Brian returned to the house in the afternoon and the following day, offering to keep Vanessa company. She helped him clean up the debris in the yard from the storm. The more time she spent with him, the more she could understand the town and plant seeds of doubt in his mind.

Vanessa took breaks between his visits, as he often left her when her coughing fits became more frequent. The virus was peculiar and unpredictable, but as long as she rested, she could manage it enough to remain functional.

On Monday afternoon, Vanessa waited in the kitchen for Jody. The old floorboards creaked as Jody entered, appearing frail. Even in Vanessa's weakened state, Jody seemed like an easy target. Yet, she carried the strength of the town.

"Vanessa, how are you feeling this afternoon?" Jody asked. She propped her cane against the table and held onto a chair. "You look much stronger today."

"Nice of you to check in on me. I'll be ready to head out in the morning."

Jody's head slumped, disappointment in her expression. She pulled out a chair and sat beside Vanessa. Jody reached for her arm, and she immediately tried to pull back, but Jody insisted. She pressed the scar above where her plate used to be.

"It is good to hear you are feeling better, but you must come to terms with reality. The plate has disintegrated."

Feeling uncomfortable with Jody's forwardness, Vanessa pulled away by standing up. To hide her action, she filled two glasses of water and sat back down, offering one to Jody.

"The plate can be replaced. I need to get back to the city," Vanessa insisted.

"My son, he was the same as you. He had the same symptoms. I was ignorant back then. I did what any mother would, and I called for help, and all the Agency did was rush him to a city hospital and fill him with drugs until he died. I tried to get permission to see him, and by the time it was approved, it was already too late."

"I am sorry to hear that's what happened, but this is not the same. I need to leave..."

Jody held up her hand to stop her, "You are young, and the Agency hides things from you. You are a guest in this town as long as you live, and only after the illness has taken you will we report you. I will not let what happened to my son happen to another agent."

Hearing the words from Jody was confronting. Vanessa was no stranger to threats, but this was unexpected.

"Come," Jody said as she pushed herself up. "I understand this is difficult to digest. Let's go for a stroll; give you the opportunity to enjoy the town."

Vanessa complied; now was not the time to resist. She followed Jody as she gathered her cane and moved slowly to the empty road. Vanessa chose to remain silent, allowing Jody to take the lead.

"Quite a storm last night," Jody remarked as they walked past a park. When Vanessa didn't respond, Jody added, "I understand it's not easy to accept what I've told you."

"I find it peculiar that your son would have been allowed to visit you, especially here. Conscripts were usually kept away from their parents."

"I'm sure you would have made a fine detective had you not gotten caught up in all of this."

Vanessa found the remark unusual, but she pressed on with her questions. "Was he conscripted?"

Jody chuckled. "You agents can't look past conscription—the war. Conscription is only legal because of the war. This battle to rid the nation of religion ended with kids like you being forced into slavery."

Vanessa glanced at Jody, insulted by the comment. "I am no slave."

"Not while you are here in my community." Jody sighed as she slowed, taking a moment to rest, leaning on her cane. "My son was not meant to be a conscript. My husband worked for the Agency in middle management. He was what you folks now call a career agent. Working for the Agency usually protected employees' families from conscription."

Thinking back to her parents, Vanessa commented, "Not in my experience."

Jody continued at a slow pace. "We were trying for a baby without success. His executive offered to put us forward for an IVF program managed by Madicorp that wouldn't cost us anything."

"Why would you trust Madicorp? Even back then, the experiments were well known."

"We trusted the Agency; they were our family. The program was nearly half a year's salary. I assumed it was a bonus. I went through the procedure, and everything was successful. But soon after he was born, we were instructed to take our son to Madicorp for the implant. Back then, we didn't know what this was. Then, when he was six, I received the conscription letter."

Jody paused outside of an old brick house that had a well-maintained garden. She sat on the brick fence, taking a moment to breathe.

"Are you ok?" Vanessa asked.

"The humidity is a bit much for me today." Jody sighed as she leaned back and pulled a small fruit from the tree.

"Should I walk you home?"

"No, no. I'll be fine. Olive trees became a hot commodity after the borders closed."

"This must be Brian's house."

"Brian told you he had one?" Jody chuckled softly. "He is proud of it, as he should be. He preserves them and soaks them in brine. Not something you can get in the city."

"How did you get one?"

"David Leeton gave me one as an apology, I think."

Vanessa gauged Jody's expression, wondering whether these were made-up stories or if there was something more to what happened.

"You seem surprised," Jody remarked.

"What would he be apologising for? Conscription still happens today."

"It was not for conscription; it was what happened to my husband and I after. See, at a social event, I confronted David's predecessor, Charles Ramsgate. He told me that I had been misinformed about the IVF program. It was essentially a way for them to breed genetically enhanced agents, and my son was always going to be conscripted, as were all children born through the program.

"Of course, the program was in its infancy, and there were problems. My son, Peter, was sick all the time. My husband asked for a reassignment; he wanted to be closer to Peter, and instead, we were sent here."

"This life does not look like a punishment to me. They only sent those they trusted to the community towns."

"Except this town was the most vulnerable to enemy attacks. I pushed for relocation back to the city, and that's when accusations arose claiming that a rebel faction was growing here. As a result, they assigned Peter here; they wanted him to act as a runaway to prove that my husband and I had turned into rebels. Peter told us this, but when he arrived, he was sick. I tried everything, and I remember touching his arm, and it felt like the elemental plate was disintegrating."

