Run For Your Life

Fuckity

Song: My Favourite Game by The Cardigans

May 17

It's been far too long since Bill's held his Stanley. The thought of Stanley being back in isolation is almost too much to bear. He knows Stanley well, meaning he also knows of the voices. More than anything he fears that Stanley just might let the voices take control. Which is exactly why he keeps going.

There's one more location, which just so happens to be Arizona. There's no missing persons cases, but there was a storm, at least both Danny and Ashley say so. None exactly have a choice, for they have to see. They have to make sure and recruit as many as possible. This is bigger than they can imagine, and they know that, but it means they need to prepare for the worst.

Each of them had been practicing as much as possible with the little time and space they had. Beverly is much more calm than when originally discovering her power. She's able to control it, as well as not let it completely drain her. Eddie still hasn't been able to heal without touch, but he's working on it. Richie's not even sure where to start. At least they're trying.

Ben is driving now, Beverly is sat next to him with her feet up on the dashboard. Bill has been socializing more than ever, which surprises the rest. He's actually trying to work as a team, which he'd never done before. It's not like he likes it, though. And the rest know that, but they hold a sense of pride in their hearts from it. He really cares about Stan.

Bisbee is minutes away, meaning they'll confront their new member in no time. It's light out, which isn't necessarily good or bad. They'll be able to ask more people more questions, but at a risk of getting caught easier. The group of kids aren't stupid. Getting closer to the farm only means more eyes on them. It's the time to be careful, not reckless.

The town is small, which will hopefully mean it's easier to find whoever had been impacted by the storm, if anyone at all. Which is why they start downtown, as they often do. Mike is right, old people love to gossip and they really are the talk of the town.

Instead of grouping together, they all decide on going in pairs to speed things up. Some will take the local restaurants while others take the shops. Which is why Richie and Eddie take off towards a small boutique. The small boy had gotten distracted by the sparkly bag in the window. So apparently this is where they'll start.

There's a few people shopping, leading Eddie to waste no time and get to work. "Hey lady! Do you know about the storm?"

The woman turns, eyes squinting at the two. "Do I know you?"

"Does it matter?" Eddie snarls.

"You do look familiar."

"No I don't." Eddie answers all too fast.

Richie looks back, spotting a television with their own two faces on the screen. He coughs awkwardly while stepping in front of the thing, making sure no one sees. "Yes you do."

"I asked a question, plain and simple, and this is what I get? Unbelievable. I mean I'm just trying to help. God I hate old people."

The woman looks quite shocked and angry, but Eddie doesn't seem to mind. Instead he groans, continuing his rant to Richie, who is barely listening. But soon they're interrupted by a new woman with silver hair and a bright smile. "Storm, huh? That was a couple weeks ago. You two are a little late to the game, huh?"

Eddie tilts his head while studying the woman before him. "Well I suppose you're not so bad. Tell us more."

The woman spots the television, but chooses to look away. "Well my daughter works at the school with this one girl's parents. They're these real strict ones too. Her name is Maria. My daughter said her parents found her the morning after the storm, completely passed out. But that's only gossip, of course."

"Oh do tell us more." Eddie's eyes widen as he grabs at Richie's hand, obviously excited.

"Well she's just across the street." The woman points, and so they look. There's another shop, though it's even busier than this one.

The small boy plants a wet kiss upon her cheek, making her giggle. She waves him off before turning to the screen once again, spotting the two with several more. But she simply smiles and shrugs it off before turning away, eyes going bright. So maybe that's not the real story of how she knows Maria, but she's not about to get herself involved.

Eddie twirls across the street, anxious to meet this new Maria. Except how will they know which one is Maria? The small boy spots Beverly and Ben already in the place and groans. He wanted to be first, just this once.

"Have you found her?" Richie sneaks up behind the two.

"Her?" Ben's brows raise, asking for more.

"Maria is the name." Eddie speaks up, honestly just proud he's the first to know of her. His eyes tear away from the three as he notices a small brunette enter a dressing room. The boy seems to wait forever until she finally returns. He's about to look away when there's another girl, who happens to be identical.

At first he thinks twin, but decides that's too suspicious when a third comes out. Each one wears something new and different. He weirdly knows exactly where this is going. And so he hurries over to the closest one with a smile. "Love the top." His fingertips graze her lower arms, yet she does nothing but stare.

The rest appear next to him now, wanting nothing more than for him to open up about this new information. A smirk falls on his face. He likes the attention. "We've got her."

But the girl he's got a hold of fades away, making the rest turns and look. There's no way she's getting away. And luckily she doesn't, due to Beverly catching sight of her at the nearest exit. The four rush after, running into Mike and Stanley Barber on the way, who chase along as well, despite knowing what they're looking for.

Maria, or at least they think it's Maria, looks back momentarily, giving the rest time to catch up. They surround her now, holding her right in place. Stanley Barber had even taken it upon himself to trap her feet in his own personal water bubble.

Greta, Sydney, Bill, Emmitt, Kate, and Ashley have all caught up now, circling her as well. They're in the middle of the road, which could be bad, but none care. People already know of them, some even seeing their powers. What's a few more? At least they've got another.

Her honey yellow eyes fade away, showing her true fearful gaze. "What do you want?"

"You're like us." Eddie smiles, eyes beginning to glow.

Except the girl shakes her head, growing more and more angry. "I'm not. You're murderers. I'd never."

"Oh really?" Greta's arms cross in annoyance. Where does she get off?

"Whether you agree with our tactics or not, we need help. And we won't take no for an answer." Bill's eerie smile is the last she sees before darkness.

"Don't you want to find out why we are like this? Why they are taking us?"

Maria freaks out even more. "What? I didn't even know there were more! Who's taking who?"

Bill repairs her vision. "Then how do you know us?"

"Because you're all over the news?" Her feet try to move, but it's no luck.

"Oh." His voice slows to a stop.

"Whatever. We are bringing you and whatever freaky cloning power you have." Beverly raises her arms enthusiastically while helping her out of the water.

"There's no way in hell." She tries again.

"I didn't ask." Bill appears, draping the girl over his left shoulder. Of course after taking her sight once again.

Young Maria gulps, not even trying to fight back. What's the point? There are twelve of them and five of her. This is her new life, unfortunately. "Oh fuckity."