-Gassy-

Alarms and sirens are all going off around all of the soldiers who are running down the halls with their weapons in their arms causing me to frown. There's no need to have such heavy weaponry on them, it's a mission to capture, not to kill. Despite being upset I have a tight grasp on my pistol looking around focused on the space around expecting that stupid blur to show up at any second. So many people are running down the halls in a hurry and all panicked, understandable since this is one of the first alarms since Ze first put up this system. Looking around carefully I make my way to the lab, not especially because I think Ze is there but I know someone else who would definitely be there. The lights are off and the materials are all hidden after the researchers performed their escape drill for when the sirens go off and everything actually seems tidy and put away making the lab seem abandoned. Surveying the ground I walk around the lab table and here I find Nanners sitting alone on the ground. At least at first glance it seems like he's alone but the blur beside him is the one I had been looking for.

"Chilled, are you alright bud?" I ask and Nanners glances up to me seeming troubled and I immediately know the answer to my question. Sighing I sit on the other side of the blur, feeling slightly responsible for what happened for some reason. Ze will be caught, there's no doubt about it considering all of the defense we have around. The only thing I'm worried about is whether they'll hurt him or not. "That siren is because of Ze. Shortly after you left he turned invisible and dashed off," I explain and the blur beside me continues to remain still. The feeling not being able to see Ze is one of the worst, after he had been visible for so long. "I'm sure he didn't mean it-"

"No, no he fucking meant it," Chilled interrupts me and I feel the blur beside me shift. "Even he probably thinks he didn't mean it but he really did. From the beginning the fucker didn't want to remember because it was unfortunate, it was only something that distracted him from doing his 'business.' He's always been like that... but he's never purposely provoked me like that, so seriously. I should probably talk to him... when he gets back," Chilled says, seeming to have his thoughts everywhere. He's acting tough, I can tell that he's acting tougher and seems to be talking to himself rather than me. I would be too, I don't want to believe that Ze would ever say that with actually meaning it, and I'd never like to think that he purposely pissed of Chilled, unless there was a serious reason. I need to talk to him as well, we all need to see exactly what's going on in his mind right now which he fails to tell us all. Damn Ze, it's because he always liked to keep things to himself that he makes all of his friends so confused like this.

"I shouldn't have reacted that way," Chilled suddenly says and both Nanners and I look to him as the blur stands up and away from us. "I shouldn't have freaked out on him when he clearly had something on his mind at the time. The moment he saw me he was acting strange, there must have been something else bothering him and I just didn't pay attention at all. I'm going to go help look for him."

"No you don't," Nanners immediately says and stands up, grabbing out for the blur seeming to succeed. "They're specifically looking for a Hidden. You can't go out there when you're clearly a Hidden."

"So I'm supposed to sit here and do nothing? Fuck no. This is my fault anyways. I feel like shit for hitting my best friend so I'm gonna go after him. I'll... be careful. It's fine, Nanners, I'll be safe," Chilled says and suddenly the blur vanishes in a flash and the door to the lab opens and closes. He escaped from Nanners before he could even have a chance at stopping him. I watch Nanners as his now empty hand just drops to his side and he's just staring out towards the door before sighing and turning towards me.

"Why'd we have to choose the tough ones?" He complains and I just laugh bitterly and shrug before standing up and looking at the door. Nanners scratches the back of his head but he seems bothered, as am I knowing Ze is running like a wild man out there with several men after him with loaded guns. Shit, now I'm worried again. I really hope they won't hurt him too badly. If he makes it outside the walls, he'd free because Diction wouldn't have us search after him outside of the base where the public could see it. Right now we can make legal excuses that he's trying to avoid being interrogated when he was seen to be colluding with the Hidden but even then we don't want to be sued. Where will he even try to go? Back to the Hidden? Why? Why does he want to go back when... when so many people here who care about him are waiting? Have been waiting for years? Fuck, I chose the wrong person to fall head over heels for. Nanners is right, we happened to choose the tough ones who will make our lives hell but we can't help it in the end.

"Did you and Ze ever get back together?" Nanners asks suddenly and I immediately tense up, the words Ze said to me right before he left coming back in my mind. I heard him right... right? I'm not even sure, but I'm pretty sure it took him forever last time to say those words for me and yet we just barely got back together and he's already saying it to me.

"How'd you guess?" I ask and Nanners just giggles and shrugs.

"You seemed a bit too worried for just some ex who has forgotten everything about you." I nod, understanding his train of thought. Nanners leads me out of the lab and into the hall where the halls are still lighting up in red flashes with the halls abandoned with all of the soldiers searching for Ze. "I'm getting worried," Nanners notes as he looks around the halls. "They should have caught him by now. Any other Hidden at least would be caught by now. You think Diction's out there?"