Jody pushed herself back up. "Come," she said, "let's continue that way." Jody appeared to be leading them to a building adjacent to the main road.

"And how did David Leeton fit into all of this?"

"After Charles was stood down, David visited the families who were victims of the programs. I think he was trying to win back support from communities and ex-employees. He was advocating to stop the experimentation projects altogether. Even married a conscript."

Vanessa glanced up at Jody, concerned with how much she knew. It was not public information. She wondered if, in different circumstances, Jody may have served as an ally. However, disclosing her identity was not going to change Jody's mind.

"It's not something I've heard, but I guess they say love knows no bounds," Vanessa remarked.

"There was no love in that relationship," Jody said as she halted outside a building covered with peeling white paint.

"If you are saying he married an agent, why else would he do it? Even in his position, the risk to them both was great."

"His wife was the lone survivor of an experiment. My husband was aware of this from his work, and David came here to beg forgiveness for what happened and to ask for our silence on the matter. But there was no love in that marriage; that was clear. He was saving her from Madicorp, and she took the opportunity."

Vanessa's parents fought, but she also remembered seeing them show affection and care for each other. But at the end of the day, their relationship was nobody's business, and perhaps they maintained that in public.

Vanessa looked up at the building's entry; the door was wide open. Inside appeared to be rows of chairs. Vanessa trailed behind Jody as they made their way up the small wooden staircase, and inside, she was shocked to see an altar.

"Is this a church?" Vanessa questioned.

"You need to understand, Vanessa, that when you feel isolated and lose the things that matter most to you, you need something to believe in to help you get through each day. It's not about religion or terrorism; it's about finding a place where you can hold onto a belief. We may not know exactly what we believe, but we have faith that things can improve."

In the entryway was a notice board; all the documents pinned on it were handwritten. One referenced a service to be held on Sunday morning. But necklaces were also nailed to the wall, their crosses on display. They looked just like the one she'd seen a photo of in Laura's case file.

"Interesting necklaces. Where did you get them?"

She expected the answer to be that it was found in storage or buried in the ground like other accounts. But when Jody replied, "We make them," Vanessa was shocked.

"Ah, it's interesting because I saw a similar one in a community town south of Windfield." Vanessa knew speaking out against Jody wouldn't help her position, but she couldn't hold back. "Isolating your community and cultivating belief will not help things get better. This is how the war started."

When Jody turned her back, Vanessa took a thumbtack from the board and slipped it into her pocket. Vanessa noticed a small group of people standing by the last row. They nodded and smiled, offering greetings to Jody.

Jody turned to face her and said, "I am fighting the system because this system is not what it should be. The more knowledge I share, the harder it will be for them to take control."

Vanessa raised her voice and replied, "You're in a community town, Jody. You have no power. Towns can be repopulated and repurposed."

One of the bystanders gasped.

"City people often use fear as a weapon. People fight because they believe in something, not out of fear. That's where our government underestimated its enemies." Jody gestured for Vanessa to turn back down the stairs. "You can't intimidate my flock. I know they've conditioned you, and you believe what you're saying is correct. But in reality, it is harmful."

Vanessa tensed her jaw, resisting the urge to speak. It was a difficult position to be submissive. In the city, she was expected to take charge, but here, she had to act as if she weren't a threat.

They walked back to the house, and Jody continued to talk, trying to justify her decision to take her people down a dangerous path. Vanessa ignored her, instead focusing on the details of the town, where things were and who was around. An escape plan was her priority, not Jody's stupidity.

At the house, Jody sat at the kitchen table, her face flushed and glistening with sweat, overwhelmed by the heat. Vanessa leaned against the counter and asked, "What did you know about Director Leeton?"

Jody paused before responding, "What is there to know? He did his job and was much more respectful than his predecessor."

"You said there was no love in his relationship. What made you think that?"

Jody seemed perplexed by Vanessa's interest in the topic but continued, "If you saw them together, you would understand."

"I think you forget, Jody, that people in positions like that have more than one side. Do you really think my father would save her from conscription and put himself at risk if he did not love her?"

Jody straightened her, her eyes darting around as she processed Vanessa's words. "Sorry, did you just say he was your father?"

"You asked for honesty, and I thought it was the right time to tell you who it you've condemned to die in this place."

Jody exhaled sharply before coughing. "Their daughter vanished after the attack and was never seen again."

"You know the Agency firsthand hand, Jody. I was conscripted, and my identity was sealed. But I would like to hear what you knew of my parents."

Jody started to speak but then hesitated.

"Ah," Vanessa said as she turned and reached for two glasses from the cabinet. "You did not know because the reality of it was that you were out of the circle. You were banished to this place, and my father's apology was a bid to quell your husband. To ask for your compliance. It was not welcoming you back into the fold or giving you more authority."

Jody was frustrated, slapping her hand on the table. Meanwhile, Vanessa took a tac from her pocket and pressed it into her arm where the plate was. The tac was annoyingly dull, but her persistence paid off as she managed to get it in. After filling both glasses, she contaminated them. Then, she turned and placed one glass before Jody before sitting next to her.

Jody concluded her rant by saying, "We've been nothing but kind to you, yet you've treated us with suspicion and questioned my integrity."

"My father loved my mother. They may have kept that private, but he risked his life to save her from the experiment and was trying to change things to free the conscripts. It is sad to hear you spreading lies."

