Radioactive: Chapter Thirteen

Radioactive

Chapter Thirteen

~Duke of Edinburgh~

Riu walked through the streets. She guided Duke to one of her usual hang outs. Duke followed her without saying a word. She talked to him like one would talk to a close relative. He listened as she talked about uncles and aunts that didn’t really exist and younger nieces and nephews that were full of fantasy fun.

The two were followed subtly by the others. Ing rode on Fang’s shoulders as he walked in his wolf form in the dark alleys. Riu lent him a hoodie to wear in order to hide the discoloration of his arms. The doctor walked along side Fang in the shadows of the alleys. Kaiba and Kiri decided to stay and man the computers while the others did the leg work. Ing hummed a happy tune as he rode on Fang’s back. Fang didn’t seem to mind much, other than the annoyed look on his face.

“Do you know anything about this Duke character?” Jekyll asked.

Fang looked up at the doctor, “Never met him before today.”

“I think that Duke is a nice person,” Ing said.

“No one’s asking you,” Fang looked over his shoulder.

Jekyll smiled, “I think this might be interesting.”

“How so?” Fang asked.

Jekyll looked at Fang, “I’d just like to see how he handles himself in this type of situation.”

Riu stopped by a car garage and walked in. She motioned to Duke to follow her inside, “Grayson! Hey, Grayson! I got someone I want you to meet!”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming!” a voice came from under the hood of one of the cars.

A man stepped out and closed the hood. The man had short grey hair and a scar over his left eye. He wore worker clothes covered in smudges and grease marks. Grayson wiped his hands on a dirty washcloth and looked up at Riu.

“What do you want, girl? Can’t you see I’m busy?” Grayson glared at her.

Riu didn’t seem to notice. She turned to Duke and motioned him closer, “Come on, Grayson! I just wanted you to meet my cousin, Duke. He’s in town for a little bit and I thought I’d show him the sites.” Duke this is Grayson. Grayson, Duke.”

Grayson took a long look at Duke, “What are you in town for?”

Duke looked around a bit, “I don’t see how that is any of your business.”

“You don’t, do you?” Grayson leaned back on one leg.

“Yeah,” Duke nodded, “Just like it isn’t my business that you sell drugs along with fixing cars. Pretty nifty trick you’ve got going on. Someone wanting their fix drives in to get a headlight ‘tightened’. Sure you fix the problem but you add a little extra under the hood. No ones the wiser.”

Grayson shook his head, “You think you’re so smart don’t ya, kid? An attitude like that will get you killed out here.”

Duke shrugged, “It hasn’t so far.”

Grayson smiled, “You’re cousins.”

“Twice removed,” Duke crossed his arms.

“I know a lot of things, kid, and I know that you two are not cousins,” Grayson said, “But it’s none of my business as long as you stay out of mine.”

Duke glanced at Riu. She smiled innocently and scratched the back of his head. Duke put his hands in his pocket and sighed.

“I guess you got us,” he admitted.

“What?” Riu turned to him.

“Hope you’ll keep that on the down low,” Duke said, “We really could care less about you’re little side business here or anything else that could be going on in this city. We’re just here to look for a few people that have been missing in the last few days. Can we count on you to keep things quiet?”

Grayson shrugged, “It isn’t any of my business as long as you stay out of mine.”

Duke smiled, “Sounds fair.”

Grayson turned around, “I don’t know anything about the disappearances?”

“How about the murders?” Duke asked.

“Nothing about that either,” Grayson answered.

“Thanks,” Duke took a few steps back, “Will you let us know if you hear anything?”

Grayson looked over his shoulder, “If I find it interesting.”

“Great,” Riu pushed Duke backwards, “Thanks for talking to us Grayson!” When they were a safe distance from anyone, Riu stepped in front of Duke to confront him, “You just ruined my cover that I’ve built up in a matter of minutes. What the heck is wrong with you!?”

Duke shrugged, “He already knew you weren’t who you said you were. I guess he thought you were nice enough to be trusted so he didn’t say anything.”

“And how would he know that?” Riu had her hands on her hips.

“He didn’t seem shocked that I wasn’t really your cousin. Most other people in these types of neighborhoods would shoot us…at best…or torture us, either way,” Duke said.

“Well, we’ll just have to ask him later then wont we!” Riu turned and stomped off.

Duke followed, “I wasn’t your fault. No one else seemed to know that you aren’t who you say you are and no one overheard us. He’s kept your secret this long there isn’t any reason why he wouldn’t still keep your secret now.”

