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"Ow!" Harper flinched, pulling her hurt arm out of Hyde's grasp. He narrowed his eyes at her and gripped her forearm again, tightening his hold on it.

"Stop moving."

"Easier said than done! You're not the one with a sore arm that feels like it's going to fall off!" Harper seethed. "If you had just let me stay behind like I asked, I wouldn't have ended up like this."

Hyde stopped wrapping her arm with the spare he found in the trunk to glare at her. His stiff demeanor made Harper shrink back in fear.

"It slipped. Sorry."

"Such a simple apology won't do." Hyde continued, but he began wrapping the bandage around her arm tighter than before.

Harper pressed her lips together and made all kinds of faces to display the pain she felt while he was attending to her wound. "Better be glad you're not a Doctor. The occupation isn't for you."

"You're stating the obvious." Hyde finished. "This is the best treatment you'll get from me."

"Huh?"

"I'm only doing this because I owe you." Hyde acknowledged that the only reason she was wounded was because he was too slow. Half of the bullet still hit her, even if it was just a graze. "Consider us even."

Harper blinked at him a few times, wondering if he was serious. She felt that he owed her a lot more than just wrapping her arm in cloth.

"Harper!" The sound of Yanpu's voice filled the air and made her smile. He ran out of the hotel excitedly and straight to Harper. She extended her arms, and he ran into them.

"Yani!" Harper pulled away briefly to check him. "They didn't touch you, did they? You're okay, right?" She grabbed his face and tilted it around to make sure there were no scratches. The only difference in his appearance was how wild his hair was compared to before.

It had been a while since he washed his hair. It was starting to frizz, maybe because they were farther south, and it was humid. "Thank the overseers you're okay."

"I'm okay." Yanpu smiled.

"Listen to me, don't ever steal anything again, okay? If you see something that doesn't belong to you, don't touch it. Look away."

Hyde scoffed at her comment. "Your advice won't help him."

"And how do you know?"

Hyde huffed and placed his hands on his hips. "Alright. You had your reunion. Times up. Get in the car."

"Gladly."

"I won't hesitate to slit your throat, vixen," Hyde warned her and opened the back door before gesturing for them to get inside.

Arnest strolled out of the hotel with a jewelry box in both hands. Behind him, Enzo walked over. He smiled smugly and stopped in front of Hyde.

"Heard you were gonna leave without sparing us a Farewell." Enzo crossed his arms.

"I didn't see the need for formalities."

"Ah. I suppose I was expecting a little more from you."

"That's foolish of you." Hyde rolled his eyes and took the jewelry box from Arnest. He popped up the clasp keeping the box shut, and a red glow shone.

Hyde's lips twisted in disappointment. "Only two crystals...?"

"It's all I had left..." Enzo shrugged.

"You—"

"Hyde, it'll be fine." Arnest placed a hand on his shoulder to diffuse the bomb about to go off. "It'll be enough to get us to the Wastelands, and then to the port." He muttered softly, so Enzo wouldn't hear.

"You're sure about that?" Hyde turned his head slowly to face him. "If we end up stranded in the middle of the valley, I'll wring your neck like a bloodied rag. Got it?" He shoved the box into Arnest's chest.

Arnest nodded frantically, having full understanding of Hyde's lack of hesitation to carry out the threat.

"You have my word. I won't tell a soul about your visit to Haylestorm. And if you ever need accommodation services..." Enzo motioned to the hotel suggestively. "We're open for business... your first night is on me."

"I'll pass." Hyde shook his head. "Arnest, make sure to burn the stuff in the trunk before we leave."

Harper gasped. She had completely forgotten that he had taken her shoe. The other one was left a while back. She was hoping that Bomb would find her by now. What was taking him so long?

"What's wrong with you?" Hyde smirked at her. Did he know? There was no way. "Ah... I forgot. You said it was your favorite pair."

"She can keep the spare I loaned her, as well as the dress." Enzo snorted. "Farewell."

