---

..... Systems operational

..... Program running - run time – October, 1995

..... Uploading personnel data base.... Complete.

And so it began, the program know as Harsh Realm had been activated.

Harsh Realm was a secret Virtual Reality program designed by the government to train soldiers for combat in multi-simulated environments. It was an exact duplicate of the world, right down to the people, animals, plants, everything. It went on line in October of 1995. The first player was a war veteran named Omar Santiago. The object of the game was to go inside, sort of like plugging in, downloading the conscious into the programming. A soldier would go inside, determine the scenario, this one a nuclear bomb going off in the heart of New York Central Park, and become top scorer in the game, basically defeat the game.

However, Santiago saw more potential in the game. He saw it as a tool to plan on how he would use this scenario to take over the “Real World.” Thus, in a bold move that is still unknown to this day, Santiago managed to gain control over the game from the Government.

Desperate to get control back and knowing the potential the game held, the Government started to send, over the years, soldier after soldier into the game. Mission was simple, take out Santiago, become top scorer. Now bodies lined warehouses by the hundreds, all hooked up into the game, being kept alive. Still not one has come out.

Within the game, VC’s lived normal lives, not aware of what was going on around them. Death to them was not as we knew it. To them, death was when you flashed out in a bath of blue digital light. Cemeteries and burying the dead were strange to them, though they somehow knew they had a purpose. God was also not programmed into the game so religion was foreign to them, faith in God was just... Nothing.

However there was a small group of mute women, Healers, called the Sisters. They had a belief and it is rumored this story started from them. Someone would enter the world and save them. A simple man. With him would be a warrior and a healer, a trinity.

This is where the story begins.........

One of the Sisters stepped away from a long blond haired one. Dressed in the traditional white robes, the older lady walked into the darkness of the barn. A place the Sisterhood often used to heal those who came to them in need. She walked over to the young woman within who was helping them in her own way to take care of those around her. She was like their watcher, guard though often one was not needed.

She touched the young woman as she was dabbing the forehead of a man who had lost his arm in a mind explosion. She crouched down and motioned the woman to follow. She moved over to the little table and pulled out some paper, writing simply, “The time has come, you must leave.”

Elsewhere....

The night had been wonderful. Making love to his wife was always heaven to him. Never had he loved anyone as much as he loved her. Laying in his bed, half asleep Michael Pinocchio rolled over to hold his wife. However that side of the bed was missing. “Inga?” He called forth as he sat up in the dark, worry deep upon his voice.

He feared Santiago might have found out he was thinking of leaving the Guard. That he had come in and taken Inga... The he heard a noise, “I’m here darling,” came the soft voice of his wife.

“I was worried,” Mike sighed with relief.

“There is nothing to worry about, my love, nothing at all,” she said in raising the gun.

“Inga?” Mike looked at her shocked and before another word could be uttered, everything went into slow motion. He felt the impact of the bullet into his chest, near his heart. He was thrown back onto the bed where they had just made love. Where she told him she would love him forever, not matter what. Where he held her in his arms and made sweet passionate love to her. Not it was not stained with their love making, no, now it was stained with his blood.

For a long time he just laid there, he did not hear Inga leave, he did not know how long he was there, only that he was growing weaker. Mike forced himself up, they would think him dead, must leave.

Stumbling forth, only grabbing his gun and a jacket, he was out the door and making his way, out of the city.

Jess was driving into the city, still puzzling over the instructions she had been given. The Sisters had told her to go to the city, and she would know what to do next.

They were the closest thing she now had to family. They had given her food, shelter, companionship. Her body hadn’t needed healing, but her soul had. They were the first people who knew what she was, and didn’t treat her as a monster. And in return she used her unusual talents to protected them, aid them, and did as they asked. Even when they were cryptic as hell.

Pulling over, she got out of the car and appeared to stretch casually. In reality she was looking and scenting for any potential trouble. Her borrowed jeep would attract a lot of attention with the scarcity of gas. But what caught her attention was the scent of fresh blood. Turning, she saw a man staggering towards her, clutching a wound in his chest. Could this be what the Sisters had meant? They had sent her to find him? Take him back so they could tend to his wound? “Hey,” she said as a greeting. “Are you okay?”

Pinocchio’s vision was blurring, his head dizzy with the loss of blood. He was sick to his stomach and his breathing getting shallow. Cold sweats had broken out. He felt his time had come but he wasn’t going to give in so easily.

He heard a voice, his head lifting slightly. Blood covered his hand that clutched his wound while the other rose with gun in hand. He was about to speak, say something smart ass but nothing came out as he just pitched forward and fell right to the ground, staining Santiago’s precious sidewalk with his blood.

Her eyes tracked him as he fell to the ground. She hurried his side and turned him over looking at the red stain spreading from his chest wound. “Shit,” Jess said, smelling gunpowder mixed with blood. She had been told that she’d know what to do when she saw the person she was searching for. And she did. She had to get him back to the Sisters.

She pocketed his gun, which she assumed was loaded. Better safe than sorry. Jess doubted it was armed with ammunition that would be fatal to her. But standard bullets would still hurt like a bitch until she healed herself. Gun taken care of, she pulled his arm over her shoulder and half lifted, half dragged him towards the jeep.

Pinocchio groaned as he was moved, by whom he didn’t know nor cared at the moment. Darkness was his friend at the moment, darkness and pain. He felt he was shoved onto some cushion, a seat he guessed which made him groan again. Then there was movement. For how long Pinocchio didn’t know. He blacked out fully, welcoming the darkness for no only did his chest hurt from the gunshot wound, but also his heart ached. His beautiful wife had shot him in cold blood. Her eyes were as cold as their color when she did so.

Over and over the image played in his head. The words she said to him, “It has begun,” was all she whispered. What did she mean by that? Was it just a meaning of the deception she had made his live through and his realization of it?

Jess pulled herself into the driver’s seat of the jeep. She reached over to check the stranger’s pulse before starting the engine. “Don’t you die on me,” she muttered, as she put the car in drive. Idle questions such as who he was, how he got shot, or why he was carrying a weapon were pushed aside as she put the car in drive and headed back to the Sisters.

As Jess pulled into the camp of Sisters, a group of them came out to assist her. In silence they moved, helping to lift the man that was part of the key to all this that was to be. One with long blond hair came up, her name was Florence. She helped Jess lay him on a bail of hay while another covered him with a sheet. Water was brought and Florence started to clean the area. With blood upon her hands, she dabbed at the wound to clear it.

She gazed up at Jess before looking back down and placing her palm over the wound. Slightly closing her eyes, she concentrated and what seemed like a yellow glow came forth from her hand. Pinocchio groaned then his face showed pain as the healing began. His body jerked, Florence motioned Jess to hold him down a little as she finished up.

Standing at the head of the bale, Jess placed her hands on his shoulders, easily pinning him down. For someone who never said a word, Florence had a remarkable gift for making herself understood. “Easy,” she said although she knew the stranger couldn’t hear her.

It fascinated her how the Sisters were able to fix almost any wound. And it puzzled her. She had never found out if they were aware that this was a virtual reality simulation, or if they assumed it was a supernatural gift. And that also lead to other unanswered questions for her. Had they been programmed that way, or was it a random glitch in the game. Perhaps that was why she got on with them so well. They were different. She was different. Just not in the same way.

Within moment, Florence pulled her hand away and all that was left under her hand was blood which she dabbed away. Under it was perfectly healed skin, as if nothing had happened to him. But in fact it did, pixels were manipulated, melded back together like using the healing tool in Photoshop. And in a way it was healing.

Florence settled back and looked at Jess, her face telling the woman, he would be fine as Pinocchio settled in a sleep instead of into death.

She nodded. “I’ll hang out here and keep an eye on him. Might be better if someone’s around who can talk when he wakes up.” Jess walked back over to one of the other bales of hay and sat on it cross-legged, elbows resting on her knees, chin resting on her interlaced fingers.

She took a deep breath and exhaled, trying to release some of the tension she was carrying. Sitting up straighter, she held out her arm, frowning at the slight tremor in her hand. The Sisters had full confidence in her control, but Jess didn’t. Trying not to worry about it, she watched the stranger. Without the smell of blood to distract her, she noted his scent for the first time. He didn’t have the stink of the casualties she was used to helping. This man was well fed, well groomed, and seemed to be in good health overall, gunshot would aside. And oddly enough, she found his scent rather pleasant. Jess sighed again, dismissing that thought as well, and settled in to her self-appointed task.

Florence stood with a nod and walked out, going to prepare some food for the stranger. She glanced back, her blonde hair shimmering in the setting sun. He will live to wake up to a new day, however, she wondered if it would be one he would want to arise to.

Time passed and Pinocchio slept. The sun had long set when Florence brought Jess some food. It wasn’t much for she knew the woman would hunt on her own. But some fruits and water were placed out. Fresh items were getting more scarse as time passed on. Lucky for the Sisters, it was how some people paid them.

