After the chaos inside the Raz Kids Center, Sunny didn't waste a second.
RV was unconscious and Jax was screaming, blood covering half his face. Sunny threw RV over his shoulder, grabbed Jax by the collar, and dragged both boys out.
He dropped Jax at the treatment ward where the healers gasped, completely shocked by the brutality of the injury then carried RV into one of the Razor safe rooms. A dim lamp flickered above, casting shadows across the boy's pale face.
Sunny sat by the table, sipping a bitter drink, still replaying the earlier scene in his mind.
I've never seen anything like that. That wasn't Art… not even close.
RV finally groaned, waking slowly, his eyes still cloudy from exhaustion.
"So, you're awake." Sunny didn't soften his tone.
RV sat up weakly, rubbing his forehead. "W-Where am I?"
"A safe room," Sunny said coldly. "Now, let's have a talk. A real one."
He leaned forward, arms crossed, gaze sharp as a blade.
"What happened earlier? What did you do in the Raz Kids fort? Because I've never seen anything like that before. That wasn't Art. It wasn't anything I know."
RV's hands trembled. He looked down, refusing to meet Sunny's stare. He knew he had been caught red-handed. If he lied… Sunny would notice instantly.
Sunny narrowed his eyes.
"Is that why the Viper wanted you dead or alive?"
The boy flinched.
Bulls-eye.
Sunny stood, pacing slowly like a predator.
"If I tell King Talon or Ryan what I saw, they'll lock you in a box for the rest of your life. Or worse. So I need the truth, kid."
He stopped in front of RV and asked the question bluntly:
"Your eyes… they were just like a Nightmare's. Are you a Nightmare?"
Nightmares — Classified Description
Nightmares are creatures of pure darkness.
They lurk where light cannot reach.
They are drawn to blood… fear… and anything living that trespasses into their domain. They move silently too silently and kill before their victims can scream. Although they are rarely seen by people,that If you have bad luck that day that you might encounter them.
Most believe they are mindless monsters.
Others whisper that they are intelligent… watching from the shadows… learning.
RV's breath hitched. "I-I'm not lying… I don't know what that thing is. I don't know what came over me."
His voice cracked in fear.
"It happens whenever I… whenever I'm scared or feel threatened. My mind just goes dark… and something else takes control. When I wake up, someone is injured… or worse."
He swallowed hard.
"That's why my parents said we had to leave home. Other kids were dying, and they thought… maybe… maybe it was because of me."
Sunny listened quietly now.
"My dad went to look for a healer that could fix me, but he never came back. My mom and I went to search for him and the healer. We left with a few others but… we were attacked by Drifters. She told me to run."
RV's voice shook.
"I searched for her but couldn't find her. Then… then I got captured again, ended up in one of your cargo loads. I escaped during the attack when you killed those people. I saw everything."
Sunny let out a slow breath and walked toward his small wooden box in the corner. He opened it, revealing an old book filled with drawings one of those drawings was the same strange symbol RV carried as a totem.
Sunny held up both the book and RV's totem symbol side-by-side.
"Do you know this?"
RV's eyes widened instantly.
"Yes! That's the symbol of Zion! My hometown! But… how do you have this?"
Sunny's heartbeat stopped for a moment.
Zion… so it really exists.
"Zion is beyond the Deadlands," RV continued, struggling to stand. "Far beyond."
Sunny clenched his jaw.
So Talon lied. There IS a place outside… but why hide it?
"You know how to get there?" Sunny asked.
RV shook his head sadly. "No. I was too young. I don't remember the way back."
Sunny ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.
"Fine. Time's up. You need to return to the fort. Keep your head down. Don't pick fights. Don't show that… ability again."
He walked him to the door, then added:
"Oh, and one more thing. Your totem… King Talon's son, Ryan, took it."
RV froze.
"What? That's mine! Why would he take it?!"
"It was an accident," Sunny lied. "He mixed it with his gear when he came to meet me."
Sunny leaned closer, voice low and deadly serious:
"Don't do anything stupid. Don't try to steal it back. Ryan will kill you before you even take two steps. Stay alive. If there's a way back home… you'll need both your head and that totem."
RV left the room furious, fists clenched, but silent.
Sunny watched him go, his expression dark.
Zion… RV secret… Nightmares… Why is everything connected to the same thing? And why do I have the same symbol…?
The Deadlands suddenly felt much smaller and the world far, far bigger.