by Nguyen,Peter
I notice his ghostly pale skin starts to regain it color; his veins become less noticeable as it contracts and finally his eyes return back to normal as if his soul has returned to his body.
Amin clasps to the ground.
I watch carefully behind the stack pods to see if the cure actually works. I start breathe more rapidly as we all wait for Amin to respond. Please wake up.
All of a sudden his body starts to slowly move like an injured deer, trying to recover from a wounded shot. His head lifts up and gasps for air. My mind goes completely blank as Amin shows no effects of the Cyler virus.
I realize there is a cure, a cure that can save Carter and my mom from the infection. I could be their only hope in getting that antidote.
XVI
I can’t run, nor can I hide for much longer. The shooting begins again from a distance and it’s a matter of time before they find me. I don’t have any more juice left and I hardly know how to use these powers.
I know if my mom was here with me, she would tell me not to be scared and that she’ll carry the burden of the fear to come. I finally got the chance to meet my twin brother, fall in love with a girl, and learn the sacrifice a mother for her child. If anything is going to happen, it’s going to be okay. For the first time, I finally get to live.
I take a deep breath before standing up. It’s best if I go out trying, giving everything I can to save the ones I love than to die not trying.
Just before my head goes above the pods, a hand reaches out and pulls me down. I turn around and it’s first preserved old man who I have awoken earlier.
He places his index finger to his mouth, telling me to not say anything.
I nod.
He then points at the corner of the wall. I notice he’s referring to a red lever. It must be the power.
I look to him and whisper, “I’ll go.”
I carefully peek out and Kraven is giving Amin another injection. This is my chance, I quickly crawl behind another stack of pods.
“That’s enough! It already worked, what are you doing?!” Kala yells.
“I need to test it twice. I hope you don’t mind dear.”
As Amin starts screaming again, I slowly start towards the lever, but I’m suddenly stopped by a gun firing.
BANG BANG!
I quickly duck and I realize they’ve found me. I look towards the old man and he looks at me with sorrow. He closes his eyes and runs to the lever.
“NO!” I yell.
He run halfway before the bullets penetrates his back. My eyes are widen as his body lies still, covering in blood. I hear the soldier reloading his gun. This is my chance.
My heart starts racing, my mouth gets dry and my mind nearly does blank.
Without hesitation I quickly get up and dash towards the lever and shooting begins. My hands make contact to the rusty medal, knowing my life depends on it. I pull the lever down and the lights turn off, blinding all of us in complete darkness. We all hear the facility announcing in a female robotic voice, “Pods deactivating.”
“GET THE POWER!” Kraven yells.
I have to move, knowing the soldiers are going to be rushing this way. A flashlight turns on from distance and I quickly hidebehind another stack pod. I watch as the arm man walks towards the lever. What do I do next?
I try moving around but it’s no use, considering it’s completely dark. The lever switches back on, followed by the light. “Pods activated.”
“HELP!” Kraven yells.
I look out and see Amin is on top of Kraven, biting on his neck. The chains must have released Kala and Amin when the power went off.
The soldiers quickly fire their guns towards Amin, but the bullets are stopped as Kala’s invulnerable body is immune.
She charges at the arm men and punches the first guy in the throat, causing him to drop his weapon. She grabs it and empties the bullets into the other men. They all fall as they their ineffective bullets do no harm to Kala. She looks down at the guy who has his hands to his throat and before I know it, she snaps his neck.
“Kala behind you!”
Without hesitation she kicks the guy in his groin, causing him fall down in pain. I realize as she has reached her limits, seeing the blood drip down from her nose. I quickly walk over to her.
“You okay?”
“I think so,” Kala wipes the blood off of her nose.
“GET HIM OFF OF ME!”
We look over and Kala picks up the last antidote from the tray and injects it into Amin, causing him to clasps.
Kala grabs Kraven by the shirt and slams him against the wall, using just one arm. Her incredible strength has Kraven’s feet, dangling above the floor.
