten minutes later Runner Eight and I are out the door, racing back towards Abel. I don't even really care about wearing this stupid head camera. I just want to be back at Abel Township and away from here.

"So Sam," Sarah says, "do you want us to go back and have a look at that Corner Shop on our way back to Abel?"

"Mmm, no. Not today. Dr. Meyers says she wants to take a look for herself later on and there's still probably quite a few zoms hanging around because of the noise and fire. Best you just head straight home."

She sighs in disappointment. "Alright, another time then."

"Anyway," Sam drags out the word unnecessarily, which causes a smile to grace my lips, "I can't see much from your head cams but from what I can see you look zom free for now. I won't be able to really tell of any danger until you both get back into scanner range."

"We'll be fine until then. Five's got her ax and I've got... quite a few ways to keep myself safe," Sarah assures sending me a wide smile. "Don't you worry about me and Five."

"You could tell me that all day-everyday and I'd still be worrying, Eight," He responds. "I'll check in in a few minutes. Tell me if you run into any trouble."

"Got it." The coms go silent, and Sarah's eyes dart to my face, but I ignore her stare and keep my eyes ahead. "So, Five, about what you said last night, did you really mean that?"

I look over at raised brow and nod. Honestly she doesn't look disappointed or hurt, and she didn't sound nervous in her question. Actually, she laughs.

"I don't blame you. I know you're still wary of me since it took me so long trust you when you said you were who you are, but we have a job to do, and eventually it will be put off hold."

I send her a sidelong glance with narrowed eyes, waiting for her to continue.

"And I know what you're thinking, but I won't pull a gun on you unless it's absolutely necessary and you pose as a threat."

Why does that not make me feel any better whatsoever?

"So, am I your good ol' pal Runner Eight, now?" She asks. I can't exactly see hope in her eyes but there is a small gleam of something in them.

You wish, I say inwardly, but I still shrug in response which makes Sarah laugh again.

"We'll work on it."

Whatever you say, lady.

We continue to run in silence; Well, mostly silence since 'Hukuna Matata' is playing on my headset, but I actually don't mind this song since it's Disney, and everyone likes Disney. But even as Pumba and Timon sings about having no worries for the rest of their days, I can't help but let my mind wander back to what Aaron said-what he was implying.

There's no way that could be real, or that it could've happened. You only get dreams like that if you a Prophet-or Prophetess in my case-A Seer, or a Medium, and I'm not any of those.

I know that Prophets and Mediums exist because of their mentions in the Bible; I don't remember if I read anything about Seers. In the Bible God tells Christians to not seek out Mediums, so I know I'm not that, and God doesn't speak to people like He did back then, so I can't be a Prophetess.

But this day and age is different from before... A little voice of doubt whispers quietly.

No. No, no. That was a dream. My mind made up a fake name for me and it made up Archie as a representation of someone I knew, or something like that.

And Van Ark's face was probably just some face I saw on a TV screen and my brain finally decided to put that memory to use.

That's what it is. It has to be, because I can't handle any weird stuff like that right now.

We run through Hurtston fairly easily, although we do pick up a some zombies even though we made sure to stay clear of Simpson's Corner Shop. Looking back and seeing the four semi-fast zoms I'm get the feeling that avoiding the shop was in our best interest.

"Speed up, Five. Let's not take these zoms with all the way to Abel," Sarah commands breathlessly. I simply nod and pick up my pace.

My hand creeps up to grab a backpack strap, out of habit more than nervousness. The other hand raises up to wipe the sweat droplets forming on my forehead. I try to keep my focus on the task at hand, getting away from the zombies and safely returning back to Abel, but still my mind keeps returning to that dream and how much it truly bothers me.

God, I think in annoyance, I just want to go home.

•

Two sports bras, a half bottle of antidepressants pills, and a couple of zoms chases later, Sarah and I both make it back to Abel safely; Sweaty and tired, but still safe.

After getting the all clear from Maxine, I'm met with Caleb and the kids, who begin to ask me too many questions to keep up with.

'I can't tell you exactly what my mission was for,' I sign when Willis paused to breathe, 'but I can tell you I went to Hurtston, and since I already ran yesterday Sam thought I'd be too tired to make a trip back so he asked a couple who owned a farmhouse if me and Runner Eight could stay the night.'

I don't exactly know if Sam actually thought that but it's a nice thought so that's what I'm going with.

"So it was like a sleepover?" Penelope asks, tipping her head to the side in question.