She had long left and again Jess was left alone with the strange man that the Sister believed played a part in this wicked game. He moaned now as haunted dreams came upon him. His arm would twitch and his head would toss a little as sweat started to bead upon it.

Every time he showed a sign of stirring, Jess got off her bale and looked closely at him, mopping his brow and making reassuring noises. She recognized the signs of a nightmare when she saw them. She’d had more than her own share.

Then suddenly, Mike Pinocchio gasped hard and sat up. His blue eyes wide open with fear and shock, his breathing now labored as his hand slapped to his chest where the wound had once been.

Jess stepped back, hands up in a semi-defensive position. She hadn’t expected him to wake up so rapidly. “You’re okay, you’re with friends,” she said, trying for a soothing tone. “You were messed up pretty badly when I found you. Shot in the chest. But you’re okay now.” She could tell by scent that he was no virtual character. He was as much flesh and blood as she, so he had to know about the Game. She looked over at the food and water that she hadn’t touched, wondering if she should offer it to the stranger.

Pinocchio turned his head and saw the woman standing back from him. He looked down at his chest, realizing there was no pain, no blood and most of all, he... He was still alive.

“Who are you? Where am I?” He asked slowly, blue eyes taking in the scenary about him. Bales of hay, wood, must be a barn...not in Santiago City. That must mean he was out in the frontier. He laid back slowly, “What happened?” He asked finally.

“I could ask you the same things,” Jess said. She couldn’t see any reason not to tell him as she moved over to where Florence had left the food. “You’re about ten miles outside of Santiago City. I found you on the street carrying that.” She gestured towards the gun sitting on top of his jacket. “And you had been shot in the chest. I brought you here to the Sisters. A mute group of healers who can do wonders, as you can tell.” She gave him a wry grin. “They don’t talk much.”

“So you care to tell me how you ended up bleeding in the street?” This was the most she had spoken to anyone in a long time. The Sisters mostly communicated by written word or gestures, and Jess usually limited herself to brief questions or simple acknowledgments as she helped them with their patients. Actual conversations were few and far between. Pouring some of the water from the pitcher to a glass, she picked up the plate of fruit and offered it to him. “Name’s Jess, by the way.”

Pinocchio’s eyes went straight for the gun. Yep, that was his gun and his leather jacket. He could see the blood stains still upon it, making him again flash back to cold blue eyes that stared out at him from behind the barrel of the gun that shot him.

He blinked, “Sisters?” He turned his head to Jess then down to his wound. He touched his hand over the area before looking back to Jess. The Sisters were hunted by Santiago. He had been recently working on tracking this band down. But Santiago mentioned nothing of them being healers, only them being rebels, women with... Oh shit.

Pinocchio shook his head, no, this wasn’t right, this couldn’t be. He started to throw the covers back but then stopped as he realized, no other clothing was upon him. He pulled the sheet up and slipped to sit up, the sheet covering him still.

Blue eyes gazed at the plate of food. Fruits and water, hmm, not what he was used to. He reached out, “Thanks,” he offered in a quiet tone as his mind still reeled upon the fact of the Sisters. “Name’s Mike,” and that was all he gave forth, even though his dog tags still dangled about his neck, flickering the light off them.

Her eyes widened as she took in the dogtags for the first time, and other than a slight shift in her balance, Jess gave no other signs. The man was military, and she cursed herself for not thinking to check. Was this some sort of elaborate trap to find the whereabouts of the Sisters? Or her?

She had never been meant to roam loose in either the virtual world, or the real world. But the decision had been made. Better to test her abilities in a simulated reality where if she did escape her captors, she wouldn’t be a threat to a large population

Which is exactly what happened one full moon night.

“We’ll get you some clothes in a few minutes,” Jess said. Almost casually, she tapped her chest about where the dog tags were on his. “So you’re military,” she commented, being careful to pay attention to his scent. Deserters weren’t unheard of, and she’d be able to tell by scent if he was lying. She hoped he wasn’t a threat. Just because she could rip a man to shreds in less than a minute didn’t mean she enjoyed doing it.

Pinocchio looked down as one hand was dragged through his dark wavy hair. His eyes locked onto the shiny metal that dangled about his neck. Military, she asked if he was military. At the moment he wasn’t sure what he was. Raising his head, he looked to her.

“No,” He jerked the ball chain from his neck, “Not any more,” the last part coming out as a murmur. He tossed them away, suddenly feeling more naked than he really was. Those two little items had been his reminder of where he was from, who he really was.

However, after what Inga did to him...He might as well not be alive. “Listen,” He started in looking up at her, “Why are you guys so close to the City? I mean, you have to know Santiago has been after you.”

She had watched him toss away the dog tags as if they were burning his skin. His scent didn’t change, so she believed he was being honest. But she’d keep an eye on him to make sure this sudden desire to leave the military didn’t change. “Sometimes the best place to hide is beneath your enemy’s nose.” It was a risk to be so close, but so far it had paid off.

Pinocchio looked up at Jess when she said that. He had thought so once, “But you can only do that for so long before you pay the price.” His voice was cold but calm, “Even Bugs Bunny got caught a few times by Elmer.”

Any information about how much Santiago knew would be a good thing to have though. “How close is he to finding us? And are there...others...he’s searching for?”

Pinocchio shifted, “Close,” He commented as he only drank the water. “And Santiago searches for a lot of thing, a lot of people.” He knew he would be one of them if the man ever found out he was still alive. “You best pack up and clear out, get as far from him as you can get.” He started looking around for his clothing. Bloody as it may be, he really should dress.

Just then Florence came in. She stood at the door, watching the two talking. She pushed her long blonde hair back and walked over.

Pinocchio looked up at the woman dressed in white and looking sort of like an angel. He was awed for a moment but then blinked, “Tell her she better get her Sisters to leave.” He looked away.

Florence shook her head to Jess, knowing the woman would understand that they couldn’t, to many people needed their attention. And the Sisters were there to help.

Jess had shrugged at his analogy. “Tell her yourself. She’s mute, not deaf. And we’ve discussed it many times. I, personally, would love to be on the other side of the planet right now. But the Sisters, they’re helpers. Their sole concern is to aid the wounded. No matter where, or who they are,” she added with a pointed look. Her look softened a bit. “Or even what,” she added cryptically.

“And before you ask,” she said, putting up a hand to forestall questions. “No, I’m not one of them. I’m just trying to repay them for some help they gave me when I needed it most.” She could have gone feral, lost herself in her wild alter ego, if it hadn’t been for their intervention. It was a debt of honor, a reminder of what she was, that she felt was owed to the Sisters. If that meant giving her life to protect them, or risk being recaptured, so be it.

Pinocchio glanced up to Florence who just stood there with what looked like a slight smug look upon her face. She nodded to him as if to say, Jess was right, she was not deaf. She reached over and handed him some food however he didn’t take it as his gaze went to Jess who gave him that look.

He was about to speak when Jess held up her hand so that she could go on uninterrupted. He closed his mouth, giving her this sort of look and a snort. “Yeah, well it is weakness like this that gets you killed around here. The time of helping your fellow man is over. The only way you are going to survive is to help yourself.”

Florence shook her head and crouched down beside him, placing her hands upon his knees. She placed her hand over his heart then one over hers.

Pinocchio shoved her hand away, his reaction was as if it had burned him, “Don’t even. It doesn’t matter any more. Don’t you get it. Don’t you all get it?” He stood up, his voice raising. “Santiago is going to find you and kill you all. He doesn’t care how good your hearts are. That you are doing the right thing, because you aren’t doing it Santiago’s way!”

He pushed past Florence and went over to his clothing, stopping as he looked down at his dog tags.

“And what are they supposed to do? Just abandon the wounded? Turn away those who are asking, no begging for help?” Jess stood up, anger coloring her voice. “That’s what gives them purpose. Helping people. And believe me, helping people is one of the few things left that separates us from animals. Trust me, I’m an expert on that.” It was one of the few things she clung to so badly, tattered shreds of humanity she clutched at desperately. And it was a good thing that it wasn’t too close to a full moon. Otherwise in her outburst, her fangs and claws might start to extend. “If I hadn’t helped you, where would you be now? Dead – dissolved in a flash of blue light.”

Ignoring the fact that he was naked, she stared at his face. “You talk like Santiago is a god. Well, I’ve got news for you. He’s human. That means he’s fallible. And one of his big mistakes is underestimating what people like the Sisters are truly capable of.” She paused, considering Pinocchio closely for a moment. “You were close to him, weren’t you?” she guessed. “You were doing the right thing, and that’s why you got shot.”