Observing in the shadows, Fang sat on his haunches effectively throwing Ing off his back, he nodded approvingly. Jekyll smiled approvingly.

“I told you this would be interesting,” Jekyll said.

“He is fast on his feet, that’s for sure,” Fang nodded.

Ing looked at Riu and Duke as they walked away from the garage then back at the two spectators, then back at the couple. He took some mental notes on how to react fast to changing situations. Being out in the field was giving him good experience.

“Is it time to go look for leads?” Ing asked.

“I guess so,” Fang got back onto his paws, “Look cute, kid.”

Ing jumped onto Fang’s back. Fang walked passed Jekyll who was headed on his own way. The wolf and the child walked through the alleys. Fang frequently sniffed the ground and the air around them. They were generally unnoticed other than a couple of side glances. Ing kept quiet as they walked around aimlessly. He would record any conversations that they would overhear or take pictures when Fang said to but other than that, it was rather uneventful.

Fang had his nose to the ground when he caught scent of something interesting. He brought his head up and stood still. There was an apartment complex ahead of then and on the steps was a black man talking to a girl. From the looks of things, the guy liked the girl and was awkwardly trying to lengthen the conversation in order to be around her longer. Fang tilted his head and walked closer with his nose to the ground.

“You’re kidding? People can really do that?” the girl said.

“Yeah, it’s actually pretty cool,” the guy nervously rubbed the back of his head.

Fang sniffed at the guy’s leg.

The guy jumped a little, “Whoa! Hey there!”

“Awe,” the girl bent down to pet Fang on the head, “what a cute dog. What bread is he?” The girl looked up at Ing.

Ing quickly compared Fang’s wolf image with a wide range of wolf like dog breads, “A Northern Inuit.”

“He’s gorgeous,” the girl scratched behind Fang’s ear.

Fang didn’t want to be rude so he let her hand find that spot that was always so hard to scratch on one’s own. His tail waged happily as his ears were being scratched.

“What’s his name” the girl asked.

“Fang,” Ing smiled, “he looks threatening but really he’s a big puppy.”

Fang looked over his shoulder slightly and growled. The girl laughed, “Looks like he resents that remark.”

“You knew in town,” the man asked.

Ing nodded, “Yeah, we’re just passing through thought. Sorry if we interrupted you.”

“No, it’s okay!” the girl smiled.

“Let’s go Fang,” Ing kicked his sides like one would to get a horse moving.

Slowly, Fang walked off. He listened to the couple talk a little more until they were out of earshot. Fang looked back and growled at Ing.

“Really? I’m just a big puppy?” Fang growled, “I’ll show you how much of a puppy I am when I rip your little robot head off your shoulders.”

Ing crossed his arms, “We’ll its true isn’t it. The big bad wolf turns puppy when his ear gets scratched. Let’s hope the bad guy isn’t a good ear scratcher.”

Fang looked ahead, “Don’t you dare tell anyone! Or I will tear you limb from limb!”

“Hmph!” Ing stuck out his tongue, “Why did you even go over to them in the first place?”

Fang stopped a moment before answering, “I don’t know.”

Ing leaned down so that he was by Fang’s eye, “You don’t know?”

“I don’t know, something was just different that’s all!” Fang snapped, “Now will you shut up and leave me alone!”

“Fine!” Ing snapped, “Mr. Bossy…”

“That’s it!” Fang sat down causing Ing to tumble backwards, “You’re walking the rest of the way, Mr. Smarty-pants!”

Fang got up and started walking away. Ing got to his feet and ran after him asking for forgiveness and a second chance. Fang ignored the cries for a while but eventually allowed the android to sit on his back again.

Iridescent: Chapter Twenty-Five

Iridescent

Chapter Twenty-Five

~Winds of Change~

After the Fall

Chaud woke up when the bus lurched to one side suddenly. The sand storm started a few days ago and had continued since, delaying the caravan’s journey. The winds had subsided substantially the last twenty four hours. There was the occasional strong gust that rattled the vehicle but overall the wind was starting to die down. The bus lurched again. Chaud sighed. There was no way he was getting any more rest.

He stood up and looked out of the window. The visibility was much better than the day before. There was a possibility that they would set out today to the Great Oasis. Fang said they needed more supplies and needed to make a pit stop. Chaud thought it was fine. Their location was near there anyway. Chaud looked out the window and thought to himself.

