Encephalon: Emergent

Chapter 15

She headed straight out the warehouse and started walking, skirting round the edge of the runway where a chain-link fence stopped her from getting out. Up ahead there were lights from the main road that ran out to the small terminal far away from where she was staying. It seemed as good a destination as any; from there she would be able to get a taxi back to the city. She knew she was not thinking straight, but none of that mattered right now; she just had to get away from the stress, and relieve some of the pressure in her head.

"Elena," It was Justin running after her.

"Go away. Just, leave me on my own."

"You can't be out here. Not like this, not out in the open."

"I'll do what I like." She started swearing and talking to herself in Spanish aware that Justin would be able to understand. Either way she was going to keep walking.

"You want to get yourself killed?"

A jeep pulled up beside them with Rob at the wheel. He stopped far enough away, so that Justin and Elena could still keep their conversation private.

"I want my old life back, Justin. I want to go back to my cafe and make sure the deliveries are on time, the customers are happy and the rent gets paid. I want to sit down with Missy after a sixteen-hour shift, put our feet up and share old stories over a bottle of wine or some ice cream, that so much to ask?"

"It shouldn't be."

Elena finally teared up and buried her head in Justin's shoulder, "When I sleep he's in my dreams, when I wake he's in my head. No amount of training can toughen me up."

"You're doing well; you just can't see it yet." She realized how close she was to him, but she did not want to let go, not just yet. She breathed in his scent.

"I want to see Missy," She cried.

He breathed out, "Fine, let's go see Missy."

She broke away from him, a timid smile on her face, "You serious?"

"If that's what you want."

She wiped her tear-stained face and watched him walk over to the jeep.

"You coming?" He cried back to her. She ran over and got in the back behind Rob, Justin getting into the front seat beside him.

The drive to the city was the happiest Elena had been for the past few weeks, but she was exhausted. She rested her head back, staring out in a daze at the passing streets, capable only of thinking how she was about to see her best friend, the one thought keeping her going. She could tell her how sorry she was to have interfered with her's and Billy's relationship, that all that mattered was they were there for each other, that she could wrap her arms around her. She needed Missy more than ever. With Missy by her side, she felt sure she would be able to get through training, she would be able to get through anything, much as she had done in the past. It would condemn her friend to a life on the run, but she needed her so badly.

As they reached the outskirts of the city Justin told her to put on the face putty again. He opened a tub of the substance; the smell assaulted her senses, the rubbery, plasticky scent bringing her back to the heightened moment when the Encephalon last chased them.

"Is this necessary?" She asked, suddenly feeling uneasy about needing a disguise.

"The Encephalon will have eyes on Missy just in case you return to see her. They'll have scanners all over the place."

Justin rubbed some onto his chin, his cheeks, nose and forehead and his appearance was visibly altered. Elena reluctantly did likewise and found herself looking back at a different woman again like she did in the changing rooms. This was not what she meant when she said she wanted to see Missy. How would she recognize her? If she was really being watched then as soon as Elena started speaking, Missy's reaction would give everything away. That sinking feeling reared its ugly head once again from the pit of her stomach as the car sped along the highway and into Brooklyn.