"You stupid girl."

Jody reached for the glass. After just a mouthful, she realised something was wrong. She looked at Vanessa with wide eyes.

"I made it clear that I was on an assignment and I will not fail. I am not the same as your son, and I tried to explain that to you, but you refused to listen. What you didn't know about my parents is that Belle carried the genes from that experiment to me. She was the sole survivor, but I am the only product."

Jody grabbed at her chest as she said, "This stupid compound was the ruin of our lives, the death of my son, and how poetically, my death. Your father would be proud; he created a heartless psychopath."

Blood dripped from Jody's nose, her lips turning blue as she gasped for air.

"My father would be proud, Jody, because I prevented the community from becoming dissidents. They trusted you to keep them safe, but the path you chose would ultimately destroy the community. You had the option to help me return to the city, and there would have been no consequences or further inquiries. However, you have been the only voice in this place for so long that you believe no one else could possibly be right."

Jody gasped one last time, and her head fell onto the table, her body falling awkwardly into the chair as she went limp.

Vanessa emptied the glasses and headed back outside in search of Brian. This deviation had cost precious time. She returned to the house with the Olive trees in the garden and knocked at the door. Thankfully, he answered.

"Brian, at dawn, I will be on the first fishing trawler headed for Windfield."

He nudged her back as he stepped onto the pathway. "What are you doing here? I thought you were with Jody."

"Jody has passed away."

Brian shook his head, shocked by the news. "Where is she? We have to find her; maybe the nurse can help."

Vanessa pressed her hand against his chest, stopping him. "No, Brian. You are in charge now. After I return to Windfield, there will be a review of your community. If you want to keep everyone here safe, you must repurpose that building – strip all of the faith elements from it."

"Where is Jody? What have you done?"

Panicked, Brian pushed past her and ran toward the empty road. Frantically, he sprinted to the house while Vanessa followed at a calm, measured pace. He threw open the front door, and by the time Vanessa caught up, he was kneeling beside Jody's body, gripping her hand tightly. Tears streamed down his cheek as he looked up at Vanessa.

"She was like a mother to all of us. How could this be? A heart attack does not cause nosebleeds."

"May have been a stroke. It was sudden."

"Is this what you came here to do? Tear our community apart? Is this a test?" His voice trembled as the veins in his neck bulged, his anger growing.

"Jody's death was natural."

"Here, with you? I don't know what you've done, but you are not welcome here anymore."

"Brian, I know this is a shock. I'll give you a moment." Vanessa headed out to the front and stood on the lawn, surveying the town. The plate in her arm was disintegrating, and it was only a matter of time before her health declined.

Eventually, Brian emerged, his eyes red, the edges of his hair wet after he'd washed his face. He stood beside her and crossed his arms.

"If you return, you'll report us. We can't escape Jody's decision to keep you here."

"Jody's death is an opportunity, and even I see that. This is your time to show this community you can keep them safe."

"We both know you will report us and..."

Vanessa interrupted, "I wasn't lying about the enemy attack. It wasn't that far from here, and this community is the safeguard of this part of the coast and the river. It is not in anyone's best interest to tear apart a working community because one person faltered. Jody was not a rebel but a mother who rebelled against the Agency."

He rubbed his hand through his hair, stopping at the nape of his neck. "We could change our ways without anyone knowing what happened here."

"I was on assignment when I was rescued. I am thankful for what your community has done for me. I don't think I was going to make it. The kindness your community has shown me is not something I will forget, which is why I'm asking you to remedy this situation."

He turned his head away, his hand pressing the back of his neck.

"Brian," she continued, "I may be unwell, but I am capable. I could have forced my way out of here but chose not to. No more lives need be lost."

"I need to talk to the others; this must be a joint decision," Brian said as he stepped forward. Vanessa quickly grabbed his wrist, halting him.

"This is your community now. This is your decision and your decision alone. Let me be clear: I survived an enemy attack we were unprepared for. By the time your fishermen found me, I had been travelling without food or water. Do not underestimate what I am capable of when I am desperate."

He paused momentarily, studying her face as he contemplated his next move. "Agents in this community are like bad omens. When Jody's son showed up, everything went wrong, and now you appear, and Jody has passed away. Perhaps the wisest decision is to distance ourselves from people like you. I will arrange for a trawler to depart within the hour."

His sudden agreement was surprising, considering the risk he took in letting her go.

"You don't plan to travel after sundown? That's when the risk of an enemy attack is highest."

"It's best you have departed before I announce Jody's passing, and we cannot hide her body until morning. The others were suspicious of you, and it's best we not give them a reason to question what's happened."

His sudden urgency was an unexpected turn of events, but she sensed that he never fully agreed with Jody's methods. This community could have been an interesting social experiment, but she needed to press on and return to Windfield.

****

By late afternoon, the southerly winds had arrived, bringing a cool breeze. Brian had been a man of his word as he dashed to various houses, collecting a few trusted friends to make the trip to Windfield. A few passersby whispered, speculating something was happening.

Brian selected an old but well-maintained fishing trawler that had recently been painted. Vanessa helped a few men move stock on board – they could not turn up empty-handed to Windfield, for that would raise alarm bells.

Once set, Brian met Vanessa one last time and asked, "You will keep your word?"

"You are a good man, Brian. Unlike me, you have a family and you have a community. It's important you remember your role here is to protect. You protect the city by farming these waters and maintaining radars and weapons. As long as you and I are fighting the same war, then we are not enemies."