“What on earth could you be thinking, Chaud?” Puppetmaster asked. His eyes looked with interest at the teen.

Chaud looked over his shoulder, “Nothing.”

“Nothing usually means something,” Puppetmaster smiled.

Chaud decided to throw him a bone, “I just had a dream, that’s all.”

Puppetmaster looked interested, “What kind of dream?”

Chaud shrugged, “Something about a mission. Can’t remember details.”

“You miss the way things were, don’t you,” Puppetmaster said, “Perhaps you miss someone in particular?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Chaud said.

Puppetmaster waved a hand, letting the matter pass. The radio in the front of the bus crackled to life. Tempi jerked awake at the noise. She muttered something under her breath before answering it.

“What?” she said, obviously in a bad mood.

“We’re heading out,” Fang said on the others end.

Tempi looked outside, “Now?”

“We need supplies and we need them now,” Fang stated before cutting the line.

Tempi sighed and started the bus. The vehicle rumbled to life. A few slumbering bodies stirred slightly before descending back into sleep. Puppetmaster looked toward the head of the bus.

“It looks like we’re back on the road,” Puppetmaster said.

“Finally,” Chaud looked down at his sister.

Amber had wakened by the bus starting and looked up at her brother. She smiled at him and rubbed her eyes.

“Are we there yet?” Amber asked.

Chaud shook his head and smiled, “Not yet. We’re just getting out again.”

“Oh,” Amber yawned, “okay. Wake me up when we’re there.” She curled up by her brother’s leg and fell asleep in only a few moments.

Chaud looked at her. It was nice to see her so at peace. The past few weeks had been especially hard on them both but especially on Amber. She had to deal with things that Chaud hadn’t wanted her to deal with. In all honestly, she had grown up in the time she and Chaud had been together. Chaud sighed. Taking care of little kids was harder than he thought.

The trip droned on. Eventually Naru woke up. It was amusing to see his hair completely disheveled. Hina made fun of his appearance and said that she didn’t need to take as long as her brother getting ready in the morning. Chaud kept a diplomatic view, not taking one side or the other. Vicky simply watched their antics beside Puppetmaster who found in interesting to see the partial team interact.

Kumo and Chou sat near the front of the bus by their team leader. Chaud glanced at them occasionally. It seemed that Naru, Hina, Kumo, and Chou had come to some mutual understanding. They didn’t talk to each other as much since they were rescued. Now that they were back with they were back with their own teams there wasn’t much of a reason to interact. But Chaud sensed that there would be always be a certain connection between the four of them.

The children started to wake up and make noise. Many of them walked toward Puppetmaster to see what toys he could make them. The parents fed the youngest children food with the supply in the bus. The last to get any food was the older agents. The wind died down throughout the day. Soon the sand cleared up and the sky could be seen. The children in the bus were allowed to open the windows finally.

As the sun started to set, their destination was in sight. They drove toward the Great Oasis for supplies. The caravan curved toward the cluster of oases, resorts and hotels.

Fang veered toward one of the buildings. Shadow leaned against Fang with his feet propped out the window. Fang gave him frequent annoyed glances. Shadow, however didn’t pay him much mind. He even teased Shadow occasionally. Shadow looked our through the dashboard as the windshield wipers smeared sand left and right. He saw something that interested him. Shadow sat up, bringing his feet back into the jeep and pointed.

“Well, what so you think about that?” Shadow smiled, “Looks like someone beat us here.”

Fang had already noticed.

Zara walked out onto a large balcony outside. The sandstorm had subsided and she was out and about to stretch her legs. She propped a sniper on her shoulders and walked around on the balcony. Zara looked out at the desert and stopped. She saw a trail of dust rising in the distance. The caravan approached, Zara called to Deontay.

“Hey!” she called.

“Mmn,” Deontay looked up from what he was doing.

Miwa walked outside. He jumped up on the ledge beside Zara and looked over to see. His tail wagged with excitement.

“We have visitors,” Zara said.

Deontay raised an eyebrow, “Really? Are they coming this way?”

“Yeah,” Zara walked back inside, “I’ll go check things out.”

“I’ll join you,” Deontay followed her, “Keep an eye on things Miwa!”

Miwa turned his head, “Yeah, yeah, I got it.”

Together Deontay and Zara walked out to the front of the resort. The caravan pulled up as Zara walked out into the sun light. The jeep pulled up first. Fang stepped out and looked at her.

