When I pushed open the exit door, a strong breeze pushed past me, lifting up my hair in the process. Ahh, fresh air, oh how I missed you so! The cool breeze in response embraced me. It was quiet, no danger, no Rejects and most of all, no one else. In the distance, the town of New Haven sparkles. My hometown, it's always so beautiful at night. In the distance, a couple skyscrapers loom over the surrounding buildings. It's so strange to see skyscrapers in a small town. But then again, New Haven is expanding to include new businesses. The likes of which include a large pharmaceutical company called Region Incorporated. Which, I still need to look into Project R. You know, they seem so friendly. But even the most benevolent companies have a shady side. But any who, I need to contact HQ! My body races toward one of the vehicles. My hand grasps the front door's handle and pulls it open with such force to suggest that bison pulled it off. My right hand grasps the radio.

"Hello! Hello! This is Aneira Blaire! Is anyone listening?!" Static greets my ears. I try again.

"Hello! Hello! This is Aneira Blaire! Is anyone listening?! Please respond!" Again static.

"Please! Is there anyone out there? We need help!" But all I hear is static. Is static all I'm going to get? I have to keep trying! I have to get someone! We need help! As I was about to try again, a voice comes on the radio.

"Aneira! Aneira! Are you okay?" Mom! But, how can she hear me?

"Mom! I have to talk to HQ!"

"Honey HQ is closed." What? How can HQ be closed? Especially at a time like this!

"Mom, we need help! Margret is somewhere, SWAT is dead, and I'm..." I stopped. How could I tell mom I'm infected? I don't want her to worry. But if I don't tell her, we may not get help. With a great reluctance the words slip out of my mouth.

"Mom, I'm infected. I was scratched by a Reaper Reject. I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise to you..." Pain starts to swell up again. But this time, it wasn't in my face. It was in my chest.

"Honey. It's okay...."

"There's something else too... mom. There's a mole... the Captain... he's the..." I couldn't take it. The pain is near unbearable. I wanted to scream in agony. To somehow let it out, but I couldn't.

"A mole? The mole. Who told you this?"

"Margret..." I couldn't talk anymore.

"Zaire isn't the mole. There's no way he would break his word to me. Plus, it's kind of odd that Margret would mention something like that. Makes you wonder doesn't it? I've been thinking and I think she might be the mole. The guilty dog barks first. Honey, be careful around her. I'm coming down there so just hang on! I'll be there shortly." Margret? How could she be the mole? She isn't even wearing red! Reapers always wear red! A sigh slips out of my mouth. Mom never listens to me. Man, why does no one ever listen to me? I know I'm a teenager but I still say things that need to be heard. Adults sometimes. If mom won't listen, then I have to go on. I have to get to the bottom of it all. The pain in my chest subsides and I put the radio back. Feebly, I hop out of the jeep but I can't find enough strength to close the door. What's going on? Why do I feel so weak all of a sudden? The virus! The virus must be what is doing this to me! The chest pain, they weren't just some random event. The chest pain is a sign. A birth prang of a hidden monster. I can't turn into one of Rejects. I have to stay alive! I have to... find out everything! Even if, in the end, it kills me. I stumble back to the exit but find my path is blocked. In front of me stands the one whose red appearance strikes me. Not with fear, but sadness.

"A little troubled aren't we?" Aiden struts out from under the shadows. His red eyes focused on me.

"What... do you want?" I say, struggling to get the words out.

"The virus grows in you. It is only a matter of time before you join us. And when you do, you will be a valuable asset to the cause. Although, I can't seem to understand why you resist us so much. Why you try to sabotage an old friend. Enlighten me, the more you talk, the more it spreads." My eyes focus on him. Join him? How utterly delusional is he?

"I would never join you. In fact, I would rather become a Reject than join you." A smile flickers across Aiden's face. A slight chuckle fills the silence between us.

"Joining us is your only alterative, Aneira. Becoming a Reaper in this town is a life of being hunted like prey by many corrupt corporate lapdogs. You can't possibly believe that the Reaper Hunters will accept you, despite your status as a Reaper. I could give you a new home, a new family. We could even be friends again."

"Why do you keep saying... that?! We are not friends! We never were!" But a larger smile flickers across Aiden's face.

"Does Blake Thompson ring a bell?" Blake... no... no! He can't be. He can't be. Blake would never harm people! He would never do anything to harm anyone!

"Blake was an innocent boy, uncorrupted by Region's treachery. My participation in Project R was involuntary. I was kidnapped by the very man I called father. He experimented on me day and night. All because I possessed a virus unknown to humankind. A virus that could be used as a bioweapon against humanity. I broke out and escaped. But I sought revenge. They wanted the virus; they could have it in their very bodies! I infected the entire facility! And washed it clean of Region's treachery!"

"But why take revenge? When has revenge done any good? I can see it in your eyes. You feel guilty! Revenge isn't something good we can do. Instead we should forgive! Forgive Aiden!" But Aiden turns his back on me.

"Someday, you will understand that everything I've done was for the greater good." With that, Aiden disappeared. I couldn't see where he went. Poor Aiden, I wish I could help him. I wish I could talk some sense into him, to bring him back from this dark path. But, I have a mission to accomplish. And I have a very limited time to do it. I walk back inside, unaware of what awaits me.