Brian extended his hand, and she did not hesitate to shake it. It was unusual for her to feel this type of connection with someone, but this place had shown her a different side of humanity. How fragile the balance was. In the past, Vanessa would've done what was right and filed a report, but when she looked at Brian, she thought of Laura.

A necklace had caused upheaval in Laura's community and led to the execution of a family. Jody's actions were even more severe, and Vanessa could only speculate about the community's punishment. Unlike the rebels she had encountered before, these individuals were kind and fulfilled their duties, providing an essential food source to the city. They were not the enemy; they had been misguided by a disgruntled elder. Madicorp had shattered so many lives.

****

The fishing trawler glided into the marina north of Windfield City as the last light of dusk faded into night. Throughout the trip, the crew eyed Vanessa with suspicion. They muttered among themselves and stole glances at her, treating her like an unwelcome intruder. Sensing their discomfort, Vanessa kept her distance, standing at the stern and gazing into the dark waters. There was nothing she could say to calm their nerves.

Their journey had taken nearly two hours, with their arrival delayed by an unexpected order to wait outside the harbour. Their unscheduled arrival at an odd hour confused marina control, especially since it was close to the water curfew.

The trawler docked, and two figures approached: a marina security guard and the harbour master, wearing navy blue jackets with reflective stripes. The harbour master, a man in his sixties with greying hair tied back in a ponytail, addressed the captain, who stood at the gangway. Dressed in a black long-sleeve shirt and cargo pants, the captain exuded an air of authority, but his demeanour was tense.

"What's the nature of this emergency, then?" the harbour master asked, his voice gruff.

The captain pointed toward Vanessa. "That agent ordered us to bring her here."

The harbour master stepped onto the deck. He turned to Vanessa and asked, "Where's your identification?"

Vanessa raised her arm and tapped a spot above her wrist. "You'll need a reader."

The harbour master frowned. "You brought her here without verifying her identity? How do you know she's not a spy or a rebel?"

The captain responded, "We're under strict instructions from our elder. If she's lying, that's between your people and our elder."

The harbour master crossed his arms. "You'll have to remain docked until the police verify who she is."

"For fuck's sake, how long will that take?" the captain snapped. "We need to get out of here before curfew. It'll take us over half an hour to clear the city zone."

The security guard, who had been on the phone, spoke up from the base of the gangway. "Police will be here in ten."

The captain, eager to be rid of Vanessa, offered a suggestion. "Why don't you take her into custody? Give us a shout when we're clear to go."

The harbour master looked at Vanessa and said, "Protocol is protocol. Come over here. Security needs to restrain you until the police arrive. Do you understand?"

Vanessa stepped forward and extended her arms, allowing the guard to secure flexicuffs around her wrists.

Within minutes, flashing lights appeared from the nearby street as a police vehicle weaved through the marina. The harbour master straightened up as two officers approached—one was a junior constable in his twenties, and the other was a senior constable in her forties.

The senior constable reached the top of the gangway, her eyes narrowing as she assessed Vanessa. After a moment, she turned to her partner and said, "This is the one they're looking for."

"I'm on assignment," she said, trying to maintain her composure as the situation grew precarious. "Please check the chip; it will confirm I'm on assignment."

"Call it in," the senior constable instructed her colleague. "Captain, why didn't your community report her?"

The captain, visibly anxious under the scrutiny, snapped, "Can you just check this fucking chip so we can get on our way?"

The senior constable took out her phone, fumbling as she activated the scanner. She held it close to Vanessa's arm. "Why are you on the wanted list?"

With a cold tone, Vanessa replied, "It isn't your place to know what's happening."

The officer frowned. "Something about this doesn't feel right. A wanted agent turning up on a fishing boat? The device could be fake."

Vanessa was tired, and this officer was testing her patience. She tried to remain composed, not wanting to inflame the situation further. "Why don't you check who authorised it before making such a stupid decision?"

The officer glanced at her phone, and her eyes widened. "Government City. I've never seen anything like this."

Vanessa held up her cuffed wrists. "Please, remove the cuffs." She spotted flashing lights in the distance and cursed under her breath; it was too late.

The officer shook her head, still feeling uncertain. "This doesn't feel right. Your photo is posted in all the stations."

"Treason," the junior constable said as he showed his colleague the screen. "That's what it says here."

"Son, we aren't here to question orders," the harbour master intervened. "You can both be as suspicious as you like, but if there's an order from Government City, we all need to step aside."

Vanessa's eyes flicked to the boat's edge, calculating the distance as the flickering lights grew closer. She took a tentative step towards the edge, weighing her options.

"I've already called it in," the junior constable said. "I'm not risking my career letting a traitor go."

In frustration, Vanessa threw her head back and said coldly, "Your career was over when you called it in." Lights appeared from both directions, converging at the marina entrance. "Couldn't even have one fucking break," Vanessa muttered under her breath before sprinting to the end of the trawler.

The officers attempted to intercept her, but they were too slow. Vanessa leapt off the boat, disappearing into the water.

Swimming in the harbour at night was dangerous. Boats with propellers and the creatures lurking in the depths posed a threat. Vanessa had no choice; she propelled herself as deep as possible, her lungs burning as she tried to vanish from sight.

