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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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Long Run Chapter 1: Mask Entailed
“Hey, which one of you is going to attend the Showdown Event?” Lucas scanned across the teenagers on the beach, his plain button up shirt blowing with the window as he stood at a side of the magic circle created by their seating arrangement. “As a matter of fact, I would be attending and it would be nice to know those of us who would also be there.” He included, looking all smug. Several eyes turned to look in his direction. Everyone from Ana's class was present, the gathering was supposed to be their reunion before they went to college but somehow, everyone was only bothered by the Showdown Event. “Ana's dad got invited so…I’m guessing she's going to be there too.” Carson, a boy with corn wheat hair that falls below his chin said, his voice creating a wave in the hearts of many girls around while he casually winked at them, causing their hearts to race but unlike these girls, some seemed unmoved. “Of course, she'd be there. Everyone was invited, just that a few parents are quite str
Long Run Chapter 2: Smitten
Like an angel who has descended, the dust rose along with the steps Ana took as she walked towards Natalie, gripping the attention of all the teenagers around. She clenched her fists in anger, she couldn’t help but feel that Natalie was up to no good. She knew Natalie like a mum knows her child, Natalie has always been an arrogant bully since they were kids and she only got worse by the day. Ana had never let her best friend be bullied nor was she going to let it happen especially by someone like Natalie. “Natalie, stay away.” Ana snapped as soon as she stopped in front of Natalie while shielding Nova who was about five feet away. “Or else what?” Natalie stood arm akimbo with a smirk on her face. She felt pleased to see that exasperated look on Ana who had always been known to be calm at all times. She resented the kind of bond Ana had with most of their classmates, Ana always seems to be respected and admired by all of the students but she, on the other hand, had not for once been r
Long Run Chapter 3: Showdown Event
"Hurry, drop your fee!" A receptionist nagged at an old lady; Mrs Fort. "Of course, I would pay up or isn't there any patience in the world, now?" Mrs Fort spoke back, more sharply and the receptionist would have almost lost her tongue if words were knife. She had her hand digging through her handbag. "Everyone is waiting too so drop your fee early, get your tickets and get into the train. It's that simple." The receptionist was having trouble keeping her anger in check as she clenched her hand tightly to prevent herself from making the mistake of hitting an old lady. "Oh now you want to hit me, huh? Do it! Hit me!" Mrs Fort yelled and an argument soon broke out between the receptionist, whose name was Clare as written on her name tag, and Mrs Fort as many people tried to calm both sides. Those who were in line grumbled about how they'll be late for today's event. "Argh, won't they stop already. We would be late to the show if they continue like this." Ana, who was in line with her
Long Run Chapter 4: Silver House
Vel city, a town for all like they call it, is the only town with hills. One Ana was finding it difficult to climb while rushing. "Darn it!" She breathed, "if I continue this way, I may not be able to attend the event! I would only disappoint Nova." She sighed. "Why don't I carry you on my back instead? That way, we'll get to your house earlier." Ana shot him a side glance, scrutinizing as she appraised his back. Many beads of sweat had crowded his forehead and his breaths were heavy. "No thanks," she said, looking away. "You can barely carry yourself yet you want to carry me? I'd rather walk by myself." She walked ahead of him, leaving him ignored as he hurried after her more like a puppy than Spiky was. "But I can try." Lucas wasn't so sure of himself anymore. His legs could barely keep him balanced, not to talk of carrying someone on his back. Ana snorted as she increased her pace, she was almost close to the house. "Ana! Wait up!" Lucas said, pulling on his bag as he walked f
Long Run Chapter 5: Wiped Out
"How is it?" A crispy voice said. "Master." Another deep voice spoke, it was a tall bulky man who was standing below a fleet of stairs with his head lowered but his scarred side profile was impossible to miss. His black boots fitted perfectly with the dark marbled floor and so did the dark walls of the room. "Most of the cities are now within the context of phase one and although we are almost done, the preceding team needs to be properly equipped in the face of stronger opponents." He briefly explained. "Oh really?" The voice answered lucidly. "Then why is the team not aware of the consequences of not completing their work?" The voice sounded amused. "I—I really can't say, Master." The tall man admitted. "Jadyen, if you don't know, then why are you supervising the team?" This time, the voice bellowed. "Now that I think about it—your incompetence has made me realize that you are of no use to me anymore. I would send you in for proper discipline." Jayden, the tall man, gasped, both
Long Run Chapter 6: Leave Here
"What do you think is there?" Lucas sniffled, hiding behind Elias. "Just look!" Ana jumped, pointing towards the spot. A finger fell out from under a body whose back was visible to them. It was as pale as paper. Then another finger fell out again, right beside the first. Slowly and gradually, fingers the number of a hand popped out completely. They had a ghost-like complexion and looked shrunken in place. Ana recalled watching a movie with a similar incident and she felt like she'd transmigrated into that scene. Four friends played a dare game, challenging ghosts and suddenly, the house became dark with the lights flicking back and forth. A pale palm had appeared out of nowhere and then, a red-died bodied landed in the room from the ceiling but when they looked, the ceiling wasn't broken. It was a ghost. Frightened, she turned her head around and beside her were four, no two friends. Shaking the thoughts out of her head, she denied the possibility of a ghost appearing believing the
Long Run Chapter 7: What Now?
