62 The Old Determined Senator

—Congressman Miles POV—

It's around 9:00 PM now, and we're flying over 'Mary Tudor Medical Center' or, more specifically, Camp B. I'm currently in a Black Hawk helicopter alone with Senator Franklin Jacobs. As for the man, Jacob Groth, he won't be flying in until tomorrow.

'It was quite difficult to arrange flying someone in a coma into a hospital that's basically in a war zone. Glad I had all those favors saved up.'

"We're running a bit late, but that should be fine, right Congressman?"

I turn my head toward Senator Jacobs, who has interrupted my thoughts. The Senator is an older man with a bald head that he typically covers with an Army baseball cap. He sits with a good posture and generally keeps a stern expression that only lets up when discussing hunting or fishing. Though throughout this flight, he hasn't spoken very much, seemingly preoccupied with thinking.

I realize I still haven't responded, "Oh, yes, Mr. Senator, it should be fine. We're just here to speak to the people, and we won't have to do that until tomorrow."

"That's good. I guess you don't have any other kind of plans?" The Senator inquires.

I give him an awkward smile, "Uh, no. No plans."

'That's a lie. I'm finally going to see my daughter. The past week has been soul-crushing. Not only was my son and daughter taken by her, but my district has been turned into hell on Earth.'

I turn my head away in a bid to end the conversation and instead start looking out of the helicopter's window. The hospital and the blood bank next door are like beacons in the middle of the city. They're one of the few places in the city that still has electricity, and that's only because they both have emergency generators.

Around both are a few rows of barbed wire fences and abandoned vehicles that are being used as barricades. The sound of gunfire and explosions is nearly constant as the 'Crawlers' tend to attack, retreat, and then repeat.

The Senator sighs, "Camp B is a damn disaster, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is," I say half-heartedly.

He continues, "But we can't just abandon it, and it's well-fortified almost to the point of being a makeshift fortress."

"I know. I wish we could just cut the bullshit and let the people leave the city, though." I respond.

"We all do, Congressman, but do you understand the repercussions of inadvertently letting even one infected person out of the city? Could you imagine if those things ended up in San Francisco or somewhere similar? God in Heaven help us if they show up in multiple places at once. Not to mention, the hospital's location is strategic. It's near the center of the city, it's perfect for communication towers, and the blood bank next door is also a perfect field research facility for Crawler dissection."

"I understand all that Senator. I'm surprised by how okay you are with it, though. This is the largest city in Alaska, and everyone trapped here is your constituents."

The Senator looks at me with a scowl, "Who said I'm okay with it? I just understand the logic involved."

"Logic? Senator, how can you apply logic to a situation as illogical as this one."

My phone buzzes, I raise my wrist and stare at my smartwatch.

'A text message? From the girl?'

I click the watch's screen displaying the message, "Please, bring the Senator with you. I'd hate for him to miss it."

'A bit curt and to the point. Also, no emoji, surprisingly.'

"Got a message from someone there, Bill?" The Senator asks.

"No, just my secretary."

"Is that so?... Y'know, Bill, you've seemed distant since the whole cruise ship ordeal."

"Yeah, well, my kids are still missing, and my city is on its way to being nothing but ruins."

"Of course it's understandable, I suppose. I heard you had quite the emotional reaction not too long ago. The Admiral saved you then, you know? As I'm sure, you're aware all those ships had to be sunk along with the few surviving crew."

"I know, Senator. The missing ships are a hot topic on the news."

The Senator nods, "Anyway, Bill, you can tell me anything that's on your mind. In fact, if there is anything you should tell me sooner rather than later."

I gaze at the Senator suspiciously, "No, nothing's on my mind."

He shakes his head, "Bill, I'm disappointed."

The Senator tosses a manila envelope into my lap. I blink at the words stamped in red **Classified**. I start to have a bad feeling but proceed to remove the documents hoping the Senator doesn't see the cold sweat on the back of my neck.

He continues, "The documents are a bit out of date, but things have been progressing so quickly I didn't have time to get the newer ones. I had to fight to get these copies, and they still redacted most of it."

