Chapter 17:

Running

Infallibility


The rain thundered down relentlessly as I walked. Everything ached, the crash’s impact slowly making its mark.

Shadows followed my every footstep. Watching; waiting. In every shadow Corruption Checkers could be waiting for me to arrive. I was an escapee, after all, one who’d failed the Lex Credendi. The chance of Fides not making a fuss about me was in the negatives.

“Makoto, you there?” Rei’s voice shocked my whole system, making me flinch.

“Where else would I be?” I rolled my eyes. Despite it all, Rei always brought out a lighthearted feel no matter the situation.

“Yeah yeah, anyway from now on, I'll be staying on the mic. You’re halfway there bro.” Only halfway? I was already on the verge of passing out! This wasn't going to go well, ending in either success or a long, long dirt nap.

“Couldn't miss out on the fun, could you?”

“You know me too well.” I smirked as Rei went on. “Now, in fifty feet, you’ll see an exit come up on your left. Take that and stick along the left wall. The faster the better.”

I glanced down towards my feet. Just from my tattered jeans and blood soaked legs, it was clear speed wasn't an option. “Wish I could Rei. Got into this little thing called a car crash? Still in the middle of walking off my broken bones.”

“Gotta toughen up one of these days Makoto. If anything, I’m doing you a favor here.”
“Not sure how many people would consider breaking their friends' bones a favor.” I refocused my gaze towards the horizon. Jokes aside, I’d need to get on the move. Rei wouldn't say such a line without a reason. If he said to move fast, he met it.

With a fierce struggle, I picked my legs up and got on the move. With every step the road transformed into a layer of lava. The molten rock burned through my flesh, only leaving the pale white bones behind. My lungs felt as if they inhaled a mountain of smoke, clogging up the tubes until there was nowhere for the air to go.

Breathing was a fool's errand. I just need to move.

True to Rei’s word, a splinter soon came into a view. Within the rain reading the signs was impossible, but surely this was what Rei met. Clearly, he had eyes somewhere after all.

Glimpses of light made their way through the falling sheets of water as I made the turn. Rain poured down, yet everything felt quiet. Behind the constant white noise, there was nothing, no signs of life.

“You there yet? Can’t get much in the way of visibility.”

“Just turned the corner.”

“Good. Right now, you only got empty streets ahead.” Thank god. I wiped my brow and took a deep breath. Long as this went well, no, it would go well!

But, Rei’s comments about visibility floated around my mind. If he couldn't see me, right here in the middle of the road, what prevented a Corruption Checker from slipping through?

There wasn't any option but to trust Rei. Without him, I was probably dead anyway. Talk as I might, once you entered a Fides prison, you disappeared.

The road slowly shrank, four lanes merging into two. Towers crept up towards the center. This was what I knew best, the small streets surrounded by buildings of brown and blue. In the distance a familiar set of towers pierced the clouds. Despite the distance, this felt like home.

Lights shone from the windows here and there, covered by curtains and doors. It was probability around three and the morning after all, who in their right mind would be awake right now.

Granted, I was awake. Not a good sign.

“Ok, there should be an array of streets the pop up on your right and left. There will be one called Grandview that comes up around five minutes in.”

“Grand-view?” The foughren word twisted around my tongue.

“Yes, Grandview. Once you arrive, go left towards the golden tower.”

“Sounds good. Any Corruption Checkers on the way?”


“No, but think theres a security droid wandering around. With the rain it’s impossible to tell for sure.”

“Thanks for the heads up.” I focused my vision. Droids were bright and big, but most importantly, they were loud. From the mechanical whirring of their gears to the humming of their scanner. Whenever once came, you knew.

Yet I still said those dumb words with one on top of us.

“Just caught sight of the damn thing. It’s not looking good bro.”


I sighed. “Not sure why you expected otherwise. Its Fides were talking about here.”

“Don’t think they know you’re here, though. The cameras should still be fried…” Rei paused as if to think. “Ok, for now, just continue on. The second you see something, speak up.”

“Trust me bro, I’d let you know if I saw them no matter what.” Rei was lucky I wasn't planning on screaming my ass off.

He chuckled. “Very well. Going dark.”

“Wait!” I whispered. There it was, bright as day. The droid spun its spotlight round and round like a top. Every bit of movement caught my eye, no matter how small.

It paused for seconds at a time, analyzing whatever came into view. Nothing else stopped the constant spinning of the light. From the little I knew, it was always comparing every little detail with information from its database. From signs of rebellion to prohibited imagery. Naturally, a list of prisoners would also be within its grasp.

“Just ran a scan Makoto. The second you get past this, you’re home free.”

I eyed the robot. It was random, unpredictable. When it’d stop its search, and for how long was a mystery. And the second it laid eyes on me it was over.

I slowly crept towards the robot. One step, then another. It was daunting. Freedom was right there, just beyond the horizon, with a little robot standing in the way.

Just as I approached, so did the droid. If not for the falling tears from above, this would have been for naught. My footsteps alone would have given me away. Rei had planned this perfectly.

I collected myself. A few steps in front of me awaited an opportunity. Between the sidewalk and road laid a little garden, barely three feet tall. It’d be a risk, but what else could I do?
I leaped forward, falling face first on the ground. It was fine, everything was fine! I just needed to ignore the pain.

It flared off and on like a beating heart. Any other situation and I’d be screaming bloody mary right about now. Hell, I’d be doing just that if all went well.

Slowly, I made my way along the sidewalk and crawled behind the stone garden wall. I needed to be perfect; an inch of clothing visible could ruin me. This was a Fides droid, after all! There was no way they didn't spare every expense.

Before I knew it, my eyes saw the buildings bright as day. Every chip in the paint, nail bent, if I didn't know better, I’d say the sun had made a surprise visit.

Then, it stopped. My heart froze!

I wanted to dart away, every fiber of my being begging to run. But all I could do was freeze. I couldn't shiver, couldn't flinch. There was no guarantee I had anything to do with its stop after all. The second I ran, that wouldn't matter.

Still, nothing could stop the fear from pouring in. I waited, every second passing by lite an eternity. Agony wracked my body. Pain filled my brain. Yet I was still as stone.

Then, it backed away and started its spin.

I collapsed onto the ground, the relief washing over my body.

“Makoto, you good?”

I laughed at Rei’s question. “Yeah, on my way.