"...Not sure, when I left him he seemed to be in deep work. He might have just ordered people to search but stayed in his office," I explain but I honestly feel like Diction was probably just tired of office work and went out to search. I should be searching, but I don't feel like I'm in the state to go "Ze-hunting" with my focus just all over the place and my mind still playing Ze's words from before on repeat. I should have run with Chilled right then, any other person would have left with Chilled right there but seeing him hurt, both physically and emotionally, I couldn't abandon him. No matter how cold or hurtful his words are I can't just abandon him when he seems to be in a troubled state. That's why I wish he would have just talked to me and explained to us what was the matter before trying to pull a big stunt like this. I wonder... if he still had his memories, would this all have turned out differently? Would our reunion not be so complicated and difficult?

"What's taking them so long?" I complain, getting impatient to see Ze again, and also Chilled who hopefully doesn't get shot out there. I hurry past Nanners and towards the direction I believe I saw Ze run at full speed. What the hell, maybe he's still inside. No, he wouldn't be able to sneak past all of the soldiers who went running out with fully loaded guns all aiming towards him. Opening the big door to outside I notice a big crowd by one of the walls and I nearly feel my heart drop when I see them all so close to the wall. He didn't... he couldn't have. My pace going towards the crowd gradually increases and I end up sprinting towards the crowd which all seem to be talking and muttering things to each other. Diction is in the front of the crowd and when he notices me he just gives me a sideways glance to acknowledge my presence before moving his focus to the wall. "Diction, what the hell is going on?"

"Ohm reported he saw Ze near this wall. We think... he may have escaped.... Sorry, Gassy," Diction says, confirming my suspicions and I quickly step forward but then the door leading to the walkway on top of the wall opens and I hesitate as Ohm and Minx step out. "Did you find him?" Diction orders and Ohm immediately flinches and looks away, seeming guilty and Minx frowns seeming upset as well. Taking this as a no I push past the two and hurry up the steps. I should have stopped him. I don't know how but I should have stopped him... somehow. I should have... how... I needed to take a stronger grip on his arm or something but I could have tried harder to keep him here. On top of the wall there is just complete silence besides the very soft rumble of the soldiers on the ground. I look out toward the other side of the wall full with nothing but trees and without another word I turn away and slide down onto the floor. I lost him. Already. And we just... was that really today? The same day? Shit.

"Minx said her and Ohm were watching over this wall," Diction suddenly says, opening the door to the wall with a troubled expression. "Ohm and she tried to stop him but he managed to steal Ohm's weapon and took Minx as a hostage before leaving. I need to see the footage to get the exact story but you'll just have to trust Minx's report." I nod at the explanation but close my eyes, feeling suddenly extremely tired but before I can feel the effects of sleep Diction gently kicks my legs. "Don't fucking sleep up here. We have work to do, we have to report on every single thing we've kept from the higher ups now that Ze is out and the secret may be out very soon. It's been a while since you pulled an all-nighter anyways, don't you miss it?" I roll my eyes but nod as I get up and glance over to the trees.

"Fucking Ze, couldn't even last a day knowing he was with me," I complain and Diction laughs in return.

"I did ask you if you were sure. I wasn't expecting it to happen so soon though. Maybe he didn't like being kept here anyways, I don't think the base life really fit him anyways. Him and Chilled never fit in to begin with, remember?" As much as I hate to admit it, I remember. Neither of them were fit for the structured life, both of them always complained about being kept indoors with limited supplies. Neither of them were meant to be kept here and restrained from their full potential and... I think... Nanners understood that about Chilled. That's why he's completely fine with Chilled being a spy and out there in the world with free will, it's his way of showing he loves Chilled by letting him explore out there with the possibility of getting hurt at any moment. The only thing he can do is wish for his safety and hope for his return. I guess... I'll be joining Nanners there. We've always been in the same boat when it came to our relationships with Ze and Chilled I guess, probably since they're best friends they work the same way.

"Alright, I'll work on the reports. I'll call Elaine and tell her I won't be home today," I say and Diction nods before leaving ahead of me to deal with the whiny teen. Well, these past few weeks spending the nights with her have been nice anyways.

