21 Days

XV: The Origin

                “What do you mean it’s an anti-government faction?” Sky asked Shelly.

                “Uhm…. I… I’m not sure.” Shelly chuckled. Even if it was an illegal method of making someone confesses, Sky had to use it. She drugged Shelly to the point of drunkenness and started asking her questions when he noticed that she was finally being compliant.

                The drug was injected right to her and when the effects finally took place, answers started to pour even without being asked.

                Shelly exposed about the antigovernment group that she was involved with. The members are of those high profile individuals that were potentially being investigated by the UN for possible terrorism. Some names that were mentioned were familiar with Sky as well as those VIPs who support the organization by funding their research about this virus they called rage virus or RV01. RV01 was first discovered in 2101 and since then, there were many test trials that were conducted to prove the effectiveness of the mentioned virus. It was first tested to rats, and then to bigger mammals and finally to humans.

                When the research was found to be a success, the members of the said faction started up a plan to spread the virus without the public being aware of it. One scientist who was involved in making the virus gave hints about it towards WHO but even before he could completely discuss the whereabouts of such things, he was quickly executed for treason. Since then, he was never heard off and the person he was about to leak the information with just toss aside the idea of him.

                Since it was risky and the secret of the organization was almost leaked, the faction decided to not take a quick action as to let the noise about an intriguing concept subside and when it did, they started to attack first the low income countries and then it became a quick spread that then turned into pandemic.

                “I.. I was recruited a year before these thing started.” Shelly chuckled. “I was an exchange virologist student in Russia and… and we were informed of this virus when it hit Africa. We even received samples and we were so invested in learning about it as to find a resolution for this sickness but the anti-faction arrested all of us, forced us to be with them for a better world. In short, there is no cure. Well, maybe there would be a cure but it is exclusive for the VIPs only and not normal people like us.”

                Shelly then looked at Sky in a daze.

                “The city will soon burn. A day or two maybe, we’re all going to die.” She chuckled before she completely lost consciousness.

                Upon learning of such trivial information, deep inside, Sky panicked. It was a situation he couldn’t imagine happening and them being involved in such thing was more than frightening. He was seen pacing in the same spot for hours that day, his thought was in disarray and the fact that some of those people he trusted were involved was disgusting.

                Aiki and Hiro have heard it was well and was being uncomfortable. They didn’t expect that the issue would be as big as what Shelly has mentioned and those, knowing about it put risk in their lives.

                “We shouldn’t tell the guys. Just for their own safety.” Aiki said while massaging her temples.

                “What about us?” Hiro questioned.

                “You could just pretend not to hear anything. But we’re taking action this evening. Prepare everyone for a meeting.” Sky demanded and headed for the sink for some water.

                Everyone gathered in the second floor. They have brought Seven so he could be there and he was lying down on the sofa, beads of sweat was on his forehead as moving too much has become difficult for his body. Jake was tending onto him as Sky stood up before everyone.

                Jay can’t keep the smile on his face. For the first time, he thinks that he was a part of the group and he didn’t expect that meeting to be that serious. He was grimacing and Ethan saw it. He thought that Jay’s happiness was elusive and with that intimidating aura surrounding everyone, he thinks that it was about something serious.

                “We’ll be living at midnight. Tonight.” Sky informed and all eyes were now on him. There was this image of restlessness within him as he kept rubbing his face and scratching the back of his head.

                Even Sky cannot focus on that difficult situation. He wanted to save everyone and in order to do that, he must do something that will made them survive.

                “As you can see, this situation is more serious than I’ve imagined. There are people and organization involved here that I cannot disclose but one thing we must do? Leave this city as soon as possible. Since we don’t know when this place will be ransacked, I suggest you guys to clean up the whole place with our traces. Discard them, put them in the pit or something and once everyone is settled, we will be leaving.” Sky said.

                “What about her?” Aiki pointed at Shelly.

                “She will come with us.” Sky said stiffly and proceeded with the first task of removing the traces of their investigation. Hiro helped and everyone else followed except for Shelly who was still tied and Seven who was still sick.

                “What did you put in me?” Seven asked as his muscles are starting to feel sore.

                “Something that causes paralysis.” Shelly chuckled. “Don’t worry, you’ll find yourself dead soon.”

                Once done discarding the important documents that leads to their research, Sky have gathered everyone once again. With some assorted can foods for dinner, Sky talked of the plan they have to execute by midnight.

