Charged~ Electric Book One
Chapter Ten~ Run

It doesn’t take us toolong to replace Brie and Mason because its lunchtime. We meet them in thecafeteria. I scoop up Baby bear from Brie. He’s putting on some weight, so he’snot as light as he was. But he’s still a comfort. I try not to let the stressof Dr. Ford’s answer session get to me.

When we have our foodand replace a table, I fill in the others. “I think we need to get Jack, Mariette,Becky and Nate out before it’s too late. I can get Dr. Ford to send someone outthere, I’m sure.”

“I’ll call them as soonas we’re done eating.” Brie says.

Mason and Jared gruntand nod their approval as their mouths are full of food.

It doesn’t take verylong at all for Jerome to replace us again. In fact, it was pretty much the sameallotment we had for lunch every other day. “Sorry,” He looks sheepish. “Docneeds you two again. Said it’s important.”

I shrug. Mason and Iare both use to it. We get up and follow him with little fuss, down the nowfamiliar hallways to the lab. Dr. Ford rushes us in. Unlike usual, he quicklyshuts and locks the door behind us. Upon closer inspection, I notice he looksfrazzled.

“What’s up, doc?” Masonsmiles, trying to lighten his mood.

“Kat, I am so sorry.”Dr. Ford says.

Fear spreads through melike a slow burn. I can’t think to speak before Mason does. “What’s going on?”He demands more than asks.

“General Carch iswhat’s going on. One of the meanest old birds you’ll ever meet. Unfortunatelyfor us, she’s also in charge here.” He looks at me grimly. “She doesn’t thinkwe should wait to try to replicate your organic energy. She’s putting togetheran engineering team as we speak to create something to drain your energyconstantly and use it to charge weapons for our soldiers. You’re not safe hereanymore, Kat.”

It’s my guinea pig fearcome to life. I stand frozen.

It’s Mason who jumpsinto action for both of us. “What can we do?”

“I’ve had Jerome setyour Jeep with extra supplies and a cell phone with a charger. I’m the only onewith the number. I can’t tell you where it will be safe to go, but I’ll checkin daily with any updates I have. I can figure this out; I just need more time.You’ll do well to stay away from the cops and army, if you can help it.Whatever you do, don’t use your real names.”

Mason nods. “Jared andBrie?”

“Will probably be saferwith you. I wouldn’t put it past that mean old cow to throw them in the brigonce she discovers you’re gone.” Dr. Ford says.

Mason nods. “How longdo we have?”

“An hour maybe, but theless time the better.”

“Understood.” Masonpulls on my arm. “C’mon, Kat. We’ve got to go, babe.”

Suddenly, I remembersomething important. I walk to one of the maps on the wall. I replace the locationI’m looking for and stick a tack into it. “We have friends here, doc.” I tellhim. “A mom, a kid, and an older couple. Please get them out before it’s toolate. We’ll tell them to expect you and be ready.”

“I promise.” Dr. Fordsays, as Mason pulls me towards the door. “Be safe, guys.”

“Thanks, doc. You,too.” I answer as Mason and I take off down the hallway.

Jerome must havealready told Brie and Jared because they are waiting for us with Baby bear andtheir bags packed. It takes Mason and I maybe five minutes to gather ourthings. Then we all follow Jerome to our Jeep. He explains about extra gas, afilled fuel tank, extra maps, the cell phone, water and MRE’s. The last onebaffles me until Mason explains it’s army food.

Mason lets Jared drivethe first shift. Mason uses his body and Baby bear’s to try and hide mypresence in the Jeep as we exit the gate.

When the gated, fencedbuilding shrinks behind us, Mason backs off but grabs my hand and squeezestight.

I feel horrible.Because of me, everyone has to leave the safest place we’ve been since thiswhole thing started. Hopefully, the doctor keeps his promise and gets Jack andthe rest of our group there for me. At least they’ll be safe.

“Where do you want togo?” Jared asks—not to anyone particular, more all of us as a whole.

“I have no idea.” Briesays, turning in her seat to face me.

I look dumbly at Mason.I really need to snap out of it, but my mind is too consumed by guilt.

“Maybe we should trysouth for now?” Mason suggests. “They’ll probably expect us to go west.”