"Yeah... no." Hyde slid into the passenger side of the car, not even bothering to wave. Enzo chortled, turned toward the hotel, and off he went.

~~~

"Hyde, don't take it the wrong way, but when we get to the wastelands... I suggest you rest a while."

Hyde kept his eyes ahead. Arnest didn't wait for his reply.

"That was the last batch of the antidote. Once I find some supplies, I can make some more. In the meantime, you should relax and—"

"So annoying..." Hyde leaned the side of his head against his arm. "Quit worrying. It's unnecessary, and you're being a pain in my arse."

"This is serious Hyde... you know what'll happen if you don't stay consistent."

"Which means I don't need a reminder. So shut it."

"I just don't want you to... you know..."

"Yeah, okay." Hyde brushed his hair back and tied it back into a ponytail. "Shite. It's hot. Put your mask on so I can open the windows."

"I think I left mine at the hotel," Harper spoke up.

"No, you didn't." Hyde snatched one out of the glove compartment and tossed it over his shoulder. It landed in her lap. "Makes me wonder who the child is... I'm always cleaning up after your shite."

Harper placed the mask over her face and sighed. "I think you should listen to him..." She agreed with Arnest, despite her pride in not wanting it.

Hyde was useless if he was hurt. Whatever illness he had, it was bad enough to hold him down.

You would think that was a good thing, but it wasn't. Harper realized how dangerous it was outside of the capital. Without Hyde, she had no protection. It was weird to see it that way because he also had full intentions in the future to kill her.

"You don't move the way you used to. I think resting and giving your body time to heal isn't a bad idea."

"Are you saying that because you're trying to run?" Arnest scoffed.

"No! Why do you always have to be suspicious of me whenever I don't argue with you?"

"You both are underestimating my abilities. I'm not as weak or feeble as you are." Hyde grumbled. "You're so sly." His tone was directed to Harper.

"I suggested it because I'm genuinely worried."

"Are Westonian Scientists Genuine?" Arnest laughed bitterly. "I've never heard of it."

"When you reacted the way you did... I could've killed you. But I chose not to."

"Please," Hyde mocked her. "You couldn't hurt a fly. Not with your sloppy movements. Killing me would be out of the question. And besides... I wouldn't let you, even if you had a sliver of chance."

"Is everything I say a joke to you guys?" Harper sucked in a breath. "Fine then... laugh it up! It won't last long."

"Is that a threat?"

"When the head of the Facility finds me, you're both so dead—"

"When your boss finds you, all they'll be able to gather are the remains of your carcass..." Hyde drummed his fingers on the dashboard of the car and whistled softly. "Wait and see."

Those gut-wrenching words were enough to shut her down. Harper wrapped her arms around Yanpu and pulled him close.

The little boy could feel the fear coming off of her. Yanpu felt droplets of water falling onto his lap. It didn't take long for him to understand that Harper was crying. But she was quiet. She was crying silently, trying not to alarm him.

She was trying to stay strong for him. But Yanpu wasn't clueless. He could tell that something was wrong.

Several hours went by before Arnest pulled into a small dining station. He was hungry, and Hyde wanted to smoke. Arnest took Yanpu with him, while Hyde leaned against the side of the car, looking into the sky.

The two of them remained in awkward silence. Harper decided to step out just to stretch her legs, but the moment she stepped out of the car, another memory flashed before her eyes.

The same man in her vision before, standing exactly as Hyde was. The red eyes and medium-length black hair stood out. And in front of him stood a bloodhound, a giant doglike beast with pointy ears and razor-sharp teeth the full length of an adult human's arm.

The man, similar to Hyde drew his sword and positioned himself for battle. Surrounding the two was a wide ring of flames.

Then the image went away, and Harper was left staring at Hyde. What exactly was that? For sure, it was a memory.

"If you keep doing that... I'll rip your eyes out." Hyde flicked his cigarette to discard some of the ashes.

"I..." Harper stepped forward. "I... well I..."

"Spit it out already." Hyde groaned. "Did you get a stutter from the last fight? The bullet grazed you that bad?"

Was it possible that Harper met him before? Something about the man in her memories felt so familiar.

"Well?"

"I'm a bit hungry." Harper bit her lip nervously. Hyde kept his eyes on her. She was twiddling her fingers and avoiding his gaze. He knew she was lying, but still pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket.

"Here." He handed the money to her.

"That's..." It was a lot of money. Harper was hesitant to take it.

"Do you wanna eat or not?"

"Y-yes."

"So stop wasting my time and go." He counted the cash briefly and shoved a few sheets in her hand.

"Aren't you coming with m-me?"

"Am I your babysitter?" Hyde spat. "Arnest is inside. He'll be watching your every move." Hyde looked at the clock on the car screen. "You've got 15 minutes."

"Thank you." Harper nodded and jogged away. Hyde blew out a puff of smoke as she disappeared behind the doors.

Harper looked at the shelves in amazement. They had hot food and frozen food, and a small kitchen area to prepare it. Harper wanted a sandwich. A ham and cheese sandwich with onions and tomatoes, with oil and vinegar and lettuce.

And she wanted a side of barbecue chips and cold water. And behold, the very thing she was craving was right in front of her. She quickly grabbed those things from the shelf.

When she turned, she noticed Yanpu and Arnest already eating food near the check-out area.

Harper wondered if Hyde wanted anything. He gave her more than enough money to cover her food. Was he testing her? Probably.

What meal did a guy like Hyde even like? He was always so bitter and rude. His tone was always icy and cold toward her.

There were a bunch of sweet snacks next to the cold sandwiches. She trailed her finger down the package of donuts, cookies, and candies. None of them seemed fit for his taste.

She eventually settled for some hard jerky on the opposing stand. She took a large pack and went to purchase them.

After handing the required amount of money to the lady at the register, she walked back out of the store happily.

Hyde was still staring at the stars. He was lost in thought because he didn't see Harper approaching him. It wasn't until she tapped his bicep that he moved his gaze.

"Where's Arnest?"

"He's still inside with Yanpu," Harper answered and handed him a pack of jerky as well as the rest of his cash.

"What's this?"

"You haven't eaten anything in a while. I didn't know what you liked, so I got it for you."

"So now you're wasting my money on shite?" Hyde snatched the package out of her hand.

"A simple thanks will do."

Hyde stepped forward intimidatingly. Harper quickly dipped back inside of the backseat before he would try anything.

She could hear the bag of jerky being torn open. Hyde fiddled his fingers inside before taking a long piece out and biting a piece off.

"How's the taste?"

"It's salty."

Harper smiled. Her goal was reached. She wanted to give him something distasteful, something that represented his personality.

"When we leave, dial up the oxygen levels in your mask a notch higher."

"Why?"

"We're headed somewhere where the air is extremely thin." Hyde took another bite of the jerky aggressively. "The last thing I need is you dying from lack of air before we reach our destination."

"I asked you this before... What is your end goal?"

"Don't worry about it. Just do what I say."

"Hyde... are you ill?"

"What?" He raised a brow at her.

"The reaction you had earlier. Your scar was glowing... you seemed like you were in a lot of pain." Harper looked down at her lap. "I couldn't figure out if it was internal or external."

She couldn't forget the emotion in his eyes when it happened. Fear.

Hyde seemed afraid at that moment. She needed to figure out more.

"It doesn't matter."

"It happened back at the lab too..." Harper mumbled. "It has a massive effect on you."

"Quit it."

"You become immobilized so quickly."

"I SAID Shut up!" Hyde barked at her. "If you want to live, I'd watch your next words if I were you."

"I'm worried..."

"You're not worried about anyone other than yourself and that brat." Hyde snarled. "Keep your darn worries to yourself. I don't want pity, and I definitely don't want you mocking me."

"But..." Harper frowned.

Why even bother with him? She was so tired of him, and Arnest. She wanted nothing more than to be free from them. Harper prayed once more to the Overseers, earnestly. She prayed to be found and taken away from this evil being.

