To Run Away...

                                                                                   Chapter 12

  "So why couldn't we stay with them again?" Ivan asked.

  "Simple, Troy doesn't want you both to stay outside ze city." Pierre explained, "Oh, and because they're always on ze move. They're leaving their encampment tomorrow."

  "Great, so we're walking back to the city, aren't we?"

  "Mmm Hmm."

   Ivan kicked the grass in frustration, "Ugh, we haven't gotten any sleep and now they're telling us to walk back... And why are we taking Maribelle along with us, anyways?"

  "Troy's orders, obviously."

  "But shouldn't she be getting medical attention?" He added, concerned for her safety, "I mean that guy was beating the crap out of her."

   Pierre looked at the little girl, who was lying against Haystack's back with tears in her eyes. She was sobbing quietly as her eyes remained wide open.

  "Non, not with them. They have too many troops to tend-"

  "She's a little girl, you know."

  "Ugh, They're just slap marks, they'll go away."

  "Yeah, but I mean she's traumatized, shouldn't they-"

  "Sorry, but there's no time."

   He sighed, having no choice but to agree, "Fine. Anyways, how long have we been walking?"

  "Thirty minutes, my friend." He answered as the moonlight above blanketed the grass beneath them.

  "And how long will it take until we reach the city?"

  "It will take at least an hour." A female voice said.

  "Uh, Haystack? Did something hit you down there?"

  "Just look." The voice said, making them do so.

   In front of them, was the sight of Maribelle sitting up, her tears dried, and her demeanor changing to that of seriousness.

  "Ah'van? Pierre?" Haystack asked, his mouth gaped, "Wh'ah can she talk... l-l'ahke that?"

  "Simple." She said calmly, "Moon's out."

   Ivan leaned over to Pierre, whispering, "Pierre, do you know what's going on?"

   Maribelle rolled her eyes, "So, do you guys have any names?"

                                                                                    *   *   *

  "Madame Doofenshmirtz!" A politician contacted through an intercom on his desk.

  *Beep!*

  "Ugh... yes?"

  "The department of labor is under attack!"

  "Ugh, why... why call me?" She groaned, "Shouldn't you be calling General Weaver about-"

  "He was at the base, and a spy murdered him."

  "What?!" She shouted, surprised at the bombshell report.

  "He was accompanied by the infiltrators and they managed to not only assassinate Chairman Tanning; but they were able to kidnap subject A1."

   There was a short pause before she went back on the air, "Alright, I'm on my way."

  "Good."

  *Beep!*

                                                                                   *   *   *

  "Well, nice to meet you guys."

  "Yeah, but can you explain wh'ah you could talk l'ahke that?" Haystack asked, urgently.

  "Alright, I was born by two parents that were infected with the body builders' Gabe. What are body builders, you might ask? Well, they're the pills you took-."

   Once he heard 'pills', he stopped her, "We know what-. Wait, how do you know we took some of them?"

  "I can sense it. Tell me, are you feeling a slight headache?"

   Ivan and Haystack began to notice it. The pain in their heads was low as she said, but it was strong enough for her to be right.

  "Huh." Ivan began to gently rub his head, "How did I not know that?"

  "Meh, That happens." She shrugged

  "Hmm, anyhow, what's Gabe?"

  "Let me explain." She ensured them, "Anyways, as I said before, I was born into this world by parents that were infected with the body builders' components called Gabe. It stands for Genetic Altering Body Enhancers, and it's a major ingredient in the body builders.  In further detail, the body builders were created by Roger Doofenshmirtz in order to keep his citizens happy with a revolutionary breakthrough during the tough economic years."

  "Oh, the Ah'rony." Haystack muttered as the two listened intently.

  "You can say that again."

   He glanced at her, surprised on how she was able to hear that, "Huh?"

  "Body builders could be used for many things. Stress relief, increased strength, intelligence, athletic ability. Hell, even sexual performance."

   Ivan chuckled, muttering, "Hmm, a four year old saying 'hell'."

  "I heard that." She chimed in.

  "Oops."

  "You're forgiven." She then returned to the subject, "Unfortunately, many people were starting to feel severe side effects from the 'Revolutionary' product. These side effects ranged from small things like colds, to grave ones like schizophrenia and other diseases."

   Behind her, Haystack was already feeling a bit uncomfortable talking about this. Unfortunately, he had know.