“We’ll you seem to be doing well for yourself,” Fang stated.

Zara shrugged, “It’s alright I guess. What are you doing here?”

Fang motioned to the caravan, “We need supplies. That and we’re getting off the Island.”

“The world is small,” Zara pointed to Deontay, “We’re doing the same thing.”

“You have anything we could use?” Fang asked.

Zara motioned inside, “Got a few things. Help yourself.”

“You’re just going to give them to us?” Shadow asked as he walked around the car.

“No,” Zara said, “I just haven’t thought of what I want yet.”

Shadow smiled, “Oh.”

“Zara?”

Zara looked around Fang and saw a school bus. Vicky ran off the bus and ran toward her. Hina walked after her beside her brother. Vicky threw her arms around Zara in a friendly hug. She then ran over to Deontay and gave him a Vicky-sized bear hug. Deontay hugged her back and spun her once in the air.

“Kew!” Kew kewed at Deontay.

Deontay put Vicky down, “Now who is that?”

Kew sat on Vicky’s shoulder. His fur stood up on end making him look bigger than he was. Deontay reached over and petted Kew. At first Kew growled at the stranger but after a while his growling stopped and he even purred a little.

Hina slapped Zara on the back, “Where have you been!? We’ve been looking everywhere for you two!”

“You haven’t been looking at all,” Naru said to his sister.

“I have too!” Hina countered.

Naru looked at Zara, “She wasn’t.”

Chaud walked out of the bus wondering what all the fuss was about. He saw Zara standing there talking with the others. Amber stood by his side. She looked to Zara then back up to her brother. Amber rolled her eyes and sighed. She grabbed ahold of her brother’s hand and pulled him toward Zara.

“Amber wait—!” Chaud struggled.

“Come on! I want to join the others!” she said, “Aren’t you going to introduce me?”

When they were close enough, Amber ran behind her brother and pushed him forward. Chaud bumped into Zara. Zara stepped backward. She pushed Chaud away from her.

“Watch where you’re going!” Zara snapped at him.

Chaud smiled, “Sorry, about that.”

Zara looked Chaud over, “You know, I didn’t miss you as much as I’d thought.”

Chaud sighed, “Thanks. I’m glad you feel that way.”

Zara shrugged, “What? I actually enjoyed the peace and quiet that your absence brings.”

“I love you too, Zara,” Chaud caught himself, “As a friend, of course.”

“Right,” Zara walked off, ignoring Chaud the rest of the time.

Iridescent: Chapter Twenty-Two

Iridescent

Chapter Twenty-Two

~Serenade of the Stars~

After the Fall

“I’m thirsty!” Kumo shouted in the middle of the desert.

Naru sighed. Kumo had said the same two words not two seconds before the latest outburst. Their bikes had run out of gas and the group of four decided to hoof it. The sun was unrelenting as the trekked the desert wasteland. Naru always found it ironic how they were on an Island surrounded by water they couldn’t drink. Chou walked beside Hina. The two girls were both leaning on each other for support. Naru wasn’t doing that much better either.

“Hey, can’t you like create water out of thin air or something?” Kumo asked.

Naru looked at him, “I’m just as dehydrated as you are.”

“So no?” Kumo sighed, “Can’t you use sweat or something? We’ve got plenty of sweat.”

“Sweat’s salty, you idiot!” Naru snapped.

“Oh, right,” Kumo nodded.

“When do you think we’ll get to where water is?” Hina asked.

Naru sighed, “I don’t know.”

At this rate, they would all die of dehydration before they were anywhere near water. Another thing Naru found ironic, a water wielder dying from thirst. They drank their last bottle of water a day and a half ago. They didn’t have that much time. Even the lions that were patiently stalking them decided to wait until they all collapsed from thirst.

“Naru! You’re the most useless water wielder I know!” Hina shouted.

Naru turned and narrowed his eyes, “Every water wielder can’t create water out of thin air if there is no moisture, doubly so if they’re dehydrated. You know that!”

“You should be able to make it rain!” Hina complained.

“I probably could if there was even a single cloud in the sky!” Naru sighed.

Hina wailed, “Why clouds have you forsaken us!? What have we ever done to you!?”

Kumo pointed to a faint wisp in the sky, “Is that a cloud there?”

Chou was kind enough to butt in, “I don’t think the water in that cloud would be substantial enough for anyone of us. It looks kind of dry.”

