To Run Away...

Chapter 14

   Ivan's eyes lit open as the sound of a trumpet knocked on his eardrums. "What the-"

  "Good Morning, Comrades!" The announcer said, happy as usual. "Hope you had a good night sleep, because today's a new day!"

   He sat up, looking at the now clear window. "Yeah, because we needed the reminder."

   Haystack was next to wake up, still feeling a bit weary from sleep. "Ugh, good mornin', Ah'van."

  "Morning to you too, pal." Ivan said, working through his drowsiness in order to crack a smile, "How-"

  "Here are your morning news."

   The pause gave him time to say. "How'd ya-"

  "We are now assigning engineers from factory E3 to join our troops in defending the subway stations. We are in need of more defenses to prevent attacks like the one last night..."

Thud.

   The door was now open, with Pierre on the other side. "Ugh, why didn't you lower 'ze volume."

   He then walked over to the wall where the radio was attached to, and did what he hoped the two did hours ago.

  "Sorry Pierre." Ivan apologized. "Didn't know that."

  "Meh, it's all right. Now get ready, Troy will be calling at any... oh right. Our walkie talkies were confiscated last night."

  "Yep, so, any plan B's." suggested Ivan.

   Pierre began to think until an idea spawned up. "There's a resistance cell in the central part of 'ze suburbs. We can use that as refuge, and best of all, a way to contact Troy."

  "Huh, sounds like a good idea."

  "Yes it is. Now get ready, we're departing from the home in no time."

  "Yes sir." said Haystack, standing on all four legs.

  "Say, where's the baby?"

   The question made him frown. "'Ze baby's dead."

  "Huh?" gasped Haystack.

  "I'm telling 'ze truth. Now it's just a pile ash."

   Ivan was then the first to have a say. "Hmm, condolences. Anyways, go wake Maribelle up. We can't leave her behind."

  "Will do." and with that, Pierre was off to wake the little girl from her sleep.

  "Ah'van, whah aren't ya sad about it?" asked Haystack, moping.

  "Whaddaya mean?"

  "'Ah mean the baby dah'd."

  "Hmm, there's no point in being sad. I barely new the little guy... or girl."

   He then got out of bed, put on his boots and left the room.

   Pierre in the meantime, was now in front of the door where her room was at. He knew that by now, her abilities were already erased for the time being. However, that created a new question.

   So, he opened the door to the sight of Maribelle still sleeping. Thus, making him go on over to her in a quiet manner.

  "Maribelle." He said softly while shaking her gently. "It's time to wake up."

   Her eyes would open quickly. Unfortunately, it would be followed by an earthquake that would overwhelm her body. Pierre quickly recognized that feeling, so he had to do the obvious.

  "It's okay. You're in good hands."

   His deep voice only made her disregard everything he said, deepening her fears even more.

  "Come on, I'm not going to hurt you."

   The little girl then shook her arm free from his hand and lied on her belly. This was making Pierre get a little frustrated.

  "Ugh, come on!"

   She squealed as tears were starting to seep out of her eye.

  "Is everythin' alr'aght?" A familiar voice said, raising her spirit.

   Pierre groaned. "You try. Ugh, I'm not good with children anyways."

   Haystack was the first to volunteer.

   Maribelle heard his hooves clop, making her feel less afraid.

  "It's okay Maribelle." He rested his hoof on her arm. "It'll be alr'aght."

   The girl didn't move, but she did ask this in her head. "W-who is he?"

  "If you get up and out of bed, you'll find out."

  "Uh, o-okay." She then turned around and sat up.

  "Good." He grinned. "Now..."

   He looked around for the spy, only this time, he was no where in sight.

  "Uh, Ah'van?" He asked. "Where's Pierre?"

  "In the kitchen." Ivan said, standing against the doorway.

  "Gentlemen!" Pierre called. "You might want to see this!"

   Those few words made Ivan run over there in a snap. Haystack on the other hand, stayed behind. "C'mon Maribelle, hop on."

   He turned around, presenting his back in front of her.