  "This angered the people, and Roger would suffer. Then, his brother Heinz took over, and he granted 'equal rights' to the infected. They were moved to homes with barbed wired fences so they can be isolated from the non-infected. Strangely enough, they're located in the suburbs. So that's where I come in. See, I was born with some of the structures from their body builders. Meaning that this gives the child a head start in intelligence. However, it only happens when something activates it. For example, the moonlight."

  "So does that explain why that guy was slapping you?"

  "Technically yeah, Chairman Tanning wanted some information out of me, and since the moon was out for a brief moment at the time, he decided to interrogate me like I was Rambo or something."

  "So why were you shaken up when we found you?" Pierre asked.

  "I just said that the moon was out for a short time. Thus, when it's deactivated I go back to crying like a child."

   Still, the three had one question on their mind. Neither Pierre or Haystack had the willpower to ask, so after a few awkward gestures at Ivan, the question was asked, "So... how do you know this?"

  "Whaddaya mean?"

  "How do you know all about... about... what you just told us?"

  "Duh, I read about myself and other stuff while I'm in this phase." She retorted, "You thickheads should do the same. You have plenty of time to do so, by the way."

   They were still stuck in disbelief, but carried on, "Well then, go on."

  "Swell, anyways, I want you to have one of the houses."

  "What do you mean?" asked Haystack, "As in Break in?"

   She grinned like a cheery school girl, "Of course, the authorities don't really give a damn about them; so might as well have one."

  "Huh." Ivan wondered, "Sounds like a good deal. A little cruel, but a good deal."

  "Good." She then turned around, "Now let's go."

   Ivan then thought, "Ugh, why the hell did I say that?"

   From then on, they were quiet, letting the warm breeze of the howling wind take the wheel. The moon above them was shining bright as the last of the clouds fled away from the moon. The three were feeling sleepy, yawning sporadically as the night went on. Maribelle on the other hand, was awake; Looking through Haystack's binoculars, watching the clouds head towards the horizon. A few seconds later, he noticed that the dark sky was fading into a brownish color.

  "Huh. We're getting close." She said.

   The news quickly lifted their spirits.

   Haystack was the first to say something, "Close, As in we're reaching the city?"

  "Uh, yeah." She said bewilderedly, wondering if they're dehydrated or not.

  "Yeeeee haaaww!" Haystack was galloping down the grass, happy to finally see signs of civilization.

  "Does 'ze pony do this often?" Pierre asked, with he and Ivan on their trail.

  "No, I barely know the guy!"

  "Haystack?!" Maribelle called, "Haystack! Slow down!"

   But he just couldn't. So she had an idea. She wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed. It was strong enough for the equine to choke once more and fall onto the ground.

  "Ow." He grunted.

  "Slow down, pony."

  "Sorry." He said, feeling ashamed for his actions,

  "It's all right." She then got off and stood beside him while the others caught up.

  "Merde, you surely know how to get a horse, or should I say pony to stop."

  "Thank you very much." She grinned, pleased at the compliment.

  "Anyways, whah did ya stop me?"

   She turned around and sat on his back, "Just head up that hill like we were doing, only walk."

  "Alright?" And so he did, causing the two to follow them without questioning it.

   After walking halfway up, she then gestured them to go prone. Again, they obeyed, no questions asked. After crawling for about a minute and a half before being ordered to stop and take a look past the top.

  "Damn, I got nothing to say to that." Ivan said, surprised at the infantry backed border that divided them from the city.

  "And it's a good thing you stopped ze pony from running towards it." Pierre intoned, looking through an inferred scope, "Minefields are guarding ze outside."

   This made Haystack want to say something, appreciated that she held him from pushing daisies, "Uh, thanks, Maribelle... for that."

  "Don't mention it." She looked through the binoculars, observing their defense positions, "The only way in is by... uh..."

   She leaned towards Pierre and grabbed an EMP grenade from his pocket.

  "What ze hell are you doing?"

  "The obvious." She armed the explosive and tossed it down the hill.

   When it landed on the ground, it would explode and send its electrical charges to deactivate the couple of mines in the area. The explosion then caught the attention of the troops on the other side.

  "Good, they think that the rebels are on the attack." said Ivan.

  "Now we go in." she proceeded in her mental instruction book, "See that gateway?"

   They looked to the left, where she was pointing at.

