Keep Running | Frank Iero

09

// Frank //

"We have to go back." I told Gerard. He ran his hands through his hair and made a pained face.

"I don't want to lose you too."

Grace had gone back to her base meaning it was just me and Gerard left. We starred up at the stars are we spoke.

"I need her, Gerard."

"I know."

The silence between us was deafening.

"You love her, I can tell." Gerard said.

"I don't love her– I'm in love with her. She's all I can think about."

"We're going to get her back, I promise."

"Mikey and Ray too." I reminded him.

"Of course."

—

// Sophie //

I woke up suddenly, my eyes focusing to the scenes around me. I was being pushed through countless corridors, my body strapped to some sort of hospital bed.

Am I dead?

The bed stopped moving, and I was met face to face with my sister again. Her lips curled into a cruel smile.

"Good morning sleepy head." She mocked me.

"Fuck you."

"A little harsh, sis." She chuckled as she searched through a draw, producing a kit. "Don't worry, you'll be good as new soon."

She took the kit and wheeled me through another door. I gasped as I looked around. Thousands of Killjoys were lined up in hospital beds, all being treated. All of our fate was the same.

And then I saw him. Sat around two rows to the front. Mikey.

We met eyes and his eyes widened with shock. My stomach seemed to flip as I was taken further away from him and stationed at another bed.

"The process will begin in a few hours." Megan told me. "Enjoy your poisoned thoughts whilst they last."

I closed my eyes as she walked away. This was it; I was going to die–

And there was nothing I could do.

—

// Frank //

The truck raced across bumpy desert land as we made our way to Zone 1.

One more hour and we'd be in Battery City.

"We have to make a plan." Gerard told me. I nodded.

"They said they were taking her to be neutralised. If we make it in time, she'll be in the neutralisation hall."

"What happens if she's gone already?"

My breathing hitched as I paused to answer the question.

"We give up."

Gerard nodded slowly, his attention still fixed on the road. I closed my eyes and tried to relax but all I could think of was Sophie.

***

The barrier stood in front of us, stretching around the whole of Battery City. I took a deep breath as we began to climb the fence.

A Drac stood waiting, and turned in alarm as it saw us. I raised my gun and shot it in the head; a single movement.

"Come on." Gerard whispered to me as we moved over the roof, jumping from building to building.

"Are you ready?" I whispered as we reached the building.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

We leaped down, rushing into the building. Gerard began to shoot at Dracs and Scarecrows, moving next to me as we ran. The alarms started screeched and panic filled me. I fell to the ground, screaming out in pain. My leg burned like crazy.

—

// Gerard //

I bolted down the corridor, the sirens getting louder. My eyes scanned the doors as I rushed passed, and then I saw it. Neutralisation.

I slammed the doors open, the corridors flashing red. I scanned the room quickly, frantically searching before I saw him.

"Mikey!" I was yelling, as I shot at the chains which looped around Mikey's fists. I pulled him off the hospital bed, helping him up. Mikey groaned in pain.

Around us, mad panic filled the room. Killjoys began to escape from the beds they were tied to and grab their weapons.

Mikey followed me out the building back through the winding maze of rooms. I saw Frank curled up on the roof as we climbed back up.

"She's gone." I told him.

—

// Frank //

Mikey laid down so Gerard could tend to his wounds. Whilst they worked, I turned to look at Battery City. A mass of burning orange surrounded us. The whole city was burning down and Sophie would burn down with it too.

"What are you doing?" Gerard yelled out as I leapt down off the roof onto the hard ground.

I started running. Faster and faster. Pain tore through my leg as I bolted down the corridors; Dracs shooting at me from every direction.

Keep running. Keep fucking running. Don't you dare stop now.

I was coming Sophie.