   Smiling at his offer, she complied and the two exited out the room.

   Meanwhile, Ivan and Pierre continued to look at the refrigerator's interior. Their mouths were hanging at the sight in front of them.

  "Looks like there will be no breakfast." said Pierre, regaining his composure.

  "Yeah, I guess so."

   Then Haystack jumped in. "Hey Ah'van, what's-"

  "Don't go any further!" Ivan ordered.

   The stallion halted in his tracks, leaving he and the girl in confusion. "Wh'ah?"

  "One word, 'heads'."

   That word was enough to give him the idea.

  "But since you're there, can you do us a favor and get the satchel for us?"

  "On it sir." He then trotted into the room.

  "Huh, looks like they'll do whatever it takes to live then." said Ivan.

  "Yes they will." He closed the fridge. "This is what Danville has become of."

  "Yeah. Come on Haystack, Maribelle!"

  "Comin'!" He then remembered the word. "Can 'ah?"

  "It's closed."

  "Oh, good."

   They then approached the duo. Maribelle would hide behind Haystack's head upon looking at the ski masked man.

  "So, how the hell are we going to get outta here?" Ivan asked.

   Then a spark of memory hit his brain, he reached into his pocket and got out a note.

  "Maribelle wrote this too me while you were asleep."

   The claim was starting to make Maribelle's head hurt as Pierre handed Ivan the note. "P-pony?"

  "Yeah?" He whispered.

  "My head hurts." She whinnied. "Aah."

  "Well, looks like we're going to blow up the wall then."

  "Grab 'ze C4 from 'ze room."

  "Yes sir." He then ran down the hall and searched for the explosive.

  "Pierre?"

  "Yes?"

  "She just told me that-"

  "I'm all better now."

  "Huh? But ah thought-"

  "No, it's okay, I'm fine."

  "Uh, are ya-"

   She nodded.

  "Alr'aght."

   And at that moment, Ivan came back with the C4, "Got it."

  "Good, let's move on now."

   He ran out the door, causing the others to follow without question. However, that didn't stop Haystack from taking a good look at the closed fridge. The news that the baby is dead, and the fact that there are human heads in there, was enough to creep him even more.

  "This is a very creepy city." said Haystack, trotting out the door. "Am 'ah r'aght, Maribelle?"

   The girl couldn't say anything but, "Um..."

   The quietness made the stallion talk, "Uh, don't worry, you don't have to ans-Umph."

   He looked in front of him noticing that Ivan was there.

  "Uh, wh'ah haven't ya..." He looked around, noticing the black painted words on the wall, scaring him a little more. "..det.."

  "Wow, that phrase really flies around here, just like the word, 'YOLO'."

  "I hate that phrase." said Pierre. "But you have to admit it, it isn't wrong."

  "Uh..." said Haystack. "W-wh'ah haven't ya d-detonated the e-explosive?"

  "Whoa man, it's just words." Ivan said, annoyed about his current fear. "Teh, nothing scary. Anyways, we're about to blow it up now, so stand back."

  "Oh, uh, ok." He took a few steps backwards. "Maribelle?"

  "Uh, yes?"

  "H'ahde in here." He reached into his saddlebag and opened it. "You'll be safe."

  "Okay pony." She then left from the saddle, and hopped into the bag as if it were a chute.

  "Oh yeah, and c-cover your ears. It's g-goin' to g-get loud."

  "Yes pony." She nodded.

  "Oh, and c-call me Haystack."

  "Oh, ok... Haystack." She grinned with a hint of worry on her face.

  "Alright, get ready!" Ivan ordered.

   Haystack closed the saddlebag and covered his eyes as the others did the same.

   Then, with a press of the detonator, the C4 blew a hole into the concrete wall.

  "Cloak!" Then, they ran through the hole and did so... except Haystack, who was now galloping towards the bridge.

   Annoyed by the sight, they uncloaked and ran after him.

  "Haystack, what in bloody hell are ya doing!?"

  "Keeping her safe of course!" He shouted.