Pinocchio jerked his head around to her, a glare in his eyes. “What should give them purpose is to survive. These people...” he motioned around, “They could care less either way. They would take your help then turn and shoot you in the back. They don’t care but for themselves. That’s it.”

He turned facing her fully, also ignoring the fact he was naked as well. “And YOU are the one who is underestimating Santiago. You don’t know what he is like. Only from what you hear.” He stepped closer...hesitating a moment as she made her statement about him.

His jaw twitched as he clenched his teeth. He drew in a breath then backed up from her, “Just get away from the fence before you all die,” He warned in pulling his black tee shirt on. He then pulled his pants on...

Jess’s eyes narrowed. “I may not know Santiago,” she said, an edge to her voice, “but I know his type well enough. Use up a person until they don’t have any value any more and then cast them aside. Only goal is power, by whatever means necessary. Those kind of men I’ve vowed to fight against. And if I die because of him, well, at least I’ll be out of my misery”

She turned her head to the side as he dressed, as if just realizing that he was naked. Jess took a deep breath, trying to rein in her emotions. If she let her anger get the better of her, there’d be a bloody hell to pay. “So what are you going to do now? You can’t go back to the city. You got a place you can hide?”

Florence walked over, placing a healing hand upon Jess’ shoulder. She knew the woman had to stay calm or else this man would be in danger, not to mention those around for who knew what kind of control Jess had in that state. Her brown eyes looked to Pinocchio. She could see pain upon him, nothing physical, more emotional. He was not only shot but shattered as well. Whoever did this to him, he trusted very much.

It was an effort, but she took a deep breath and blew the anger away in a heavy exhale. Pinocchio wasn’t angry at her, but she and the Sisters were convenient and safe targets to vent on. Someone had hurt him badly, and it was someone he didn’t feel safe to lash out against yet. That knowledge, and Florence’s gentle touch, helped her pull herself back under control. She silently thanked whatever deity may be listening that it wasn’t a full moon tonight.

Pinocchio buttoned his pants up and did his belt. “What do you care? You’re the one throwing your life away, not me.” He looked away thinking someone else already did that for him, his dear wife. Just the thought made his heart ache. Everything she had felt for him was a lie. Every word she said, every kiss she gave, every moment with her was a lie.

He started pulling his boots on when he felt Florence touching him. He jumped, trying to shrug her off him. “Please...don’t,” he said in gently pushing her away.

Jess shook her head. “I was dead long before I got here. I just haven’t laid down and died yet. If we’re able to stop Santiago, or at the very least make things much more difficult for him, then it will have been well spent.” Seeing that Florence was upsetting him, Jess gestured her away and took her place. “Look, you’re tired and you’re still in shock. You’re an easy target at the moment. Why don’t you stay here for the day, get some food, try to get some rest. Regain your bearings. Give us some intel about Santiago if you’re willing, or maybe some idea of where we can hide that’s safer. And then when you want to go, you can leave.” Taking a risk, she lightly rested her hand on his shoulder. “Believe me, we just want to help.”

Florence backed way from Pinocchio. She wished she could heal him inside as well. The pain she saw in his eyes, in his body...it was almost overwhelming.

Pinocchio looked up from tying one of his boots. He looked away as she spoke, just staring down at his boots. He flinched when she touched him, wanting to shrug off her hand but found it comforting in a way. He drew in a breath, thinking things over.

Then came a heavy sigh. He was tired, he had a feeling he was indeed still in shock. Turning his head to Jess, his body slumped and sagged as if all the energy was zapped out of him. “Alright,” He whispered then reached down and untied his boot then took it off.

Florence moved over to his other side and with a gentle tug, had the harsh man standing and back to the bale of hay. He soon laid back his eyes at the roof. They held such sadness. Florence looked to Jess and gestured for her to stay with him as she got up and went out to fetch him some things he might need later.

Jess nodded and watched the Sister disappear. She settled down on the ground near enough to be comforting but far enough not to be hovering, she hoped. With Florence gone, she hoped he would calm down some. And with Florence gone, she could speak a little more freely. “How long have you been in here?” she asked. “I’ve been in long enough that the real world seems like a dream.”

She sighed heavily. “I know it seems impossible to fight Santiago. But do you really think he’ll be content with ruling a simulation?” Jess shook her head. “That’s part of why I’ve stayed with the Sisters. Because there’s too many good people in the world to let men like him ride roughshod over. And they’ve helped me remember and hang on to who I really am. It’s too easy to lose sight of that here.”

Pinocchio looked at Jess, blinking several times as if in disbelief. Only soldiers knew of those terms. Only knew what the real world really was. She wasn’t a soldier...

“To long,” he said quietly still staring at her. As she went on and spoke, Pinocchio shook his head. He knew for a fact Santiago would never be happy with just he simulation. And it was why he was here, to test his theories, battle movies... And more.

He looked down and sighed, “Then if you really want to keep them alive, get them to leave this area.” He looked to her, “Santiago will kill everyone here.” He looked way, “I know because...I drew up the plans.”

“Okay.” Now his guilt and resistance to the Sisters was making sense. “Then, if you’re willing, you’re the best chance we’ve got at survival. Cause you know the weak spot.” She turned to face him fully. “And we’re not completely defenseless. The Sisterhood believes in healing, but I live by a more...predatory...code. I won’t hesitate to kill if provoked.” Even though she wouldn’t like it. Abruptly, Jess pulled her thoughts away from that path. The time for bloody retribution was coming, but it wasn’t here yet. And it would do no good to stir up her bestial side of her nature without a way to safely vent it. “I’ll try to convince them to leave this area, but so far they’ve been stubborn about it. Too many people here need help, so they won’t go. But sometimes I think they’re waiting for something to happen.

“You haven’t killed anyone yet. So you can help stop Santiago. Even if it is just a temporary victory, it will be worth it. And you might get a chance to get back at whoever shot you.” She laid her hand on his arm again. “Please. Help us.”

Pinocchio laid there, turning his head from Jess as she spoke. His eyes had closed as each word left her lips. Not defenseless...against Santiago? That was a laugh. The man had a military. What did they have? A few guns? And so what if she was a fighter. One amongst hundreds of men. All following orders of Santiago...like he did ...once.

Pinocchio turned his head to her. Haven’t killed...if she only knew...how many...how many lives he ruined...had...”You don’t know anything about me to make that comment.” he sneered. “And who shot me is none of your business!” He snapped out.

She felt her temper flare, but held herself in check. Convenient target, she reminded herself. He was hurting and she was the closest thing he could lash out at. “Fair enough,” she said, withdrawing her hand.

“I’ll try and help you get them to leave but fighting is not an option. You are how many here? What, ten, twenty? Santiago will send a Hundred men out here with heavy equipment. You think guns can stand up to that?” Pinocchio swung his legs over the side to the ground. “Your best chance to survive is to run.”

It rankled her to admit it, but Jess thought there was some wisdom in that. “Then help me convince the Sisters to move camp.” They had been adamant about not moving, since there were so many here that needed help. “I’ve done everything I can, tried every argument I know, but they won’t budge. Maybe hearing it from you will actually convince them.”

She looked up at him. Moving the wounded would take time. Plus they actually had a safe place to move them to. A group their size wandering aimlessly would be an easy target – not only for Santiago’s soldiers, but other opportunistic marauders. “How long do you figure we have?”

Pinocchio had turned his head to the woman and actually looked at her as she spoke. There was a softness about her but also a harness as well. Something wild behind the gaze of her eyes. He could also tell...she was real. Real like he was. It was that glitter in her eyes, that one of hope. Something this place didn’t seem to have when he looked at these digital beings around him....except the Sisters...and that was eerie to him.

He gave a shrug, “I don’t know, a few days. But now would be a good time to start.” He drew in a breath as he stood. “I’ll talk to them, for what good it will do. If they are as stubborn as you say....” He grabbed his boots and started putting them on. He needed some weapons, guns. He left the city with just his revolver.

He needed to get to his stash. Lucky he still had it. Set it up when he first got into the Realm. He drew in a breath and looked at her, “Let’s go talk to them then...” He didn’t know what really other than...parting ways.

Jess nodded. “This way.” She honestly hoped that Pinocchio would be able to convince the Sisters to move. Maybe hearing it coming from one of Santiago’s former soldiers would carry more weight.

Former soldier, she thought. She’d have to keep an eye on him. This could be an elaborate setup by Santiago to entrap them. But she didn’t think that he was Pinocchio was. He smelled too honest and too upset. But still, she felt slightly uneasy as she led him towards where the Sisters had congregated. She caught the eye of the elder one that normally requested her to do things for them and waited for her to acknowledge their presence.

The elder old woman walked over to greet them. The silence around them disturbed Pinocchio. She walked up and hugged Jess then looked at Pinocchio who backed up a step, as if he was going to be hugged as well and he wanted no part of it.

“Look, you have to...” Pinocchio started out but then the old Woman interrupted.