-Ze-

Holy shit I made it. Looking around my surroundings the trees are all blocking my view from anything in particular. Thank goodness it was Minx and Ohm on that wall today, both people who knew I was trying to escape. Although Ohm didn't support it he knew about it, and he has to do as I say as long as I know his secret. I think we played it out nicely, and hopefully Minx did her little trick with the camera and Diction will most likely think I had something to do with it... hopefully. Flinching as an ache stings at my chest I stop walking and clutch onto my chest and suddenly a burning sting appears on my arm as well. I got hurt, I didn't even notice before but there is blood running down my arm where I feel the sting. Sighing, I decide to stop walking and sit by a random tree to relax and pull up my sleeve examining the wound. It isn't bad, thankfully. I can just cover it for now and later when I get my... where am I going? I've been planning for my escape but I never got to answer my own question as to where I'll even be going. I really didn't think this through at all... did I?

"Ze?" My ears perk up at the sound of my name and I glance around as if the source would be right next to me but of course I'm surrounded by trees and a bit lost. Slowly getting up from my place by the tree I take a step forward but flinch in pain when my chest suddenly becomes cold. Shit, I need to take the cure or I'll pass out right here. Digging through my pocket I grab a single one and sit back down to just steady myself and hope the voice doesn't return. Slowly and gently injecting the cure I nearly drop the syringe when I hear the voice again. "Get your Canadian ass out here goddamn it." Well I wasn't imagining it. Quickly finishing up I feel the warmth and a strange feeling spread throughout my body and I quickly get up when I feel as though I recovered.

"I know you're somewhere over here. I saw you jump, bastard." I ignore the voice and try to vault myself up into a tree but I end up falling right back down and stumbling backwards with the landing. I can't use my Hidden skills as efficiently right after taking the cure, plus, I haven't even used any Hidden abilities in so long I feel like I've forgotten what it's like to be a Hidden. "Found you!" Immediately I look over to the source and immediately a force hits onto my entire front sending me stumbling backwards in surprise.

"Ch-Chilled? Get off of me. I'm kind of in the middle of escaping," I complain and he just pushes me back and looks me up and down, his eyes lingering on the cheek he just hurt literally a few hours ago. I open my mouth to say something more but before I can get any words out he grabs a hold of my chin and moves my head to the side where he examines my cheek. His eyes look down and examines me before he moves his attention to my arm when he notices it's injured. Watching him as he looks at me with caring eyes I feel guilty and very confused why he's suddenly acting so kind when he just shouted at me not too long ago. That wasn't the first time he's snapped like that though and acted kind like this afterwards. It only makes me feel more guilty that he's so kind despite me just completely... it's not like I'm a kind person.

"We're safe for now, they won't chase you out here. Some legal shit or something, you... made it out," Chilled mutters with a disappointed and sad tone in his voice but he suddenly looks up to me with determined eyes. "But don't you dare go back to that fucking base. They're not your family, they're just trying to use you and will throw you away when they're done with you."

"I know," I say simply causing him to be shocked. Sighing I step back and lean onto the tree, feeling like I owe an explanation to Chilled now that I know we're out of harms way for sure. "I'm not planning on going back there. But I didn't want to stay at IRIS, because for one they were going to trap me in my room and I wasn't having that. And also, there's a Hidden in the base who would kill me the moment they found out I wasn't planning to return. I wasn't safe in there despite everyone thinks I was," I explain and Chilled narrows his eyes but seems to understand. He looks away before something changes in him and he looks to me with this almost scared expression.

"Ze... why'd you say that stuff earlier?" Immediately tensing up I look away from him feeling guilty. But now... now that he's safe and I've escaped from both IRIS and the humans, I can ensure our safety. Grabbing onto his hand I frown and hold his hand tightly, nerves running through me as I begin to form the proposal in my head.

"I... I didn't mean all of that stuff, you know I couldn't have. I had to do it otherwise... otherwise the Hidden in the base would force you to take me back to the Hidden base or else they'd kill you and I... couldn't have you fuck up and say something without even thinking about it and get hurt. So I knew that whenever I begin to stress or become anxious it quickens the process of my Hidden proteins multiplying so it made me invisible again and almost have to take the cure again. With those abilities I made a dash for it, and I knew where defense was the lowest so I just... went for it. I wasn't expecting to actually make it but if what you said was true and they won't chase me after the wall-"

"Wait, wait, wait. You're talking a little too fast Ze, what the hell do you mean I could have gotten hurt? There's a Hidden on base that isn't us?" I take a deep breath and nod causing him to pull away from me and groan in annoyance, pacing away from me. "You've got to be kidding me."

