Training Mission 2

You, Jody and Maxine are almost at the Fairground. Sam reveals over comms that other townships have reported their runners who went to investigate to the Fairground did not return. Maxine says that even if the claims of invisibility to zoms is made up, they need to save those runners!

You arrive at the Fairground, meeting Serena, who used to run a lifestyle blog and YouTube channel. She tells you that she got someone to post the flyer through Abel's gates, so she could stay here and make sure "nothing else" happens to the runners here. They are being held in the Fairground and she can't rescue them alone, so you must follow her!

While Serena sprints ahead, Maxine remembers where she knows Serena from. They were on a news item together about an ancient Stone Circle, debating whether Ionic Blessed Water really did improve performance. Serena explained that the symbol on the bottle was the Galdr, an ancient Druidic symbol used for summoning. They were going to run a route that mapped out the Galdr, to see if drinking the water made them faster.

As they ran, Maxine realised her hand was getting a rash. Serena assured her that it was metaphysical toxins leaving the body, after the rash disappeared when Maxine tried to touch it. Serena explained that she bottled the Ionic Blessed Water from a hot spring near to old cave paintings of sabre tooth tigers. Maxine wanted to turn back, but was convinced by Serena to keep going, as it was quicker to get to the finish line.

As they ran, Maxine realised the birds had stopped singing and the grass was dying. Serena assured her that it was just visualisation, after the grass went back to normal once Maxine stepped on it. Serena explained that she bottled the Ionic Blessed Water from a hot spring near to old cave paintings of sabre tooth tigers. Maxine wanted to turn back, thinking the hot spring might have given off poisonous gas that was affecting the wildlife, but was convinced by Serena to keep going, as it was quicker to get to the finish line.

Serena and Maxine entered the Stone Circle, and Maxine thought she might be unwell. She could smell metal, but Serena assured her that it was just the water awakening her senses. They heard chanting, but couldn't tell from where. Both of them startled when they saw a massive shadow cast by a stone, and, after the ground moved, Serena ran off, with Maxine having to follow her.

Maxine caught up with Serena, and had to help her after Serena's foot got caught under a rock. Serena revealed that she had drugged the water, which is why Maxine was hallucinating, and running faster. But Serena was adamant that the shadow was of a real tiger, and continued running, leaving Maxine dreamy and confused. Jody asks how Maxine got out of there, but Maxine can't remember. Sam recalls that Serena was missing for weeks before the apocalypse, too. Serena runs back to you all, and says the quickest way into the Fairground is through the bog, rather than around it. You have to move fast or you'll sink into it!

After successfully avoiding a zombie in the bog, your shoes have been sucked off by the mud. Serena is very eager to offer you her trainers. Once you've put them on, she reveals that every day she runs 10KM in them, and bursts into flame, only to wake up back at the start. Now she's free, and you won't be able to take them off unless you find someone else to give them to! She runs off, planning to leave the Fairground once and for all!