“If they don’t have uslo-jacked already.” Jared points out. We all look at each other and Jared pullsover.

The guys get out of thecar, and it doesn’t take long for them to replace what they’re looking for. Masonholds up a small piece of something I don’t recognize and sticks it on a parkedcar one space up.

We try again: this timeadjusting our route to the south. With my free hand, I gently stroke Babybear’s soft fur and force myself to think. How on earth did this happen? Howdid we basically become fugitives? And what’s more, if Dr. Ford can’t replicatemy energy, what will I do? Let the world end? I sigh, and Mason squeezes myhand.

“You alright?” He asks.

“Not really.” I answertruthfully. “But I don’t see any way to get around it right now.”

He gives me a quickkiss on my cheek and begins staring out of his window. I guess he doesn’t seeany way around it right now, either.

We travel south for afew hours before we stop to stretch our legs. Jared and Mason switch drivers. Ihave no idea where we are, but I assume somewhere in the Midwest Farmland andall we’ve seen is empty fields for a while. The sky is overcast and the daydreary. This is fine with me because it matches my mood.

We continue on for awhile. Since we have no real destination in mind, we toy with the option ofstopping for the night. Ultimately, it’s Mason who convinces us to wait untiltomorrow night. He wants to put more space between us and Columbus before weattempt a campout. Nobody argues, but I can’t help the involuntary shudder thatruns through me.

Eventually the sunbreaks across the horizon to our left. It feels like we drive forever. Onlywhen the sky is high above us does Mason stop.

“Time to switch?” Jaredasks.

“Well yes, but that’snot why I stopped. Look.” He points southeast. “I don’t think we want to gettoo close to that.”

I follow his finger andsee the metallic fog. I get out of the car. My hands already in front of me andcreating an energy sphere. I can’t afford to hold back. Finally, the numbnessI’ve been feeling since we left Columbus is waning. In its place is fury. I’m super pissed, and I’m going to unleashmy rage on these freaking nanobots.

I only make it a fewsteps before I throw the sphere as hard as I can towards the fog. The groundtrembles on impact, and the aftershock slams me forcibly back into the Jeep.I’ve never thrown one like that. Not even the first few, which I didn’t knowhow to control. I expect to feel drained after, but I don’t. Not like before,anyway. I really wish Dr. Ford was around to give me some more answers.

“Kat, are you alright?”Mason jumps out of the Jeep and crouches next to me. I now sit on the groundwith my back leaning up against the Jeep’s large tire.

“Yeah,” I stand up toprove it and brush the dust off my jeans. “I’m good.”

“Dang, girl,” Jaredsays.

“Yeah kick that nanobotass, Kat!” Brie adds.

“Think that’ll holdthem back?” I ask.

“Babe, I think theyfelt that in Mexico.” Mason laughs.

He’s right. The fog isalready visibly drawing back. Soon, it’s just a memory. “It must have just madeit this far.” I speculate.

“According to the mapsbefore we left, it hadn’t made it further west than the Ohio River. I guessit’s advancing.” Brie tells me.

Wait a minute. “We mayhave a chance to solve a mystery here.”

“What do you mean?”Mason asks.

“Remember how confusedDr. Ford was that they can’t seem to locate any survivors?” I tell them.

“Yeah, so?” Jaredquestions.

“Well, here we are in aplace I just zapped where the infection just occurred. Aren’t you guys just theteensy bit curious as to what happens to all the people?” Like my mom. AndMason’s family. And Brie’s mom. What could be the fate of the world if Dr. Fordfails?

“It could be dangerous.”Jared says.

I roll my eyes. “Whatisn’t, anymore?”

“Point taken.” Jaredsmiles a bit.

“It’s up to you guys.Who knows what we’ll replace.” I look at each of them. I don’t want them feelingforced into going.

“But if we found out, Imean, it would help, right?” Brie asks.

“I don’t know if we want to know, though.” Mason adds.

Jared looks hard atBrie, then turns back to me and Mason. “I say we do it. If it can help, thenit’s worth a shot.”

“Okay, I guess. Ahunting we will go.” Mason finally succumbs.