'Sort of,' I answer, mentally adding, if sleepovers have really weird dreams and creepy children trying to convince you that you see things nobody else sees.

"I've never had a sleep over before," The younger girl sighs sadly, and I'm quick to crouch down to her level.

'Of course you have. You have a sleep over every night since you and all your friends share a room, right? Didn't they build a room for all the children to sleep in?'

"The ones who don't sleep with their parents," Milo mumbles.

"But Molly has come to sleep in the room with us sometimes!" Penelope beams, and I smile in return.

'See? So you have sleepovers all the time.' I stand up but still keep my eyes on the little girl, noting how lively she is compared to Aaron, and a part of me wonders if his oddness is because of his isolation from other children.

At the thought of the boy my dream comes flooding back to my mind. I know that it can't mean anything, but yet I'm still so bothered by it, and I'm unsure why.

I mean, I've had worse dreams than this. Dreams of pain and guilt and regret; Dreams of things I've done, but they don't stay with me, at least not like this one has.

"Hey, Five, are you alright?" Caleb asks, concern flashing across his blue eyes.

I'm quick to nod and force the most natural smile I can muster. 'Just thinking. Do you know where Sam might be? I need to ask him about my next run.'

"You're next run?" Willis repeats, and I'm send a prayer of thanks that neither he nor his siblings or Caleb pressed about what my thoughts might be on. "You just got back."

'Yes, but I'm following a lead,' I pause. 'I think.'

"You think?" Caleb asks with a raised brow. A smirk starts to form on his face and I feel blood stray to drain from mine. "Are you sure that's the reason you want to go talk to Sam?"

'What other reason would there be?' I reply, trying to keep my face neutral.

Suddenly, Penelope gasps dramatically, taking in such a sharp intake of air I almost fear the girl will pass out. "You like Sam!"

She screams this loud enough for the few people passing by to hear, and I look away at embarrassment when they stare in curiosity.

Caleb, I am going to kill you for this.

'No, I do not,' I respond lamely, but the younger girl is already squealing and jumping up and down in excitement, while her older brothers are both rolling her eyes in annoyance.

"Great, now we're going to have to make sure she never sees you and Sam in the same room ever again," Willis groans, and Milo scoffs in reply.

"Yeah, or she'll try to get a priest to marry you two."

Caleb bursts into laughter, while I cover my blushing face with one hand. Oh, God.

"I think Sam's still in the coms shack, Five," Caleb says after his laughter is calms down. I practically sprint over that way, but somehow Penelope manages to keep up with me, absolutely beaming about the idea.

"You could get married, Runner Five. We could have a cake and veil and I could be the flower girl," She gushes before gasping in delight. "And then I'd have a mum and dad!"

I freeze, causing Penelope to run into me. I whip my head around-my sweaty ponytail slapping me in the face-to look down at her. The six-year-old stares up at me with innocent eyes, and I sigh at the knowledge that I'm about to disappoint a little girl's dreams.

'Penelope, I'm not getting married to Sam,' I say, grimacing as I watch her smile fade. 'I'm not getting married to anyone.'

"But why?"

'I'm fifteen, for one, which is far too young to get married,' I explain. "And for two: Sam doesn't like me and I don't like Sam-'

"You're still my mum, though, right?" I shut my eyes for a moment to avoid seeing the vulnerability in hers.

'I'm not your mom, Penelope.'

"But Willis called you mom."

'It was an accident.'

"But you are a mom!" She explains, and I shrug uncomfortably where I stand. "You keep your promises! You come back! You don't leave us like she did!"

There's a long moment of silence. 'Your mom left you?'

She nods. "I don't remember much, but Milo and Willis said it was when the zombies started coming. She said she'd always come back because that's what a mum does... but then she didn't. She lied, so she's not my mum." Penelope looks at me when wide eyes, sparkling eyes. "But you always come back, so that must mean you're my mum, right?"

Jesus on a boat. How the hell am I to say no to her now?

'I don't know. Maybe,' I answer, hoping this will satisfy her for now, 'but I'm still not marrying Sam.'

"You mean you're not marrying him yet, because you're a teenager, right?"

Lord, kill me now.

'We'll talk about this later,' I respond, having no plans to actually do that. I have enough on my plate and I really don't want to add this drama to it. 'Just don't go telling Sam we're going to get married. Please.'

"Okay!" She grins. "I'm gonna go tell Willis and Milo that you're our new mum!"