She motioned Pinocchio over into another area of the barn and he followed. Inside people were gathered. The sick, homeless, weak and hungry. Sisters could be seen tending to them, feeding, healing, caring.

Pinocchio took it all in as he was forced to walk amongst them. Children looked up at him with sad eyes, women stared, men injured just watched. As he walked through, Pinocchio could see what past orders he had given had done. He felt sick.

She stopped and looked back at him as if telling him now to speak.

He looked about then back to her, “If you stay, he will finish what he started. He will send his men in and undo what you have done.” He stepped closer, “You are fighting a losing cause.”

The old woman shook her head and placed her hand upon his heart which he backed away.

“He will come in with tanks, large equipment...there is no stopping him.” He urged.

Jess had followed silently, watching Pinocchio’s reaction. He clearly was feeling pain over the suffering he had caused. And he was trying to help them in his own way. And he was telling the Sisters what Jess believed deep down in her heart. Santiago would come for them. It was only a matter of when.

She stepped up even with Pinocchio. “He’s right,” she said quietly, looking the Sister in her eye. “If you’re not willing to move elswhere, we should at least find a place we can evacuate to if we have to. Otherwise,” she looked around at the wounded, “this will all be for naught.”

Pinocchio glanced over at Jess then the old woman. “This is nuts!” he threw his hands up. But as he turned, he saw eyes upon him. He took them in then sighed and he then grumbled to himself. He was going to hate himself for this later.

He looked back to Jess. “If they won’t leave, then we have to find some way to get them to protect themselves. Some of these people can fight.” He motioned around. “I...I got some stuff stashed...” He rolled his eyes, “Why do I feel like I’ve more than entered the Twilight Zone.” He started walking out, “Come on,” he motioned to Jess.

Jess couldn’t help but let out a morbid chuckle. “If you only knew...” she muttered under her breath. Although the Night Gallery might have been a more appropriate choice she thought with grim humor. With a last squeeze for the elderly Sister, Jess started after Pinocchio.

Catching up with the man, she started asking questions. “What exactly do you have stashed? How much? And how far away is it?” Timing would have to be done carefully to avoid Santiago’s patrols. “And you don’t have to do this,” she said. “If you don’t want anything to do this, let me know where they are and I’ll retrieve them.”

Pinocchio ignored the first few questions but then flashed her a look as she asked where the items were and she would retrieve them. He held his tongue and looked away walking along. “I have a stash of weapons, bombs, grenades, equipment to survive out here if I had to...Just didn’t think I would have ever...had to.” He ended softly as his brow furrowed at the thought.

“I had it since I first entered...” He stopped in correcting himself, “When all this started going down.” He had to remind himself, some of these people weren’t real. That was just what WAS getting his goat. Here he was...helping VC. People that weren’t even real...not a lick of them. Not like him.

“Hang on a second,” she said, turning around and ducking into the last building where the Sisters happened to store their food. She wasn’t certain how far they were going, and it would be better to bring something along in case they ran into trouble. Grabbing a small bag, she snatched a loaf of bread and a small slab of cheese. A couple of handfuls of dried fruit went into the sack as well. Meat would be easier to catch as they traveled rather than carry with them. Tying the bag to her belt, she went outside with the supplies and played catch up with Mike again.

He made it to the road and started walking. He stopped and looked about, “Okay, I need you to tell me where we are. And we walk, not taking any vehicle. Not noticeable of Santiago’s men are about. We can hid in the woods better that way. We need to go west of the city and north.” He informed her.

Jess nodded, approving of his tactics. Traveling by foot wouldn’t be any big hardship for her. “We’ve got a bit of a walk ahead of us. We’re about ten miles east of the city. We can follow the road for a while, but we’ll have to cut into the woods eventually if you don’t want to go into the city.”

“How long is it going to take to get there?” She’d be okay in the woods without a tent or sleeping bag, but the same might not be the same for him. “Before we go to far, do we need any gear? Are we going to be spending the night in the woods?”

Pinocchio kept walking however his pace was slower for Jess to catch up with him. His mind was working on what needed to be done. He then heard her coming up beside him and glanced to her. “Great,” He grumbled under his breath as he listen to her tell of their location. They did have a walk ahead of them. Day at the most if they made good time. And avoided any of Santiago’s men.

“Yeah, we will.” Lucky his car was there so getting back wouldn’t be a problem. He chewed on his inner cheek glancing to see the stash she had, “I...if you want to bring it, I won’t need it.” He said in regards to the gear. He had spent nights out with less than what was on his back. Sadly was back then, he could build a fire...now...well they will find out.

“Okay.” Jess didn’t really need any gear either. If the weather turned nasty, she’d survive it. And it would be better to get moving instead of backtracking for items that neither of them really wanted or needed. If Santiago was a close as he claimed, they’d need all the speed that they could.

He motioned with his head for her to follow, “Try and keep up,” he said as his pace picked up.

Jess shook her head. “You really know how to make friends, don’t you?” she muttered. She could easily outstrip him in both terms of speed and stamina just to show him up. But that would mean revealing her abilities, something that she wasn’t eager to do.

After about an hours walk in comparative silence Jess abruptly halted, raising her hand. She stood stock still, listening intently. Her nostrils flaired slightly and then she tensed. “Off the road!” she hissed in a whisper. “Now!” Grabbing Mike by the hand, she jerked him off the road and into the scrub lining it.

Pinocchio walked along but then he stopped as Jess did and was just as still. His eyes looked about, didn’t see anything. He listened, thought he heard something but wasn’t sure. But then she grabbed him and was jerking him off the road. Mike ran after her then dove into the scrub line.

He laid flat on his stomach as he looked out. Then he heard it, a truck, sounded like a HumVee. He got lower...if that was possible. His eyes narrowed, patrol, two maybe four guys tops. Just let them pass and nothing would happen...nothing...he hoped.

Jess’s thoughts were a silent mantra, a prayer that they kept on moving. And then she realized her teeth were considerably sharper and her hair and nails longer. Horrified that she was losing her control in a fear reaction, the mantra shifted, hoping Pinocchio wouldn’t look at her as she reversed the transformation.

The HumVee rolled into sight and Jess stopped breathing. Stomach to the dirt, she froze, willing them to keep moving. Just keep moving, she thought over and over. Just keep moving.

And as if they heard her prayer, they did.

But she didn’t let out a sigh of relief until they passed beyond her hearing. And even then she didn’t lose her caution. Causiously she belly crawled towards the road, moving silently. When she verified that she couldn’t see them, she rose to a crouching position for a few moments, and then finally stood up. She looked back at the brush and took a deep breath and nodded, indicating that they were gone.

Pinocchio stayed where he was, he was a bigger target. He watched Jess crawl, she did it with such natural easy. His eyes stayed on her but here and there would flash about. He held his breath the whole time he felt.

His eyes watched as Jess made it to the road. He found himself admiring her ass and mentally slapped himself. Why? He couldn’t figure it out. Part of him guessed he was still tied to the snake.

He moved when she indicated it was clear. Moving up to her, “We better put some distance between us and them incase they come back.” He grabbed her arm and started pulling her along, but heading into the tree line. The way he moved through them seemed natural, like he had done this before. Which he had, when he first got to the realm, got to know the woods well. Only way to stay alive...unless one did what he did... Gave in.

“Good idea.” Amazingly, she didn’t tear off his arm when he grabbed her and started dragging her into the woods. Instead Jess let him guide her. She was familiar with these woods, but from a slightly different perspective, one lower to the ground. All of her landmarks were now slightly off.

Realizing that he was still holding her arm, she pulled away gently, a faint blush on her cheeks. Old and half remembered emotions and longings where creeping into her, things she thought she’d never feel again. Even though now was not the time nor the place. Nor could she figure out why she was having them – if she was reacting to pheromones, or if there was something deeper going on.

They both moved quietly through the woods, not making as good time as when they were traveling on the on the road. Plus now they were heading in slightly the wrong direction. They were now heading in more of a western direction than the northwestern on the road. So that would add to the time that it would take to get to his stash of weapons. “We’re not going to make it there in one day,” she guessed, waiting to be contradicted. They were getting further off course by the moment. “Do you have a place you want to stop for the night?”

Pinocchio could feel the anger in him building, the longer the walk was, the further west the were going. Now it would take even longer, and time was not on their side. He stopped when she spoke, his eyes looking out into the nothing, keeping his mouth closed before he snapped and said something he would regret.

Slowly he spoke, “I know and no I don’t. When we get tried and nearly dropping then we just rest where we are at if it is wise to.” He looked back at her.

“Fine,” Jess said a bit peevishly. If he was going to be like this the rest of the journey, it was going to be even more of a joy, she thought sarcastically. He may be angry at the situation, but she wasn’t going to let herself be the target. “You know I’m not the enemy,” she said. “I’m just trying to help.”

