Seven Days of Sin

January 01, 2022 A new year have come it means another year to face the battle with B2’s that stands for Black Butterflies which cause a sudden disaster with so much fear and loss. It all started two years ago, when people are excitedly waiting for the year 2020 an abrupt attack of B2’s bite occurred. Only a few people manage to survive like me who were inside my small apartment, most of the current survivors were indoors when it happen. But as time goes by we are still depleting because there are still black butterfly that flies from time to time and once you got stung, the wound on your skin would start to look like wood then eventually it crawl into your whole body then you’ll end up as a human shaped tree-like. Plus there is a shortage of supply which was really bad for all we had are process foods because all living organisms (biotic) are affected by the venom of B2, bearing plants and farm animals also turn into weird tree-like.   Those are just the few problems of our current little community, yeah we do have a community so little it is just a covered court with about  50 people who usually have arguments from time to time just like now: “I don’t want to just wait and stay here anymore I would like to join the team to explore!” Jillian shouted to our troop leader. “No, you cannot you are still a kid and as you have said you just wanted to explore.” Damian strictly said he is the leader of the troop who searches for supply and such. “I’m not a kid I already turned eighteen and by explore I meant to help with the search.” Jillian retorted back, it seems to me that no one will back out so I barge in: “Hey people! Stop arguing with each other.” I told them then turn to Damian to say “Sir, let me talk to her.” “Yes please knock some sense to your girlfriend.” He said then walks away from us. “Well yeah I will but we are not exactly like that.” She was not my girlfriend it is too anxious to have relationship at this time of disaster and she might not feel the same way I do for her, anyways. “Jill here takes some gum it’ll help you to chill.” I offered since I chew gum everytime I need to chill it prevents me from panicking. “Newsflash Jack what works for you do not work for me.” Jill said to me with one of her eyebrow slightly rise up. “Okay. Okay then I guess it is the same as about joining the search team you know how dangerous outside.” I try to remind her. “How many times do I need to tell that I want to help and also are you saying I am not capable as like you and the other scouts?” She asked a bit furious I know because I noticed her eyebrows almost knitted to each other. “I did not mean that way I know you can do anything you want to but you could do your work around here inside while we do ours outside.” So I answered carefully so it can sink in to her and understand my point. “I know that, it is just that I want to do the right thing but I don’t know what is right.” Now she said it a bit confused. “Perhaps it is not a matter of right or wrong, but to do all the good you can in the ways you can for the people you can, while you can.” “It is nice if you could but you can’t always apply such, sometimes we all have to live our lives for ourselves.” Now she said that it made me confused as well. “Well maybe sometimes yeah but for now let’s do what Damian assigned us he knows what we can do at the moment.” That I vaguely said it, she did not agree with me but at least she started to do her own task helping the younger ones so I should too which is to prepare to go out for I was task to drive one of our vehicles. Once done checking the vehicle’s motor and tire I made sure that I am equipped especially the gun that are loaded with seeds and bring some extra. Seeds from natural plants such cereal grains, beans, peas, nuts, etcetera are accidentally found out by a farmer as a repellent to those butterflies. If the seeds hit even just a little bit part of the B2 it’ll immediately fell down and be pulverized like some black soil. “Is everyone ready?” Damian asked loud and clear. “Yes.” So we answered in unison; the team that composed of ten people that includes me. Only a few scouts are present because the other half need to stay to ensure safety of our little community. “Let’s go!” He finally said then entered the vehicle I supposed to drive and then where off to go. I was driving towards to the designated location we planned to scout but then a few meters before arriving on that location the vehicle I was driving got tilted because I was distracted. Did not saw the bump ahead instead what I saw on the side mirror was something or rather someone else trailing behind us. “Hey watch out, drive with direction.” Damian a bit irritated said, probably because of what happen earlier then now a rough ride. “I’m sorry, sir.” I quickly apologized. This day the sun was bright a supposedly good weather to search around but I guess not the mood of some people but still will make the most out of it. Once we had arrive everyone get out from the two vehicles we used then started to thoroughly scan the vicinity, after making sure that the area is clear: “We will do what we must do. Now move out!” Damian said usually before our hunting / searching begins. When the team launches, Ace and I as the drivers was left to be a look out for our vehicles. Then after a while I decided to check out the area where I saw someone…familiar. “Ace, I’ll just check something on a bit over there.” I said then he only nods with his poker face on. I walk a few meters away then found out her on the ground beside a crashed motorbike so I asked: “Jill how come you are here?” “Obviously I used the bike.” She said sarcastically and awfully probably because there are some visible bruises on her arm.  “Look you still push yourself to come outside so you should be more careful.” I seriously said and of course worried. I rarely used that kind of tone so I’m glad she noticed how serious I am for she diverted her eyes somewhere else. That’s when I sit down beside her so I can apply an old remedy: from my bag I took seven sheets of brown paper and vinegar that was heated and allowed to simmer at the community camp to make sure the paper wouldn’t break up once I soak it together, then after soaking the paper on vinegar I applied it in layers over the affected area and lastly secured it in place with a clean cloth. “I. . . I’m actually here because there are just some things we just can’t help and umm actually about the talk we had… m-made me realize err...” She said after a while a bit buffering probably because she might think I am mad. “There it is done I tied it with a bunny ear like knot to look better.” That’s what I said to show that I am not mad at all for I was just madly worried. “Thanks, for being so good to me but you know you should be careful too being this kind will kill you.” “Perhaps but anyways that’s all we got to cover your bruises we already run out of real bandages that is why we really need to be careful so better stand up and let’s return.” “Wait not yet, I know that we do not have much medical supply that is why I really want to come along, there’s a nearby local pharmacy around this area.” She said while standing up then run off toward somewhere. “Hey wait let’s go back first.” I suggested to her but: “Nope, let’s check it out for the heck of it so Damian will shut it off.” She said without looking back. So I immediately follow her, we walk a bit furthermore to the pharmacy’s location which was on the street corner where you cannot easily see it if you do not know it was there in the first place. As we eventually get inside I was surveying the place to watch out for B2 existence so far all I can see are different kind of medicines and other related materials but Jill seems to be looking for something specific in hastily movements. “Are you looking out for something?” I questioned her. “Yes I need to find some medicine for anti-asthma, Ashley having a lot of attacks lately.” Jill’s answered. “Oh there it is!” She pointed out one of the upper shelf in the corner then she try to grab it using her bruised arm, failing to do so. Instead she hit another shelf that cause it fell down that is when a few sleeping butterflies behind that shelf scattered away. The tendency of it is to fly towards her so I immediately run fast to push her away after I manage to do that I aim my gun and shoot with bullet seeds to each of the B2. Everything seems so fast then when I made sure there are no more targets I asked her: “How are you Jillian, you alright?” But then she is just looking at me horribly. That’s when I felt numb in my thumb hence I look onto it only to see that it is getting woody. It made me sighed then smiled for the last time because this is my end, no more possibility to be happy.