V-Gen

9

The crunch of rubble under my feet echoed in my ears, along with my racing heartbeat. My breath sounding dry and raspy as I ran with the group, my eyes flicking from left to right, fearing of what lay around each corner.

We had been running for about an hour and I was starting to feel dizzy from lack of rest. Unlike the boys, I only got exercise in gym or walking home. So I wasn't as fit as they were.

After a few more minutes I finally rasped "C...could we take a small rest?" I asked my sweat slicked hair sticking to my forehead. Jake turned his head and looked at the other boys before nodding gently. I began to slow and catch my breath until one of the boys whispered "We have Flares at 1:00" He said grimly and my head snapped up.

Jake's jaw clenched and I could tell he was debating whether to run or not. "Regulars or Irregs?" He asked his arms folding as he chewed on his lip.

"Regulars, we can probably out run them if we get moving now." The young boy said and I swallowed a breath, shakily standing up right and holding my gun. Jake looked at me and raised an eyebrow "Are you ok with running? I know you're tired" He asked his chocolate brown eyes softening with that pitiful look. It annoyed the crap out of me, and I have no idea why.

I shook my head and straightened my back "I'm ready to run again. My legs are getting used to it a bit" I said with a small shrug. Which was a lie, my muscles felt like they would give out with the slightest movement. But I couldn't let him know that, I was going to show them that I wasn't weak.

He stared at me a moment as if waiting for the lie to show on my face, but he eventually nodded and turned to the young boy. "Alright, let me know if there are any others" He said and the boy nodded quickly before jogging to the others. I began to walk forward but Jake stopped me with his hand on my shoulder.

"I know you're exhausted Ebony. Your legs are shaking and you can barely stand straight for more than a few seconds. Why are you still trying to run?" He asked tilting his head.

I looked away and jerked my shoulder from his hands grip. "You keep pitying me. It's annoying " I said and started walking. He sighed and shook his head before breaking into a run, everyone following soon after.

"Flares moving to two o-clock" The young boy said and I looked at the small group of deformed humans.

"Flares spotted at eleven o-clock" A bit shouted and a sinking feeling filled my body.

"Jake... what are they doing?" I asked my eyes slowly turning to him. I gasped, his face was pale as the boys began shouting sightings of Flares around them. I skidded to a stop and looked at Jake who looked like he was staring at the devil himself.

"We're surrounded..."