Elevate

Living Dead

Carmilla determined to come over to their house. After what her father had explained to the people near the Long Range Fountain, Era had decided to go to Devina’s place to examine on something. They haven’t scoured it before since they’re making sure that the kids will be safe first. Leovander had turned his other route. He didn’t disclose anything about it. The man is cautious especially with his action. He knew that there are eyes which’re looking out for him behind his enemies. Annie, Trixie and Howard had fled near the tunnel to check up on something. Trixie told them that she had seen an unusual scenery before, like there’s something like a barrier.

All of them came out in a plan to meet each other by afternoon and gather everything that they would take. As far as they wanted to work in the same place, they knew that it will make their plan faster if they divide it.

When she arrived at their house, Zyrender is currently in the lobby, talking with Trench. The young man is reporting some papers with him. He looked like a full-grown one with his long hair and beard. When she caught their radar, her father hovered his hand and put on his smile. When she saw him, she remembered what Leovander had told her a while ago.

“Where have you been? I’ve been searching for you, dear?” Zyrender asked her out.

But in fact, she knew that he didn’t go to search for her. She gave in a faint reaction and replied, “Just roaming around the city. I heard everything you have said a while ago, Dad.”

Trench stood behind the man and just silently hearkened to their conversation.

“I was there in the Forest when the fire had broken. Luckily, I was able to get back here, just before the dome took its stand.” She added, but somehow a lie was getting mixed with her explanation.

“Oh, thank goodness. I told Trench to look over you, but he wasn’t able to find you.” He moved near to her and massaged her by the shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here now, Carmilla.”

“Thanks, Dad.” She simply stated.

Trench cleared his voice and interrupted their talk. “I’m going now, Sir.” He tilted his head. He didn’t bother to entertain her. And until the last, they don’t conform. Their presence was just a mist not to be worried about. It was distant from the very start. Their work and their connection which they hold isn’t a thing to be considered as a jewel.

“Okay. Let’s see each other this afternoon.”

When there’s nothing else for him to discuss, he excused himself to go to his workplace. But just before he could vanish himself out of their sight, Carmilla was able to see something from him. There was a wound on his right elbow and a bruise on his left arm. His hands were also swollen like he was bitten. It made her wonder what happened to him to take on those wounds.

Zyrender walked near the pond and watched those fish swam freely. "Did you find the flower?” He changed the topic.

“I almost got it…But the person that I realized who knew about the flower was killed in her place…" She said, clenching her fist.

“Oh…I thought you already have it. I guessed you need much time. I don’t want you to waste days, Carmilla…but if you really need it, then I shall give you,” He said, without putting much eye contact on her.

She calmed her hands inside her empty pockets. Her father picked up a pebble and threw it on the pond, splashing water. Those toads went away to avoid his throw. He chuckled and seemed to enjoy what he’s doing. He brushed his hands to get off the dirt, then he faced her. Now, his face was serious. “I’m going to see Ian and the situation in the Forest now. Do you want to join?” He asked her.

She promptly shook her head to say now. “I’ll stay here for a while. Maybe to take a rest too. Is Trench coming with you?”

“Hmm. No. He had many things to do here too. You should go out with him.” He proposed.

She shrugged on it and gave in a gauche sneer, scratching the back of her head. “I guessed…I-I’ll do that later on.” She shifted and bestowed her father a kiss on the cheek. “Take care, Dad. I’ll see you around this evening.”

“Oh, don’t wait for me. You can eat your dinner together with the others. After I visit the Forest, I’ll be going to the top to take care of the things inside the Highburn Laboratory. You know, there is still stuff that needed to be furnished.”

“Oh, right. Then, I’ll see you around.”

She began to walk away from him, when the man decided to ask her a last question. “How about Era? Are they still working with what I proposed to them? I heard that Mariella was able to escape the Cell…” His voice was deep and somehow threatening.

She turned herself to meet his eyes. “Yes. Fortunately, they’re doing their best to look for her. When a prey escapes, the Era will go look for it once again with all their might.”

He took some air and tapped his newly bought thick-wedged shoes. “That’s good to hear. Let me know if they find the woman. We don’t want her to get inside the city once again.”

“I know. I’ll be looking forward to do everything.”

“Well, I got to go now. I don’t want to be late with certain things there.”

“Okay, Dad.”

When the man fled their house, Carmilla went straight to her room and gathered her things. She needed to act straight and she wanted to confirm everything that she’s thinking. But in the back of her mind, she hoped that what’s in her thought was just fiddling with her and they will not be valid.

She altered her clothing and put on her shoal. She wore her receded raven jeans and thick, rubicund shoes. She put her hair into a messy roll. Looking over the mirror, she saw her reflection staring over her. She had grown so much into a fine lady. Her eyes glistened as the fire inside her heated her emotions. Taking a fine puff, she put on her auburn hat and moved outside her room. She watched both sides of their hallway and when she’s sure that the coast was open, she paced down to where Trench was located. It was a small office that her father gave to him. Basically, she would see him in there, doing some stuff, like reading his research, experiments and personal ones. When she arrived, she was expecting to see him in his chair, but there was no one to talk to. His office was empty and there’s no one to share thoughts.

A smirk was noticeable when she realized the opportunity. She slowly peeked inside just to make sure. When it was clear, she promptly entered the facility and her eyes began to search around. She’s not sure why her intuitions told her to go to Trench, but there’s something bizarre connecting to the man. She just understood that she needed to put on a check on it. She wants to know about his wounds and bruises. The windows were all free, letting the frosty breeze entered and touched her pale skin.

She began to scan those folders being clustered on his block. The floor was a bit in a mess; crumpled papers, trash and even pens were there, lying silently. If only they could talk, then they would be talking dirt with Trench right now. She jeered at that thing.

She opened those drawers. She was busy touching them, when something hooked up her attention. It was a small red box, in the left corner of the last compartment that she had opened. It was the only thing that was different from the rest. She gently took it and placed it on top of the table. She gaped at it for a period and she glanced outside, making sure that Trench is still not coming. She doesn’t know where he is right now and she hoped that he’ll not be back soon. When she unfastened it, her eyes went startled and her heart ticked tough.