I remove the first document and am greeted with a picture of the girl along with a summary.

{

Codename: Little Red

Description:

Little Red is believed to be a highly dangerous [redacted]. Little Red's name is unknown, but a Japanese police officer reported that she identified herself as "Eira" [2] before the officer was brutally disfigured by an unknown assailant. Little Red is believed to have ruby red eyes along with skin and hair that is thought to lack pigment [3]. Although no one has been able to confirm these details. Additionally, it has been noted that small 'bumps' have been noticed beneath Little Red's hood toward the left and right of her head.

Little Red has been observed to sometimes wear a black mask that resembles a human skull. Typically Little Red can be observed wearing dresses that frequently have bloodstains at various locations.

Little Red's full capabilities are unknown, but she seems to be capable of [redacted] within her own body and/or of those around her. Little Red once appeared to [redacted] of a soldier on camera via biting. This has led to speculation that she may, in fact, be some kind of [redacted]. This is supported by the fact that some recovered bodies are nearly devoid of [redacted].

Little Red is thought to have a lower body temperature than your average individual and soldiers tasked with finding Little Red should always have someone on hand with a thermal scope. Little Red has been reported to often play up her innocent appearance to sway or attempt to sway individuals [4].

[Remaining Description is Redacted]

Contact Protocol:

As stated before Little Red's full capabilities are unknown, but if contact is made it's recommended you simply act natural and leave the area if possible. Any sightings of Little Red should be immediately reported to commanding officers.

Whereabouts:

• Believed to be somewhere in the city of Anchorage.

Criminal Activity and M.O.:

Little Red will sometimes leave piles of Japanese branded snacks wherever or whenever she commits a significant crime. This has been noted to occur more frequently when a body cannot be located. See list below for suspected crimes.

• Multiple counts of murder of the 1st/2nd/3rd Degrees.

• Multiple counts of assault.

• Piracy of an international cruise ship.

• Entering the country illegally.

• Terrorism.

• Suspected Arson.

• Kidnapping.

• Impersonation of a Sea Captain.

• Shoplifting.

• Dine/dashing.

...I skip the rest of the list as it is simply too long.

Suspected Accomplices:

• Robert Adams: Location unknown. Status unknown. Additional documents are available upon request.

• Eden Groth: Reported name as Eve, but 'Moonlight' staff records show this to be a false name. Additional documents are available upon request.

• Audrey Hennington: Possibly Little Red's 'right hand.'

Other Associates:

Other associates are people they are not confident enough to call 'accomplices', but still believed to have something to do with Little Red. The associates list is also long. It includes everything from remnants of Bravo team to some Tremble streamers to a girl that works at a Japanese clothing store to…

• Bill Miles: Alaskan Congressman.

• Annie Miles: Daughter of Bill Miles.

• Luke Miles: Son of Bill Miles.

[1]. Redacted

[2]. Believed to be spelled the same as the Welsh word for "snow".

[3]. Observations from various footage and survivors.

[4]. Little Red outward appearance seems to be between the age of 14-16, but actual age is unknown.

}

I finish the remaining document quickly and look toward the Senator.

"That's right, Bill. You're already suspected of having some kind of connection."

The Senator holds up some more documents. It doesn't take me long to realize these are the text messages I exchanged with the girl.

"Don't worry. Only I have these right now. Well, for now anyway, in a couple of days, my secretary will mail these documents straight to the task forces front door."

I look at the Senator with shock and confusion, "Why did you agree to come with me if you knew?"

"Simple. I want to meet the girl." he replies with determination.

"Why would you possibly want to meet her?! She's a brutal murderer."

"I want to talk to her, and if the situation calls for it, put her in a position to take her out."

"Senator, I know you're an old Army vet, and you think you know what you are doing but... You're going to be severely disappointed, to put it mildly."

"We'll see about that. Besides, it's not like I'm just going with you and me. I contacted one of my old army buddies, and he'll have plenty of soldiers at the ready to intervene."

"Wha? Are you going to come to the service with me?"

"If she asked for me to come, then I'll come. Monster or not, she's an arrogant young girl… probably."