"So... you can't go back to the Hidden. They're just waiting for the moment you're of no use to them. And-"

"I got it, I got it, my cover is blown. And one of the only things they probably saw me useful for was you. I'll... well I'm fucked anyways I didn't do shit on the mission they sent me over here in the first place for," Chilled says with a laugh and I just roll my eyes. He's as reckless with his jobs as ever, I should have figured he'd completely forget how to do his job. Suddenly he glances at me and without a word hits my chest with his fist pretty roughly and seems very irritated. "But next time tell me these things right away. I was ready to curse you and break ties with you forever. If Gassy hadn't shown up I wouldn't be here and not cursing you," Chilled complains and I suddenly feel a lot lighter and relieved. He understands, he knows why I did what I did because we both know he's too stubborn to listen to a single word of anyone else's when he feels any way opposite of them.

"I'll go back to the base but what are you going to do? If we're on the same page you're not going back to the Hidden... Hey you can always come back to IRIS, we'll welcome you with open arms," Chilled teases but rolls his eyes when he sees my stubborn expression and glances around. "Fine, I'll tell you a place you could go. It's... hold on let me write it somewhere. Got anything I can write with?" I dig through my pockets and my back pockets finding a pen and hand it to him allowing him to write on a paper using the trunk of a tree. "You gotta be visible though, which is good because I brought one with me just in case. If you decide to ever come near IRIS again I can get you more. Here, they'll welcome you here and not force you back to IRIS," Chilled explains and hands me the paper with a small tube that is the visibility solution. I take it and look at the unknown address I don't recognize at all. If it's not any place I know... where could it even be? Then again we don't know many places in this town the last time I was here. I was honestly expecting to just give up and go to Galm's place a couple of towns over but I guess I'll trust Chilled.

"If... When I get a new phone I'll text you," I say and Chilled smiles and nods. He pulls me in for a quick hug before turning away from me.

"I'll... see you, Ze. Good luck," Chilled says before vaulting himself away leaving me feeling a bit left behind. Holding up the paper I study the words before downing the visibility solution and quickly vault as well as I can towards town before I lose the ability entirely. I manage to make it to the town edge before my invisibility wears off. I may look a bit strange to the people, considering my arm is injured. I'll just have to cover it up, I am wearing Leo's coat so it isn't that noticeable besides the fact that I'm keeping a firm hold of the arm. At least until I get to this place Chilled is telling me to go where I'll hopefully find a better solution to this. People stare at me strangely and some people try to hide the fact they're staring but I clearly feel their stares looking deep into me. What the hell is up with me? I don't look strange in particular besides my arm. Oh shit, is it because I'm a bit wanted? I nearly forgot about that, maybe I shouldn't be walking out in the open right now.

Quickly walking and feeling very self-conscious I finally stop walking and turn away from everyone pretending I'm just looking at the displays in the window. That's when I notice my name at the corner of my eye and glance down at the source, a little window showing the newspaper with my name largely printed on the front. Slowly backing up a bit and looking at the title I open the container and pick up the newspaper, shocked to find my face on the front. 'ZeRoyalViking is Innocent!' I glance over the words and open up the paper all explaining what has apparently been going on in America for the past two years. Holy shit I'm a controversy, sweet. Looking over the story I freeze when I find the article explaining how I'm clearly dead. Shutting the newspaper slowly I return it to the container and stare blankly. That's right, I've been dead for over 2 years to all of these people, to Chilled and Gassy, they all thought I was dead. Turning away from the container I hurry down the streets trying to remember where exactly this was but my mind is distracted. My face was on the cover of the newspaper, no wonder everyone is staring. I'm expecting someone to go up to me at any second. When I reach the address I quickly hurry up to the door and knock on the door, looking back still feeling self-conscious. There are voices on the other side of the door, both seeming to be female voices only confusing me more.

"Let me get the door-" I manage to make out from the conversation on the other side. I knock on the door again impatiently just for the heck of it and immediately the door opens very forcefully. "I heard you the first goddamn t-" The woman is cut off as she looks at me and I tense up immediately. Why... just why did you send me here, Chilled?"

"Alice? Who is it?" Another female voice comes from behind the wide eyed reporter and I glance over her and immediately I feel warmer and happier to see the light haired girl look to me curiously. The moment she sees me her eyes tear up and I roll my eyes, passing by Alice and allowing Elaine to dash towards me, wrapping her arms around me with all of her strength. I hug her back and glance back to Alice who still seems frozen at the door but closes the door slowly seeming to be blank.

"Hey, it's been a while," I comment and Elaine immediately hits my chest with her fists and glares at me.

"Don't just say that so easily! Everyone thought you were dead! Do you know how much I-... Do you know how much I.... I missed you Ze," Elaine cries out and cries in front of me. I sigh and hug her again, patting her head feeling a bit guilty for being so light-hearted to her when in reality I feel like it has been ages since I've seen her.