“I didn’t volunteer for this duty. To be put in the Realm, I mean. I was...assigned it.” Which was true in a sense. Problem was that it wasn’t an assignment she couldn’t refuse. “And I’ve been trying to find a way out ever since.” Although sometimes she wondered if it wasn’t better that she was inside. Outside, she’d be subjected to who knows what test to find the limits of her abilities. “This is going to go a lot easier and faster if we work with each other and stop biting each other’s head off.” She looked at him with a half smile on her face. “Truce?”

Pinocchio stopped and looked at Jess, his mouth opened but then it closed once again. He drew in a breath, opened his mouth again and even raised a finger at her but then he just sighed and shook his head, “Truce,” He gave in. “I’m... Sorry if...my attitude toward you is to....harsh.”

“It’s okay,” Jess said, half grin still on her face. “You’ve been through a lot in the last 24 hours. I just wanted to get out of the firing range.”

He started walking again. “It just seems that ever since I got here, nothing has gone right. I thought it did for a while but I was lying to myself.” he said to her as he kept walking, moving branches aside. “I tried to do my mission. Unlike you, I volunteered. Biggest mistake in my life.” He said under his breath.

She followed along beside and slightly behind him, his words floating back to her. The trees and bushes made it impossible for them to walk side by side. “With an exception of a few, I think everyone feels that way in here.”

He finally came to a log and sat down to rest motioning her to sit as well. “I realized something, you can’t kill what won’t die. You can’t kill that which controls the game. And he controls the game.” He looked to her. “Now all I want to do is get some moment, catch the first boat out of here heading south. I know, cowardly... But this coward is tired of fighting.” He sighed in looking out.

She sighed also, taking the seat a few inches from him. She also stared out into the trees, unable to see the horizon. “You know, I feel that way sometimes too. Except that I remember that if I get out, it’s only a matter of time.” Jess wasn’t referring to Santiago in particular, but the group of men who had placed her inside the game. They would do something worse to her. And as for running away inside the game, unless a stronger resistance developed, Santiago would soon control it all. Neither option particularly appealed to her.

“You’ve been doing it all on your own, right?” She guessed that since he hadn’t mentioned any comrades in arms or allies. “Cause I felt the way you do for a long time. But it helps to have friends to watch your back.” She wasn’t trying to recruit for the Sisters by any means. “I mean, it helps if you can trust people worth it, even if only for a little while. Let you rest and heal and think instead of just having to react constantly. And then for some reason, you resume the fight, even though it seems to be the craziest, most suicidal option. Or at least that’s what happened in my case.”

“But I guess you’re not me,” she said, guessing his reaction before he could say it. Jess turned to him, shifting on the log to look at him directly. “And since the Sister’s aren’t here to object, let’s make a deal. You get the weapons back to the Sisters and you’re free to go. We won’t try to stop you or convince you to stay.” She held out her hand. Instincts told her that she could trust him. Otherwise, Santiago, she guessed, wouldn’t have been trying to kill him. “So what do you say? Deal?”

Pinocchio looked at the woman but then looked away as he stared at the ground. He had left the fight long ago, joined the other side. Now... He closed his eyes. He turned his head to Jess when she shifted. He held her gaze, listening to her intently.

Pinocchio looked down at her hand then back to her. He slowly reached out and took her hand. “Deal,” He said quietly as he continued to stare at her. He just sat there staring at her, still holding her hand till he slowly pulled it away. “You hungry?” he asked reaching for the pouch to get some food.

Jess held his stare as well as his hand. There was nothing challenging in his stare, unlike the canines and once a mountain lion she had to face down. But her heart was pounding rapidly. “Yeah,” she said, watching him open the sack. She was starting to feel hungry, but what she felt more was the tingling of her skin where he had touched her.

“There should be some dried fruit in there, and some fresh bread. Meat’s getting harder and harder to come by,” she apologized. “If we get the chance, I could probably catch something...er, I mean I set a decent snare trap. That takes time though” Nervously, she hoped that he hadn’t caught her slip up. It would be awkward to explain how she was planning to catch rabbits or other small game.

Pinocchio pulled out the fruits and bread, tearing a chunk off and handed it over to her. “I’m not worried about it. Would be nice but I can wait till we get to my hideout. I got some dried meat there. Jerk.” He handed her some fruit as well. Pinocchio had caught her little slip up but didn’t say anything...at this moment.

“We’ll catch a few hours of sleep too if you want. Trade off watches.” he slid down the log to land on the round so the log was now his back rest. He chewed at the fruit, his eyes staring out and he started to zone out. His hand absently reached up and touched the area where he had been shot. His eyes closed and his eyelashes glisten with tears when he did.

Jess stayed on the log, her senses alert, taking the first watch without saying a word. Pinocchio was still recovering in a way and probably could use the rest more than she needed it. But she was still surprised to look down at him and see the anguish on his face. Gently, not to startle him, she leaned down to awkwardly place her hand on his shoulder. “Hey, it’s gonna be okay.” And she almost believed it.

Slipping off the log, she crouched next to him. She knew what it was like, to feel alone and friendless and to watch your world crashing and burning around you, but leaving you alive to suffer. Not certain how he’d react and wondering if she was making a big mistake, she put her arms around him, just to let him know that he wasn’t alone.

He didn’t jump, he didn’t moved. He just tried to keep still or he was going to lose it. He knew he was, he was close to it now. But then he heard her coming down beside him. He turned his head and opened his eyes. The blues glisten with tears held back.

As Jess moved in, he didn’t fight her, he felt her arms go around him. He shook at first, almost wanting to push her away. However Mike fought it and he finally slipped an arm around her, burying his head in her neck. He didn’t cry just trembled a little. He then however did something that surprised him. He turned his head then kissed her, it was soft at first but then deepened.

She hadn’t expected this. She had expected to hold him while he cried, to whisper comforting nonsense syllables, and ease him to sleep that he needed. And she certainly hadn’t expected to start kissing him back, her hand coming up to cradle the back of his head.

It had been years since she had kissed anyone, touched anyone in a sexual way. She was shaking almost as much as he was as desires she had thought long dead and never to have a chance to be revived suddenly sprang to life. Part of her mind told her that she shouldn’t be doing this, that she should pull away. He didn’t know what she was or what he was getting into. This would only lead to disaster.

Pinocchio pulled Jess closer and then to straddle his lap. A hand slowly traveled up her back while then other played in her hair then the back of her neck. However he suddenly stopped, his breath held as he squeezed his eyes tighter closed. He felt like curling up into a ball because all he kept seeing was not this beautiful woman before him, but a gun barrel pointed at him then a bullet racing through the air.

He started to tremble even more, tears stream from his tightly closed eyes. He pulled her into his chest and held her with a crushing hold it seemed. He buried his head in her neck, “Why did she have to do it?” he whispered into her skin, “Why?”

“Shhh....” she whispered, tightening her arms around him comfortingly. So that’s what had happen. A lover, she guessed from the intensity of his emotions, had betrayed him. Perhaps was even was the one who shot him. Either way, the man was in a lot of pain, and trying to hold it all inside. “Let it out. It’s just going to poison you otherwise. There’s nobody here but me. Just let it go.”

Jess’s lips softly brushed his head, offering what comfort she could. Gently she rocked him back and forth, letting him cry out his pain. Her own eyes were misty with tears. This level of pain was something she was all too familiar with, and had fought a long battle to overcome. She just hoped that he would be able to heal.

Pinocchio sniffled as he tired to reign back his tears. He could feel how tight his chest was. How much it was hurting. He drew in a breath and pulled back, his eyes looking at her. He had great sadness in them, and it went deep.

He leaned in and kissed Jess softly again, but this time he moved so that they were now stretched out against the log and he was over her. He felt the need to drown his feeling, to forget them and this was the only way at the moment that he could think of to do that. And perhaps, it would also rid him of that other feeling, that other woman.

Jess settled to the ground, his weight resting firmly on her. Her fingers lightly ran through his hair as she kissed him back. They were both in need of physical comfort, both needed to know that they weren’t alone in this digital hell. The rational part of her mind was yelling at her to stop. A lover, or even a one night stand was something that would make her life infinitely more complicated now. But she ignored that voice in favor of animal instincts. Maybe they were just using each other to forget, but maybe it could be the start of something deeper.

She kissed Mike back passionately, her other hand exploring his back. If she had any questions about his story of being a soldier, his muscular body pressed against hers would have dispelled them. Nose pressed against his skin, she inhaled his musky scent as she opened her mouth, bringing her tongue into play. She wasn’t exactly certain how far he wanted to take this, but she was willing to go wherever he led.

Pinocchio kissed Jess deeply, his breath heavy as he pulled away to kiss along her neck. His one arm was under her, supporting her, the other sliding down her body till he reached her waist band. There he tugged at the shirt and pulled it free somewhat, his fingers at last touching her skin.