The Senator points toward my watch, and I quickly realize I forgot to close the message.

"If you think you can catch her off guard, you should do it immediately."

"You don't know the full situation, Bill. If we can catch her alive, we might be able to cure whatever this is."

"What are you talking about? We don't even know if she's the cause of the Crawlers."

"I have a gut feeling, Bill."

"Turning them back is probably impossible, you know?"

"Maybe, but Bill, you know one of those things is my wife?"

"You mean Meredith?"

"That's right. She contacted me through video chat a few days ago. She was scared to death. Meredith…" the Senator chokes up a little. "Well, Meredith couldn't really walk very well anymore. Happens when you get old… anyways I saw her… saw her change through the video chat."

"I'm really sorry to hear that, Franklin. That sounds horrible."

"That's why I want to catch the girl alive. Also, Bill, I'll talk to McCracken personally, and we'll sort this out. I know you just want your children."

"Speaking of President McCracken, does he know what you're trying to do right now?" I ask.

"Of course, he doesn't. He would definitely try to stop me."

———————

It's nearly midnight, and the Senator and I walk down the deserted halls of the hospital. The chapel doors are closed.

"Are we late?" I say aloud.

"Nope, you're early, actually," I hear a cute voice respond.

The door opens, and an ominous fog rolls out from behind the doors. I stand dumbfounded but quickly regain my composure. Out walks a small teenage girl wearing a hood and a white mask. The mask has the eyes drawn on, and a red tear comes down from the left eye.

My mind starts to run wild as I think about all the times I've run through this situation in my mind.

'What is this girl going to say? What profound, threatening, or inexplicable thing is she going to say.'

The girl walks up, and despite the eyeless mask, she glances at both the Senator and I.

Finally, she speaks, "Can you believe they had a fog machine here? Like what were they having a heavy metal concert here or something? I tried to add food coloring to the fog machine, but it didn't work at all." The girl giggles.

The Senator and I almost fall over from the unexpected words.

The girl clears her throat, "Let me introduce myself. I'm Eira, and I'm so looking forward to putting on an excellent service for you both."

"You're Eira?"

"Oh, you know me?"

"Congressman Miles mentioned you. Your reputation precedes you."

"Did he now?" Eira replies suspiciously before sighing. "I'd rather my reputation not precede me."

"I'm quite anxious to speak to you. I am Franklin Jacobs, the Senator of this great state."

"Oh, my. Well, it's a pleasure, Senator Jacobs." The girl reaches out her small gloved hand.

The Senator hesitates before shaking her hand, "You're so polite, Miss Eira. By the way, is Eira your first name?"

"Yes, it is, but we should prepare for the service. We'll talk after." She replies casually. "Tell whoever's following you they aren't welcome."

"..."

She walks away and motions for us to follow. I notice the Senator glance back down the hallway, making a small motion with his hands.

Entering the room, the atmosphere is odd. There are around a hundred fifty people packed tightly in the cramped room. Of course, that's just a guess it could be more, or it could be less. Anyway, the odd thing is the people seem weirdly excited for the service despite the lack of room.

"Miss Eira, aren't you going to be participating in the service?" The Senator asks questioningly.

"Well, that was originally the plan, but I've decided now that a Senator is here, I should probably be nearby In case you have any questions."

"Eira, is that person here?" I ask.

"That person? Oh, you mean her. Of course, she's here. Now hush it's starting." Eira says.

In the front of the room, a beautiful girl with golden hair moves to the vacant area in front of the crowd. Her right eye seems to almost glow red while the left nearly glows blue. She stands with an expressionless gaze and stares out over the crowd. She looks around the room until spotting Eira, which causes her expression to soften ever so slightly.

The girl wears a long white dress. Behind her stands five people all wearing white masks watching the room. Two appear to be rather large men while another seems to also be a man but more slim. The remaining two seem to be a woman probably somewhere in her twenties while the last is a short girl no more than ten.

'Annie…'

Suddenly, the lights flip off and turn the room black. Someone moves the curtains exposing a large window at the back of the room. The room lights up lit by the moonlight of the dark world outside.