She stayed close to the marina, using the jagged edge of the seawall to break free of the cuffs. She remained submerged, swimming north towards a quieter bay. She knew the Agency would search the nearby shores for her, likely deploying watercraft. The longer she remained underwater, the better her chances of slipping away undetected.

She swam past waterfront houses until reaching a local beach. Her body felt sluggish as she dragged herself out of the water, her soaked clothes weighing her down. Sand clung to her joggers, and her increasing weakness made her stumble, causing her knees to hit the gritty surface. With a grunt, she pushed herself up and staggered onto the grass.

The distant sound of helicopter blades heightened her nerves, but they still seemed far away. As she walked toward a narrow laneway, headlights illuminated the path ahead, and a car appeared, stopping in front of her.

Two men exited, the driver staying put. One of the men was dressed in a suit, the other in what appeared to be an Agency uniform. But as he drew closer, Vanessa noticed the uniform was navy blue—the colour of Madicorp's private security force.

"Agent 411, we can help you," the man in the suit said calmly while the security officer maintained his distance.

She recalled the enemy commander and the medication label that read "Madsen." Her pulse quickened as she edged back toward the water, realising she wouldn't stand a chance in a fight given her current condition.

The man continued, his tone almost soothing. "You're sick, and we want to help you."

"Sick with the creation you deny exists," Vanessa sneered, inching closer to the water.

"We can explain everything. Please, we can protect you from the Agency."

Vanessa's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Politics and espionage aren't really your specialty, are they? After everything that's happened, you really think I would give myself up to you?" Her feet touched the shallow water as the noise of the helicopter grew louder.

"We don't need to dance around the truth. You've been exposed to a virus and won't survive without help. No one else can save you. The plate in your arm—it's gone by now, isn't it?"

Vanessa tensed her arm, the ache reminding her that he was right. The searchlight from the helicopter came into view, sweeping the area.

"We don't know how much time you have left," the man pressed, "but if you get back in that water, you may not make it."

"This is the world I live in." As the downdraft from the helicopter stirred the trees near the foreshore, Vanessa turned and rushed into the water.

The helicopter followed, its searchlight slicing through the night as Vanessa dove deeper into the calm waters. In the abyss, time slowed. She opened her eyes, feeling the salt sting. It was a futile gesture; the darkness was absolute. The void around her offered no comfort, no points of reference. And yet, in this desolate place, she was truly free, if only for a moment.

She was too exhausted to reach the other side of the harbour, but she had to keep moving. When her lungs could take no more, she broke the surface, gasping for air just as the helicopter's spotlight found her again. She saw the city to the west—the CBD—where boats were scouring the water.

Vanessa plunged back into the depths and headed south toward the suburbs. She focused on her rhythm, her arms and legs propelling her onward. This was not a matter of strength but of stamina.

Madicorp didn't know Vanessa could hold her breath far longer than any average human. There was so much about her that they didn't know—secrets buried deep within her past, abilities that defied explanation—and it was precisely these unknowns that made her their target.

A bright light appeared ahead in the water. Vanessa swam harder, her muscles aching from exertion. Then, a vivid image of her mother filled her mind. It felt so real that Vanessa could almost smell the familiar scent of her mother's perfume.

She was a child again, looking at her mother's anxious face. "We're leaving, aren't we?" young Vanessa asked, her voice trembling.

Her mother's hand pressed to her chest, trembling with the fear she tried to hide. "Come on," her mother urged, her movements frantic.

Vanessa ignored the outstretched hand and jumped off the bed. Dropping her knees on the wooden floor, she scrambled to pry up a loose floorboard to retrieve her hidden teddy bear. But her mother scooped her up before she could grasp it.

"We don't have time! Leave it!"

The memory shifted, skipping forward like a broken film reel. Now, they were in a crowded train station, her mother gripping her hand, pulling her through the throngs of commuters. Vanessa tugged on her shirt, her eyes catching a familiar figure. "Mummy, there's Daddy!"

Her mother turned and gasped, keeping her grip on Vanessa's hand firm. Agents surrounded them. Vanessa looked up to her mother when she felt her hand trembling. The colour had drained from her face; her eyes widened.

Her father's voice growled from across the platform. "I told you, I'm the only one who can protect this family. How far did you think you could get?"

Vanessa felt the desire to run, a primal instinct overpowering all else. The world around her seemed to slow, her senses sharpening. Numbers appeared in the distance; she knew exactly what they meant—they were a way out. A solution. If she followed them, she could escape.

Breaking free from her mother's grip, young Vanessa bolted through the crowds of commuters, her small frame weaving through the throng of bodies.

Her father's voice and the shouts of the agents in pursuit faded. She was focused, her entire being locked on the numbers guiding her to safety.

The path to freedom was so close. Her heart pounded, and her legs pumped faster than ever before. As she neared the gate, preparing to leap over it, an arm wrapped around her.

The memory shattered, slipping away like fragments of a broken dream. Reality returned, her legs brushing something murky. Vanessa's lungs screamed for air, but she knew it wasn't safe to surface yet. Her heart had slowed, conserving what little oxygen her body had left.

She swam toward the shore with long, deliberate strokes, inching her way to the shore. Then, she emerged.

When she inhaled, the sharp air intake caused her lungs to seize. Instantly, she was wracked with a violent coughing fit. She thrashed in the water, struggling to keep her head above the surface. Finally, she managed to expel the phlegm clogging her airway, coughing it into the water. Relief washed over her—until she noticed the blood swirling in the water.

The virus. Without intervention, there would be no reversing the inevitable.