~~~

"We're here." Arnest shifted the gears of the car to park.

They were in the middle of a sandy region. In front of them was a marketplace made up of rusty shipping containers and tarps, lining up to make a small village.

Behind the inhabited area was a rocky path that led to a large mountain. This area was a lot darker than Harper had ever seen.

When she stepped out of the car, she saw the residents. Both men and women wore long robes and scarves. Harper wondered why. It wasn't even cold out.

The majority of them ambled around as if they had no purpose. The women's shoulders were slouched, and the men dragged their feet as they moved about.

They looked miserable.

"I'll take the boy and look for some shelter. I highly advise you to rest, Hyde. I know you don't want to hear it."

"Save it for later."

"He's worried about you, dipstick," Harper mumbled. Hyde heard her and narrowed his eyes.

"You should scout the area. We need to see what we're dealing with. It would help if we could blend in as much as possible. I'm sure you don't want anything to go wrong." Arnest suggested.

Now that they were in the wastelands, anything could happen. Patrol droids weren't stationed too far from their location. Arnest thought it would be in everyone's best interest to lay low.

"Come with me," Hyde nodded at Harper. He sauntered toward the marketplace without waiting for her response.

While following closely behind, Harper studied the environment carefully. Propaganda posters that promoted liberty from the Capital of Westona were plastered over the buildings which were made of large shipping containers.

Ripped tarps draped over certain market stands that were selling old machinery that the facility used. She could tell they were old. One of the gadgets had a long rod with a nozzle, and 3 prongs sticking out of it.

It was a ground-cell extractor. Once stuck in the ground, it could gather data and information about the soil and properties of the perimeter.

Its purpose was to tell the amount of influence organic Puron had on an area within a mile of the user.

Nowadays, the servicemen measured Oxygen levels with a ventilation module, a small tablet that can pick up signals of air based on wind.

Harper gazed at the other parts and tools laid out on various benches or placed in boxes set out on display.

It made her think of Hyde again. Why had he brought her and Yanpu here? Hyde was a mystery. Everything about him was unknown.

As far as she knew, he was a serviceman who went insane and fled for many years. She knew that he was holding something against the facility.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have come all the way back to the Capital to kidnap Yanpu. When she was taken to that garage, Harper was demanded to give him access to Yanpu's files.

Why did he need them? She couldn't tell if he was planning on killing Yanpu or not. If it were the case, she wouldn't let him. Westona needed Yanpu.

She wondered if his illness had anything to do with Yanpu. Or did he take Yanpu to plan something against the Facility?

Nothing made any sense.

Harper was just going to have to find out what his issue was. Somehow she needed to get into contact with Dr. Bomb. He would give her all the information she needed to understand how to deal with Hyde.

Harper stopped in her tracks when she saw two servicemen dressed in combat uniform approaching them. Every part of her hoped they would recognize her and save her.

The moment she opened her mouth, a hand slapped over it and she was dragged far away from the soldiers.