"Sorry, I missed you too. I'm sorry, I kind of died, then forgot, and some other shit happened," I explain and immediately she hits me again and I just laugh and pat her head. "I'm kidding, well I'm not but you know what I mean." Elaine backs off from me slowly and looks at me seeming sad, happy, and irritated all at the same time. I laugh again and pat her head before glancing over to Alice who just seems to be examining the situation.

"Did you know Gassy wouldn't be here tonight? Is that why you came?" Alice questions suddenly, already questioning me and I just got here. Rolling my eyes I shake my head but it confirms this is Gassy's place, not Alice's like I first thought. Fucking Chilled.

"No, I told you Chilled told me to come here. I ran away from IRIS, and the Hidden. You alright taking in a fugitive?" I joke and immediately Elaine shakes her head and takes my hand dragging me to the living room where she jumps over the couch and turns on the television. The screen brightens up to show a newscast showing some news host talking about my innocence and the whole "Ze is Innocent" debate that apparently went on.

"See? You're not guilty anymore. You're not a fugitive."

"That's not what I was talking about but yeah, that's nice... hey I know you wanted to show me and everything but can you get me something for this?" I ask, lifting my sleeve and Elaine gasps at the wound and escaped the room, leaving Alice and me alone. I stay silent, feeling the definite suspicion in Alice as she glares at the back of my head bound to say something. Finally turning around and towards her I notice her troubled expression before she immediately shakes her head and continues her glare towards me.

"You... Aren't you going to say anything about just wandering in here after being dead for two years?"

"I'm sorry? I couldn't do much about it, it wasn't my choice to be dead for two years," I complain and she frowns, seeming guilty but understanding. Sighing I lean on the back of the couch and stare at her, feeling like I owe an explanation for the girl who used to call me every single day back then. "It's a complicated story. This and that happened and now I'm not exactly the same as I was before. I lost my memories due to some of these reasons for the last two years but I've managed to get them back by now. I'm... sorry, Alice, but I can't take back the past two years I abandoned you guys." Alice frowns and grabs onto her arm tightly seeming highly bothered by my presence. Come to think of it... "Why are you here anyways? It's kind of late." Did Elaine manage to get this girl yet? Alice shakes her head and glances to the door out of here.

"Gassy asked me to, just to keep Elaine company since he probably won't come home today... does he know... you're...?"

"Alive? Yes. Here? No. So would you do me a favor and not tell him I'm here? Pretty please? I don't want to be dragged back to IRIS, I'm avoiding that place," I explain and Alice sighs seeming annoyed by my request but nods.

"Yeah... yeah I will. You can't stay here forever though... this is his home.... How about you stay at my place? At least until you're ready to bounce off?" I shake my head immediately without thinking about it much shocking her a bit. It is a tempting offer but I've had enough leeching off friends to last me a lifetime.

"Sorry but I'll pass. I'm just staying the night here for tonight, then I'm leaving tomorrow." Alice frowns, seeming upset and looks down to the ground while I just watch before looking to her curiously. "Whatever happened to your company you were starting up? Did it go well? Have you gotten a boyfriend now?" Suddenly her entire aura changes and she smiles to me brightly and holds her hands together with absolutely shining eyes.

"You remembered! We're doing awesome. Selling the best in the city for now, and thank you for the Ze campaign talk, that was really popular. I love it, and because of you and Elaine I get to go into IRIS and get inside coverage because of my connections. Oh, and I talk to Gassy pretty often too now because of Elaine and he slips me a few things every now and then. Oh and about the boyfriend I actually did, his name is Charles and he is an absolute angel. Must kinder than you, at least he doesn't disappear for two years." I laugh gently and lay my head on the back of the couch, suddenly feeling very tired from just hearing her words. The magic of a rambling girl talking about things I haven't got a clue of.

"I feel bad for that guy-"

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?!" I laugh loudly and close my eyes, tired of just looking at her irritated expression.

"Well, I'm glad you're doing well. It's nice to see you're still the same," I mutter, feeling honestly really relieved the two girls are exactly the same as I left them. Opening my eyes I catch a glimpse of Alice's glowing red face as she turns away from me. I did it again, didn't I? I keep forgetting that she used to actually like me more than a friend, and indirectly the fact I was caught by the Hidden was all her own doing as an act of jealousy. Now that I think back on all of her actions and expressions I can't believe I never saw it and completely ignored all of Gassy's warnings. Well, she seems fine now and has a boyfriend now on top of that, although I'm sad for Elaine I'm glad for Alice. Tired, I feel my consciousness slowly slipping away. It's nice and warm feeling being back with these guys. I kind of don't want to leave. But I can't help but feel like I'm forgetting something....