He gave a low moan as he did so and his body pressed more into her. He moved it up slowly then around, touching here and there. His mouth covered her with wet kisses, moving from one side to the other. He then found her bra. His fingers traced along it before lifting then slipping under to cup her. He gave a squeeze just as his mouth covered her again for a deep kiss.

Jess arched into both his touch and his kiss. Moaning as well, she slid her hands further down his back, one stopping at his belt and one continuing on until it cupped his ass. The one at his waist started tugging his shirt upwards. Urging him to sit up for a moment, she peeled her shirt off and then his.

Her breathing grew noticeably heavier at the sight of his chest. His was a body of a man who took good care of himself. She reached out and placed her palm flat against his sternum, feeling the strong heartbeat there before moving it downwards. Jess smiled at the feeling of soft skin, firm muscles, and ticklish hairs as she reached his waistband. All thoughts of safety and stopping miles away, she paused and looked at his face, waiting for his next move.

Pinocchio sat up at Jess’ urging, having felt her desire to touch him he started to pull off his only to stop and stare at the body before him. His blue eyes caressed her lean muscular form only to be jerked from his daze by her helping.

As his shirt was removed, Pinocchio tossed it aside. He sat still and seemed to hold his breath as she touched him, especially on his chest. He almost feared she would curl her fingers in, dig into his chest and rip his heart out. But she didn’t. Jess’s hand was going down his chest.

His eyes caressed Jess as she waited upon him, then he slowly reached up and started undoing his pants. He worked them open but then just left it at that, his own hands going to her waist band and started work them open.

She lifted her hips, helping him peel her jeans off of her waist. Her hand slipped further down his abdomen, slipping over his well defined abs to cup his groin. She smiled up at him as she lightly squeezed and felt him jump against her. Her fingers kept busy, lightly stroking him through his underwear.

Reaching up, she pulled in back down against her body, kissing him eagerly. Jess couldn’t help but moan at the feel of his skin against hers, the way is body cradled against hers. She had never thought that she would feel this again, and she was relishing every moment of it.

Mike closed his eyes at Jess’ touch upon his groin which made him shiver. His eyes opened to catch her smiling at him then giving him a little squeeze which made him jump a little. He was moving at the time she was reaching up, dropping his arms on either side of her before going down to kiss her in return.

He moved an arm around and under Jess, dragging her more into him as he devoured her in a very possessive and dominating kiss. His breathing was heavy, being dragged in through his nose. He reached with his other hand and took hold of her wrist. Pulling his mouth from her, he moved right to her breast and covered one as he bit the nipple while sucking upon her.

Jess let out a loud moan, pushing into his mouth. If any of Santiago’s men were around, they would have been discovered. But that was the farthest thing from her mind as his mouth devoured her. She spread her legs wider, feeling almost obscenely wet. Turning her head, she started kissing the crown of his head, his cheek, whatever part of him she could reach.

Mike groaned against her soft skin as he was moving her hand down into his underwear so that she could really feel the hard flesh that was there. He moved her hand up and down him before letting her go and his hand coming up to her breast that he was suckling upon. He cupped it and pushed it up a little. Sucking kisses were placed upon it before he came up and kissed her neck, “Oh God,” He groaned as he started to move his body over her, more than ready to enter her.

Her hand continued to stroke him, pulling him nearer and guiding him were they both wanted him. She let out a soft hiss as he breached her. Though by no means a virgin, it had been a while for her, so her passage was tight. But she didn’t let him stop or back away. She arched up to ease his entrance into her. Letting go of him, Jess wrapped her arms around his back, pulling him close to her. Once he was fully inside, she let out a loud groan, pressing her head against his shoulder.

The initial entry was tight and it made Pinocchio’s body shudder greatly. He had dropped his head down against her shoulder as he pushed in to meet her. Once the touched, he held his position, savoring the feeling of Jess’ pulsing walls around him and he tucked into her warmth. It was almost comforting in a way.

Other than involuntary twitches, Jess held perfectly still beneath him, a smile on her face as she tried to catch her breath. She was tense beneath him, but not because she wanted to stop. Instead, she was trying to push herself closer into his body.

He turned his head, his breath upon her ear as he slowly drew his hips back. The pull was just as pleasurable as the push. He pulled nearly out but then went back in, this time it wasn’t slow for he rammed into her, grunting as he did so. He repeated it again before a pace was starting to be set. His mouth seeked out her throat, kissing, licking, biting into her as he started to slightly let loose.

He wasn’t gentle by any means, and that was just how Jess wanted it. She relished the bites at her neck as she arched up to meet him his movements. Her fingers dug into his skin, scratching his back. They both needed the pain and the pleasure, a harsh reminder that they were still alive and not ghosts in the machine.

She placed nipping kisses on his neck and shoulders, careful not to break his skin. That would have disastrous consequences. But she didn’t back off one bit. If anything, she urged him on, squeezing with her vaginal muscles as she scratched and pulled and nipped at him.

Pain, oh the pain, he needed it, longed for it, and it indeed reminded him that he was still human, still alive, still real. Her nails upon his back, her nipping, all sensations he could relate to. It caused him to put on a brutal pace, hammering harder and harder till he was feeling it, she was feeling it and grunts, growls were pushed from him and her.

“Ahh, shit,” after some time he grunted that out for there was that familiar tightening, expanding and then that surged of flooding fluids into her. His last one was thrusted up hard into Jess that it made her move, not like they hadn’t been inching across the ground as it was. Pinocchio was amazed she took it, every bit of it and liked it. Hell she seemed to have wanted more...not that at the moment he would have wanted to give her that but really they were taking a risk as it was doing this in the open.

Feeling him surge into her triggered her climax. She shook with her release and let out a cry that was less than human but more than an animal in heat.

When he was finished, he dropped down upon the body below him, panting and trying to calm down. He didn’t say anything, just laid atop her, trying to catch his breath.

He didn’t seem inclined to talk, and neither did she. Jess just breathed heavily, her body relaxing. Her back should be covered in scratches and small bruises from the rough ground, but she knew by the time she dressed her skin would be unblemished, like all the other times she hurt herself. She just hoped Pinnochio wouldn’t notice.

A corner of her mind was relieved that he hadn’t triggered...a loss of control. The Sisters weren’t here to remind her of who she really was. But though it hadn’t been his intention, Pinocchio just had – that at her core, there was a woman who just wanted to be loved.

Not sure quite what to do or to say, she just continued to hold him, listening for potential danger. Eventually she let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know about you, but I hate awkward silences.”

Pinocchio had been breathing into Jess’ neck, not wanting to move. He had originally just wanted to fuck her to get his mind off of things, to get the feel of Inga from him, to relieve some stress he was feeling, he could think of a hundred of excuses but now...now he found he didn’t want to leave, to get up. There was just something about her that...

Her words broke his chain of thought. He lifted his head then kissed her deeply. He pulled back, “Then don’t say anything,” he kissed her again then pulled back, finally forcing himself to push back from her, though before he did, he lingered looking down at her. All he hoped for was that if she was going to shoot him, she do it soon and do it quick.

However he pushed from her, pulling away and drawing his pants back up. “Get some rest, I’ll keep watch for a few hours.” He said in looking about. He looked back to her, his eyes locking to hers. There was a slight pain in his eyes as he gazed to her but then he looked away.

Jess sat up, watching him intently as she reached for her clothes. They had just been trying to ease the pain, she told herself. Just sex and nothing more. Then why did she feel...bonded...to him? Why did that expression of ache on his face turn a knife in her gut? Her animal instincts coming to the fore after sex? The fact that he was the first real person in this godforsaken game who had actually been decent to her? Or the fact that they were both more alike than she wanted to admit?

She did not need this, she told herself firmly. This would only end as a disaster. He would hate her for what she was, and it would be better to play it off as a pity fuck. But Jess couldn’t do that, had never been good at hiding her emotions. She was falling hard for Pinocchio, feeling emotions she thought she’d never experience again.

She sat up, leaning her back against the tree, patting the ground besides her, offering. Sleep was the furthest thing from her mind, and she could sense danger before it came too close. All she wanted to do was try to take away the pain in his eyes. “Who was she?” Jess asked softly. Tiptoeing through a mine field, she guessed, but she’d never really been known for tact. And she wanted to know who the competition was, be it a ghost or a memory or a still living lover.

Pinocchio looked away when the question came. It was almost like a slap in the face, one he could feel stinging deep down into his heart. He looked up at the sky, “She was the devil in disguise. I let her put her tongue in my ear...I couldn’t run fast enough.” He sighed in looking back down.