Kumo shrugged, “It’s more than we have now.”

Naru swatted away an insect and wished he could do the same for Kumo. In his dehydrated state, Kumo started to sound more and more like his sister which Naru didn’t notice before. He guessed he was just used to his sisters antics that it hadn’t occurred to him that Kumo acted similarly.

They crested a sand dune. Naru’s shoulders fell as they looked out at wave after wave of sand dunes stretching off into the horizon without an end in sight. Hina slid to her knees. Kumo wrapped an arm around his sister. Chou leaned against him. Even if she was the most positive of the group the sight wasn’t at all encouraging. Somehow, she managed to smile.

“Well, it is a beautiful sight,” Chou whipped her eyes though no tears were seen; “Don’t you think so, guys? Looks like a cover of a National Geographic or something.”

“Yeah,” Naru sighed, “Just like a picture. What do you guys say to staying here for the night?”

Kumo glanced at Naru. He knew as well as everyone else what Naru was saying. They were going to stay for more than just a night. With no water and barely any food, they barely had any strength left to continue on. Naru was suggesting if the dune they were on would do as a grave.

Slowly Kumo nodded, “Here’s as good as any.”

Chou pointed to the next ridge, “Don’t you think we could go just a little further?”

“Nah, Sis, it’s going to get dark before we get all the way over there,” Kumo pointed, “Naru has a point. We should make camp here.”

“I agree,” Hina sighed, “I’m not moving from this spot.”

Naru sat beside his sister and sat. Hina rested her head on her brother’s shoulder. Naru held his sisters head.

“Get some rest,” he whispered, “If you don’t move too much you won’t be as thirsty. We’ll be fine.”

Hina closed her eyes, “You are such a liar.”

She slowly fell asleep and the others did to. Naru sat and watched the sun set. The sky darkened and the stars started to appear a few at a time. It was strangely, dark sitting in the desert at night. It wasn’t like anything in the city when the lights would pollute the sky and block out the stars. Looking up at the sky, the Milky Way was in its full spender. Having seen it and studied it a few times Naru knew what it looked like but it was suddenly different looking upon it now. The stars were so bright and rich with color it took his breath away.

“Just like a picture,” Naru smiled.

He closed his eyes and fell backward into the sand. His sister still asleep lay beside him underneath the beautiful starlit sky. Dashes of light crossed the sky and disappeared as quickly as they appeared. The stars put on one last show for the four exhausted teens below with a serenade of shooting stars. Finally, now they could rest.

Puppetmaster jerked awake. He sat in the back of the bus against the door. It was quiet as all the children were sleeping, finally. He looked over at Chaud and his sister. They slept quietly along with the others. It wasn’t them. Then what could it have been?

Shuppet stirred, sensing his master’s troubled mind. Puppetmaster stood up and walked to the front of the bus. Tempi was driving and saw him approach down the aisle. She turned toward him.

“I can drive a few more hours,” she said, “You’ve been asleep for only an hour.”

“Stop the bus,” Puppetmaster said.

Tempi looked at him, “Are you making a joke because it isn’t funny.”

Puppetmaster looked at her, his eyes narrowing, “I said stop the bus.”

“No,” Tempi insisted, “I’ve got to get Fang’s permission to stop the bus for any reason.”

Puppetmaster reached over and put the bus into park. The bus lurched to a stop waking almost everyone on the bus. The ambulance behind them veered in time to avoid hitting the bus. Other vehicles swerved to avoid a collision. Tempi looked wide eyed at Puppetmaster as he opened the bus doors and walked out.

“What the hell are you thinking!?” Tempi yelled after him.

Shadow lazily glanced into the right side mirror. He sat up with interest, “What’s going on back there?”

Fang looked in the rear mirror. He sighed and started to turn around.

Tempi got up and ran off the bus after him. Puppetmaster stood a few feet away looking at the sky. Tempi started screaming and yelling at him. Woken up by the sudden stop Chaud got to his feet and looked out the window. Other drivers got out of their vehicles and started to close in on Puppetmaster, yelling their displeasures at him.

“Keep an eye on her,” Chaud said to Vicky.

He walked to the front of the bus and got off. Chaud tried to calm the raging crowd down. Fang drove up and got out of the jeep. He walked up to Jekyll who was the only person not raising his voice. Jekyll glanced at Fang.

“What the heck is going on?” Fang asked.