The area was dark, with not a soul in sight. Her clothes were soaked and heavy as she trudged out of the water. The soft, dry sand clung to her feet, making every step a battle until she reached the concrete footpath.

The agony in her legs, the stabbing pain in her chest, and the nausea rising in her gut—all of it would cease, she told herself, once she reached safety. But every step was a test of her resolve.

Hours passed, and she pressed on. Her movements were mechanical, and her instincts were the only thing keeping her upright. As she reached a suburban park, a looming thunderstorm finally broke, the wind picking up and tossing debris into the air. The first gust hit her like a slap, and Vanessa realised she had never felt so alone.

Rain fell, light at first, then harder as the sky lit up with flashes of lightning. The storm intensified, drenching her as she moved through the empty suburban streets. There were no trees here, no shelter from the unrelenting downpour.

She paused before a house, double-checking the number and the car parked in the driveway. All the houses looked identical, uniform in their suburban design, but she couldn't afford to make a mistake. This had to be the right one.

She stumbled to the front door, the overhanging eave offering some protection from the rain. Her hands shook as she knocked on the door.

Inside, she heard movement—footsteps and muffled voices. Usually, her enhanced hearing would pick up every word, but tonight, she could barely process the sounds. Everything was a haze, her mind swimming in and out of focus as she fought to stay conscious.

Finally, the door creaked open.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Miller's voice was thick with shock.

"I need your help."

Miller's eyes darted around, scanning the street. "What the fuck are you doing?" he repeated, this time in a strained whisper. "You're a runaway. Every agent and officer in the city are looking for you."

Vanessa tried to respond, but as she inhaled, her lungs seized. She turned her head away, coughing. She pressed a hand to her mouth, and it quickly covered with blood.

"Please..." Her voice was barely audible, rasping through her strained throat. Before she could say anything more, her legs gave out.

Miller's reflexes were quick, catching her just as she collapsed. He pulled her inside, grunting under her weight. "Sarah, quick! Close the door!" he barked.

Sarah hurried past them, slamming the door as the wind whipped in the rain. "What on earth?" She rushed to help Miller, grabbing Vanessa's arm to support her weight.

Vanessa struggled to stay conscious, her vision flickering.

"Let's take her to Elle's room."

"No. She's dripping wet, and she's cold. Put her in the bathroom," Sarah said.

Miller groaned but relented, helping Sarah shuffle Vanessa down the hallway.

"She can't stay," Miller muttered under his breath.

Together, they placed Vanessa onto the bathmat. Sarah turned the bath taps on full blast, the water splashing against the porcelain. "Gary, get a bath towel."

Miller hovered at the doorway and said, "We should call an ambulance. She's coughing up blood, Sarah."

"Don't be ridiculous. She came here for a reason. Get the towel. Now."

Grumbling under his breath, Miller disappeared into the hallway. Sarah dipped her hand into the running water to test its heat. "We need to get you out of these wet clothes. You're shivering," Sarah said as she pulled Vanessa's shirt over her head, carefully manoeuvring her arms free from the clinging fabric before tossing it aside. Vanessa was too cold and weak to resist. Beneath it, she wore a soaked crop top.

"Sarah... Miller..." Vanessa mumbled between soft coughs.

In the corner, Vanessa saw her father—the hallucinations had started again. "The cold has never killed me before," she muttered, her voice distant.

Miller reappeared in the doorway with a towel. "That's one of those first and last-time types of things. I'll step outside," Miller offered, awkwardly trying to give some semblance of privacy.

"Stay," Vanessa said weakly as she fumbled with her jeans, pulling them off with Sarah's help. She glanced at Miller, a weak smirk forming on her lips. "Just leave the rest on. We don't want to make Miller uncomfortable."

Miller rolled his eyes, but a hint of a smile tugged at his lips. Sarah dipped her fingers into the rising bathwater again. "It's not full yet, but it's warm. It'll help."

With her assistance, Vanessa eased herself into the tub, the water barely covering her legs. But the warmth immediately soothed her, the shivering subsiding.

"I'm sorry to drop in like this," Vanessa said, her voice softer now, less strained.

"Why? Was the original plan to break in during curfew?" Miller quipped.

"After everything I've been through since I last saw you, I have to admit, your sense of humour is growing on me."

Miller pointed his finger, torn between anger and concern. Thunder rumbled, vibrating the walls. "Your presence in my house only brings danger. For weeks after the news aired, they hounded us. We had agents surveilling the house, following me to work. They were convinced you'd show up."

"They were hounding you because of the news, not because of me."

"Every police station in the city has your photo."

"I left the city right after I saw you at the hospital. Haven't been back until tonight. It's unusual for the Agency to give runaway details to the police. Runaways are an embarrassment, and it's usually kept under wraps. Sounds like I've rattled someone."

"You've rattled someone?" Miller said, dripping with sarcasm. "Look at you! You can barely walk. What use are you now?"

"Hush, Gary," Sarah scolded him. "She's clearly unwell. You don't need to make things worse."

Vanessa asked, "Sorry if I sound ignorant, but when you saw the news, was this information about Joahn? When I last checked, there was nothing."

Miller frowned. "We couldn't release it right away. But I thought you would've seen it." He examined her face, his brow furrowed with concern. "What happened to you? You look awful. You have more bruises now than when I last saw you."