So far, all we’ve foundis empty house after empty house. As it begins to get dark, we eventually stopat one of them to spend the night. Jared and Mason secure the downstairs, whileBrie and I make a picnic of sorts on the floor of the master bedroom.

It’s a nice house: allbig windows and wood floors with way nicer furniture than my house or Brie’s.Hopefully tonight, it will be our sanctuary.

We eat our MRE’s.They’re not very good, but they fill our stomachs. Part of me wishes that wecould try cooking something in the nice kitchen we saw downstairs, but Masonwants to play it safe. We only leave one small light on as we eat.

Baby bear makes himselfcomfortable on the bed. Again, I notice he’s getting bigger. He’s going to haveto get used to walking on his own if he keeps going at this rate.

I’m happy we stop in ahouse that still has electricity. Not all of them did, and recharging is doneto my heart’s content. Once completed, we call it a night. Brie and Jared dragin a mattress from the other room and we push a dresser in front of the door.Since no one’s around, I’m not sure why but it seems to make everyone feelbetter.

The morning comes tooquickly. It sure beats sleeping in the Jeep. We pack up and move on, pushingeast. I throw more energy spheres, just to be safe.

We search for peopleand still replace none. After I’ve thrown another sphere, we stop and have lunch.Spotting a farm house off in the distance, I nearly drop my food when I shootup. People. I see people.

“Hey, do we still havethose binoculars?” I ask Mason.

“Yeah, why?”

“Look!” I point towardsthe house. Everybody squint at once.

“I’ll go grab them.”Jared runs to the back of the Jeep.

“What should we do?”Brie asks.

“Nothing until we get agood look at them.” I say, with a bad feeling in my gut.

Jared walks backslowly. With his eyes in the binoculars, he points them towards the house andthe people. When he lowers them, his face confirms my bad gut feeling. “I don’tthink we should go over there.” He tells us, handing me the binoculars.

He’s right. Thesepeople are obviously infected. Their skin holds a metallic sheen, so dense inplaces it appears to be actual metal. There are more of them than I thought. IfI didn’t know any better, I’d think it was a convoy of sorts. I pass the binocularsto Mason, who looks quietly before passing them to Brie.

“Well, I guess now weknow.” She says softly.

“But where are theygoing?” Jared asks the question we’re all thinking.

Masonshocks me by saying, “There’s only one way to replace out.”

“I’dat least like to get a picture for Dr. Ford.” I murmur.

“Thenit’s settled,” Brie begins packing up her food. “Let’s do this.”

Theyall turn, but something in me is screaming ‘No!’

“Wait.”I say quietly. “This is different. I knowthat this is dangerous. I can feel it.” They all start arguing with me. “Hey,let me finish!” They settle down. “We should follow them from a very, very safedistance. Once we replace out where they’re going, we turn back. But I also thinkthat we should get a picture for the scientists to study. And only one of us iscompletely safe from the infection.”

Theyall stare at me, wide-eyed. “No way.” Mason says.

“Absolutelynot.” Brie follows.

“It’sthe only thing I can think of.” I say, staring at my Converse.

“Ithink we should stay together.” Jared surprises me. “No matter what.” Brie andMason nod in agreement.

“Oh,give me the cell phone.” I say to Brie. “Maybe I can get a picture from here.”

Whenriding in a Jeep and trying to stay unseen, the problem with following a bunchof people walking is timing. We have to be careful not to lose them, while atthe same time staying far enough away not to be noticed. Brie suggests leavingthe Jeep and following them on foot, but I don’t want to take any chanceslosing our fast getaway in case we need it.

So wecontinue with our deranged game of hide and go seek with the metallic humanoidmonsters. Jared drives, while Brie keeps an eye on the metal heads with thebinoculars. Mason keeps checking behind us, and I replace myself intermittentlychecking both sides of us. We’re all on high alert.

Asnight falls we decide to slow it down. Jared doesn’t want to attract attentionto us by using the headlights. This makes driving much harder than it would’vebeen otherwise. Let me tell you: navigating off-road in the dark is not for thefaint of heart.

It’seasy to tell when we’re venturing too close to the metal heads because Babybear begins to get very restless, something that’s not normal for him.

Whatmakes me restless is the metallic fog that seems to be looming around everyturn. I keep throwing energy at it and watching the metal heads reaction. (Theyseem to notice it, but not where it’s coming from.) I try my best to keep thefog at bay while not depleting my energy too much.