Jekyll looked at Fang a moment before answering, “School bus full of children stops suddenly. Everyone else tries to avoid hitting it. Is that explanation enough for you?”

“Was that man driving?” Fang asked.

Jekyll shrugged, “It’s hard to tell with everyone yelling at eachother.”

Fang walked toward the growing mob that had circled Puppetmaster. Puppetmaster didn’t seem affected by the surrounding animosity around him. He seemed to be looking for something or even listening for something in particular. Puppetmaster waved away the angry voices only causing more annoyed people than settling things.

“Hey!” Fang shouted, “Everyone calm down!”

“That old man is crazy!” Tempi yelled, “Why’d you let him tag along!?”

Chaud stepped in, “He isn’t crazy! I’m sure he has his reasons!”

“Chaud?” Amber called from the bus.

Chaud turned and motioned for her to stay, “Wait it the bus Amber.”

“He could have killed us all,” a man yelled.

“You need to do something,” another told Fang.

A woman cried, “What about the children!? They could have been seriously hurt!”

“It’s his fault!”

“It had to have been an emergency! You don’t know!”

“Look at all the trouble he’s caused!”

“We should get rid of him!”

“No! He’s so good with the children!”

“Will someone please explain what happened!?”

“Shut up!” Puppetmaster roared, “Is it too much to ask for some peace and quiet!?”

Everyone quieted down.

“The next person to say a word, I swear, I will rip your lungs out through your nostrils!” Puppetmaster shouted.

He looked around with a look in his eye that made everyone believe every word he said. Puppetmaster walked ahead always through the crowd. The people gladly got out of his way. He stood off on his own and looked around. Shuppet was in his arms waiting patiently. He took a few steps in one direction and stopped. Puppetmaster stooped down to pick something up.

Everyone craned to see what he had picked up. Chaud walked up closer to get a better look. While the others were terrified of Puppetmaster Chaud felt he was exempted from his threat.

“What is it?” Chaud asked.

Puppetmaster held up what he had found, “Look for yourself. You have eyes don’t you?” His annoyance was obvious.

Chaud looked down at the spider in his hand. It was the size of his hand. It looked like it was made out of a piece of wood. Unlike a small Daddy Long Leg spider this spiders legs were the width of small twigs. Its legs were curled up against its body as if it was too weak to stand properly. Chaud took a few uneasy steps back. It wasn’t that he was afraid of spiders. It was just that he didn’t feel comfortable around spiders that were as big as his hand.

Puppetmaster hand started to give off a purple mist around the spider. The spider stirred and got up into a standing position.

“Lead the way,” Puppetmaster told the spider.

Quickly, the spider walked off his hand and curried on the sand. Puppetmaster got up and followed the spider.

“Where are you going?” Fang asked.

Puppetmaster looked over his shoulder, “There is someone out there near death and this is their last attempt to look for help. I can’t be the only one who can sense their power presence draining, can I?”

Fang followed and Chaud joined. Jekyll walked behind Fang assuming he might be needed. Annoyed she wasn’t invited, Tempi invited herself. Puppetmaster crossed over a dune following the spider. The spider slowed its pace; the extra energy Puppetmaster gave the creature was wearing off. It curled up and ceased to move. Puppetmaster looked around.

“What happened?” Chaud asked.

Puppetmaster looked ahead in the direction the spider had been traveling, “The master doesn’t have enough energy to control the spider. Either that or he’s dead.”

“Or your making this up,” Tempi said.

He continued to walk forward toward a second dune, “You should be a little more concerned.”

“Oh, yeah, why’s that?” Tempi crossed her arms.

“Didn’t you have someone on your team who could control spiders,” Chaud said as he walked passed her.

Tempi scowled and walked after him. Puppetmaster ascended the second dune. When he crested the top he stopped. He took in the scene in front of him. An empty vial lay next to one of the teens. The others barely stirred but the one teen looked at Puppetmaster with blind eyes. Fang walked up and stopped. He turned to Jekyll.

“Come on! There are four of them!” he called.

Tempi broke into a run and passed Chaud up the dune.

“Kumo!” Tempi called. She crouched down by Kumo’s side.

“Tempi? That you?” Kumo faded. His eyes remained opened.

“We need to get them back to the others,” Jekyll said, “They are extremely dehydrated.”

“Fine,” Fang said, “We have to hurry.”

Chaud stood looking down at the others. He recognized two of them. Naru and Hina lay barely moving in the sand. The stars light shone brightly on their faces.