The Split Sun and The Mechanical Moon

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Gluttonous Virus

"Do you miss the warmth of your family? Love."

"Love."

"Does the warmth of your peers soothe your aching bones? Love."

"Love."

"Do you hurt when nobody is around? Love."

"Love."

I am losing it, I am finally losing my mind. I've begun to mope around the house, my breath unsteady and faltering. I can feel a sickness dwelling in me, as if I'm a catalyst for the zombie outbreak. I can't breathe very well, emotions are overtaking me, and I feel as sluggish and slow as ever. Around my home, everything is blurry and boring. Vee has attempted to get my attention many times, whether his method be unconventional, his attempts have failed every time. The 5 sins are taking a toll on my way of life, and they threaten my peace of mind. As I sit on the couch, a ringing in my ears Is interrupted by a hand gliding down the back of my head and to my shoulder. It's Hawkins, sitting down next to me with a slight smile he gently looks at me.

"Are you doing alright? I know there's a lot of things... In your head and all that, I can't really relate, but at least you're not dead. So that's a plus."

I smiled, my face a bit faded and my voice parched.

"Im alright... after this whole Vulcan thing is over, I'll be back to normal."

"Dove. If you need require it, I can harbor one or two of the sins to ease your existential dread."

"You can do that?"

"Allow me."

In an instant, the ringing stopped. My vision cleared, and I was finally able to move around.

"Which ones did you take?"

"I took the sin of Wrath and Envy from you, leaving you only with Lust, Greed, and Sloth."

"I appreciate it Nemi."

"Of course."

I walked over to the kitchen, where I found Brandon, Kibo, and Delilah huddled around the island.

"Ah, Doves awake. We can go over the plan."

I looked at the table, they had analytics and reports on Val in every section of his life. We were well informed of who he was, and what he's doing next.

"We tracked down Vulcan and Val to the same building they were in last time. Dove, Hawkins, Vee, and Kibo will combat Val, Delilah and I will stay behind and handle comms. If you guys need any emergency exit, Mitsoro has her hands on an EPD helicopter than she can use to evacuate you four from the building. Are there any questions?"

Nothing was said.

"Great! We head out in half an hour, get your stuff together."

Brandon began to tidy his area, leaving Kibo to go and get her old sword from their car parked outside on the 21st's curb. Every so often, the smell of the 21st market lingers into my home, while most of the time the smell is welcome, it's often foul and just unpleasant. Everyone gathered their gear differently, while most of us racked our pistols, Vee stared into his blade, its glimmer appeasing him. Once we were all ready, we gathered into two cars. I was with Kibo, and William and Nemi of course. Hawkins took Vee again, both of them being quiet. Kibo kept to herself, as she couldn't exactly engage herself into a conversation. I heard her sigh, as I put the car in drive to follow Hawkins. After a couple minutes, we took a ramp into middle earth, and now we were on the open road with the moons light. It was as quiet, as it always is. William spoke up.