Viral Pandemic

Chapter 13

Harry woke up the next morning with a sore body. Everything that was on his body was hurting recklessly. His left arm was completely numb for some reason that Harry didn’t know.

He got off the bed after rolling on it for an extra hour. Harry knew he had already missed the breakfast time but he didn’t worry. Food is always available there- the snacks at least, and not full meals.

His walk to the cafeteria was somewhat sluggish. His left arm swung around lifelessly and it made people stare at him too. Once he reached the cafeteria, he grabbed a few doughnuts and a glass of water.

As he sat down, Smith suddenly showed up out of nowhere and patted his back swiftly.

‘Hurry up now buddy. You should come to the conference room quickly,’ Smith whispered and went away. For a moment, Harry was as confused as a goat but then he realized what Smith was talking about.

He rushed to the conference room, one doughnut still in one hand and the glass of water in the other. When he reached, the conference had already begun.

‘Welcome, Mr Hazza,’ Dr. Elise said. The bearded guy was sitting on a chair, looking smug as though as he owned the world.

‘Our agreement was that we will provide you safety and shelter, in exchange for intel and your knowledge,’ she continued.

‘What knowledge?’ the man grunted.

‘Do you have any info regarding the virus?’ Smith said quite loudly. The man scoffed.

‘Say something, sir, we need you to cooperate,’ Dr. Elise said in a rather stern voice.

‘All I can say is, I found a device in the desert that had your logo on it.’ Mr. Hazza finally opened up. ‘I pressed one button and then talked to a guy who said I could be given shelter here so I lied,’ he continued. Everyone in the room couldn’t believe what they heard.

‘You did what-’ Dr. Elise was speechless.

‘You heard me, ma’am,’ Hazza said.

‘Why would you do that?’

‘Look, I was stuck in the desert for days. I got too desperate. I’m sorry okay?’ he answered and rolled his eyes.

‘You think this is a joke?!’ Smith shouted. ‘There’s a global crisis going on, and all you care is about yourself?’ he continued. Hazza just stared at him.

‘Don’t you dare talk to me like that,’ he said. Harry was aghast.

‘Hey, who do you think you are, huh?! We lost one personnel to save you, you ungrateful prick,’ someone else intervened.

‘I swear to god, we should have left you there, god damn it,’ Smith spat. Dr. Elise saw the look on Hazza’s face and thought it would be a good idea to call off the meeting for now before things gets too heated.

‘Alright Mr. Hazza, you may go now. We’ll discuss with you again later,’ Dr. Elise said. The man stood up with a grunt and made a threatening face towards Smith before leaving the room.

‘Doctor Elise, with all due respect- Are you kidding?’ Smith said. ‘How can you just let him leave like that, he should be given punishment,’.

‘The guy just wanted to live, okay? Don’t be too sensitive,’ she replied.

‘Sensitive? Doctor, we lost one personnel and tons of ammo and fuel, just to save this useless guy? We are in the midst of a crisis- this mission was a huge compromise,’ Smith blurted out.

Dr. Elise didn’t say anything but just stood there.

‘He’s right, we lost a lot just to get that Hazza guy here,’ Harry supported Smith.

‘Anyways, let’s talk about this later. Everyone, get back to work,’ Dr. Elise said. ‘Where’s Doctor Austin? Tell her I need to meet her now!’ she exclaimed. Harry was puzzled.

‘She’s just too scared to admit she’s wrong,’ Smith told Harry as he went out of the door.

Harry was speechless. Not knowing what to do now, he just wandered around the building and looked around the place. He saw the labs, the control rooms and the pantries and other rooms.

Suddenly, as he was walking around a corner without paying attention, he bumped into someone. He looked up and apologized and saw that it was Farisha.

‘Oh hi! Sorry about that by the way,’ Harry greeted her.

‘Naw, it’s fine. Hi!’ she replied. ‘Wanna take a walk with me? I’m headed for the arsenal,’ she continued. Harry nodded in eagerness.

‘So, how was your day?’ Harry asked to break the silence.

‘Good! How about you?’ she asked back. This kind of triggered Harry and he went on to explain about Hazza. Once he was done, he looked at Farisha.

‘Well, I’d shoot him in the head without any hesitation,’ Farisha said. Seeing the look on Harry’s face, she continued: ‘I’m joking, don’t worry,’.

They walked around a bit more around the compound and talked about random things.

‘Say, do you think our next missions will be like the same as the previous one?’

‘What do you mean by that?’ she asked.

‘Like, would it be this life-threatening,’ Harry continued.

‘Of course. But you won’t die,’ she answered briefly. Harry was flabbergasted. He didn’t know whether her answer helped, even at all.

‘Anyways, I have to go now- You should go back to your room and get some rest, lots of injuries I’m seeing,’ she said while eyeing his bandages.

‘Yea, yes I’ll do that. You have a nice day,’ Harry said and started to walk away.

‘See you at lunch?’

‘Absolutely, ma’am,’.