“I’m going to pay for this!” says Kala.
She forms a fist, but I quickly stop her, knowing he’s my only chance in finding the cure.
“Wait we need him alive! He’s the only person who can help us fight the Cyler virus,” I said.
Kala nods.
“Where’s the cure!?”
“Stupid children, you really think I’ll give you the cure to ruin my plans? I need the virus to grow in size so that when each gate opens, their defenseless against my army of Cylers. Even the East doesn’t have enough ammunition to fight them off.”
“I don’t think you have a choice here. You’re already bitten, so unless you want to die. I suggest you tell us where the cure is,” I say.
“That doesn’t matter. You see the Cyler virus doesn’t just infect the individual; it allows them to see what other Cyler’s are seeing, and since Amin was just a Cyler, in a few more minutes this whole territory will be infested the creatures..”
He reaches for his black watch around his wrist and presses a button. A hologram screen appears at the center of the room, showing the streets of Devah. I notice its night time. We must have been here for hours. A horde of people starts running on the screen as I realize Kraven is telling the truth.
“The people that are preserved will be safe, but I can’t say the same for you.”
“Where’s Faye!”
“Oh don’t worry about my daughter. Seth already preserved her and himself. She’ll be joining me in the future once the Cyler Virus gets rid of everyone.”
Without hesitation I swing my fist into Kraven’s face. He spits out a bloody tooth.
I can’t believe Kraven is saying. After everything me and Faye has been through and he’s going to take it all away.
“Don’t you ever lay a finger on her again!” I yell.
“There’s one problem to your plan. You’re not in a pod,” Kala says.
“That’s where you’re wrong. I’m already in one,” Kraven gives us a sly smile as he reaches into his jacket.
“What are you doing!?”
With one quick motion, the knife swiftly comes out and before Kala or I can react, his throat is slit. The blood spills from his neck. Kala drops him as the life leaves Kraven’s eyes. He just killed himself without hesitation.
“What does he mean he’s already in a pod?” Kala ask.
“Don’t waste your time,” says Amin.
“Amin you’re awake.”
“That wasn’t the real Kraven. It’s a clone. Just like the one you killed in the plane crash,” Amin says as he struggles to stand up.
“Then where’s the real one!?” Kala demands.
“He’s somewhere in these pods, it’s impossible to find him now. Besides we have bigger issues.”
We all turn in the screen and the fear in our eyes becomes more real as the Cylers make their way to this building.
I walk to one of the fallen soldiers, picking up his machine gun. I turn towards Kala and Amin who seems to have lost hope any chance of survival.
“Look, we’re not going to die here. Pick up a gun and fight.”
“Hazer, look at the screen. It’s endless,” Kala cries.
“I don’t care how many there are. You’re a Savior suck it up.”
“She’s right kid the thre
e of us can only hold on for so long,” Amin says.
“Look just a month ago, I was a kid, living in Capa’s streets, broke and hopelessly lost. Every day that went by, I prayed they wouldn’t pick me for the stupid injection and that I was just dreaming when the gates opened, but now I realize that this bigger than me. At first I was fighting this war to save my mom, Carter, Rylan, Faye, even you but now I’m fighting for myself. We have to get through this or all of this meant nothing.”
“I just never thought about dying. I didn’t have to,” Kala says.
“It doesn’t have to come to that,” I say.
Amin picks up a gun and loads it. “Let’s just hope someone can cure us all when this is all over,” he says.
XVII
The hologram screen becomes wider as it shows entrance of the facility. They pass the two white pillars and begin banging on the medal entrance. The Cylers are all over this building and the only way out is to fight. Pulling this off and not getting bitten will be nearly impossible but I don’t have choice.
“I may not be able to use my invulnerability but I still have my strength,” Kala loads a pistol.