  "Son of a bitch." Ivan muttered before the two went after them.

  "Hey, Joey." A soldier said, tapping his friend's shoulder with his finger, "Look."

   He pointed to the far left, where Haystack was at.

  "Well I'll be." Joey gasped, "It's one of the infiltrators, open fire!!"

Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at...

   The sound of the HMG, was enough to worry the hell out of the two.

  "God damn it!" Ivan muttered, "He's gonna be a goner."

  "Ah'm not goin' to be goner, Maribelle, n'ahther are you!" He reached back and got out of grenade. Biting its blade, he jumped into the air and tossed it at the bridge.

BOOM!

  "Looks like he isn't." said Pierre.

   The two then armed their grenade launchers and lined their shot.

Ka-thwop! Ka-thwop!

BOOM! BOOM!

  "Eeak!!" Maribelle cried, the sound of the explosions continuing to scare her.

  "It's okay, Maribelle!" Haystack comforted. "It'll be over!"

   He charged towards the disarrayed soldiers and mowed them down with one magazine.

  "Clear!" He called.

  "Damn it, Haystack." said Ivan. "Why did you run like... oh right."

  "Yeah." said Haystack, recognizing his error while he reloaded. "We're not like you humans. You should know that."

   Then, a police siren wailed in the distance.

  "Ugh, looks like we're going to face more of them." Ivan groaned. "Prepare your guns. If we're going to get to that cell, we're gotta carjack again."

   He ran forward, making the others do the same.

   After reaching the end of the street, they spotted another wave of enemies blocking their way.

  "Fire!"

   They fired another couple rounds. In that time, they were able to shoot down the men on the driver's seat of the squad car before using the vehicle as cover.

  "Haystack, take out that HMG!!" Ivan yelled.

  "On it!"

   Meanwhile, Ivan put his DICE to work by igniting five soldiers in front of them.

  "Bullseye." Ivan mumbled.

  "Ah'van, 'ah took him out!"

  "Good, now push forward!" The three advanced towards the Humvee, preparing to commandeer it.

  "Cover me!" Pierre opened the door. "I'm driving!"

  "Yes sir!"

   He hopped into the vehicle, crawling his way towards the driver's seat.

   One of the soldiers quickly found out about the plan and ran towards the seat to stop him.

Rat-at-at-at-at!

  "Aaah!! The soldier groaned, embracing the result of his unplanned tactic to retake the seat.

  "Phew, Close one."  After that, he managed to sit up and grab the door... only to be caught by four more soldiers who managed to reach him.

  "Don't think-"

Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at!

   Looking behind, he noticed that Ivan had managed to reach the HMG.

  "Thanks, my friend!" He then shouted.

  "Don't mention it! Now let's get to that cell!"

   Nodding, he turned the vehicle on and began to drive as Ivan provided cover fire.

  "Pierre, how long will we get there?" asked Haystack.

  "Don't know! Just keep 'ze girl safe!"

  "As usual."

   They were able to deal with the convoy before driving away. It took at least five minutes before they were able to reach their location; and with good fortune, they did it without being detected. Upon reaching the destination, Pierre pushed the brake and turned the vehicle off.

  "We're here." He opened the door. "Now, let's get out."

  "Agreed." Ivan hopped off the ringmount and waited for the others near the porch.

  "Knock."

   Ivan nodded.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

   The others caught up and waited along side him. During that time, it was nothing but silence until they heard the slow creaking sound of the door. The noise would make Haystack's saddlebag shake.

  "It's okay Maribelle." He comforted. "It's goin' to be-"

  "Come in." A deep feminine voice said.

  "Eep!" She squeaked.

  "Don't worry."

   The quartet then walked inside, where it was all empty.

  "So, you're the only one in this cell?" asked Ivan.

  "Of course not. Follow me."

   The four were then led upstairs. There, they met five men, all in camouflage.

  "Alone, huh?" said one of them.

  "How long have you g'ahs been here?" Asked Haystack.

  "Eighteen years." replied one of the fighters.

  "Eighteen years?"