Aftera few hours, we have no choice but to stop and refuel. We stop at a gas stationat the side of the road. Just as we suspect, it’s empty. Mercifully theelectricity is on, so I charge up while the guys refuel the Jeep and containerswe’ve been traveling with. Brie takes Baby bear to go stock up on our foodsupplies (those MRE’s are really not the tastiest things).

I meeteveryone back at the Jeep and we’re off again. We catch back up to the metalheads and refrain as they appear to have slowed into a mass congregation.

“Whatdo you think they’re doing?” Brie asks, peering out the window into thedarkness. The metal heads glimmer softly in the moonlight.

“Ihave no idea.” I say.

“Wellif we’re stopping, I’m stretching my legs a bit.” Jared pops open the backdoor. I watch in horror as Baby bear bolts out, restless from the closeproximity of the metal heads.

I darenot yell and draw the metal head’s attention to us, but take off after him intothe night. I run through a recently harvested field, stumbling every few stepsover invisible mounds of dirt. Baby bear disappears into a small copse of treesbefore I slow down to catch my breath. Hopefully he’ll feel safe there and notgo back out into the open field.

It’sjust now that I notice the rain. It makes me wonder if that’s why the metalheads stopped. A huge clap of thunder and the slight drizzle gives way to adownpour. Great—just great! I pick up my pace, sure that Baby bear will be justas scared of the thunder as he is of the metal heads.

Aflash of lightning and a nearby sizzle causes me to jump. That’s disturbinglyclose. I suddenly realize that my being in a field during a thunderstorm isprobably not the best thing in the world. In between the rumbles, I can hearMason, Brie and Jared calling for me.

Ican’t respond because the grove of trees is now too close for comfort to themetal heads. They have shifted their positions in the rain. The next flash oflightning shows me why. The metal heads see me and they’re getting closer bythe second. They’re not as fast as they’ve been, but still too fast for me.

A handon my shoulder causes me to scream. I turn to see Mason. “Kat c’mon, we have toget back to the Jeep!” He shouts over the storm.

“Youhave to go get Baby bear, and get back to the Jeep. I’ll meet you after I takecare of them.” I thumb towards the metal heads.

Masonsees the resolution in my face as another lightning bolt strikes less thantwenty feet away from me. “Where’d he go?”

Ipoint to the small grove of trees. “He’s in there. Go! It’s not safe for you tobe by me with all of this lightning.”

Understandingpasses through his gaze before he takes off towards the trees. This is thefirst thunderstorm I’m encountering since the accident. I’m not sure what willhappen to me if I get struck by lightning…although I’ll probably fair betterthan Mason or the others.

Masonemerges with a wet fur ball in his arms and I breathe a sigh of relief. I waituntil he’s almost back to the safety of the Jeep and turn to the metal heads.Even with the rain pouring rivulets of water down my face and across my eyes, Ican still see the glare off of them. With every flash of lightning, it sends ashiver down my spine. It makes me realize how cold it is; I’m going to get sickfor sure.

IfI make it out of here. I take a few steps towards the metalheads. Their progress is becoming incredibly inadequate and I just want to getthis over with. Although slowly, they’re succeeding in surrounding me.Panicking, I turn towards the Jeep and am happy to see it’s being ignored.Their attention is focused solely on me.

Running out of options,I turn my face up towards the rain. Palms facing the other, I raise my hands infront of me. An energy sphere is forming when I feel, rather than see the flashof lightning engulf me. It’s not a single lightning strike—more like all of theenergy from the storm centralizes into me. It flows through me, morphing theenergy sphere in my hand into a beacon of raw energy. My palms are force apartand outward. It’s all I can do to aim my hands, palm out at the metal heads,and away from the Jeep.

My feet lift off theground, the energy propelling me up a few feet in the air. Then, just assuddenly as it begins, the rain lessens, the rumbling lowers, and I fall in aheap back to the ground.

Holycrap.I stand and look around me at the carnage of what just occurred. The smell ofburning metal and flesh causes me to dry heave. I pull it together before Iactually throw-up. Then pull the collar of my shirt over my nose.

