The True Lives Of The Fabulous Kill Joys

Chapter 26- Returned Home?

I hug myself in the corner of the cell all night, a steady flow of tears from my eyes.

How could my friends be so mean? How could I have shot my best friend?

I dont have anywhere safe anymore.

I lie down, still hugging my knees. I stare a hole through the wall, terrified of what is going to happen next.

My dreams always come true. Im sure of it.

***

Again, I am tied to the chair. The guys make up some more excuses to get into my head and show me the truth. Another needle in my neck. This time, the visions are different.

Ive got some plastic mask over my face. I fiddle with it, it wont come off. I stare in the mirror in the corner of the room. Its a drac mask. Im a drac.

I find myself patrolling the building, its not even that bad being a drac. I was going to be one anyway... Soon I see some bright colours running down the hall. One of them is Gee, the other is Em. I lift up my gun to protect myself but its too late. Gees eyes connect with mine but the look is cold and he smirks, pressing the gun against me.

"Gee, its me, help me?" I plead but my voice is muffled.

Em laughs and Gee pulls the trigger. No regret is on his face. Everything goes black.

I open my eyes, in the mirrored room again. My cheeks are damp and my lips are dry chapped. I feel light headed and scared.

"How was it?" One of them sneer.

"I didnt know my friends would do that." I say plainly.

"Glad weve shown you the truth then."

Again, back in the cage, is this a cycle?

Its early morning, an alarm is going off in the unit and I am woken. This isnt how they wake you up normally... Am I in a simulation? Gee is standing at the door, a soft smile on his face. My eyes flick around his face, the dreams coming back. I back into the corner of my bed, I need to get away. I cant do this, I cant do it like this.

His smile drops and he looks confused, sad even. I hold my breath, eyes wide and waiting for someone to take him away.

He turns away for a moment, grabbing a syringe, he wipes his hair out of his face and opens the door. I hide in my legs and suddenly something pinches at my neck. He injected me! How could he... I could have shot him! I would have!

"Glad to have you back." He murmurs, lifting my limp body.

I try and move but Im tired, and soon Im unconscious.

***

"Nope. I injected her, they did something to her and she didnt seem to want to come with." Gees voice wakes me. "Theyre working faster these days."

My eyes shoot open, meeting Gees, looking down on me. Im lying on his lap in the back of the van. I inhale quickly, rolling off of him. I move into the centre of the van, looking for the door.

"Doors locked."

I find a corner and try not to panic. Theyve got me. They are going to kick me and hurt me. They are going to shoot me. I lock eyes with each of them, waiting for their cold stares.

I inhale my breaths quickly and I feel a light sweat break out on my forehead. Nobody comes near me and I put my head in my hands. Before I plan it, tears wet my hands. I let out a sob, hiding in my knees.

"Im dead. Im dead." I murmur to myself.

"Its okay, we are not going to hurt you." Someones voice, extremely close to me, whispers.

I dont move except for a light rocking back and forth.

"We are almost there now and then we can help you."

I peak through my fingers. Im not dead yet. Gee pulls my fingers from my face and I bury my head in my legs, desperate to hide.

"We want to know what they did to you."

***

"They injected me and showed me how you guys really are through a brain simulation." I say after being stubbornly silent for almost an hour.

I pull at the bounds tying me to the chair.

"Now, let me go."

"Look, we are only trying to help you." Ar mumbles.

"Tying me up isnt going to help me."

Ar shares a look with the rest of them, they all shrug.

Ar sits behind me, untying me. I stay still until I feel the last rope drop. I plan my timing. I stand and click my legs and arms. I walk slowly past the door, stretching and rubbing where the ropes chaffed against my skin. I look out the window.

3

2

1

Fuck it.

I sprint at the door, pushing it open and running outside. I shove Em out the way and she loses balance, screaming as she drops her cans of power pup. I need to get away. My feet pound on the sand as I sprint down the dusty path. I hear shouts behind me but I dont stop, adrenaline pumping through me.

I dont look back, Im free. Im free.

The sun is hot and I just want to find a building to hide in. The yelling has gotten quieter but there is still the occasional call.

I must have been running for five minutes, at least, and Im getting tired. The diner is out of view, over the horizon, but a few people are still running after me.

Keep running.