  "Yep. The resistance wasn't that formidable."

   He leaned forward to get a good look at Maribelle. However, she was quick to lean back once she noticed his eyes.

   The man then leaned back. "How long have you known the little girl?"

  "Since the first day we were here."

  "And when was that?"

  "Yesterday."

  "Oh yeah, you guys are what the Doofs call. 'The infiltrators'. Heh, Jackasses."

  "Yep."

   In one of the rooms, Pierre, and the cell leader were now contact Troy.

  "Damn." She muttered, slamming the phone onto its mount. "I thought the phone service would be back online by now."

  "He must be helping someone else. Try again."

  "Dammit Pierre, I've tried like ten times already! That's more than the patches I've earned as a Fireside girl!"

  "Yes, but now you're a firestorm girl, so keep trying!"

  "Grrrr!"

   As they struggled to receive contact, Ivan sat alone in another room. There, he was looking outside where it was nothing but cloudiness and wind. He then let out a sigh as he marveled at the sight while a small tune was playing in his head. It was a soft one, and he always liked it; mainly because it made him feel warm and fuzzy inside as any soft song would do. He always thought that it was a perfect time to listen to them while the skies were cloudy. It just felt right when that happened.

  "Ahvan? Ahvan!"

  "Huh? What?" He looked at the door, where Haystack was standing there. "Ugh, yes?"

  "Troy's callin'."

   He sighed, "Ugh, Coming."

   Haystack nodded.

  "Oh, and put him on speaker."

  "Ivan, my man! How's it going?" He greeted.

  "Not good man, not good." He replied, annoyed by his view of the situation.

  "Yeah, but as they say, The soldier doesn't sleep until the job is done."

  "Since when did they say that?"

  "Don't know, but I heard it somewhere. Anyways,, I'd like you to meet-"

  "Pierre?"

  "Uh, yeah. H-"

  "He told me."

  "Oh, yeah... he's under your command now until your job's done, by the way."

   This made Ivan look at Pierre, who shrugged at the outdated news report.

  "Ok."

  "So, with that said and done, time for your next mission."

  "Great. What is it now?"

  "Did the Humvee disappear?" asked Pierre.

  "Yeah, but I don't think we're going to need it."

  "Clearly you do." said the woman.

  "Whaddaya mean?"

  "If you just found out, there are no cars here. We're all forced to wait for the bus. Can't go anywhere unless we take it of course. That's why we've got these guys going." She pointed at a couple wearing the black overalls. "At least one person has to work, so they do it."

  "So we're going to need the Humvee?"

   She nodded.

  "Alright then, let's get over there." He looked behind him, "C'mon Haystack, Maribelle, before more troops arrive!"

  "Ok sir."

   They nodded.

  "You might want to leave the little girl behind."

   Maribelle was shocked, knowing that they were talking about her.

  "If children are found away from school, especially alongside resistance fighters, they'll be killed on sight."

   This made the four worry.

  "It's for the best that she stays with me." She held on to the little girl's hand. "Good lu-"

   However, she began to cry, reaching her hand out as she resisted the pull.

  "Maribelle, y-you can't go... with them." said the lady, "It's too... d-dangerous.. gee she's strong!"

   Even though he was saddened by the sight, Haystack knew he had to say something. "Uh, sorry Maribelle. Y-you... can't come."

   This made more tears stream out of her eyes.

   Haystack on the other hand, stood up and did his best to ignore it as he trotted towards the door, "Goodb'ah."

   After closing the door behind them, they were able to hear her cry for the Equine's name. It was enough for Haystack to feel afraid.

  "Damn, well, let's go." said Pierre, feeling a little bad about it himself.

  "Ah'van?" asked Haystack.

  "Yeah?"

  "Is this place scaring you?"

  "Yes and No."

  "Whaddaya mean?"

  "No, because this is so common with us humans and yes because... because... actually it's just no."

  "Oh." He replied, disappointed that he was the only one. With Maribelle's cries for unity in his mind, he whispered. "What the hay's goin' on?"