He stood up putting himself more back together, his gun being strapped back on. He looked over at her. His hand rested upon his hip, he should really go check around. He however walked those few steps and sat down beside her. “It’s something I don’ want to talk about at the moment, not sure I’ll ever be ready to.” He reached up and brushed her hair back. “All I can tell you is trust, is going to be very hard to get from me.”

Jess reached up and pressed his hand to her cheek, eyes closed and leaning into his touch slightly. She wanted so badly to answer that he could trust her, but could he? And did she trust him? Not completely was her conclusion. If she did, she’d tell him everything before letting this newfound relationship progress any further. About the medical experiments that had been run on her. About her abilities that turned her into myth become reality. That there was a dark beast in her waiting to burst out of its cage the moment it got a chance. But she didn’t, so how could he trust her?

“I understand,” she said simply. She’d tell him as much of the truth as she could and leave it up to him. “There are things about me I can’t talk about. Things that would make you run away and never look back. Maybe in time I can tell you, but I don’t think either of us are ready for that now.” Opening her eyes, she looked at his unflinchingly. “Knowing that, are you saying that you want to give whatever is happening between us a try?”

Pinocchio looked to Jess, understanding. There were things about him, he feared to tell anyone. Things he did, regretted even doing at all. He looked down as she went on, “Maybe,” he echoed softly. He drew in a breath and looked to her, “Let’s just take this one step at a time. Besides, you might think of me as an asshole later,” He gave a little smile.

“One step at a time is good.” At least she had made him smile. And her heart gave a little flip at seeing it. “Trust me,” she said with a toothy grin. “There will be times you think I”m an utter bitch.”

He got back up, “Get some rest, I’ll check around. Give us at least two hours to rest then we go at it again, okay,” He stepped over the large log and before going to check around, glanced back at her. “Scream really loud if you need me.” He walked a few good paces away, checking about.

“Trust me, you’ll hear the screams,” she called after him. Probably not hers though. Shifting onto her side, Jess curled up into a ball, and let her eyes shut. She didn’t let herself fall completely asleep, but did drowse for a while. She was troubled by half dreams, half worries about what would happen at the next turn of the moon.

After about an hour, Jess sat up and looked around. She wasn’t going to get any more rest than she already had. Spotting Mike standing a few feet from the other side of the fallen log, she stood up. “Mike? I’m not going to get any more rest. Why don’t you try to get some shut eye and then we’ll head on?”

Pinocchio had come back within that hour and watched Jess sleep. Her dark hair reminded him of Inga’s, but just the color. And when she was sleeping she looked just as innocent. However he noticed the way she slept, it reminded him of a dog curled up and with those little twitches here and there, also of a dog when it was dreaming. He thought nothing more on it as he picked at the ground with a stick he found.

He then got up and checked around again, relieved himself then ended up standing looking about, his back to her. He was playing with a toothpick he found in his pocket as he thought of all the shit he had been through as of late. And how shocked Inga would be if she knew he was alive.

His head turned to look over his shoulder, her voice triggering his hand to go immediately to his gun. He released his grip and stepped over the fallen wood. “Just for a little while,” He pulled his watch off and handed it to her, “Here, just an hour, okay.” He then sat down, his back to the tree and closed his eyes. He probably wouldn’t get much sleep either.

Instinct to protect herself triggered when he went for the gun, Jess forced her hand to relax before she took the watch. “One hour,” she agreed as she watched him sit down. Stepping into the bushes, she started to walk the perimeter of the clearing, watching and listening carefully.

Reassured that they were still alone, Jess took care of some basic biological functions. Returning to the clearing, she sat down silently and leaned back on her arms. She stared up at the half moon, which seemed close enough to touch. She was starting to feel it’s pull, the waxing influence becoming stronger and stronger until she had to give into its fullness. Forcing her eyes shut, she rested her head in her hands, wondering how she was going to be able to explain herself to him.

And an hour later, she was still trying to figure it out. Giving up with a sigh, she stood up and walked over where Pinocchio sat. Carefully watching in case he went for the gun again, she reached out and gently shook his shoulder. “Hey. Time’s up.”

Pinocchio woke his hand drifting to his gun but then he realized where he was and who was shaking him. He looked up at Jess and nodded, “Yeah,” He said in pushing up off the tree and stretching. He looked about, “Was quiet huh.” He walked over and picked up the bag. “Let’s get going.”

The pair walked a long ways before he motioned her off into the tree line deeper and to a hole in the ground, covered. Mike climbed down into it and littered about were weapons, crates of food, blankets, everything he would need to survive if he had to. He pulled out some gas cans and set them by the latter.

“Grab those crates over there, they have ammo in them. Stack them up here. I’m going to fill up the car. We got wheels to go back with.” he said in taking a can to climb back up and head for his Chevelle which was covered.

Jess whistled low when she saw the stash he had managed to amass. After having to scrounge for what the Sister’s needed, this was practically a treasure trove of supplies. Looking over at the crates, she judged the weight of them. They’d be heavy for a normal person to move on her own. And they’d still be a bit heavy for her to move unless she Changed. But that wasn’t an option.

Making a big show, she picked up the box, grunting. Walking with short steps, Jess carried it over to where Pinocchio had pointed out. And she repeated it with the second box. Taking a deep breath, she turned back to him. “Got any idea what we should do if we run into another patrol? We’re not going to be able to offroad in that,” she said.

“Don’t need to go off road,” He said in holding the gas can while he filled the car, “This baby will leave them in a trail of dust.” He patted the car, the one thing in the real that didn’t cheat on him, try and kill him, was always there when he needed her.

After filling the car, he popped the trunk. He made room for the boxes in the trunk then returned to help her. He stopped looking at them then back to her, “You...” there were no drag marks on the ground which is what confused him. He shook his head, “Grab one end and I’ll go up first.”

He grabbed it then started heading up the ladder, taking them out to the car. Soon they were packed and he was down below making sure things were secure, counting his inventory and thinking, needed to restock. He then thought, jumping on a boat to the Bahamas wasn’t a bad idea either.

Crap, she thought. He had noticed that she had moved those almost too easily. Resolving to be more careful, she made sure everything was secure. And she started thinking of something to explain her unusual strength. She decided she could tell some things about what had been done to her, but not everything. Not until she saw and gauged his reaction.

Looking up at the sky, she tried to figure out how far away from the Sister’s camp. And she wondered what would happen when they returned. Would Mike stay or go? And if he went, would she follow him or would she stay. Only her sense of obligation was holding her with the Sisters.

She sighed as she thought about the healers, hoping nothing had happened in her absence. If Santiago’s men were as close as Mike was hinting at, they’d better hurry back. “How long do you think before we get back?” she asked.

Pinocchio heard Jess shout down to him below with her question. He paused a moment and that is where he took off his dog tags and left them there. He was no longer Michael Pinocchio. That man died. He walked over and climbed out, “About a half a day, maybe 8 hours in driving.” He shrugged. “We’ll be there soon enough baring we keep away from the patrols.”

He closed the hole back up and covered it so well it was hard to tell it was there. He walked back to the car, throwing open the door. He only hoped Santiago hadn’t gotten there and they were to late. For he didn’t want to return to smoke from burning buildings.

Seeing him cover the hole, Jess took a seat in the passenger’s seat of the car and settled in. A relatively long drive, but she wasn’t looking forward to hauling the supplies back to the camp on foot. “Then let’s get this show on the road.” She noticed the lack of the dogtags, but didn’t comment on them. Letting go of the past and searching for a new self was difficult to do. She knew that from personal experience. And maybe, she thought looking at Mike out of the corner of her eye, she could help him.

She closed her eyes, leaning her head back against the seat as he started the engine. It had been a while since she had ridden in a car. It would be a temptation to give into the urge to roll down the window and stick her head out of it, sampling the breeze as they sped down the road...

The Chevelle rumbled to life, the heavy motor purring at it’s owner and knowing what he wanted. He slowly pulled away from the area and made it to the road with little bumping and shifting of the passenger. Once on the road, the car sent them both back into the seat as it tore off down the road, the wind whipping through the car. Pinocchio glanced over as he shifted in his seat.

“Just relax, going to be a long drive,” He reached behind the seat and tossed her an MRE, Meal Ready to Eat, “All I have for dinner. At least it’s food.” He said as he went to driving, his eyes concentrating on the road and he seemed more relaxed now that he was in familiar territory...his car.

“Thanks.” She ripped open the pouch, nose wrinkling at the contents. “And the old saying is true. It’s a lie three times.” But he was right. No matter how it tasted, it was edible. And there was a wisdom in her instincts – never turn down a meal because you never knew when you’d eat next.

Flipping the package over, she reviewed the instructions on preparations. She pulled out the snack bar, unwrapped it, and bit in. Leaning her head back against the seat, she enjoyed the feeling of speed. “So do you own one of these on the outside, or is this some sort of wish fulfillment?” she asked.