The chill of the evening breeze grazed their skins but unfortunately no one winced or perhaps no one felt it. They had been too carried away, staring in the void of their town. Vel City, which was originally loud and bustling, is now so quiet like a graveyard. Coincidentally, it actually became one as more than fifty thousand people all died before the end of the day, leaving behind seven scrawny little teenagers in their stead to clean up the mess. "You promised!" A feeble person knelt beside a huge pile of sand as she punched heavily into it. The tears in her eyes kept falling like rain. "You said we'd go on a vacation together! Not like this!" Ana cried, she refused to believe that he had died and wouldn't be returning. No one comforted her, the rest of them also lost someone or more. They were also immersed in their net of sadness, especially Nova. "Mum, did you already guess this will happen? So you didn't let me come with you?" Unlike Ana, she was smiling but on a second look
Long Run Chapter 8: Day One
By the break of dawn, outside Ruby's house, Ana was dressed and was carrying a backpack with Spiky hopping around her. When she walked past Nova's house, she noticed the lights were off, indicating that Nova had left. She sighed and headed towards the city gate. They had all agreed to meet there before 6 am and just as they said, they'd already arrived when she got there. She subconsciously looked around and nodded, everyone was prepared. "Let's go." She said and Lucas pushed the huge gates open. The cool breeze that blew in made her eyes sting. On the top of the huge gate, was written; Goodbye Vel City. She couldn't put into words how she felt at the moment because the words resonated well with her. She has stayed here since she was little and now she is leaving with no hope of returning. For the last time, she looked back and she could see a vague image of the little her then, running around the lakeside while being pursued by her father. The memories came flashing before her ey
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- Long Run
Chapter 24: Will They Be Okay?
Back at the building, Nova wouldn’t stop pacing and Elias had gotten dizzy from watching her.“It’s enough already.” He said as he rose to his feet. He added, "They will be fine."“How sure are you?" She snapped, her last bit of restraint broken. "What do you think will happen to Ana when she's with a stranger?" Looking at her, Elias felt that her round adorable pair of eyes wasn't adorable anymore, it was scary and alarming to look at that he dropped his head slightly."Are you worried about their safety? Or are you worried about Ana being with Christopher?"Nova turned around, away from Elias as she faced Natalie with a questioning gaze. "What did you just say?!"Natalie boldly walked over, “I said, are you worried about their safety or you’re just worried about Ana?” Natalie said, placing her fingers before her face as she blocked away Nova’s glaring look. She was so focused on her fingers that she didn’t notice Nova’s lips twitching in rage.Inhaling and exhaling, Nova finally spo
- Long Run
Chapter 23: A Tale.
"If you say so." Carson patted his shoulder as he walked back to his spot in the room, ignoring the rest.Meanwhile, Nova was still adamant in following Ana as she argued her point. "I can really protect you." She repeated."I'm strong enough to keep myself safe, remember?" Ana lifted a brow, smiling.Nova opened her mouth, attempting to speak when Ana interrupted, cutting off her last resort. "Plus, I'm stronger than Lucas.""Fine," Nova gave up, flinging her arms up in defeat. "Do whatever you want but I want you and Spiky to return safely, can you do that?" She took Ana's hands in hers and looked directly into Ana's dark eyes. She could obviously see her reflection through Ana's dark orbs, pretending to be calm when she was worried.Knowing how easily worried Nova could be, Ana assured her until Nova was finally willing to let Ana go."Alright. Let's go." Ana said as she faced Christopher. She was shaken at the thought of going back outside, especially with someone whom she doesn't
- Long Run
Chapter 22: Where Is Spiky?
"Enough. Let's get out of here." Elias said, glaring at Lucas. He stared at Lucas for a while before turning away and marching forward to the entrance. They had only gotten to the entrance when they heard faint sounds."What's that?" Natalie asked, frightened. Ana listened for a while and then said. "Quick. Everyone into the tunnel."They dashed out of the mart, and from their right side, Ana could see a faint shadow of a tiny ball. She didn't even bother to look twice, she immediately went to the tunnel, took off the cover and pushed them inside. She was the last to enter but before she closed the tunnel, she gave that vague shadow a last peek before closing the lid.Inside, Elias asked. "What was that?" Ana had been the only one who saw what it was so she was the right person to ask."Shh!" She signalled as she raised a finger to her lips. Everyone hurriedly clamoured up. The sound was getting closer and clearer. When it sounded a few distances away from the tunnel, everyone knew in
- Long Run
Chapter 21: Underground Tunnel.
