Night 63: Road to/from Doyleton

[dividedby]

[From here.]

But being outside was probably just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than it was being trapped inside the bus with that nurse.

Besides the many other deformed nurses that were roaming around here, Zero caught sight of numerous forms flying overhead, casting large shadows on the ground as they passed by. They looked like...eagles. But deformed and horrific-looking, just like the nurses. At first, they seemed content to simply circle overhead, screeching, like vultures swarming above a carcass. But then many of them suddenly swooped down and headed straight for some of the prisoners running in the street.

Kind of like the one flying at Zero right now.

"Kh--!" The once-Reploid barely managed to dodge the monster as it dived for him by falling to the ground and rolling back onto his feet. The bird flew upwards again, slowly flapping its wings, then circled around as if to try again, another eagle joining it. To avoid them, Zero quickly moved out of the open, where he was obviously a target, and circled around one of the buses, keeping his back to it for cover. But he knew he wasn't going to be safe here...not when there were nurses on the ground and so many eagles above.

Not since the night he had become temporarily stronger had there been so much visible chaos... And if that one prisoner hadn't started a riot, this wouldn't be happening right now...!

As he stood contemplating the best route for escape, Zero glanced around quickly, searching the fleeing prisoners for anyone familiar or anyone who might need help. He was defenseless, so protecting someone else would only get him so far (and he certainly didn't want a repeat of two nights ago), but they all might have a better chance of survival if they grouped up...

[Leanne, Lana, and Harvey, WHERE YOU AT.]

Comments

[corvus_veritas]

"I'm okay too!" Byrne replied, still looking back at Renamon. Admittedly, that answer was only a partial truth; as far as being 'okay' was concerned, he wasn't very okay when the headache was still there, as was that rash, and this run was already beginning to wear him out. But as far as actual injuries went, he was okay. That was more important, right?

And anyway, it could be worse. He could be turning into one of them right now. Or--wait. No. Not good thoughts. Stop thinking about that right now, Faraday. Not the time.

So then, was Renamon okay? Before Byrne could ask her that, however, his partner suddenly came out with perhaps the most unusual and out of place question that he had ever heard, prompting a disbelieving stare toward the older detective. "W-What!?" Did he--did Badd seriously just ask if Renamon was a virgin? What kind of question was THAT?! And at a time like this?!

...Okay, fine, maybe Badd usually had a good reason for the questions he asked (and Byrne knew him well enough to know he wasn't that kind of guy), but c'mon! If this was a joke, then he had some horrible sense of timing.

[diamondstorm]

Both gave confirmations of their wellness, and she half-nodded, content to continue on silently until they came to a safe place. Of those she cared for, one was an angel, one a weapon, two were gun-fighters, and then there was the seemingly human civilian. She would at least safe near Byrne until there could be some farce of safety.

A thought that fled as soon as the other man spoke again. Instead of Byrne's surprise, Renamon only grimaced. "...Unfortunately, it seems I'm labeled as such," she answered dryly, an awkward beat spreading between them. Her conscience pulled at her, and out of habit she explained briefly to Byrne. "The creatures are drawn to... pure... existences." She glanced at Badd. More than the other, he seemed set on survival, and would possibly view her presence as a risk. However, she had no intention of leaving, and would rather be around to protect in case of any other threats.

[ and good to be skipped! she'll likely just prioritize getting inside. ]

[tasteoftruth]

[Skipping is go.]

As if hearing her response, there was a loud shriek from near the buses. Badd frantically checked over his shoulder to make sure the giant bird was focused on another target, then forced himself to put his focus back on the road ahead of him.

Freaking great. "She's a target," he said to Byrne, keeping pace beside his partner. "Birds are magic or something. They hunt virgins." He didn't dare say that she was a liability and that they should split from her to better maximize the survival of the herd. Byrne would never go along with the idea and to be honest, neither would Badd. He considered himself a hard man making hard choices but even he had his lines. So far the birds were leaving them alone.

(But that meant Anise was a target too. God willing she'd have someone strong backing her up, those birds could so easily pick her up and take her away.)

His lungs were already hurting. This was far different from the nightly runs he'd done before his arrest, this was adrenaline revving him up as fast as possible with no thought of how quick he might burn out later down the line.

[corvus_veritas]

.... Magic birds that hunt virgins. Magic birds that hunt virgins. Magic birds. That hunt. VIRGINS.

This had to be the strangest thing Byrne had ever heard in all the forty years of his life.

But denying it as truth (as utterly ridiculous as it sounded) would mean he denied the truth that Renamon was a Digimon, or that other worlds existed, or that they were even here in the first place. So despite what his wide-eyed appearance suggested otherwise, Byrne believed every word he was hearing. Did he have a choice?

Of course, this also meant Renamon was in danger, unlike himself and Badd. Would the uh...magic virgin-eating birds ignore her if she hung around with 'unclean' people? (God, this situation was taking a sharp turn for the bizarre.) Hopefully so; Byrne didn't want her to be eaten by those things, even if he knew how capable she was at protecting herself. Nothing was attacking them so far, so maybe it was good that she was tagging along, then! One could only hope at this point.

The prosecutor silently kept running, starting to feel a bit exhausted but forcing himself to keep going anyway. It shouldn't be much farther now, right? It wasn't like they had been that far from the Institute when the buses stopped.

[tasteoftruth]

It was easy to mistake the gesture for the slight flailing that occurred when you ran in a mad panic, but Badd's hand drifted over to brush Byrne's forearm. Not far now. Keep going. I'm here with you.

But even Badd was starting to flag. If they could just make it inside they'd be fine but the dark shadows over their heads were making that a faint possibility.

[corvus_veritas]

Badd's gesture was very much appreciated, although it wasn't enough to stop Byrne from worrying about his partner. It was obvious that the two of them were quickly tiring from this run, but what else could they do? It wasn't like they could stop to rest for even a second. They had to keep moving!

"You okay?" the prosecutor yelled, pausing briefly to gasp for breath. He looked back at Renamon, who was still following silently behind them, to show that his concern extended to her. "Hang in there! We--we're almost there!"

However far 'almost' was. Sure, they'd probably reach the Institute's front door within the next few minutes, but it felt like they'd never get there at this rate! And would they make it without being attacked? Hopefully those magic bird whatevers would leave all three of them alone.

...Wait. Oh god. Thought. What if the front door was locked? The prosecutor's face went pale as he thought of this. Would Landel do that? Ohh, that bastard, he probably would. Leaving everyone out here to fend for themselves against all these flying monsters. Damnit, it better not be locked! Please be open, please!

[tasteoftruth]

It would be open. Badd had seen other patients disappearing into the building as they'd been running. Just a little further, he told himself, and they'd be safe. They could get at weaponry and regroup, ward off the attentions of those horrible birds. Maybe get a drink of water for his achingly dry throat.

Lies, of course, but if lies got his body to keep pounding the pavement just a little longer he'd tell himself all the lies in the world.

[corvus_veritas]

Almost there. Almost there. Yes! When the group reached the doors, Byrne was practically tearing at the door handle, not caring if Badd or Renamon were trying to do the same at the same time. Oh thank god, it was unlocked. The building was unlocked. They could escape at least one major enemy now, hopefully catch their breath as well.

Now get in there! Run! Run, damnit!

[To here.]