21 Days

XII: Hiro

                The pungent smell of the dead waft in the air they walked their way to the base Sky has in the middle of the city. Seven have been there once and it was only his second time being there. Sky usually goes out with Hiro and Aiki but this time, Aiki was out of the picture. They’ve been avoiding each other as to not let the others make a big issue of their relationship.

                The front door was smudged with blood so does the clear glass window that was now being covered by thick curtains from the inside. They went through the back door accessible on the left part of the building. It was inaccessible from the undead straying because of the barbed wire fence they have installed before they concluded that that place was a good base since it was located in the middle and through telescopes, they would be able to see unblocked routes they could take.

                Sky used his key and opened the back door carefully. Once inside, he closed the door only to see Hiro standing in the middle, in position to swing his bat as he was expecting an enemy to appear before him.

                “What?” Seven’s face contorted to that of confusion. He thought he was hallucinating that it was Hiro standing before them.

                “It’s just you guys.” Hiro heaved a sigh of relief while the rest looked at him surprised that he was still alive.

                Sky held back his tears as he walked towards Hiro and pats him on the back.

                 They headed to the second floor of the building and saw tossed trash of anything that was thrown on the floor. Hiro seems to be in a distress and he was strangely quieter than usual. Sky looked around to see that he’s been doing his research well and can’t help but be proud of the progress. Although he didn’t expect it to be that way because he thought that Hiro was already dead with how Jing expressed things when he returned.

                “I’ve been keeping an eye on the surroundings and found some important things that might interest you.” Hiro informed, handing them photos he took of this unknown group lurking in the city.

                “But still…. How are you alive?” Sky asked the most important question as Hiro looked at him.

                “That girl…” he sighed out of frustration. “Just because we had an argument she left me here. She invited me out telling me that she need pharmacy supplies but refused hopping out of the truck saying it’s my punishment. Last thing I heard is the sound of engine roaring from a distance and the sound disappearing into thin air. She has all the weapons. All I have is this one gun that has lost all its bullets. I’m still mad at her for leaving me behind. It’s a good thing we have this or else I would’ve died.”

                He said scratching his head.

                “How’s she?” Hiro asked. He was referring to Jing.

                “She’s dead.” Seven said bluntly. Jake looked at Seven’s blank face as he flatly informed Hiro about the situation.

                Hiro suddenly turned really angry and triggered as he walked in front of Seven and grabbed his collar. Seven just stood there, looking at Hiro with distaste.

                “You’re lying.” Hiro said with gritted teeth but Sky pulled the two of them away and wearing a gloomy expression, he put a hand on Hiro’s shoulder whose hands detached automatically from Seven’s collar.

                “I was the one who put her down.” Sky said and Hiro looked at him with weary expression. His eyes started to get teary as he sobbed in silence. He already knows what it’s all about.

                “When was that?” Hiro asked in between his sorrow.

                “A few days ago.” Seven was the one who answered.

--

                As they surveyed the area and leave some of their belongings in the shelter, Hiro was sobbing in a corner. Jake handed him a bottle of water and sat next to him as Sky was in the telescope and Seven was organizing the idea of their escape. Jake really doesn’t understand what he should do as he was just dragged by Seven to come there.

                “I’m sorry.” Jake stated and Hiro just nodded. “You must be close for you to have that reaction.”

                “We’re more than close Jake.” Hiro answered.

                Jake looked at him. He was frustrated that Jing betrayed him yet he’s the most sorrowful upon finding out about her death.

                “Nina too.” Jake said and Hiro released a gasp.

                “What do you mean?” Hiro asked curious about what happened.

                “It’s just Jing broken heartedly returned so we all thought you’re gone. Looks like she was miserable from some other things aside from leaving you behind. She kept it from us and Nina was always with her, comforting her thinking she was mourning but then it happened.” Jake looked at Hiro and how the crease on his brows got deeper.

                He then glanced to where Seven was, busy doing something.