  "Yeah, I know where this is going."

  "Mmm Hmm." She grinned.

   The gates began to open on its own as five personnel carriers lined up.

  "Cloak, now!" She whispered.

    After doing so, the four ran over towards the entrance; avoiding the mines by running against the minefield.

  "Oh, and keep running." Maribelle recommend they do as they ran through the entrance. She hopped onto Haystack's back and slapped him in the neck, "Giddy up, Horsey!!"

  "Excuse me?" Haystack snarled, "I'm not a horse, missy! I'm a citizen of Eques-"

  "Yeah, yeah, I know."

   The alarm in the narrow base began to buzz as the quartet reached the other side.

  "Over there!" She pointed at a line of bushes, causing them to run towards it. Upon arriving there, they jumped over them and hid between them and the fence.

   The four then uncloaked themselves.

  "You know we could've just contin-."

  "Shhh." She interrupted his statement with a finger to his lips. The little girl then pointed behind them where a squadron of Humvees and infantry went in to reinforce the base, "Just follow my lead."

   He leaned away from her petite finger, "Pfft, obviously. You're the only one who knows where the house's at."

   She rolled her eyes before crawling towards the last bush in the line.

  "Do any of you still find it creepy that a four year old is now our commanding officer?" asked Ivan with eerie in his mind.

  "Psst, I heard that." She hurled back, "Anyways, you should be lucky that I'm in charge, because I'm actually offering you guys a place to stay."

  "She isn't wrong, Ah'van."

  "Alright." He groaned, "I'm just baffled."

  "Well don't be, now let's get moving." She looked both ways before running across the street.

  "I also find it weird that the Gabe was able to give her super hearing powers."

  "Let's not ask." said Pierre.

   The three then darted out of the bushes and followed the little girl. Yet, she was already running over the fence of the third house. This made the trio Bee line towards her instead of following her path.

   Maribelle climbed over another fence before she felt something bite the strap of her dress overall, "Whoa!!"

   Looking up, she noticed that a smirking Haystack had already caught up to her, "Well, you caught me."

   He put her on the ground while the others reached them, "Whah didn't ya wait up?"

   A bright light spread down the street.

   She gasped, "Because of that, now follow me."

    She ran towards the fence that divided the front and backyard of the home. After climbing it, the trio followed. Once the last person set his feet on the ground, the light grew brighter while it pointed at their backs.

  "Uh oh." said Ivan, watching their shadows increase in size.

  "Stop!" The HMG armed soldier called through microphone, "In the name of our motherland!"

  "Run!" Haystack shrieked before machine gun bullets flew over them.

  "Go! Go! Go!" The soldier cried before ceasing fire. The sound of infantry boots hitting the concrete was what followed.

   By then, the four were already on the other side of the back fence.

  "FIRE!!"

  "Duck!" Ivan yelled before bullets were punching through the fence.

   Meanwhile, Maribelle grabbed a grenade from one of Haystack's pockets, armed it, and tossed it over the fence.

   BOOM!

   The quartet then got up and ran to the fence after the little girl ordered them to do so.

   They then climbed over three fences before finally reaching the end of the street. Unfortunately, after climbing over the last one, they wound up setting their feet in front of an outpost located in the center of the intersection; and the sight of that made their mouths drop.

  "Son of a-" Ivan's words were then interrupted by the triggers of the enemy's rifles being pulled.

   Whck!

  "Ow!" Ivan stumbled after a bullet struck him in the hip.

   Fortunately, the others weren't hit by the rounds; and they were able to reach the other side with safety.

  "Ow, ow, ow, ow." Ivan slowed down as he grabbed onto his wound, doing his best to stop the bleeding.

  "Ah'van, you all r'aght?" Haystack said.

  "Yeah. Grrh." Ivan grunted.

  "Of course yer not." He handed him another syringe, "Take it."

  "After them!" One of the soldiers cried.

  "Go." Ivan ordered as he injected himself with the vaccine, "I'll, Nmh, cover you guys."

  "Alraght." He galloped, "And don't lose that, lahke you did with the others."

  "Ugh, why didn't you-"

   The soldiers running towards him would interrupt his question. In reaction, he held his LMG with one hand, and shot a ball of fire out of the other; setting four of them on fire. After spraying a couple rounds at them, he ran off and caught up with his comrades.

