3 Years Later

The feeling of air beneath you is something you can't forget. The change of being grounded to free falling in the middle of space is such a jarring contrast that it can almost be addicting. The rush of wind, the lost of breath, the feeling of weightlessness.

All of them added up to something I used to chase as a child. Swinging high into the sky before jumping off of my seat. Laughs leaving me from lift off to the quick crash into the ground. I still remember the feeling of my hair flowing about behind me and the bite of gravel as I landed. I wonder if I kept doing it to feel like I was flying?

Whatever reason I used to have was now gone with time.

The idea of even letting my feet off the floor was terrifying. The uncertainty of my own safety was enough to stop chasing the feeling. I needed to be grounded, needed to be stable, needed to be in control of where my body was.

I don't have a choice now.

Achingly, I crawled towards the ledge. Pulling with what little strength I had left and feeling my gut drop at how far ground level was. I can almost feel how my skull will shatter upon impact. Nick's body was replaced by Jake, the two agreeing on switching places.

"Go now!" Nick barked as I jolted from the sudden shout. Barely able to regain my holding which led to my body to completely freeze in terror.

I never was terrified of heights but now, I couldn't help but sympathize with those who did.

"What are you waiting for?!"

"F.u.c.k it!" Jake yelled back, his voice cracking despite trying to seem courageous. With a sorry glance, he stood up on the edge. My eyes widened as his body flew, soaring through the air and soon thudding on the roof beneath us. I watched as he rolled to a stop before running as far away from the edge as possible. His head tilted upwards like he was waiting for me.

'Well?'

"God shut up!"

'You Have To Choose, Shaina.' The voice sneered back, drowning out the sound of Nick screaming at me and the constant thuds of bodies hitting metal. I shook my head, trying to clear it, yet fear seemed to always have a strong hold. It's claws gripping tight to me that I can barely move to breathe.

'You've Got No Time For This.'

"Shut up!"

'You Must Go!'

"I can't!"

The voice growled yet I couldn't help the sobs. I was just terrified of what'll happen to me. What if I can't push myself far enough? What if I hit the side instead and fall down? What if I never jump and get eaten alive? Tears ran down my face the outside air chilled it.

For a second, I was surprised with how much the building was rumbling. Feeling the vibrations deep in my bones. My nails bending with how tight my grip was on the ledge. It felt like any second would lead to me getting tossed off the edge when I realized it was my own body shaking out of pure fear.

'If You Don't, You Will Die Like A Dog.' It sneered but I couldn't help but shake my head. Heat rising on my shoulders as I found it hard to breath.

"I can't…"

'You Must'

"Don't make me!"

'I Will Not Allow You To Die Now. You Must go. NOW!'

In one quick shove, I felt the floor beneath me give way. The sudden feel of my lungs depleting as my eyes widened with the sudden realization of my ascension. A loud scream erupted out of me as each of my limbs flailed. Hurrying themselves to find something, anything, to grab hold of but it was too late. I was free falling faster than I could comprehend.

As I fell, my body twisted. Turning to look back of where I flew off and expecting to see Nick's figure falling shortly after mine. His hands still outstretched and an angry look on his features for having to push me to move, yet again. However, he wasn't there. Empty space was all that was left causing a new spike of fear to hit me just as I hit the roof. The wind knocking out of my lungs as my slid, my side throbbing with pain.

Did… did that voice push me? How on earth did it push me?

"F.u.c.k dude," Jake worried, sliding over to me and dragging my form away from the ledge. Each tug led me to gasp for air.

A loud THUD resounded behind us as Nick's familiar heavy stomps herald his arrival. Without a single word, he hooked his arm around mine as both boys got me to the other end of the square roof. Propping me back to back to the railing.

"Check for entrances." he barked as Jake started to pad around the tiles. His attention turned to me, eyes scanning my form as a frown cracked his lips.

"How's your head, B?"

"Huh?"

"Still breaking?"

I could only shake my head at his question, confusion overriding any previous emotions I had before. A deep breath racked through his body, tongue darting out at the bleeding parts of his lips, as nothing but a nod was his reply back. Both of us turning as Jake returned, relieved but still visibly shaken up.

"Nothing," he started panting, "No entrances, no nothing."

Nick nodded, approving the newly found information, as he began to slip his equipment off. Soon plopping down next to me with his arms over his eyes as a bellowing groan left his throat. The noise rumbling and deep in sound.

"Get over here. We'll have to wait for the shit to pass through."

"There… wouldn't they be jumping down here soon enough?"

