Licensed Apocalypse

*thirteen* Attention all Cadets

"Test? They know."

Lucis did not say this thought aloud but let it drift through his gaze to Eric. Hopefully he caught on. I don't want to die. Lucis thought, sending the message through his eyes. Eric looked away and subtly nodded. Lucis looked forward. He got the message. Eric's eyes roamed the machine, studying the cracks and crevices. Just like Lucis taught him. Lucis was doing the same, eyes darting back and forth, scanning the machine with lightning speed. The only thing they didn't know was what it did. And it looked like it could do a lot of things. Lucis took a deep breath and began to roam through the possibilities. There were millions. Did this, and these people, somehow take part in the zombie apocalypse? Eric thought. Didthey never age like the scientist? Are they crazy like him? He remembered the girl. Like them? His eyes darted sideways, glancing at Lucis. Lucis' eyes were open, his eyes flashing between parts of the machine. Eric could practically see the gears in his brain working. When they got out of this, Eric bet money that Lucis would have the entire machine memorized. That's what he did.

"Attention Cadets and other faculty members." A disembodied voice boomed through hidden speakers placed around the room. Lucis and Eric recognized it as the old officer's. "You know that we have been conducting a search through the cadets. This is because we believe that two of the survivors that could stop our work have broken in and gone undercover as cadets. We had our suspicions but they have been confirmed. Well, in correct terms; stamped out.

During our search we have come to a conclusion. We have our suspicions of who the fake cadets are. And as you all know, our backed up suspicions are always correct. We will find the fake cadets and once they are in custody we will announce their identities to the public of our facility. Thank you."

The speaker turned off. Lucis and Eric exchanged panicked looks. Do they know it's us? They both thought. I hope they don't. A few men walked past, including the old officer and his younger counterpart. The two fake cadets held their breath as the men walked past. The officers made sure their guns were clearly seen. The two friends side-eyed each other at the same time. Nerves were high as the crowd of officers clanked away. Once they passed out of earshot the two let out a mental sigh of relief. We're safe. For now. The two let out their held in breath simultaneously. Phew.

"CADETS!"

The two jumped, not expecting the ear splitting yell from the doorway. They both mentally cursed, expecting the worst. The younger officer was standing in the doorway, red faced and panting, his hand clutching a stitch in his side.

"Escaped- fake- cadets-" He gasped.

"On it." The two said at the same time and ran out, guns bouncing at their sides. They saw two boys around their age running ahead of them in the hallway. They looked like they were getting tired quickly. They didn't look back as Lucis and Eric silently closed in with the adult officers close behind them. And to believe all I wanted to do when I came in was get some fresh water and decent food. Lucis said, sliding around a corner. And hopefully at least tea or a few hot chocolate mixes. Lucis shook his head as he rounded another corner. Stop thinking about food and drinks! Get on with this so you can get out quicker. So you can get Eric out quicker. There was a dead end. Well, a locked door at the end of a hallway. The two 'fake' cadets were trapped. They whirled around to see Lucis, Eric, and the adults behind them closing in. They were red faced (not as red faced as the younger officer) and panting slightly. They had no stitches. 

"You're cornered." The older officer said. He had just mysteriously popped out of thin air next to his friend, the younger officer. "Give it up. We know it's you."

"We didn't do anything!" One of the boys pleaded. Eric felt a pang of guilt. It should be him and Lucis over there. Not them.

"Save that for the authorities." The older officer said, spit flying. He looked really mad. Do they really hate us that much? Eric thought, hands slightly gripping the gun hanging at his side. The two boys paled as their superior at 'authorities'. Who were the authorities? The officer motioned for the younger adults behind him to move forward. They obeyed and stepped towards the boys who stepped back into the wall. Lucis averted his eyes as guilt hit his stomach like a train. He'd repay these boys somehow someday. He promised himself that. The adults dragged the boys away. One of them sent one last pleading look at Lucis and his heart broke. I promise I'll get you out. Lucis promised. If you're alive. The crowd disappeared around the corner. "Good job cadets." The old officer congratulated Lucis and Eric.

"Thank you sir." Eric said.

"You may return to your station." The old officer said, a smile on his face. The two boys nodded and walked away, backs straight. They didn't make an effort to speed up. Even though they wanted to. Badly.

**

"So, what does it do?"

"They haven't told you?"

Lucis and Eric adamantly shook their heads. The younger officer sighed and patted the machine in front of the two boys.

"It was created to destroy the survivors. We didn't think we'd need it but, turns out we did." The man said. "We've already got two of them but the third is still out there. Hopefully we find him quickly." He sighed again. "I have to go, guard this carefully." He left without getting Lucis and Eric's response. The two looked at each other.

"That was meant for us?" Lucis asked.

"I guess so." Eric said, his eyes wide.

"They didn't mention the girl." Lucis said.

"Maybe she was already on their radar." Eric suggested. "She did say that she was the scientist's kid."

"True." Lucis confirmed, looking back at the machine and touching its cold metal. "True."

**

Lucis tried not to fall asleep. He needed to get himself and Eric out of there once everyone was asleep. Plus get some food. He had stolen a map from a passing officer and had been studying it for the past half hour. He slightly nudged Eric awake.

"Let's go." He said. Eric nodded and stood up.

"Lead the way." Eric said, gesturing to the nearest doorway. Lucis stepped forward, studying the map. Eric followed, his eyes darting from left to right. Lucis led them into what seemed like a lounge. There was a whole snack bar. Eric and Lucis didn't need a go signal to start raiding it. They grabbed food, drinks, and anything more they could cram into pockets and little bags they brought along for the trip. They carefully snuck out and jumped into the vent that they had come in through. Lucis led the way, praying the noise their legs made wouldn't wake anyone up. Lucis looked back at Eric as a big smile crossed his face.

"We did it." He said. Eric smiled back.

"We did it." He repeated.

**

Eric and Lucis dumped their stolen goods on the dining room table once they arrived in the safe, warm confines of the house. They high fived, momentarily brushing off the fact that they had just figured out a plan to assassinate them. The sun had already set and both boys were very tired. They both collapsed onto their beds. The lights turned off. And so did their waking minds.