  "So, where now?" Ivan panted as they reached the corner of the sidewalk and made a right.

  "Where else?" said Maribelle carrying the obvious answer, "This way, of co-"

  "Tank!" Pierre cried while an M1A1 drove in front of them.

   Boom!

   BOOM!!

   The explosion was strong enough to expand from sidewalk to sidewalk.

   Fortunately, the four barely evaded it by a few feet.

   Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-at...

   Quickly, Maribelle turned left, causing the others to follow. This gave Pierre a chance to fire his revolver.

   BLAM!

   The bullet would cut through the soldier's head.

  "Bullseye." Pierre simpered.

   Boom!

   The sound of the canon fire sparked Ivan to use his dice once again. Therefore, he did, and the ball was able to detonate the missile in mid-air, "We should head into the homes, they won't fire there!"

  "Agree." The little girl then led the three into the backyard of the home nearby.

  "Hold on!" Maribelle lifted both her hands, signaling them to stop. She then walked over to her right and reached a visible lantern sitting against the wall. Turning it on, the light would reveal an RPG sitting right beside it.

  "Uh, uh... How, did you know this?"

  "A better question is, why is it here?" Pierre brought up.

  "Don't know, and I won't ask. All I know is is that I remember Davey sleeping here one night and the RPG was there." She then looked at Haystack, "Alright Haystack, you hold onto it."

  "Whah, b-but whah me?"

   Ivan rolled his eyes, thinking, "Really? Again?"

  "You're stronger than all of us here, so yeah, that's why?"

  "B-but can they at least tell them to carry-"

  "Sorry, we have no holsters, but those saddlebags you have are useful."

  "What?" He then groaned, "Oh, alraght."

   After loading two rockets in each of them, they ran off and continued their evasion, but not before Haystack grabbed a tape recorder that was lying nearby. Upon climbing down the last fence, they encountered the tank from before.

  Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at!

   The bullets from the HMG fired at them.

  "Looks like they know that they need to take us alive." Pierre said as they ran across the street, bullets flying past them.

  "Yep." said Haystack.

   Rat-at-at-at-at-at!

                                                                                       *   *   *

  "Wow, Isenburg." The driver of the tank laughed, "You're a terrible shot."

  "Oh, shut up, Green!"  The soldier growled, "It's late at night, and the wind is out!"

  "Calm down, man!" He began to drive down the street, "Just messin' with ya. Now-"

   Clang! Clink! Clink!

   The soldier was back inside with bullet holes in his body.

  "Ah come on, another?!"

   BOOM!

  "Whoa!" He shouted as the interior rumbled as if it were in an earthquake.

                                                                                      *   *   *

  "Nice shot." Ivan said, appreciated by his companion's successful.

  "Heh, thanks, you weren't so bad yerself."

  "Yep, now let's get out of here." Ivan stood on his feet and ran.

  "Yes sir." He began to follow.

   When they met up with the others, Maribelle would order them to head into another backyard to their right.

  "Damn, could this get any worse." moaned Haystack.

   She opened the fence door.

  "There they are!"

  "Son of a bitch!"

   Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at...

   She yelled them to duck before closing the door. Once the shooting stopped, she ordered them to retreat to the backyard and head to the right. They ran over four fences before reaching one more.

   While Maribelle was given a boost, she said, "Oh thank god we're-"

  "Fire!!!"

   "Put me down!"

    Pierre brought her down before the bullets could hit her.

  "Let me guess, another convoy?" said Haystack.

   She nodded in disappointment.

  "Dag nammit!!"

   Then, there was a whistling sound. This caused them to look in the direction it came from. Their eyes would lead them to a man who was standing in front of an open door.

  "Hey, over here!" He shouted, waving his hand simultaneously.

   She knew that it was either seek refuge with them, or deal with more waves of troops. So, having no other choice, she gestured them to follow her into the home.

   Slam!

   Uncomfortable with the current environment, Ivan asked, "Uh, can you turn on the light?"

   Click!

   The light would reveal a living room filled with Doofanian troops.

  Cl-click!

  "Better?" The man said, wrapping his arm around Maribelle and pointing a pistol at her head.

   This would be followed by the soldiers getting up and pointing their guns at them.

  "Heh heh." Maribelle chuckled in embarrassment, "Silly me, heh heh."

  "Yeah." Ivan groaned, "Silly you."