Born Again

Chapter sixty eight

Thomas and Newt jogged over to see what Frypan was staring at.

   It was a crank, passed out on the floor. And, judging by its outfit, it was the same one they encountered in his dreams.

   Frypan turned to Thomas, mentally asking him what they should do.

   "It's okay," Thomas said hesitantly. "It's just one so take it slow, go around him. We'll be fine."

   "I meant how do we help him," Frypan said, giving him a confused look.

   He put the stack of papers into the bag and crouched down before Thomas could tell him not to.

   He shook the crank's shoulder gently. "Sir? Sir, can you hear me?"

   Thomas sighed, watching his friend. He wanted to tell him off but he knew Frypan wouldn't listen.

   "I don't have a window to roll up," Newt muttered, quietly enough so only Thomas would here.

   The brunet turned to smack him playfully but stumbled back in shock when he looked at his friend.

   Right behind him, was another crank. It was the woman from his dreams.

   Thomas stumbled backwards over the first crank and fell to the floor, still gawking.

   Newt immediately turned around, confused until his eyes landed on the crank.

   "What the-" He backed away from the crazed woman, glancing quickly at his friends. "Fry we gotta go."

   Frypan straightened up, looking as terrified as Thomas felt.

   "Help me," the girl said, stumbling forward. She gave a terrifying smile. "Please. I need food."

   She bent down, reaching for Thomas' bag but Newt pulled him to his feet and pushed his friend behind his back.

   "We have to go," Newt repeated.

   "Yeah," Thomas agreed, still slowly walking away from the woman. "Let's . . ." his words faded out when he glanced behind himself, seeing half a dozen cranks blocking the other end of the tunnel.

   Before he could point them out, he felt somebody grip his wrist painfully.

   He whirled around to see the crank looking at him pleadingly. Even more cranks were behind her.

   "Help me!" She screamed.

   Newt yanked Thomas hand away and pushed the woman back. "Alright, let's go!"

   They started running in the opposite direction until they saw the other cranks rushing towards them.

   "Other way, other way," Frypan said, turning around. He faltered when his eyes landed on the woman and her friends.

   They were trapped.

   "Which way?" Frypan asked, glancing back and forth between the two groups.

   "I don't know!" Thomas yelled. It was too different from his dream.

   There, Frypan had a gun to buy them some time before Brenda arrived. Thomas didn't think they could survive without that time.

   "Tommy, Fry, over here!" Newt exclaimed, sprinting towards an old abandoned car on the side of the road.

   Thomas rushed forward and tried the handle, thankful to find that it was unlocked. He almost cried with relief.

   "Inside, hurry!" He said, ushering Newt and Frypan inside before climbing in himself.

   Thomas had barely closed and locked the door before the first crank reached them. It pounded on the window in frustration.