Hush in The Bush

Underground

“We still don’t know that person, but we’re grateful you’re still here, Catheryne. You never fail to amaze us, Runner.”

Thirty minutes have passed when we arrived at our base with a failed mission. It’s been a while that I was used for being called as the Runner of this team. It wasn’t an easy part in handling the situation where you’ll be the one assigned to hold the things that are targeted by the other groups. In other words, my only job is to run during our missions other than that, my responsibility in our base is being part of Project 101, which is assigned in doing the experiments about the cure. The mission we held this day was in total failure. We weren’t able to get the cure and was taken by the woman who was wearing that scarf. I wasn’t able to get a clear glance of how she looks like, other than the sign that was placed on her neck, it was a moon and a sun being interlocked with each other. In the end, my obligation was being praised by the members, whether it is a success or a failed one.

“Having fun with all the praises?” A well-built up woman appeared beside me unexpectedly, handing me a drink of soda, while we both look at the tall fences being built around the base. Others were gathered at the centre of the field to enhance their skills and engage in combat.

"I guess gods quite have that favouritism on you, Runner.” She added.

“What’s up with that unlikely compliment from you, Mildred, or should I say our Setter.” I candidly said.

“Loosen up. I’m not here to pick a fight on you. I just want to remember how odd to still have those commendations from others, even we all knew you failed to bring that thing here. It’s obviously understood that this group are still into favouritism and unjust acts towards the others. Haven’t you realized that most of us are also doing our best to have the mission succeeded? But in the end, you’re still the one who was being praised that much. What’s the difference of being a runner to those who are in combats and in front lines?” Mildred’s vexed, contemptuous expression covered her face as she said those words to me.

“Don’t expect me to give you any compliments. You don’t deserve to be called the Runner.” She added and finished her drink and immediately left the scene, leaving me motionless by the words she told me.

She was right somehow. I got the Runner position because of my strong connection to Isabela who was obliged in leading the Infinite, the first group. She was my best friend, ever since I set forth in this establishment. She is also the one who introduced me to the General, who was known to be her father. I could say I was in total luck that time as they give me the position and is totally aware of the consequences after – that includes dealing with the unfavourable impression from the other members. But more to that, I also knew that I made my own ways to get that name, by training hard for months and earning the leaders’ trust. The next time I will be facing that woman, I’ll make sure I’ll put things correctly according to plan, and I’ll get that cure.

I heard some steps coming from behind me and saw Isabela with a grin.

“I guess, you ended with a vicious conversation again with Mildred, huh.” She muttered and put her elbows on the bars.

I looked beyond the fences on our place and saw the non-ending growth of those bushes on the north side. They became uncontrollable these past few days and later on it would be tough to excrete them in matters.

“It’s nothing unusual. I think, I’m now immune on how she sees and treats me. We’re not compatible, we both know that.” I took a sip on the soda Mildred gave me a while ago. “But for sure, I will still grab her hand someday. Maybe we could make things up by that time.”

“That would be lovely. Anyways, let’s go. I have to show you something interesting. Doctor George Coublewich just discovered something uncommon from the patients.” She smiled peacefully.

We just built a new definition for peace regardless of what’s happening around us, and we wouldn’t let anyone take that thing also. Going to the basement, we passed by at the main ground where they are currently doing their training. There are four members who’re placed at the watch houses to guard the base and look for suspicious movements around. Captain John Robertson was also there with the trainees and was busy dismantling the weapons and cleaning them. He recognized our presence and gave us a wave and a wink to Isabela. The young man was into Isabela for months now. He already made some moves in pursuing her, but turned out into rejection for certain matters, but still, he’s continuing with his motives somehow. This man has total courage. Isabela just ignored what the Captain gave her and decided to enter the security codes, making the doors opened directly. Heading down to the clear white path downstairs, we could hear some screams, showing us their total despair from a distant.

“Do you think that woman a while ago came from another group?” Isabela curiously asked all of a sudden.

“We’re not sure of that. But to think, we still never made a way towards what’s beyond those bushes at the north, it’s possible. I hope they could send some to patrol that area and look for alternative ways to enter, by that we could try to see what’s lying on that place and maybe take hold on that too” I said and saw Doctor Coublewich wearing his lab gown with red blood spots. He gave us a wry smile and offered us a sign to hurry and catch up on him.

“What took you so long, ladies?” He asked with a depleted appearance. He stayed in the laboratory consequentially these months and decided to devote himself in searching for possible ways to make the cure.

“Are the patients getting better, Doctor?” I asked, not minding his question.

“That thing you’ll see in a moment will explain that matter. Now, put on some masks and protective gears. And walk just behind me and don’t do any unnecessary actions.” This man was totally serious.

We did what we are being told and lead us to an iron door. He opened it slowly and the unbearable, malodorous odour reached us. We could still get some smell of it, even we’re masked. Dr. Coublewich walked ahead of us and we followed him.

“Just walk straight and steady. Be alert and don’t move on both your sides.” He said and put his hands inside his pockets.

We heard those screams again, but now they are unpleasant and horrific on their own. We can feel their pains just by hearing their cries. Despite their impulsive and raging anger, they are desperately asking for help.

“We’re here. Look at beyond those cells. I’ve reverted my studies in examining them and it turned out that it got me into reviewing the growth of this virus. I came up in dividing it into three stages.” He made some few steps closer to the cell’s window, enough for us to have a glance on the inside.

Isabela and I saw three patients who are walking at a normal pace but got themselves with severe bruises and nosebleeds, making their shirts covered with blood. One of the patients saw our presence and headed to the door and started to cry.

“H-help us.” The blood rushed on her nose and made her cough. She tried to reach us by letting her hand out of the bars but Dr. George carefully pulled us behind.

Not minding the patient’s current actions, he breathed deeply. “As you can see, the patients are still in their normal behaviour, but they’re starting to get these extreme bruises on their bodies and nosebleeds. Their temperatures are starting to rise. After 3-5 days, they will get into high fevers and fatigue.”

He walked to the next door just after the first one. We saw five patients peacefully sleeping and some were just sitting and staring unconsciously.

“This is the exciting stage. The virus starts to attack their immune systems which made the hosts into a deep sleep or in total unconsciousness for a while. This is the hibernation phase of the virus. From what I’ve seen and reviewed, it will take them up for a week before the last stage will take place and be detected.”

He walked to another door, but this time we went to the Exit. “You’ve said there are three stages. Where’s the last one?” I asked.

The doctor was just staring on the other side just near the fence where a bunch of the members wearing white shirts are gathered and are busy digging up the soil for some reasons.

“That’s an obvious answer there.” He pointed out a certain area.

We glanced at them and turned out to see a pile of dead bodies being wrapped with blankets – the souls that are already taken by Death. They were carrying those and slowly putting them in the pit they made.

This is total madness.