Pinocchio glanced over at the woman beside him then back out the window, “Little of both. Mine wasn’t near as supped up this one is.” He shifted in the seat seeming to settle down in the seat more. “It’s in storage right now. Had to put it there when I was sent on some missions over seas,” he commented as he reached for the canteen of water and took a swig from it.

“Tell me something...How much about the Sisters do you know. I never really could understand why Santiago wants them gone so badly.” Or he just didn’t want to...he knew it wasn’t just because they could heal...it was something more.

Jess took a deep breath, looking thoughtful. “They’re different,” she said slowly, as if trying to choose the right words. “They have a belief in a higher power, that they’re paving the way for a messiah that will save us all by winning the game. I guess what it boils down to is they have faith.”

“And I think that’s why Santiago is so afraid of them,” she added thoughtfully. “He wants to be God here, and isn’t willing to share power with anyone. He’s afraid that the belief in a coming messiah will spread, that everybody will be watching for this coming savior. And that somebody will either put up a figurehead or claim to be that messiah. My guess is he figures if he eliminates the Sisters, he eliminates the competition. Plus, according to the Sisters, the messiah is supposed to be accompanied by a warrior and a healer. Eliminate the healers and...” Jess shrugged, not bothering to finish the sentence.

“Belief...not part of the programming,” He grumbled under his breath. “They didn’t program God into this fuckin place. How can they have a belief?” He glanced over but then looked away. What she said made sense. Santiago wanted to be all controlling. He had ideals, dreams...of the way it should be. What the four fathers of our country didn’t do the first time. Santiago wanted that.

“And that’s what scares him. Officially there is no God, but they have faith and with faith, hope. It’s something beyond his, and our, control, that can’t be predicted by running a line of code through a simulation. I don’t know if this is some sort of glitch, or a random error, or a practical joke by some programmer. But they have belief.”

“well if they are waiting for this...this savior...this messiah...they have a long fuckin wait.” He said under his breath. “Ain’t no one going to be able to take him out.” His avoided a pot hole in the road, what was once flat and probably maintained but now falling apart. Only suitable for tanks now.

“We’re got a few more hours, take a nap.”

Jess arched an eyebrow. “You’ve got such a way with people, you know that?” It was a good idea though. She closed her eyes and slumped down in the seat a bit. “Wake me if we run into trouble, or if you want to take a break for a while.” She didn’t fall asleep, but considered his words. He was right in a way. Someone who wanted to take out Santiago would be asking for a hell of a lot of trouble. “Lord have mercy on whoever’s soul that tries,” she half muttered.

Pinocchio drove and drove, how long, he lost track. His mind thought upon what Jess had told him. Santiago was trying to eliminate the hope, crush it like he did everything else. He was fighting it like it was a real thing and keep it from spreading. Why did it remind him so much of the Bible? Probably because it was...in a sense. He snorted, a modern day messiah...not possible.

Now in the car, she allowed herself to fall into a deeper sleep than earlier. She had almost forgotten the sound of a motor, the slight sway of the seat, and even how the car lurched as it hit smaller ruts in the road. It all lulled her deeper into unconsciousness, one blessedly free from the dreams and worries that haunted her.

He drove some more, the land passing quickly by and behind them. He turned onto better roads and knew this was risking being spotted by patrols but it was the quickest way. He then slammed on the breaks. His arm automatically reached out and stopped Jess from hitting the dash board. His eyes looked out at the distant smoke rising from their destination.

“Damn...” he said quietly for he had a feeling he knew what happened.

Stunned out of a sound sleep she bounced off his arm and back into the seat. Irritated, she was about to make a snarky comment about his driving skills, or lack thereof. But as Jess opened her mouth, the scent hit her. Burning wood. Her head snapped back to the road, eyes seeking where where they were to end up. “Oh god no,” she whispered.

She couldn’t smell death in the air, but with the bodies flashing out, she wouldn’t unless she was at the spot where the body had been. The person’s scent just stopped at that point. But with smoke rising, she didn’t doubt that there hadn’t been casualties or fatalities. She turned back to Mike, eyes wide with worry. “How far are we?”

Pinocchio shook his head, “Not far,” he breathed then closed his eyes as he knew they were to late. Opening them slowly he started again, driving and pushing his car as fast as it could go.

Upon reaching the area, no bodies could be seen, tank tracks could. The barn was on fire, nearly to the ground already. Pinocchio got out, no people were around. He saw shell casings about. He picked one up then looked about. “We’re to late,” He breathed.

“No,” Jess said, exiting from the car. Her heart was pounding as she surveyed the destruction of the barn. The stink of fuel and gunpowder overwhelmed her, but underneath it she could smell the coppery scent of blood. But she couldn’t tell if anyone had died – her sense of smell wasn’t discrete enough to tell in this form. “I should have been here,” she whispered.

Circling around the perimeter, she tried to make sense of the tracks. In shock, she just interpreted what they told her. “They came in from that way,” she said, pointing back along the road they came. “It was dumb luck that they missed us. Probably that convoy we saw was the advance scout.”

Moving woodenly, she walked towards the smoldering barn. “A lot of soldier’s lined up here.” Her arm swept across her body in front of a piling of cases. Avoiding disturbing patches of ground, she knelt down and sniffed and studied the depression on the dirt. “And a lot of people died here.” Her voice was hollow, letting the scents tell the tale. The grief would come later, once she had time to process her emotions. “She reached down and placed a hand reverently on the ground. “The Sisters died here.” She shut her eyes and a shiver passed through her frame. The only people who accepted her, who reminded her of what it was to be human, were gone.

There was a slight rustle in the wood behind her. She whipped around, inhaling sharply and squinting into the foliage. Not seeing anything, Jess drew herself to her full height and cupped her hands in front of her mouth, forming a tube of sorts. Taking a deep breath, she let out a soft, mournful howl that ended in a quiet whine. If there were survivors, they would know that the wolf cry was safe to come towards. The people the Sisters were aiding didn’t know her secret, but they had been told that there was a trained black wolf-dog that warded the perimeter. And if it was a soldier that responded, Jess would make him sorry that he had ever put the uniform on.

Pinocchio walked around, not saying to much. He didn’t’ need to. He knew, from doing this first hand. What they did, how they executed the maneuver and the people. He then looked over, hearing Jess call out. He looked back around, kicking at things. Doll from a little girl. Hay about the flooring. “I don’t think you are going to...”

He looked up as he heard the brush being parted. Venturing out, with a gun in hand... The one called Florence walked up. Her grip tight upon the trigger. It actually made Pinocchio kind of nervous for he knew a M16 had a very sensitive trigger. She looked at them, her white gown dirty and she looked determined.

Then slowly she lowered the gun and dropped to her knees in silent tears.

And in a heartbeat Jess was kneeling in front of Florence, her own tears mingling with the Sister’s as she pulled her close. “I’m sorry, Florence. I’m so sorry,” she whispered over and over. She could have been apologizing for leaving, as if she wouldn’t have been slaughtered or recaptured. But all she could think was she should have been there to help, that maybe more would have survived if she had been there.

Jess pulled back enough to look at Florence’s tear streaked face. The fact that she was alone and was willing to use (let alone had) a weapon told Jess the answer to her next question. But she felt compelled to say it anyway. “There are no other survivors?”

Pinocchio reached over, grabbing Florence under the arm, “No time now, let’s get the hell out of here first.” he said in pulling Florence up as he looked around. He went to take the gun but Florence jerked it away. She pushed him off then stood in shaking her head to Jess about her question.

It was a knife wound to the heart. The entire enclave, gone, and in the space of a few hours. “He’s right. We need to get out of here. We can mourn later,” she added, wiping her tears away with the heel of her hand. Survival had to come foremost now. They needed to get to someplace less dangerous quickly. Jess was starting to believe that there was no place safe left in the virtual world.

He ran back over to the car and climbed inside. Finding the nearest town was best bet, away from the fence. “We get away from here, far away. Away from the fence.” He started the car as Florence climbed into the back seat. She had to squeeze in because of the supplies but found a spot. She started looking at it then back to him, her head turning to Jess. So he was actually being nice and giving up some of his stuff.

She started searching threw it, finding some cloths and started to change. “Hey!” Pinocchio started to protest as he saw her arms moving in the review mirror but then started grumbling under his breath.

Jess, meanwhile, had climbed back into the passenger seat. “Leave her alone,” she snapped. “Just go. Go whatever way you think they didn’t go, Mike.” She was able to force away her grief for the moment, but her guilt and anger were boiling under the surface also, all three ready to rush out at a moment’s notice.

But there were practical reasons to get away from there as quickly as possible. Santiago’s soldiers might still be nearby. And like vultures claiming a discarded carcass, looters would show soon, drawn by the smoking ruin of the building for anything that could be used. Jess had no desire to be around when they showed up, especially when there was a car full of supplies nearby.