Year 3000 : Contagion

The Tunnels

Morayta, España, Manila

Frank's House

March 13, 2992

08000H

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"How's sleep? Lemme guess, you didn't sleep too well, do you?"

Frank said to Ethan as he was walking through the table. He was preparing breakfast for the three of them. Ethan sits in the table, stroking his head. His eyes were red and he directly avoids sunlight due to his headache induced by overthinking and sleep deprivation.

It's not that I can't sleep, it's just that I couldn't. But I'm pretty sure I had an hour nap. "

E;than said and then he stretches his body and sighs in frustration. His mood was down and his face was a cloud. He shut his eyes once again and stooped down at the table.

"I know, I know, if I'm in your position, probably I would be more worst than you are right now."

Frank seizes an empty cup, filled it with freshly made espresso coffee. Then he reaches the cabinet above to grab some bread from his stash and sits next to Ethan.

"Here's your coffee buddy. There's pudding as well. Help yourself. "

Ethan looks up the table and saw the cup of coffee. It's fragrance, the aroma is so energizing that it roused him up entirely.

He then took a small sip from the coffee. The taste of coffee incorporated with its energizing aroma abruptly rejuvenates his body from the exhaustion. His sensations are unexpectedly became exacerbated. He then took a fraction of pudding. Ate it, then sips another coffee.

Frank stood up and went to his room to get headache remedies. When he got back to the dining room, he reaches for a glass of water and handles it to Ethan.

"Here's the headache medicine. Also a glass of water. Hoping to at least lessen the pain up there" Frank said.

"Thanks, Frank."

Ethan retorted. He still has the dismayed face yet he manage to give a subtle smile to Frank. He hasn't felt this sort of headache for a very long time. He recants having this kind of headache at their graduation party.

"I hope this doesn't get you enough trouble"

Ethan then ingests the pills and drink a couple of gulps of water then turns his gaze to Frank. He's clearly apprehensive and perplex about what's going on in his life today.

"Nah, It's fine. I'm used to it. I know Mr. Flynt, the owner of HeilPharma Industries quite a long time ago. Hahaha. We were partners before but I chose to be his secretary. I'm not really a fan of being in the limelight."

Frank said to Ethan as he was sitting on the table, sipping his cup of coffee as well.

"Now I've retired. And as you can see. I'm living alone and peacefully. But I gotta admit, I have no problems at all with the medicine, coz I'll get them all for free.

He and Ethan then start to cackle. It brightens the situation quite a handful before they both became awkwardly speechless once again.

"So where's Mark? When I woke up, he's gone," asked Ethan.

"He has probably been mustered at HeilPharma. The Board of Committees is cognizant of the situation. They are planning on getting you out and maintaining your safety."

"Why? I'm just an ignoble Janitor of the company? What will they obtain from me?"

Ethan implored in turmoil.

" Well son, you've vouched something you shouldn't have. Now, for NovGen, you're a liability, but for HeilPharma, you're an asset. And I don't wanna be the former"

answered by Frank. He got up from his seat to fetch another cup of coffee.

"But how about my daughter? What if the NovGen will do something terrible to her?"

Ethan clamored. 

"You don't have to fuss a single thing buddy"

Mark said to Ethan as he came in through the backdoor

"Your daughter has been escorted out of his dormitory in Vito Cruz, and now being transported in the HeilPharma for safety. You're gonna meet her in 2 hours. They expect you Frank as well. "

Mark augmented.

"OH thank goodness!"

Ethan sighs in relief. He at somehow manage to alleviate some of his nerves from tonight's ordeal

"As for you, it seems we cannot casually go the facility through the front door now. the NovGen is now turning Manila upside down just to find you."

.

Mark said while he also sips a cup of coffee. He also gets pudding and chomps a good chunk of it. He manages to expend the pudding in two bites only.

"In that case, we gonna go through that I guess." Said Frank.

"Okay, cram me up what's going on. How do we plan on going to HeilPharma without vacating this house?"

Ethan asked the two.

"Finish your coffee, pack your things. We're leaving soon"

Frank said to the two.

The trio finished up their coffee. Ethan then grabs the medicine. Then go to the faucet to damp his face and plops on his shoes. When he goes down, the two were already dawdling for him.

"Have you ever wielded a gun before?"

Asked by Mark.

"Yeah. I was reserved Military before our unit got disavowed."

Ethan said.

"Okay then."

Mark said as he passed on a 19 round Glock 45 to Ethan.

"Don't shoot unless it's crucial to do so"

said by Frank.

"Okay. That's a roger"

replied by Ethan. He's anxious about their plan on going to HeilPharma without being caught.

"Let's move! " Frank said to the two.

The trio went to Frank's room. There he saw an ordinary room with no peculiar characteristic or whatever. Frank then removed the bulb of the lamp near his bed and pushed the button inside on where is the bulb placed.

Then they saw one of the floors open up and a series of stairs going down below starts opening. Ethan was completely surprised by it.

"After you guys"

Frank said to the two.

Mark goes in, followed by Ethan, and then Frank. When the three of them are inside the tunnel, the hatch shuts down. Then the lights down below open, lighting up the corridors along the way.

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;,What horrors await the trio as they make their way through HeilPharma?

Follow the next chapter of Year 3000