                “It will be a 30 minute walk to the bridge and expect the hassle brought by these creatures. If possibly, try your best not to encounter with one or attract them as it will slow down our travel time. Also, refuse firing your guns unless you have no other options. The last thing we want is to be held captive by this organization and include is in their ridiculous conspiracy.” Sky informed.

                “Will you be able to handle it?” Hiro asked Seven. His pain has been so agonizing that moving his body feels like it was being set on fire. It was the worse sickness he has experienced and he was not happy about it.

                “I’m willing to take him on my back.” Ethan said and both Jay and Jake agreed with the idea.

                “That’s good then.” Hiro beamed.

                “Just Hiro, make sure to stay as close with them. You have to check Seven every now and then.” Sky said.

                “Sure. You can count on me.” He responded.

                “As for me and Aiki, we’ll be handling Shelly and take a closer look on her. I have plans in mind but this could not work.” Sky told them.

                “If it’s the risky one then I refuse.” Aiki demanded. Sky only looked at her and shook his head. There goes Aiki once again with her wants.

                When midnight strikes, everyone was ready. They headed out from the back door and with light footsteps, they made their way out of the barbs to see that once again, beings have gathered and were wandering in the darkness.

                Sky gave them the signal as the followed his footsteps, eyes warily looking around for possible signs of close contact with the beings and he chose to take the alleyways as it will hide them from their possible enemies that was surveying the city—he was referring to the corps and sure enough, there were one or two of those in their area walking. They were using tranquilizers to paralyze their target and slow the movement down before they completely discard them.

                It wasn’t supposed to be a long walk but considering the amount of the undead lurking in the night as well as some soldiers that would appear every now and then, it slowed down their progress.

                All the time, Jake’s heart has been beating harshly inside his chest. He was even afraid that those monsters would hear it because it feels so loud. He realized that if the dead scares him, the living made it worse as they can decide so quickly and in a world without rules, they’re as good as dead once they were captured.

“Those guys also patrols around in the evening, although just a few.” Sky mentioned beforehand. “As you can see, they have advanced technology within them. They’re full equipped with necessary things for protection. They could see through into bigger spaces that’s why we will take the long route back to our truck. We have to move through alleyways and buildings as to not get any attention and Seven… Will you be alright?”

                Seven just rose thumbs up as a response.

                But the truth was, it was the worse for his body. Compared to the symptoms from before, it started to get severe that his whole body started to ache horribly. The pain on his leg was being overshadowed by other pains and all he could do was endure it. He doesn’t want to hold back the group and that’s why he hasn’t been speaking up since.

                Unfortunately, at one point in their journey, Seven felt so severe that he started groaning in pain. When Ethan noticed it, he put Seven down and made him drink water but only for him to cough some blood. Ethan was alerted as Hiro was discussing something with Aiki that time and he just cannot call them. It would surely get some attention from the undead.

                “You okay bro?” Ethan whispered, his voice coated with concern. Both Jay and Jake went towards them. They were in an alleyway which they were not familiar with and they saw how Sky and the others took a turn on the right without noticing that they were being left behind.

                “No… Keep going.” Seven said lowly. He had to force them to follow the others but even if he wanted to say more, his consciousness suddenly started to fade with only the ringing left in his ears.

                “Don’t disappear on us Seven!” Jay hissed, holding Seven’s face, shaking him up to stay conscious even patting his cheeks lightly so he come back.  

                “Don’t be harsh on him Jay.” Jake held onto Jay’s shoulder but Jay shoved it away as he wake Seven up into consciousness.

                After a few seconds, he came back, heaving deep continuous breaths and his vision coming back up to him to see Jay with an angered face.

                “I’ll take him.” Jay said and he put Seven behind them as they continued to walk, following a blind path they cannot distinguish because of the darkness.

                “I’m cold.” Seven hushed and when Jake heard it, he voluntarily took the hooded cloak he was wearing to put it onto Seven. He was now wearing two year the coldness in his body wasn’t wearing off. While they were busy tending onto Seven, Ethan noticed two figures approaching the direction they were about to take. He tiptoed his way back and told everyone about what he just figured out.

                “Quickly, hide.” He said but they were in an alleyway with only dumpsters around.

                They had no other choice but to hide behind one bin that was positioned horizontally facing the exit of the alleyway. As Jay put Seven down, he coughed but Jay was quick to cover his mouth with his hand.

                “Did you hear that?” they heard a male voice saying.