Honestly I shouldn’tlook. This sight will probably haunt me forever, but I can’t tear my eyes away.Even if I didn’t mean to cause such carnage, it’s too late to change it.

Dazed, I look past theeviscerated remains of the metal heads. I try to replace the Jeep amidst the smokeand steam permeating from the battle scene. Once spotted, I stumble towards it.Mason jumps out and runs to me.

“Kat, that was insane!Are you alright?”

I give a quickappraisal. Physically I feel fine—kind of numb and perhaps in shock, but nothurting. I’m mentally a hot mess. I doubt that’s what he means as he runs hishands over me to check for injuries.

“I’m f-f-fine.” Imanage to get out through my chattering teeth.

Mason wraps an armaround my shoulder. “You’re freezing. Let’s get back to the others.”

I nod, but don’t moveyet. “Hold on.”

I take off my nowsoaking wet, charred hoodie and walk to the nearest chunk of a metal head.Being careful not to touch it, I wrap it in my hoodie before turning to Mason.”“Okay, let’s go.”

He looks hesitant. “Areyou sure that’s safe?”

I open the hoodie,again being careful not to make direct contact with it. The metallic glare isgone, replaced with a tarnished looking metal. I don’t feel any energy comingfrom it like I do from the fog or the live metal heads. “I’m pretty sure it’sdead. I want to send it to the doc. We should turn back, and start headingwest.”

“If you’re sure it’ssafe, then that’s good enough for me.” We make our way back to the Jeep throughthe now squishy field picking our way over the charred metallic remains.

We drive in silence fora while. Nobody wants to discuss the giant pink elephant in the Jeep with us.The stress of everything begins to weigh down. The reality of everything’ssinking for all of us, at different rates of absorption.

I refuse to try anddecipher what the hell happened back there with the lightning. That’s just in acompartment of the recesses of my brain for now. Thinking about all of thosepeople…infected or not, that was too many lives I lay to waste.

Jared pulls the Jeepover, so we can stretch and eat something. It’s a relief to stop; it feels likewe’ve been driving for so long now. There’s a small creek or river not too farfrom where we stop. Mason and I pull out some food for all of us. Brie followsBaby bear to a nearby bush so he can relieve himself.

It’s rather warm out.It makes me think we may have traveled further south in our pursuit of themetal heads than we first assumed. I peel the hair off the back of my neck andwipe the sweat away. It’s been a long time since any of us has had the luxuryof a shower. I look longingly at the stream.

I notice Brie followingmy gaze. Her eyes are hopeful and light up. “Do you think it’s safe?” She asksas she approaches me.

“Is what safe?” Jaredasks, right behind her.

“The water,” I explain.

“It does look nice.”Mason says.

“Doesn’t it?” Briehints, waggling her eyebrows at me.

Despite everything, Iburst out laughing. “It does look nice,” I tell them. “But we know the watercould be infected. I don’t know if it’s worth the risk.”

Brie actually begins topout. Even the guys look defeated…their shoulders fall in unison.

Mason pipes up, “Can’tyou just zap it, babe? Then we can all go for a swim?”

Oh,the temptation. I cave. “I guess I could try, but I have noidea what will happen.”

Brie nudges me forward,eager to get clean and refreshed. “Go,” she orders me, “zap away!”

Moving towards thewater, I shake my head gently but there’s a wry smile on my face. Guess I’mout-voted, admittedly I’m not that upset about it. The water looks so nice andcool.

I do my energy spherething. As soon as I’m done, the others move towards me. Jared hops on one footand attempts to take his sneakers off as he walks. Brie and Mason take the moredirect approach. They stop beside me before losing any articles of clothingthey don’t want to get wet. Well, when in Rome, right? I begin taking off myown sneakers.

“Hey! Where’s thephone?” I ask Mason, right before he jumps. We haven’t heard from Dr. Ford yet,but I don’t want to destroy the only means of communication that we have.

Splash! “Relax, it’s inthe Jeep. Now get over here!” He calls back to me.

Jared and Brie soonjump beside Mason. Baby bear even plays in the shallow water by the shoreline.Satisfied that there is no eminent threat, I jump in and join them.