'I said maybe-' I start, but Penelope's already rushed off, and my teeth are now grinding against each other in frustration.

With clenched fists and a huff I make my way towards the coms shack, opening the door without even bothering to knock. Sam's eyes snap over to me, mouth open and ready to scold whoever came in unannounced, but his slight scowl turns into a genuine smile when he notices it's me.

"Runner Five, hey. Guess you're glad to be back, huh?" He asks.

'For the most part,' I answer. 'What do we plan on doing now that we found all that equipment in the Corner Shop?'

"Oh, uh, right. Maxine says that you and Sarah are going to visit Van Ark's house," He answers. "There might be some clues or maybe the professor will be there himself."

'We won't have to stay the night or anything, right?'

"Did you miss Abel that much?" He chuckles, and I roll my eyes.

'Just had a bad dream. Well, not bad but unnerving.' I shrug. 'Probably had nothing to do with staying there but...'

"What was it about?" Sam questions. "Was it a random nightmare or... something not so random?"

'A bit of both, I guess,' I answer, wondering how vaguely I should retell this dream.

"Well, um, here," Sam says, standing from his chair and offering it to me. "You're probably tired from the run."

The gesture is random, but I take a seat, while Sam sits on a little cot across the room.

'Thanks. There was a mention of Runner Ten in my dream, but I did do a mission with him recently, but I saw myself running into the Keeley Center like a did a few months ago, but I was watching it through someone else's eyes. I was someone else. Crazy, huh?'

"Yeah, but weird dreams are the closest we get to TV these days so I'm fine with hearing yours," He says, his smile growing a bit wider when I laugh.

'I was with someone. I was running with her; Her name was Archie, and I don't recognize her at all. I think my mind made her up instead of showing me someone I knew.' I shrug. 'But she must be a reminder of someone. I'm sure if that.'

"Who though?" Sam questions, and I shrug, although my mind has been going back to that a lot.

My name starts with a 'C', and in my dream my name was Chrysalis, so who do I know has a name that starts with 'A'?

My chest tightens as a name pops into my head, and I look down at my hands in my lap. Sam is quick to notice my sudden change of mood.

"What's wrong? Did I push too far? Like last night?" He sighs and smacks himself in the forehead but I'm quick to shake my head.

'No, I just know who Archie represents now,' I explain, and Sam raises a brow as he waits for me to continue. 'Her name was Anna.'

"Was she someone you knew before?"

I shake my head. 'I met her and her brother, Josh, at Mullins. She... was the closest thing to a friend I had there.'

I try not to think about Anna, but it's hard considering she and Josh were the ones who taught me sign language and Morse Code. When she died I shut myself off completely, because I realized as soon as you gained a friend you would lose them I couldn't handle that.

"I'm sorry, Five," He mumbles with eyes full of sympathy. I raise one shoulder in a half shrug.

'It's okay. So, when are we visiting Pro. Van Ark?' I ask, anxious to change the subject off of me and my past.

"Tomorrow. I know you usually get a day off of running but this is something we have to get onto as soon as possible; Plus there's the threat of New Canton so we need to figure this out as quickly as we can."

I nod curtly before stretching a bit in the swivel chair. 'Okay.'

"That means I want you as rested as possible, which means no nightmares or even unnerving dreams, alright? I'll even bring food to the sleeping area for you."

A huff of nervous laughter leaves my lips which are fixed into a smile. 'Please don't. There's really no need to fuel the fire.'

"Fuel the fire?" He scrunched his brows in confusion. "What do you mean?"

I mean, no reason to give Caleb another reason to tease me and no need to give him or Penelope a reason to play matchmaker.

'Nothing,' I respond simply. 'It's a kind gesture but I'll be fine.'

•

I'm not fine. I'm really not fine.

Not because of me having to get food. No, I got that hours ago. I'm not fine because I just freaking closed my eyes and now I'm in New Canton's north-east tunnels with Archie as Chrysalis Gracier!

"Runner Five, Runner Twenty, ready?" Nadia questions.

"We're ready-raring. Raring to go," Archie answers, before she purses her lips and hums in thought. "Rare. Rare like, a rare painting? It's not rare to be excited. Rare like rare meat? Like we're bleeding with excitement?"

I sigh, muttering a curse under my breath-using a voice that is only mine in my dreams-as Nadia chuckles.

A/N: Hope you all really enjoyed this chapter! Please be sure to vote and comment because I love to hear from you! Thanks, everyone and hope you have a blessed day!