Ana tore her gaze away from the monsters outside as her grip on her bag handle tightened. She glanced at Nova, and the latter nodded, patting Natalie on the shoulder as they took large steps towards the door.If only Ana had spare time, she would have checked out the quality of wood the door was made of, for the surface was rough and dusty. They weren't going to stay here long so there was no need to bother about a dusty old door.Elias and Ana made a team, and Nova and Natalie made another with Lucas as their guard.As Elias gripped the door handle, Carson didn't forget to say. "Be careful.""We will," Ana answered, giving him a long look before she glimpsed at Christopher. She beckoned Spiky over, ignoring the worried look plastered on Christopher's look."You…" Before he could make a full sentence, Elias had gently flung the door open and Ana just picked Spiky up as she made her way out of the room.Elias immediately followed by her side, surveying the area while Nova and Natalie e
- Long Run
Chapter 20: Guinea Pig Spiky.
"Two days later, Carson's parents came down to your house and they wanted your father to give them a vehicle as an apology gift but what did he do?" Elias paused, "he refused, saying he was justified and that you were already punished for your actions."Ana smiled, "yes. He also said that just because he hadn't reported Carson's mistake of bullying Nova, didn't mean he was stupid. He could have left me unpunished because I wasn't totally wrong. Carson should have been the one grounded but he wasn't."Elias gripped her shoulders. "He was being democratic. He always has been but he did it because he listened to his heart and not his head." He pointed towards her chest. "Listen to your heart.""You want to guess what my heart says?" She arched a brow, glancing briefly at her shoulders."Oh, sorry." Elias hurriedly took off his head, smiling. "So what does your heart say?""I don't know." She answered honestly, there was no need to sugar-coat words. "But I know that I don't want to give up
- Long Run
Chapter 19: Heart And Not Head.
Ana sighed. Lucas was now calm and the room had resumed its silence. Everyone has forgotten about stopping her from going after Ben's corpse and she'd also forgotten about it.What was more important now, was her getting to know Christopher to find out more about how he managed to survive. She just had this feeling that she'd be able to find something useful out of him. Maybe a way to leave this place and get to Sephora, or a way for them to stand a chance against the monsters. Either one would be deeply appreciated.She didn't need a priest to tell her that Lucas wanted out of the place they were and a safe haven at Sephora or that they needed to find a way to fight those monsters. Or that they will end up with nothing if they remain idle.It's time to put in more effort. She thought and went over to Elias' side, bent to whisper something in his ears. Initially, his eyes widened in surprise but after calmly listening to Ana, he nodded in affirmation to whatever they had discussed.Of
- Long Run
Chapter 18: Spiky Is Sceptical.
With everyone staring at him surprised, Lucas was caught off guard. "What?!""What do you mean what? You know just what I mean.""Well, I just think the boy needs a checkup. Is there anything wrong with that?""Be nice," Ana said."Of course. I'm only worried about his health." With that, Lucas took several steps backwards and sat alone, further away from them.Elias sighed. "Let's focus on the most pressing issue now. Your arguments and tantrums won't be of help in any way so I rather you all move aside and let me handle this."Of course, they stepped aside. Elias was like their second leader aside from Ana and Natalie would prefer listening to him than Ana so she strolled towards the door and sat next to it."Sure, no problem," Lucas said, moving back to his original position. All this while, Carson didn't interfere with their conversation nor did he join them in their arguments. Everyone was quiet. Ana by the window, Natalie beside the door, Nova next to Elias, and Lucas next to Car
- Long Run
Chapter 17: Ungrateful.
"Impossible!" Elias shook his head, "he's supposed to be in a coma but he's awake so quick?!""Cut it out already. It's annoying to watch you pacing." Ana said, crossing her arms across her chest, and looking lazily at Elias it was only then he realized how pathetic he looked.He stopped pacing, "oh, sorry." He said and walked towards the boy whose pair of forest green eyes never left his. The fear and strangeness with which he started at Elias made the latter feel guilty.It was understandable. Waking up to facing people who doubt and question the reason you decided to open your eyes to behold the world when they'd already accepted the fact that you may not wake up for a least a month or two.Elias thought maybe a year. "I didn't mean to scare you." He began, "it's just that—""It's just that you ended up scaring the guy." Nova creased her brows in anger. Walking towards Ana where the boy sat, looking like a lost lamb. She had gone over to Carson's side to get a bottle water as Ana re
- Long Run
Chapter 16: Project 01
He quivered in fear. Each time he saw that smile, he felt a chill run through his backbone and his body tickled like a thousand ants were crawling on him.Still, he had to act calm and avoid eye contact with the young man as much as he can."Jayden! It's been a while since I last saw you and I can't even recall the last time you were here." The young man said, dressed in a white lab coat that touched below his knees."Master," Jayden bowed deeply, he was only short of kneeling. "It has really been a long time since we last met…" Of course, they hadn't met in like forever.Jayden could, however, still recall their last meeting. It was before he became that man's left-hand man and he remembered that he still hasn't expressed his gratitude for what the man had done for him.At that thought, he fell heavily on his knees as he said. "Master, I owe you a lot but I don't have the means to pay you back so, for the rest of my existence, I shall do whatever it is you want me to."“Oh Jayden, yo