Amin opens the lab glass door and we walk out. Immediately, I remember them dragging Faye down the hallway as I turn towards my right, staring into the white corridor. Faye must be held captive down there.
“I have to get her back.”
“Hazer, what are you doing?”
“I can’t leave Faye.”
She nods and we quickly follows me down the hallway.
As we run pass empty rooms, I begin to remember the first time me and Faye meant. The trouble she got me in with Seth and everything else that followed. I can’t lose her.
Finally I see an isolated pod in an empty white room. I approach the pod and see the girl who I wouldn’t think twice to die for. Her hands are placed on her chest and her fair skin gave off a radiant glow.
“We need to hurry up,” Kala voice hardens..
I nod and look around the pod to see if there is the button or switch. My heart begins to beat faster as I realize this isn’t the same type of pod as the citizens.
“I-I can’t find the switch.”
“Hazer look at me!” Kala shouts, but I ignore her.
“Hazer please!” Kala grabs my shoulder, “We’ll come back for her.”
“NO! I’m not leaving her again. I can’t lose her.”
As I look at every inch of the pod I begin to panic. I take deep breath as I try to stay calm, but the only thing running inside my mind is her touch, and the kiss we shared, all the things we’ve been though these past couple of days. I can’t even imagine having a life without her
“Hazer, she’s safe and away from all of this. If you love her you’ll keep in here. You’ll let her go.”
I bury my hands in my hair as I try cope.
“I failed everyone. Everyone is where they are because of me. I just don’t know what I’m doing anymore.”
“Hazer, it’s not your fault! You saved me. I’m alive because of you. We’ll come back for her, I promise you.”
I place my hands on the glass. “You told me, I was your only reality and that I’m the only thing real. I never told you this, but you woke me up and showed what it means to truly fight for someone. I’ll come back for you Faye, I promise.”
I slowly get up and follow Kala and Amin back into the hallway, my heart feels like it was just ripped out of my chest, the pain of not knowing when I’ll be able to see her again just kills me inside.
“The door won’t be able to hold them for long,” Amin points his gun towards the door.
The sound of the Cyler’s growling makes my heart sink. It’s a matter of time before we’re surrounded by them.
Kala reaches to my arm. “We’ll make it through this.”
I nod.
“Get ready,” Amin shouts.
Just as things are about to get worst we hear something in the sky. Like a jet engine that gets louder as it hovers above us.
“Do you guys hear that?” I ask.
“I know that sound. I’ve heard it all my life,” Kala says.
Amin and I look at Kala with confusion.
“It’s Capa’s aircraft!” Kala’s eye’s widen. “But how did they find us?”
All of a sudden we hear an explosion outside. The sound causes me to jump a little. We back away from the door as we hear gun firing outside this building. Eventually, growling of the Cylers stop.
“What’s going on?”
The doors open and I nearly pull the trigger but I don’t. The black short hair and big shoulder, it’s Devin and the girl standing next to him with the tight black ponytail, it’s Leah. Behind them holding a rifle with an cloud arm tattoo with ear piercing, it’s Hunter.
“Don’t shoot!” Kala cries.
I can see smoke and fire behind them as they walk into the facility. Their iris changes back to black as they approach us.
“Oh, Kala always getting yourself in trouble,” Devin says.
“Someone has to do your dirty work,” Kala smiles before hugging Devin.
“Enough with kissing and hugging, more Cylers are on their way,” Leah stares into the smoke as her eyes changes to red.
“Nice seeing you too, Leah,” Kala says in an impassive tone.
“Who’s this?” Hunter ask.
“This is Amin, Devah’s leader,” I say. “How did you guys find us?”
“Your brother. After I tracked him down, he told me where you guys were heading.”
I can’t believe what Leah just said. All this time I thought Rylan was gone. I feel speechless. A sigh of relief lifts off my chest. My brother is still breathing, if anything I get a second chance to make things right.
“We got the bullet out. He should be fine.”
