The Runner: The Author's Cut

Chapter 7

Arriving in front of the printing press, Jonas and I helped Gwen out of the car and quickly entered the main lobby. I quickly pulled the curtains closed and locked the door, checking one last time to make sure we weren't followed and luckily, the coast was clear. Making my way over to my locker, I punched the code in once more and opened the door. Looking through my belongings, I withdrew my steel and kevlar breastplate, a ceramic back plate, a Pre-Fall Flecktarn poncho, my chest rig, and my other cold weather gear before I closed the locker.

"I wanna head upstairs and say goodbye to my folks and we can hang out while I pack up the rest of my stuff," I said as I scooped my gear into my arms.

"I would love to," Gwen smiled as she took some of my gear to carry up the stairs herself. "Then we could enjoy a moment together before you venture out into that wild land."

"Then let's not waste any time on that."

With my equipment and gear in hand, I used my foot to shut my locker before I led the way upstairs to the living room where my parents were sitting.

"Hey Pops, hey Ma," I said as we entered. "I still got some last minute packing as well as gearing up that I need to do and then I'll be out the door."

"You've got to at least say goodbye to us before you head out there," my father said as he took a swig from his bottle. "And stay in contact with us while you're out there when it's safe to do so. Don't want the pigs to find you just because you wanted to let your mother and I know that you were okay."

"Of course. I'll either send a pigeon or another Runner if I meet one out there."

"Good man."

Gwen, Jonas, and I then made our way to my room where I set all of my gear down and pulled my go bag out from underneath my bed and did all of my pack and equipment checks once more. Once that was complete, I sat on my bed and opened the loading gate on my revolver. Ejecting the three spent cartridges with the rod, I slipped new rounds into the cylinder and closed the gun up. As I finished doing all of my checks, I closed my bag up and turned over to Gwen and Jonas who were both sitting on my bed.

"So," Gwen began, looking around the room. "What do you boys want to do now that we're back here, alone, and Adrian's all packed?"

"Umm..." Jonas and I began, looking at each other sheepishly. "I mean... what would you like to do?"

"I'm thinking of maybe having some fun with both of you before Adrian here has to leave at midnight. It's 10:30 now so we have an hour and thirty minutes before he has to go."

"I mean, I think that would be nice, especially since I won't be back at least a week or more," I replied, taking her up on the offer. "Jonas, what do you think?"

"I mean... sure," Jonas replied after considering the offer. "I've never done anything with more than one person so it would be neat to experiment but then again she's your gal so..."

"Whatever you two boys are comfortable with. Though, I would like to have a round with Adrian first."

"I mean, he did smoke your crazy ex so I think that's fair. Adrian?"

"Yeah, sounds good to me! I just want you to be comfortable too. And hey, if it goes well this time, maybe we all could be a little thing."

Gwen perked up when I said that.

"Oh, I love the sound of that! A healthy relationship with two kind, strong, and distinguished gentlemen who genuinely love me for me, care about me deeply, and don't insist that I get body mods to 'be prettier'? Sign me up!"