Before Vanessa could answer, another coughing fit overtook her, the harsh sound filling the room. Miller shifted uncomfortably. Sarah slipped out, returning with a glass of water. Vanessa took it gratefully and quickly finished it.

"War happened," she finally muttered. "Could you please give me some time before we talk? I need to recover," Vanessa said, feeling guilty. She had asked them to leave her alone when they only tried to help.

Sarah stood up, but Miller shook his head. "The longer you stay here, the greater the risk to us. If you refuse to let us call an ambulance, we can help you warm up and give you a change of clothes, but then you need to be on your way."

"Gary," Sarah nudged him, questioning his decision. Sarah asked Vanessa, "Is there someone we can call for help?"

"If you call an ambulance, this whole thing is over. I'll explain it to you, but I need to recover. Please, Gary."

Sarah tugged his arm, pulled him out of the bathroom and closed the door.

Vanessa didn't take long to get ready, knowing the Millers were waiting for her in the kitchen. She dried off and changed into the clothes Sarah had kindly provided. Stepping into the kitchen barefoot, both turned their focus to her. Sarah offered her a seat at the counter and chose to stand across from her. Mr. Miller leaned his elbows on the stone surface, his back hunched.

"I need to make a call," Vanessa said, "may I borrow your phone."

As Sarah reached for her phone, Miller raised his hand and replied firmly, "No."

"Gary," Sarah appeared surprised by his response.

"What the fuck is going on? I am not protecting a runaway."

Vanessa sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. Although she didn't share anything with them, the truth was that she needed their help. Without them, she wouldn't be able to evade capture.

"I don't know."

"You don't know? You don't know how you became a fucking runaway?"

Hearing his tone, she relented. "There's been strange things happening in the Agen..."

He interrupted, "You mean with Johan killing all those people? You think that's strange, do you?" he remarked sarcastically. He cleared his throat. "What things?"

"Mary Karter discovered something, but we never determined what it was because Agent 349 destroyed it. Johan was eliminating anyone linked to that information, including me. I believe I was infected with a bioweapon at the mall, but it's not something that can harm you."

"Why would someone have a mall full of people killed just to get to two agents? That's absurd." Miller paused and then said, "What? A bioweapon? Is that what's making you sick?"

Vanessa ignored his questions, too tired to elaborate. "There was a separate incident at Orange Hill, which seemed to involve a political conflict between the Agency and Madicorp. The terrorist attack at Windfield Mall diverted attention away from it."

Miller straightened up. "Orange Hill?"

His reaction slightly concerned Vanessa and even Sarah's brows creased. "Yes, Orange Hill."

"The data Robert had from Mary had travel documents. An Agent was going there regularly."

Sarah intervened, raising her voice. "Robert had data from Mary?"

Vanessa hadn't had the opportunity to review what Robert had, but he had been smart enough to keep it to himself. Vanessa asked, "Do you remember the name of the Agent?"

"All I can remember is corporate division."

Frustrated by her blindness, Vanessa rubbed her hand over her eye. The signs had been there all along, but she doubted John Turner would be capable of anything other than managing his staff.

"Give me your phone," Vanessa said as she held out her hand. With no hesitation, Sarah offered hers. Vanessa tried to reach out to her contact in Government City, but there was no answer. "I couldn't get through. It is getting late."

Vanessa pressed her fingers to her templates. As she spoke, her lungs tightened. What started as a minor cough turned into a fit, blood spurting onto the ground as she lost her balance and fell onto her knees. She felt Miller and Sarah at her side, their words beyond her comprehension.

"Ambul..." Miller's voice said, sounding like a muffled whisper.

"No," Vanessa managed to say. "Sleep, bed."

Sarah and Miller argued for a few minutes, but she couldn't understand what they were saying. Eventually, a strong pair of arms helped her and guided her into a bedroom on the ground door – presumably Elle's.

The moment Vanessa's head hit the pillow, she fell asleep.

****

Throughout the night, Vanessa's condition worsened. She stirred from sleep multiple times, drenched in sweat as a fever took hold. Before dawn, she lay shivering in bed, her eyes fixed on the poster of a punk rock band on Elle's wall. She had run out of options, and if she didn't decide soon, it would be too late; she would become Johan's last victim.

Eventually, Vanessa attempted to get out of bed, but her legs were too weak to support her. She had never felt so vulnerable; there was no one she could call for help. Unable to move or call out to Sarah and Miller, she closed her eyes, surrendering to the fatigue of her failing body.

The next time she woke, she felt someone shaking her and heard a voice calling her name – it was Miller.

"We have to call an ambulance," he insisted as he turned to Sarah.

Beside him, Sarah leaned over and felt Vanessa's forehead. "A fever for sure."

Vanessa couldn't muster the strength to respond.

"Richards," she heard Sarah say, "Let's check with him first."

Vanessa had no idea how much time had elapsed when she heard a familiar voice, his warm touch on her hand the only comfort she'd had in weeks.

"Vanessa," Jason said, "you have to wake up."

Vanessa tried to respond, but only a mumbling sound came out. She opened her eyes and saw his blurry figure lean forward and stroke her head.

"I would ask what happened," he continued, "but you need to conserve your energy." He pulled a syringe from his pocket and injected it into her arm. "I'm sorry; it's the best I could do. The plate in your arm has disintegrated. I've administered enough AMNA to keep you going for another day, but you need help. This sickness is not going away."

Vanessa coughed as she tried to reply. "I don't know what to do," she said softly.