The water is crisp andcool. It’s perfectly refreshing and exactly what we all needed. I watchcuriously as Brie runs back to the Jeep, but when she returns with bottles ofshampoo and conditioner I grin. Good thinking, Brie!

She squirts someshampoo in her hand and tosses me the bottle. I follow suit and we all pass thebottles around until we are clean.

We probably spend moretime in the water than we should. Even I don’t want to say it’s time to go. Notthat we really have any place to be, but it seems like a good idea to keepmoving. I figure we can enjoy the water for just a little bit longer. We canall use the boost in morale.

Brie and I lay floatingin the water with our faces towards the sky. Meanwhile Mason and Jared havesome sort of testosterone filled water fight. I roll my eyes at Brie. Boys.

I check on Babybear—now taking a nap under the shade of a tree near the water. Satisfied, Ilet my eyes drift shut. This is the most relaxed I’ve been in a while.

That’s my mistake, ofcourse: letting my guard down and relaxing. The first sign of trouble is thenoise I hear above me. I stand up while shielding my eyes from the sun. An armyhelicopter whizzes past us, followed quickly by two more. I look to the others,and their expressions match mine. It’s time to go.

As the last helicopterfades along with its accompanying noise, the real threat reveals itself. Thesound of the helicopter masks the whines Baby bear emits as he paces back andforth nervously at the edge of the water. I look at the direction the helicoptersflew in, downstream from where we all swim in the water. The metallic fog movestowards us at an alarming rate. Of course, it must mutate more quickly in thefluidity of the water. The others focus on getting to the bank much too slowly.They don’t know about the danger until they hear me scream. “Run!”

They begin to move muchmore quickly. I stand, but fear paralyzes me. I can’t zap the water while theothers are in it. Snapping back into action, I follow their path to the shore.They’re almost there when I see Brie stumble. Mason and Jared try to grab her,but she slips just out of their reach. By the time she surfaces, she’s closerto me than them. I grab her hand and wave them on. We’re so close to the shorenow, but not close enough it seems.

Looking at my bestfriend, I know she sees the terror in my face. Her eyes show acceptance of thesituation. I shake my head at her. “No,” I whisper.

“Do it Kat, before it’stoo late,” Tears well in her eyes.

I drag her to shore,but we don’t make it before the fog hits us. Brie and I keep our clasped handsheld tightly. I keep waiting for pain—anything to indicate my life is over, butthere’s nothing.

It’s hard to seethrough the fog, but I manage to drag Brie all the way onto the shore. As soonas she’s out of the water I turn around and let the energy pour out of me. Thelightning strike affects me more than I thought, because now the stream ofenergy takes the place of the sphere as I unleash it into the water.

The fog disintegratesbut my adrenaline is still pumping. Brie lies with her eyes closed on the shorebank. Jared holds Baby bear. Mason stands a little ways away by the Jeep. Theylook as horrified as I feel. Jared hands Baby bear to Mason, and begins runningtowards us. I hold up my hand and tell him silently to stay back.

Tears are streamingdown my face. My vision is blurry when I reach Brie’s side. I can still see themetallic sheen that appears to be working its way over her body. I try to calmdown. I’ve done this once before. I can do it again.

I start as I didbefore, with the least charged sphere. I touch it to Brie. Her body convulses alittle but the metallic sheen remains. The process repeats an my tears arethicker every time her body lurches. Finally, with the highest charge I’mwilling to try, her body jumps off the ground and the metallic sheen fades out.

I wave the guys over.Mason puts Baby bear in the Jeep, but Jared is by my side instantly. “I thinkshe’ll be okay when she wakes up.” I manage to say, my voice thick from thetears.

He doesn’t say anythingbut picks Brie up, cradling her in his arms. Mason wraps an arm around me as wemake our way back towards the Jeep.

Jared secures Brie inthe back of the Jeep, and then climbs in after her. Baby bear appears confusedas he nuzzles her hand. He’s not scared of her, so that helps to make me thinkI got the infection before it took her over.

Mason grabs the last ofour things from beside the water. He turns back to me when I see him freeze. AsI look at what stopped him, numbness takes over beginning at the base of myneck and traveling down my spine. You’vegot to be freaking kidding me!

In all of theexcitement, I missed them…the bigger threat: the Army now surrounding us.