killjoys never die - Keep Running

Chapter two.

For the next two days she didn't leave the room. Occasionally the red head would come back and sit quietly next to her, other times it was the one who was treating her wounds. He introduced himself as Kobra Kid and chatted away gently while he was changing dressings. She never spoke though, too consumed with her grief. Waves of hopelessness would roll through her body and she had no desire to even sit up let alone speak to the strangers.

She learnt through Kobras chatting that the red head was called party poison and was the leader, and that there was two other Jet star and Fun Ghoul who were away on a supplies run. She found his chatter comforting, he had that brotherly vibe. Party poison on the other hand, she wasn't sure why he kept coming just to sit in silence.

On the third day while Kobra was changing the dressing in her shoulder she decided she should at least tell him her name. He had nursed her back to some form of health and she felt annoyed with herself over her silence the last three days.

'Thank you Kobra' she said gently looking down 'I appreciate everything you have done to help me and sorry for never saying that before.'

'Hey Kid it's nice to hear you speak at last. I was starting to worry you were mute!' He laughed 'so you got a name? Can't keep calling you kid can I?'

'Neon, Neon Spark.' It had been years now since she had used anything but her killjoy name, it felt like it was her only name now.

'Nice to meet you Neon, love the name.' He said with a cheeky smile.

'So what's the deal with party poison? He just comes and sits in silence then leaves again' She decided she needed to know why he just came and sat in silence every day. With neither of then ever speaking she just couldn't understand what kept bringing him back in, its not like she was great company right now.

Kobra sighed before speaking again.
'Hes well, he's lost a lot over the years so he likes to check in on survivors. He just wants everyone to make it out alive.'

She grabbed Kobras hand and said 'Thank you both. Can you tell him I said that?'

'Of course I can Neon. Though your both going to have to speak to each other eventually'

He looked down and raised his eyebrows. She knew she would have to speak to him. It was getting too strange, their constant silence. She did find comfort even in his silence, just knowing she wasnt alone. She thought back in her only words to him and hpw harsh she had been, she had pulled a gun on him after all. Maybe tomorrow she would feel well anough to get out of the room and would go find him but for now the painkillers were making her sleepy again.

The dreams came to her again that night. The haunting visions of her friends being gunned down in front of her. Each one dropping their blood spilling everywhere. It was a replay over and over until she eventually woke up sobbing.

'Shhhh, it's ok your safe here' a voice in the dark said. The voice different to Kobras. He must have heard her sobs and came in to check on her. She noticed he was holding her hand with a troubled look on his face. She didn't know if it was the dream or just the need for comfort but she wrapped her arms around him resting her head in the crook of his neck, small sobs still escaping from her.

He wrapped one arm around her and began stroking her hair with his free hand. The warmth of his body against hers calmed her, she felt safe with him, this man she barely knew.

'I'm sorry, its the flashbacks they seem so real' she said pulling away slightly but he kept his arm around her.

'Neon, I know I have them too sometimes. Just know you are safe here, sorry I haven't said much to you. After you woke up i wasnt sure how you would respond to me but I haven't felt right leaving you alone. This must all be so overwhelming.'

Kobra had told him her name then.

'I'm sorry I pulled a gun on you' she said with a half laugh 'I should have said thank you for saving me in a better way'

'I would have done the same waking up somewhere strange. I'm impressed you didn't shoot.' He smiled

'If I'd been at full health I probably would have. This whole things so fucking strange. I mean I've not even seen outside this room yet as I was weak. I hate being weak and I hate being trapped.' She said.

Weakness was not her thing. She had always had to be the strong one, the independent one. This room was starting to feel like a prison.

'Your not trapped. You can come and go as you please but we will be here to help you. We've lost members of our crew we understand. And now you have to get strong again if your going to go off on your own, though you will be welcome here if you choose to stay.' He suddenly seemed so serious.

'Well I'm here for now, can't take on dracs alone with only one functioning arm.' She sighed. 'Not that's there's anything to go back for now, they are all gone. I knew it wasn't right there was too many dracs. Not even scarecrow. They are upto something I know it.'

'Mmm...' He mumbled looking troubled. 'Sounds like something I'll need to let Dr D know tomorrow, your out in zone 6 now your safe here'

He stayed with her the rest of the night, she slept with her head on his chest listening to his heart beating.

For the first time she slept soundly.

For the first time she felt safe.