"You're not alone." He leaned in and hugged her.

"How did you find me?"

"Sarah called Richards, and he sent me. What happened to you? You've got bruises and cuts."

Vanessa looked in the direction of the window, the blinds drawn. "What time is it?"

"It's just before curfew's end."

"You risked coming here during curfew?"

"Looking at your condition, I don't think you had much time left."

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pressed his hand against her face. She could bottle up her emotions, but this was beyond anything her training had prepared her for. Her body was on fire, and the pain was excruciating.

"It's ok, Vanessa, I'm here now," he tried to assure her as he hugged her again before wiping away her tears. "You're the last person I thought I'd see crying. You know how the Agency feels about showing that type of emotion."

"Can Richards evacuate us both from here?"

Disappointment flashed in his expression, his eyes averting from her. "Not in your condition."

"You said you had connections."

"What happened to you? We stopped Johan. That should've been the end of it."

"Help me sit up." Vanessa tried to push herself up. Jason was quick to support her, helping her up, her back leaning against the wall. He shifted onto the bed, sitting beside her, holding her hand. "I was sent north to Bradfield Park on assignment. The enemy attacked our train."

"Fuck," he exhaled. "I had heard the northern line was closed. We had no idea."

"It hasn't been reported here?"

"No."

"It was Madicorp, Jason. Madicorp knows. They are working with an enemy state."

"We've been aware for some time that Madicorp had extended its reach beyond borders, but we haven't been able to identify how they communicate. We believe they are connected to a company called Madsen Pharmaceuticals."

"Why haven't you mentioned this? If I'd known, I could've investigated."

"You are stubborn and no offence, Vanessa, but you are conditioned. I tried to give you a way out more than once, but you weren't ready. I'm sorry it had to get to this before you saw it, but your eyes could not have been opened any other way."

She contemplated as they sat in silence. He was right. The only reason she had opened her mind to the prospect something was going on was because of how the investigation into Mary Karter's data breach was handled.

"Vanessa," Jason continued, "why have you been labelled a runaway?"

"It's complicated, but I thought the only way to flush out who was behind Johan was to get on the other side. I didn't anticipate my health was going to deteriorate like this."

Jason's hand squeezed hers as he looked her in the eyes. "If you can't go to the Agency for help, you must go to Madicorp."

She knotted her brow, surprised to hear the suggestion. It was impossible.

"Are you crazy? I just told you they sent the enemy after me. Can't you see they are the reason this all started in the first place? They sabotaged the Agency systems with an AI worm to access my data."

"Richards called the contact who got you that medication. He said Madicorp will help but won't do it through back channels."

"They know I'm a runaway. The moment they have me in their custody, I'd disappear."

Giving herself up to them could not happen. Her father had tried to protect her mother and herself from them. This is exactly what they wanted – project Ruptura, especially when she was listed as a runaway.

"You need an elemental plate, and you need that medication. They are the only ones who can help you. Let's face it, your DNA dictates you'll always be bound to them."

"And what would you have done if I had said yes to running away with you?"

"We had a contact who could help replicate the elemental plate, but whatever you were exposed to in that mall, we don't know what it is." Jason's hand moved to her wrist, pressing around until his thumb paused on the chip. "You can't disappear while you have this."

Vanessa pulled her arm away, torn between Jason's allegiance to the enemy and her assignment.

He chuckled with an air of disappointment. "You still chose loyalty. I've got to give it to you; your dedication is commendable."

"Jason, I don't know what to do."

"I hate this situation, but you must go to Madicorp."

Barely able to get the words out, she said, "Don't you see they created this situation?"

"Oh, I don't think Johan was their creation, and from what I understand, exposing you to that thing at the mall wasn't their making. You've taken so many risks in your life that were much more dangerous than this. You've faced up to the rebels and the enemy. Madicorp are a bunch of corporates and scientists; surely you can face them?"

"No. I won't go."

Jason turned his head slightly, his brow creasing. "It's not a choice Vanessa. They are the only ones who can help you. I'll arrange everything, but I'm sorry, I can't come with you. I'm sure you'd understand." Jason stood up.

Vanessa reached out for him and grabbed his shirt as she protested. "I won't do it." Her voice strained as she tried to yell, the words barely able to come out before she coughed blood into her hand.

Jason reached for the tissues on the bedside table, helping her clean up. "If you want to live, you have to do it." His words felt cold, but it was the reality of the situation, and he couldn't sugarcoat it.

"That enemy attack killed so many children. Madicorp did that."

Jason leaned down before her, wiping her fresh tears away with his thumb. "I never thought I'd see you break. Tears don't suit you." He cupped her cheek. Jason hugged her, and she relaxed into him. She was not used to human touch, but it felt comforting.

A soft knock at the door disrupted their conversation, the door opening slightly. "Is everything ok in here?" Sarah asked. "Do you need anything?"

Vanessa turned her face away from them, trying to wipe away any evidence she had been emotional. Jason straightened himself up, "We have a plan," he said. "I'll be with you in a moment."

An argument erupted in the house, their muffled voices coming from the kitchen. Vanessa tried to listen, but her heightened senses had diminished with her illness. Her eyes felt heavy after crying, so she lay down, waiting for Jason to return. In the corner of the room, her father stood, his arms folded, his head shaking. All she could think of was his last words. He had tried so hard to protect her, and now she had been outsmarted by a medical company. What would he think now if he were alive? Eventually, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.