“You guys ready? The aircraft is waiting for us above,” says Devin.
We walk outside and I a gust of wind blow on my face. The aircraft lets down a ladder rope for us to climb on.
“There they are,” Leah says.
A crowd Cylers stands from afar, growling at us. They begin to towards us, thrashing their arms like a violent seizure.
“GO!” Leah shouts.
I help Kala up the rope ladder as Leah and Hunter begins to shoot the approaching Cylers. Their perfect aim hits the Cylers in the forehead, killing them instantly. I look around, hoping my mom isn’t here. If she was then she’ll to be shot at. The army of Cylers looks endless as they spawn from the Cyto field’s gate. My mom really is a pond. To believe one person can spread the virus so far only for Kraven’s evil plan.
He’s going to pay for this.
“Leah, now!” Hunter yells.
Leah runs to Devin and helps him put on a thick black vest. I notice there are some wires sticking out of the fabric.
“This is going to be epic,” Devin chuckles.
“Try not to blow yourself up,” Kala shouts.
“C’mon babe, have a little faith,” Devin says.
Devin’s eyes turn yellow and begin to run into the crowd of Cylers. Being an Immune, he cannot be harm. Leah holds up a remote, pointing towards Devin.
The Cylers chase down Devin, grabbing him. We watch as they fail to bite his indestructible skin. They swarm around him like hungry dogs, fighting over their first meal in weeks.
I look over and Leah holds out the remote.
BOOM!
The sky lights up as the explosion wipes out all the Cylers in its radius. I can feel the heat, warming my skin with its intense touch.
The buildings around us are destroyed. After long seconds of destruction, the smoke begins to clear up and Devin walks out bare.
“And you say I show a lot of skin,” Kala says.
“Kala, next time you’re doing this!” Devin laughs.
~
The scratches on my arms seem to have almost healed, as I run my fingers over the three parallel red marks. I sit and watch from a distance as Kala places her hands on Rylan’s head. He�
�s asleep right now and I want to tell him how sorry I am for being so damn weak when he needed me most. I could have done what he had said, Rylan would of be fine and Faye would still be here with me.
The aircraft we’re in begins to slow down as it comes to a landing. Vera, Garret, Alex and Carter must be wondering where I’ve been for the past few days. I promised Carter that I would bring back the antidote but I failed.
The door opens and two soldiers help us off the ship. One of the soldiers is Chris. He nods and says, “Nice job Hazer.”
Immediately I see Greg and Commander Ace, waiting for us. If I didn’t know any better, they’re about to decide on our punishment for leaving without their permission.
“Mr. Wes, you have left Capa’s team and ventured off to a suicide mission. We will decide your punishment,” Greg says.
“But sir, he brought back two of your Redeemed,” Chris says.
“I’m not finish,” Greg points out. “Since you showed a lot of tactical skills that Capa needs, you will be assigned as Kala’s new protector.”
“Protector?” I ask
“Correct, from now on, any assignment assigned to Kala, you will be assisting her. Don’t fail me.”
I know in translation that mean I have to be willing to die for Kala. My life is nothing more but Kala’s armor, like she needs it.
~
I dash down the hallway towards the health department. This is where all the injured soldiers go after a mission. Usually the doctors would only agree to check on you if you’ve been shot, other than that they will say it’s nothing. I begin to think of Carter’s fate. I can picture him strap to some sort of table as our scientist torture him.
I see Garret and Vera, standing outside a room. Their eyes widen as they see me.
“HAZER!”
They pull me in a hug.
“Where’ve you been?” Garrett asks.
“Long story,” I say as I try to catch my breath. “He’s in there isn’t he?”
They nod.
I take a deep breath and walk into the room. I see Arraya sitting on the side of the bed, watching her brother sleep. She turns and sees me walk in.
“Arraya, I’m so sorry. There weren’t any more antidotes…”
“The virus isn’t in his system anymore, Hazer,” Array interrupts.