Jake was jumpy, his fingers that wasn't giving his rifle a choke hold was shaking beyond use. Shifting his weight from side to side as he refused to release his gaze on the building we were just at. The ever present thudding against the door was loud and clear, Nick somehow able to barricade it before jumping down.

"We'll jump when we need to."

He was still reluctant. Deep creases formed on his face as he watched on with worry, one hand tugging at his beard in an almost painful manner. He didn't even look away when I tugged at his pant's leg. Trying to urge him to come sit down, to take this small break that we were graciously gifted with.

The distant chorus of angered groans and sneers were being carried away as the morning air came back. My eyes threatening to shut closed but my fear of what'll happen was enough to keep me awake but just barely. The sudden excursion and my wounds opening up again was starting to take a toll. If we had to run again, I don't think I'll be able to follow.

With that, a loud CLANG erupted above us. All three of our heads shooting up just as bodies began to pour out from the roof. Immediately, the two boys jumped to action. Grabbing at bags and weapons and turning to the other side. Turning to get ready for one last jump.

I barely had the energy to observe them.

Thankfully, each body splattered past our tiny, open shelter. A waterfall of corpses spewing next to us and covering the groans with the sounds of bodies hitting the floor. Jake let out a sigh as his body slammed back against the railing.

"Oh thank f.u.c.k we're okay. Holy f.u.c.k...." He practically cried, sliding down next to me and flashing a smile. Relief emanating throughout his body that I couldn't help but lean into him. Glad that we were safe enough that I felt okay to close my eyes. Supporting myself on my old friend. His gloved hand sliding to my head and giving it a gentle pat. Fingers running through my short hair as Nick let out a click in his tongue.

"Jake?" He started, his footsteps sounding back and forth indicating his pacing, "Please tell me you don't see that thing in the sky yeah?"

"Huh…?" Jake replied, his voice rumbling and quiet as if not to wake me.

A moment of silence passed before a confused hum came out of him. His hand, his body, all slipped away causing me to peak an eye open. Seeing his form step forward as both boys stared up at the sky, their hands over their eyes for shade.

I couldn't tell what they were looking at now. My body screaming for rest that I almost allowed myself to pass out right then and there… Had it not been the sudden appearance of a new sound. A sound that I haven't heard in a while. A sound that I only heard before Z day.

The batting of helicopter blades as it started to draw closer.

"You've got to be joking…" Jake whimpered as Nick dropped to a knee next to him. His bag practically thrown down as his burly arms began to dig through it. Suddenly large handfuls of items were being chucked out as he quickened his search. Pill bottles, knives, fabrics, and bullets all flew about. Bouncing on the floor and some nearly hitting me. Cursing slowly started to grow in volume the longer he went at it. Desperation reading on his very stature.

Jake began to feed off his energy. Tightening the straps to his equipment before grabbing my hand. Suddenly pulling me up only to yelp as my legs buckled, pain erupting causing a loud cry to leave me.

"F.u.c.k dude!"

"Holy shit, oh f.u.c.k!" I hissed back as my hands pressed back to my hip in hopes that the sting will go away. "Jesus f.u.c.k! I can't move like this f.u.c.k."

"Did your wounds reopen?"

"You f.u.c.k.i.n.g think?!"

"Shut up!" Nick barked back as we both looked at him. His hands deep within his hair as hair ties and beads were thrown out of it. A mane slowly started to form as he took his other hand to wrap other bits and bobbles instead. Somehow, it looked as though he was changing.

"The hell are you doing?! We gotta get going!" Jake yelled back but this produced nothing but curses from the targeted person.

"You tell me, who has a better chance? Us roof jumping away from an armed helicopter? Or us waiting for them to land and take us? Though I don't think they'll be happy to see me either way..." Nick hissed back, soon pushing at his jacket and shirt revealing more of scars as he did.

Jake fumed.

Propping me back onto the railing and as he stalked right up to our other companion. I could see steam pealing off his form by the time he grabbed Nick's shoulders to glare at him. His words coming with heavy heat.

"Are you saying that those people f.u.c.k.i.n.g know you dude?! What the f.u.c.k!" He yelled but was tossed back with one quick shove.

"You stay back there! I've got to look the part for my old crew."

"Crew-"

"Shut up Jake. The less you talk the better for all of us."

The batting helicopter slowly began to draw near, the wind picking about around us as my heart started to beat something fierce again. The doors sliding open as two figures, both frowning down at us, stared as they grew closer.

I could feel my hands shake but there was nothing I could do about it.