                “Huh? What? Are you hearing things now?” another one chuckled. “Ah… This place will be a haven for us. Oh s**t—“ the other one cussed.

                Ethan took a peek to see one being approaching them and the soldier was quick and shot it with some tranquilizers and it fell down on the ground. The next thing they did was poke it with the knife installed at the mouth of their guns. They played with the thing and once gotten bored of fooling around once again proceed with walking.

                “That s**t almost had me.” He chuckled.

                “Because you’re not paying attention.” The other one responded.

                They continued with their conversation as if they were just doing a walk in the park and they were discussing about the utopia they wanted to establish. Jake thought that what they desire was disgusting and selfish. He was filled with anger so does everyone that heard.

                Once their voices have faded, they follow the tracks that lead to where the others were. It was the same track the ops took and they were worried that they would see Sky as they kept on going. They have to be very careful and hide themselves in the dark in order not to be found. It was challenging because there were those things that would unexpectedly appear before them and in order not to trigger their predator instincts, no stimulus must be provided, in short, noise.

                Ethan almost made a mistake as gasped rather loudly this one time when suddenly one of those creatures appeared straight on his face. He almost yelled out of shock but was able to hold it back but since the thing heard him, the first thing it did was reaching out and does this crazy annoying sound. Even before he could shriek to signal the others of the attack, Jake punched its face and when down, grabbed the block of stone lying nearby and dropped it on the being’s face.

                Jay was surprised by this behavior. He was both speechless and amazed. Jake was adapting well to the new environment and he wasn’t sure if it was for the best.

--

                Just then, Hiro noticed that the boys were not behind them. He informed Sky to stop for a while and wait for them but he refused.

                “No. We go as what we have planned.” Sky hissed, he was a bit angry for not noticing as quickly but they have no choice but proceed even if it means leaving behind some of them.

                Sooner, the same soldiers that the boys saw appeared, still chuckling about their ideal utopia and they met with their members gathered in the main street. Sky was hiding behind a building a few meters away from them.

                Aiki saw how Shelly’s eyes brighten upon seeing the light emitting from the campfire the group of ops started in the main street. They burned tires as threw some stuff there, even one zombie they caught who shrieked the moment the fire burned his whole being.

                “This is ridiculous.” Sky whispered.

                The shortest way to their route was the alleyway behind the group. They have to cross the street in order to arrive there quickly but it looks like it won’t be happening. Their only alternative route was to go back and take the opposite way of the splitting roads they just take.

                Hiro was looking back and forth to see any sign of the boys appearing. He was panicking and Aiki tried to calm him down.

                But then, Shelly’s behavior caused them trouble.

                The girl managed to free herself from the rope tying her to the rope that was tied on Aiki’s waist. When she had the opportunity, she made a run on the direction where her team was, dragging Aiki with her by pulling the rope. It happened so quickly that before Sky realized it, he just stepped out of his hiding place and dragging Aiki back. He just revealed himself in front of those soldiers.

                His eyes turned wide as slowly guns started to take fire on his direction, on Aiki’s direction and even Shelly’s. Shelly received a mild hit but knowing that she knows more about them, Sky grabbed his gun and fired straight to her head. It was his way of protecting the young ones.

                Before Sky disappeared into consciousness with Aiki’s cold body above him, he looked at Hiro’s direction and mouthed a “Go”. When Hiro saw this, he made his run back and with heavy heart and blurry vision, he had left Sky to die a cold death.

                Because of the commotion, the undead started to move onto the direction of the living and crowded the area for their well-deserved meals. There were only five of those ops and they weren’t able to handle the number of those things attacking all at once. They got devoured together with Aiki and Shelly as well as the brave soldier, Sky.

                Hiro was holding his sob as he run in silence. He met the guys a few minutes later and without explaining what happened, dragged them to the long road. They were confused as to why Hiro was sobbing but could only exchange looks as they were afraid to know what have happened as well.

                They made it back to their truck by 1 in the morning and Hiro didn’t hesitate pressing onto the gas as he drive back to Riverhead, to home. Seven was still sick and was put behind the truck. Ethan and Jay stayed with him while Jake sat beside Hiro on the passenger’s seat. He doesn’t understand why they were leaving without Sky and Aiki but Jake was scared to question him.

                They made it home by 3 in the morning.

                Ava welcomed them, happy to see they were back and was shocked that it was Hiro who returned. She quickly gave him a hug yet the depressing news came next.

                Sky was gone and so does Aiki.