The Memoriam Files: Hearts ✔

| Chapter 24, Lost

|Can I clear my conscience, if I'm different from the rest?

|Monster, Imagine Dragons

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Dawn's P.O.V.

There was no sign of the guards who'd escorted us here but it seemed like more Cranks had gathered since we went into the bowling alley. They started screaming at us, throwing insults or just stood there and laughing.
I had enough, I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible and so I walked around with a loaded bow, pointing it at any Crank who came too close for my liking.

Once we left the Central Zone things got quieter and I relaxed a little. We left the crazy laughter and shouts behind and made our way through the broken homes as quick as we could. Until suddenly shouts sounded from behind us followed by heavy footsteps.

'Run!' Someone yelled. 'Run!'

We slowed down only to be caught up by the two guards. They were running at full spead and neither of them had their Launchers anymore.
'Hey!' Minho shouted. 'Get back here!'
The guard with the mustache looked back and he looked terrified. 'I said run, you idiots. Come on!'

We all shared a quick glare before sprinting after them, not even sure what we were running from.
I looked over my shoulder and felt a cold shiver run through me.
A group of Cranks was chasing us, at least a dozen. Their eyes were wild, like they all had gone crazy at once.

'What happened?' Lisa asked, her breath heavy.
'They dragged us away from the Zone,' the shorter guard yelled. 'I swear they were going to eat us. We barely escaped!'
'Don't stop running!' The other guard added and they disappeared in an alley.

We didn't follow them, running towards the main exit instead. Catcalls and whistles sounded from behind me and I felt myself tense up. I had to force myself not to look backwards.
'They can't catch us!' Thomas yelled, just as the gate came into view. 'Keep going, we're almost there!'
I clenched my fists and ordered my legs to keep on moving, even though they were burning. This was different than running in the Maze, this wasn't a relaxed pace, this was running for your life.

Finally we passed the gate and we didn't bother to close it, heading straight for the Berg, its door opening as Jorge pushed a button. We reached it and I threw myself inside, immediately turning around with my bow loaded and raised incase any Cranks came too close.
But the pack of Cranks chasing us would never reach the Berg in time. Still they kept on running, shouting and making my blood boil with their inhuman noises. The Berg rose in the air just as the door sealed shut.

I sank down on the ground, dropping my bow out of my shaking hands. My lungs were burning but I was sure it had nothing to do with our little sprint.
'Look at them down there,' Thomas said. 'Who knows what they were doing a few months ago. Living their lives, maybe going to their jobs.'
'I'll tell you what they were doing a few months ago,' Brenda spoke, bitter. 'They were miserable, scared to death of catching the Flare.'

'Who cares!' I suddenly yelled, jumping up and breathing heavily.

Minho threw up his hands. 'She's shucking right. How can you worry about them? Was I alone just now? With my friend? His name is Newt.'

'Nothing we could've done,' Jorge called from the cockpit.
My heart crumbled at the lack of compassion.
'Just shut up and fly, shuck-face,' Minho said, his voice empty.
'I'll do my best,' Jorge said with a sigh. Minho slumped to the floor, staring at the wall with an empty expression but I had no strength left to feel any kind of compassion.
'What happens when he runs out of Launcher grenades?' He asked.
No one answered.