"Which came first, the phoenix or the flame?'

.....

'Well then, I think the answer is that a circle has no beginning.' "

-J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

There was no arguing between us about the message and whether it was valid or not. Instead, we became one. We were like shards before when we were all angry. But now, we fused together to become the fearless group that didn't take shit from anybody. We worked quietly and in a calm fashion (except Rocket because she cried a lot but tried to help). There was no hysterical screaming. We knew we had to work fast so that we had enough time to tell people that we were going somewhere and to stay cautious while we were gone. There was a ticking time bomb between BLI and the Killjoys and with this transmission as our only hope, the Killjoys would have a fighting chance. We hoped these people could stop an oncoming war.

It didn't take long for us to pack up our rooms. We never owned much, anyway. Our rooms weren't as colorful as our personalities. We separated our belongings into bags and boxes according to importance. We obviously could not take the furniture or the record player from the ballroom, but it wasn't like we had room for all of that anyway. The rooms never looked so empty, especially the gun room. Ghoul had packed up each and every gun in his collection including ammunition. The shelves in our cabinets were void of water and food. And finally, Ghoul shut off the generator.

In that dark silence as we stood in the living area by the door, we all exchanged looks with one another. The garage tools were packed. Everything too big to bring was left in the inn.

"Will this place still be around when we come back?" Rocket asked innocently.

Kobra sighed and put an arm around her. "Babe, we might not come back."

"But just answer my question." She whispered, looking into Kobra's eyes.

"It will be after the pigs ransack it." Poison shook his head angrily. "I put so much into this damn place...too much. More than I've been willing to lose."

I remembered the first time I walked through the doors and felt safe. I remembered my wedding and every celebration we had. It was hard to let it all go. I was going from what I considered safety to unknown territory. Everyone that had ever left to go past Texas never came back. Ghoul and I had safely gone to Arizona to a small community, but there was nothing beyond that. It was dead.

I sat in the Trans Am with Kobra, Jet, Ghoul, and Poison. Rocket was driving the truck. She had just learned to drive and liked it a lot, so we trusted her with the truck. She was reliable. Plus she was hurt inside from leaving the inn. She was scared and sad. Rocket had told us it would be better if she could drive alone to clear her head. I definitely understood what she meant.

We were heading out to meet Dr. D and Show Pony at the radio station. They had gas there to give us for the journey. Poison promised to tell them the details once we met up with them. They were really great, loyal friends. Even in the darkest times, they helped us and we helped them in return.

Once at the station, we piled out of the car. Show Pony answered the door. He looked worried. Poison talked to Dr. D and Show Pony in hushed tones while I sat on the couch with Rocket. She was fidgeting and biting her nails.

"What is up with you?" I nudged her.

With her eyes on her feet, she replied, "I don't know if I can do this."

"I know things are crazy right now, but I think everything will be okay." I tried to smile reassuringly.

She shook her head. "How do you know that? How do you know things will be okay? What if this is all a trap?"

"I'd travel a million miles rather than get put back in Better Living Industries." I sighed.

"Phoenix, I'm serious. I really don't think I can go with you all." She spoke up louder and the others looked over at her. "What if...I just stayed here? I'm so sorry. I just can't take on this responsibility. I'm not as brave as you."

Kobra slipped an arm around Rocket and pulled her close to him. "Hey, you know what? That's okay. I'd feel better if you were safe here anyway."

Rocket buried her face in his shoulder. "Just promise you will be okay. Promise that you'll contact me."

Kobra nodded. "Of course. I wouldn't forget about you like that and neither would Phoenix."

I ruffled her hair before getting up to slide next to Ghoul on another couch. I wanted to leave Kobra and Rocket by themselves for awhile. Ghoul was fiddling with a small device in his hand to figure out the coordinates. I peered over onto the screen. He was zooming out on the country to view where we were going.

He suddenly stood up. "Georgia?! We have to go to Georgia?"

Poison turned at that moment to look at him. "It's not that far away. About a day and a half trip if there are no obstacles in our way."

"Will the Trans Am even make it that far?" Jet asked.

Kobra laughed. "I guess we'll find out. Are you guys even considering the radiation?"

Ghoul rolled his eyes. "Everyone knows that's a lie."

"Ghoul! They bombed Texas." Kobra threw his hands in the air.

"Yeah, and? We aren't going anywhere near there." Ghoul replied.

"Where are you taking us then? A fucking detour through Canada?" Kobra laughed.

Ghoul shook his head, not amused. "No. I'll just talk to Poison about it."

Dr. D was stopping the music to broadcast his voice across the air. He was the spokesperson for all of the Killjoys in the zones. He guided the wandering souls.

"Alright children, the lights are out, and the party's over

The Fabulous Five are taking a vacation from the hive

It's time for me, Dr. D, to start running and say goodbye, for a little while

And I know you're gonna miss me, so I'll leave you with this

You know that big ball of radiation we call the sun

Well it'll burst you into flames if you stay in one place too long

That is if the static don't get you first

So remember, even if you're dusted, you may be gone,

But out here in the desert, your shadow lives on without you

This is Dr. Death Defying, signing off"

Dr. Death rolled away from the table where he went live everyday. It was the second time in my life where I saw him without the usual sparkle in his eye like an apocalyptic Santa. I got up to thank them for all that they had done for me. They had taken me in when my pals had been exterminated at the HQ and saved me when I tried to take my own life. I was so grateful. I gave Show Pony the tightest hug and opted for a firm handshake with the radio host.

"You've grown." Dr. D commented.

I laughed. "Have I?"

He nodded. "When I first met you, you were just small. Now look at you! No longer a malnourished Battery City citizen. You're a strong leader of the rebellion."

I raised an eyebrow. "Leader?"

"Of course. That's what you all are. Just escaping to the other side of the country doesn't excuse you from that role. You are all leaders of this rebellion and you will be leading the Killjoys to bring down the city." He was serious. The room was silent.

Poison spoke up. "Well I guess it's now or never. We have to get a move on."

I hugged Rocket as tight as I could. She whispered into my ear, "Come back to me alive, Phoenix."

I laughed. "There's nothing to worry about."

Poison had to detach Kobra from Rocket. They were entwined as if it was their last time seeing each other. Then, we packed the gas in the back of the truck. Ghoul and I were riding in the truck while Poison followed us in the Trans Am. Poison trusted that Ghoul had a good sense of direction. I was the holder of the map.

We were approaching the sign that ended the six zones around Battery City.

"No turning back now, I guess." Ghoul murmured.