The Zetta Sonic
Bun and Water

In the dark, Alex has trouble determining directions. He just knows to keep running and running. The communication system in his uniform has been disabled. The last time he just talked to Jayden, everything went quiet. Maybe Jayden shut down all the ICPA systems connected to him. In fact, it was only a matter of time until the ICPA could reactivate its system and track its whereabouts.

Alex suddenly stopped. He doesn't know he's. He stands between the borders. His feet were still treading the hard ground with a bit of grass. In front of him lay a large and deserted road. The street lights are far apart. Their dim light is reluctant to illuminate the surrounding conditions. While across the other side of the road, there is another field fenced in barbed wire. The place felt foreign to him.

Alex picked the nearest tree. His eyes watched the surroundings, checking the position of the surveillance cameras, before turning off his uniform. She's tired. His body was soaked with sweat and blood. The pain grew when Alex chose to feel it. Slow groans accompanied his slumped body to the ground.

It's the first time Alex has realized he has nowhere to go. He can't just go home. The ICPA will find it easily there, as will Kloster. He also could not go to the hospital to check his wounds. He knew he had been shot but did not know how badly. Dragon Blood helped him survive this far. Even so, the effect gradually diminished.

His forehead was covered in cold sweat. His eyelids repeatedly forced shut. He wants to rest. On the other hand, fear and anxiety hunted him down.

Jason, the drone, shakes in his hand. System active. The white thing breaks away from Alex's grasp. She airs. Her single eye turned on Alex. Alex thinks the drone will shoot him in the forehead but it looks like Jason just confirmed who is with him at the moment. Because after that, Jason turned towards the road.

A black SUV passed quickly without turning on the lights. As if knowing that Alex was there, the car braked suddenly. The passenger door was opened.

Alex blinked, still trying to digest what happened.

“Quick login!” The driver in the car called out while waving his hand.

Alex recognized the voice and the skinny hand. Half forcing herself to ignore all the discomfort, Alex gets into the car. Jason followed behind him. The drone landed on Alex's lap but never shut down the system. His single eyeball blinked a few times as if examining the surroundings. Alex closed the door and immediately the car drove back.

“What are you doing here, Gavin?” alex asked the man beside him. The young man was wearing all-black clothes complete with black glasses as well.

“Saving us all.”

“Where did you take me?” Alex felt his body getting weaker as the drowsiness came. “Safe other house?” His voice is getting louder.

“We need to go to a safe place to treat your wound.” Gavin glanced at the boy. “You're hurt and whatever happens, don't sleep. I'm afraid your power will take over while you sleep.”

“Will I try.” It's easier to talk than do it. Alex's eyes were heavy, his head light. The pain forced him to rest. At least his eyes are not covered in green light anymore. That's the only good thing right now. “Speak.”

“If you can be honest, I don't usually chat with other continent's ICPA agents. But, if it's a friend, it's another story.”

Alex gave a faint smile. Gavin feels annoying sometimes but also reliable at times like that. He called her friend. That makes it more comfortable. Frequent skipping school makes Alex sometimes feel alienated from his own friends, call it like Willy.

“You ever tried bread at a store called Hummingbird? Hold onto my words, the place does not serve anything delicious other than sweet bread.”

Alex frowning. He got different information from Jayden. Until now, Alex has not had time to try their raisin bread. He even got some uncomfortable things. Apart from the food, Alex just highlighted something else. “Why do agents like the store? It's not about food, ‘kan?”

“That place is where new agent recruitment.”

Alex frowning. “You lied.”

“You need to learn to lie better,” Alex said. His smile is wider. “Good, that means it's just about the food. By the way, I'm hungry. And thirsty.” Alex feels his physical desire is normal.

“There is bread and water behind.”

Alex turned his head. He saw a paper bag in the back seat of the car. When he was about to extend his hand, Alex actually found a sharp sense of attacking him repeatedly. The wound tormented him, forcing him to groan and shut his eyes tightly. Shooting is not a fun experience.

“This.” Gavin takes it for Alex and makes sure the boy gets it right.

After the pain subsided, Alex took water from his pocket. “So,” says Alex, “what are you planning to do with Jayden?”

“Wait! Ye know? What did he tell you? Did you steal our talk in the hospital room?”

“No. Jason who told.”

“Jason didn't attack me.” Gavin realizes Alex's intentions. “Alright, I met Jayden a while ago. We realized there was something strange behind professor Otto's research. This is Dragon Blood.”'s source

“Where is it?” alex asked, sipping the water.

“Most possibilities. Kloster Island.”

“You will take me there.”

Gavin. Alex concluded so quickly. Gavin glanced at the boy once to confirm his condition. Alex flinching. His face looks tired. Real tired. Sayu's eyes. He had finished off a bottle of water while the bread he had in his hand had not even been removed from the packaging.

“You need to take me there.” Alex repeated the sentence. “You, Jayden, and others. ICPA knows the risk of Dragon Blood. I could have turned into a monster like... Like.” Alex stopped. His voice vibrates. She was scared and didn't want Gavin to notice. “I... I make damage. Me...”

“Quiet, Alex.”

“I kill people.” Alex let the sentence finally come out. Along with the confession, her tears seeped out. Alex turned his face. The stronger he held back his cries the more obvious his sobs sounded.

Gavin took a deep breath. “There is always the first thing of everything,” he said gently. “Sometimes to uphold justice, there are victims who must fall. Naray is a killer. He also kills people. And, you..”.

Alex wanted to shout that he was the same. Unfortunately, he knew that answering would make his cry even more so. Alex chose silence while trying to calm his own heart.

“You are the victim,” Gavin continued.

Those words left Alex stunned. Slowly, the crying stopped. Alex turned towards the road. Gavin took the car to turn out of the highway. They entered the dark streets among the tall trees.

“You are stuck in a complicated condition. No one forced you into this matter from the start,” Gavin added. “But, continue to be a victim or not, that choice is in your hands. What are your options, Sonic?”