                “And Nicky?” Hiro asked.

                “Miserable.” Jake said shortly.

                Hiro doesn’t completely understand how the situation occurred but judging from what Jake have told him, probably Jing attacked Nina when she turned and just imagining the situation pains him. He was close with Jing but the same with Nina and with the two of them gone; he can’t imagine how the people were adjusting specially Seven and Nicky who were the closest with her.

                “This thing here is hopeless.” Hiro whispered. “The last thing we should do is bring everyone here.”

                “But that’s Sky’s idea.” Jake said.

                “Yes. It’s all his idea. To have everyone here, to be saved but it has risks.” Hiro explained. “I’ve been studying the movements in the city the time I was here and sure enough, in the morning, those things were gathered up in dark places and then there are the black ops that do things in the morning. They’re wiping out the city, killing off both the living and the dead.”

                “Does Sky know this?” Jake asked.

                “Of course. That’s why he’s been moving really carefully from going back and fro in the city. They could locate us and kill us without remorse. They looked as if they’re not scared of those things and whenever they see people, they arrest them, if not, kill them.”

                “That’s why we have to escape the city in the evenings.” Sky retorted. He just heard what Hiro was saying and have to brainstorm for ideas that could save everyone.

                “But that’s dangerous.” Seven pressed.

                “It is but we can handle more of the dead than the living.” Sky fact stated.

                “One thing that guy must protect is Ava. If you think you know a lot about her, she’s more than that. She’s a VIP.” Hiro informed and Sky shushed him.

                “Stop spilling the confidential.” Sky said agitated.

                “Oh.. That’s why he’s planning carefully.” Seven commented.

                “Her parents are residing in the North base that’s why I was planning to bring everyone there.” Sky said. “But given the situation and the black ops, I think it will be harder than I’ve imagined.”

                “Looks like those people were involved with the whole spread of this unknown virus and that they’re surveying the area to detect the level of damage.” Hiro explained.

                “So we’re subject to planned biochemical attack.” Sky nodded knowingly. “Since the government has fallen, the existing is starting to divide themselves. There’s this black organization, the militia and the rest of us living. It is possible that there are more of us but in different areas and cities.”

                Hiro went back on his feet and started discussing things with Sky in a serious manner while Jake remained seated on the floor, his back leaning on the wall. Seven sat with him just like that.

                “This looks like war.” Seven said. “And it’s not fun.”

                “Do you think my parents are possibly still alive?” Jake found himself asking. Seven glanced at him.

                “Who knows? Are they important people? Where do they work?”

                “Just a couple of researchers.” Jake said. “Before this thing happened here, they’re all so busy working in the lab and were barely home. What more, even if they’re at home, they’re locking themselves up in their study, doing phone calls and stuff.”

                “Your life must be sad and tiring.” Seven said.

                “Because I want attention at home, I stole this flashdrive and they went crazy.” Jake chuckled.

                “What does it have in it?” Seven questioned.

                “Not sure.” Jake shrugged.

                While they were quietly waiting for Sky and Hiro to finish their discussion, they heard a glass material breaking from the first floor. This made Sky stop talking. Jake’s eyes were wide and Seven quickly hopped in his feet, pulling his gun from the holster and walking to the direction of the stairs.

                “I’ll check.” He said and the three of them watched Seven’s form disappearing down the stairs.

                It was quiet and Seven slowly descended downstairs. Since the room was dark, he could barely see anything and sure enough, on the floor was the broken glass vase. Seven held his breath as he took the last step and on the floor. He looked at the back door and someone broke the knob. He cursed under his breath upon seeing the situation.

                That’s when he’s sure that there was someone who has come in but his location was unknown to him. Suddenly, series of loud gunshots sound echoed from beneath, alerting the people on the second floor. Pulling out the cigar from his mouth, Sky grabbed his gun and rushed to where Seven was.

                “That’s not the sound of our guns.” Sky said while Jake followed and Hiro as well both with weapons. Since Jake was not confident with gun use, he grabbed the nearest thing to him which was the iron rod and went down.

