The Rat in The Signal

Chapter 22

Rat squeaking, human speaking

Fan art by: DogInATuxedo

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The bridge came into view after a few minutes of running. Smoke and the glow of fire showing them which way to go.

The view that met them was just as Seven suspected. The old white beat up truck that they stole was now a raging fireball, kids were screaming and scrambling to get away, more and more explosives going off in the back of it.

Through the thick cloud of smoke and bright flashes of light from the fire, Seven spotted One and Two and some of the other scouts quickly helping the younger kids get to safety. Nosebleed was shouting orders as some of the scouts pulled out kids covered in burns and carefully bringing them to healers.

The horrid smell of burning hair and flesh made Seven want to vomit. The air seemed poisonous when he took a breath, covering his nose from the gut wrenching smell and smoke.

Nosebleed looked up, noticing them at the treeline, calling out to them. "Seven! Rain!" She got up from her spot, running over to them, catching the attention of others.

Nosebleed pulled Rain into a quick tight embrace. She pulled away soon after, a look or worry in her gray-blue eyes. "The Molotoves, the truck hit a hole and they all started breaking and then the truck started scrapping against the side of the bridge and a spark set it all on fire and-"

Rain took the other's hands into her own. "Breathe, take a deep breath, you're rambling your words."

As the Ex-Oracle tried to calm the other down, Seven looked to the fire. The raging fireball was still roaring, embers floating into the air, smoke clouding the sky, it would have been an oddly beautiful sight to him if it wasn't for the chaos that erupted around it.

"The fire'll burn itself out, we need to get everyone away from here though, that thing is nothing but a signal that'll draw any monster to us," he stated.

Nosebleed looked over to him. "Where's Mono? What happened to him? Why are you both covered in blood?" she asked. Rain shook her head, a guilty look on her face as she gently tightened her grip on the other's hand.

"He's dead, we didn't have a choice," Seven said shortly. Rain glanced to him, before looking down at her bloodied outfit. Nosebleed seemed to notice it too, taking a small step back. "Oh, dear, I didn't think you would have to go that far, though I'm not that surprised. Are you hurt?"

Rain shook her head, quickly changing the conversation. "Now isn't the time to worry about us. We need to get everyone out of here," she said. Seven looked over to her, gears starting to turn as to where they could go to big enough to fit the rebellion members.

"We could take them to The Nest," he suggested, "Pre should be fine with that, I mean, you were her best friend when you two were in diapers. She'd probably be glad to see you again."

Rain looked to him. "After almost twelve years?" Nosebleed looked to her, her voice soft as she reassured her, "I'm sure this Pre person will be fine once we explain everything."

After a few heartbeats, Rain nodded her head in agreement. "Okay, but we still have to-"

"Oracle Rain and Seven!"

The group turned as their names were called, kids looking over at them, some standing up at attention in case the two did something outlandish. Some where starting to shout, beginning to make there way around them.

Rain jumped up, shaking her hands out in an attempt to stop them. "Wait! Wait! Hold on, let us explain, please!"

"What are you two doing back? What happened?"