                It was dark and gloomy on the first floor as the rain has finally started once again. Jake rushed to where Seven was. He was on the floor, his back was leaning on the back door and from the outside, groans of hungry beings could be heard.

                “Our barbs…” Seven hissed. His leg received a gun shot and it was bleeding profusely. “Our barbs won’t handle it.

                “Shut up.” Jake cursed as he tried to lift Seven’s up but Seven didn’t want to leave as the time they let go of the door, they will be invaded from the inside. “Why don’t you budge?!”

                More exchange of bullets occurred between Sky and the culprit. Hiro managed to walk where Seven and Jake was.

                “I’m not the combatant type.” Hiro hushed, this time leaning on the door with Seven. “Dude your leg.”

                He just pointed out Seven’s bleeding leg.

                “It’s just a graze.” Seven hissed. His eyes grew larger when he saw a form emitting from the darkness, the mouth of its gun glistening and was pointing on Jake’s back who was not aware that he was being targeted as he compressed on Seven’s wound.

                The time Seven noticed of it, he pulled Jake towards him and started firing on the culprit’s direction but didn’t make a hit. His thoughts was disorganized because of the pain on his leg.

                “Behind the counter.” Seven yelled and Sky was quick onto his feet, moving in speed as he fired on the direction Seven said. Once he made it there, he tackled the culprit down and disarmed them, throwing the gun far from their reach.

--

                It was a lady.

                Jake’s eye dawdled hatefully at the lady that has been unmasked in front of them, her arms tied behind her back. They brought her to the second floor where there’s more light. Hiro was giving Seven the first aid as they have some spares in the cabinet. They grabbed all the possible things they could use to block the back door as to not give access from those things outside until they dissipated.

                Sky on the other hand was sitting on the couch, glancing at the lady’s face that she has been hiding with her hair.  She was breathing rather fast and seems to be hiding her pain on her dislocated shoulder.

                “State your name and your purpose.” Sky said coldly but the girl won’t budge.

                Jake heaved a sigh as he walked to where Seven was lying down. Hiro was finally done treating him and was washing his hands on the sink.

                “She’s a member.” Hiro informed. “Look at her body to check if there’s a tracking device or shit.”

                “I… I removed them!” she said eagerly. “Just… Just don’t make me come back in there.”

                She pleaded.

                “After what you’ve done?” Jake snorted.

                “Shut it Jake. Let the adults handle it.” Seven tugged on the hem of his shirt.

                ‘Then tell us your name, why you attacked us and injured one of us and maybe tell us the purpose of your GODDAMN ORGANIZATION!” Hiro heaved, upset by the sudden turn of events.

                “I.. I’m Shelly.” Her voice was shaky. It was obvious that Shelly was scared of these people. “I..I don’t have any idea why the organization is doing this. I was just recruited when they saw me.”

                “You’re lying.” Sky pointed out. “At least try to lie something more realistic.”

                ‘THEN WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY?!” she yelled followed by series of nervous laughter. “I’ve already sent my signal to my team and soon they would all kill you.”

                “Well, guess not.” Sky shrugged as he knocked Shelly out of consciousness.

                Sky then called Hiro to look for the implanted chip on the girls’ body. They managed to pull one on her wrist and unlike her statement from before that the chip was just implanted recently, it seems like it’s been there for years. There was even a bar code tattooed on her skin.

                “Tracking device.” Hiro said after removing the chip.

                Sky grabbed it and quickly destroyed it with his silencer gun. Once done stitching the girl up, Hiro tied her body on the made up bed so that she won’t put up a fight once she woke up.

                “Better safe than sorry. Their kind is really flexible with stuffs.” Hiro assured.

                “Your techniques have improved.” Sky complimented.

                “Learned a lot from Jing so that I just won’t have to dig onto people’s skin carelessly.” Hiro was smiling but his eyes were still filled with sorrow.

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