I Now Realize

Chapter 14: Epidemic Begins (part 3 out of 4)

One wee later,
Chinatown, New York- 6:33 pm.
At Alue's hideout...
Jake's POV
I was calmly in my room, watching TV and flipping through channels while Alue was on her tablet, sitting next to me. Something must've caught her attention, because she gripped my wrist that held the remote. "Flip back to the news, please. I would like to see something."
"Alright." I flipped back to the news and we both saw black blood in a figure of footprints. Alue just narrowed her gaze towards the TV. We heard the reporter say that witnesses found a strange creature attacking three people. One of the witnesses described the creature that looks human, but like a chameleon and a ghost at the same time.
"Dark-Blood. Definitely a Dark-Blood." Alue commented.
"But why attack humans in public and daylight? Why blow your identity in public? Those are my questions." I wondered.
"Plus, the footage of the Dark-Blood in the underground subway," Alue pointed at the screen. "Doesn't look like he or she is our allies. Logically speaking, that Dark-Blood must be from Astoroth's allies. They must've done something that made their members go aggressive."
We made eye contact and nodded in agreement.
We observed the situation on the screen and how the victims ended up...sick?
The victims that were attacked had spots of black skin. One of them were wheezing. Two of them were violently coughing blood and had gashed wounds.
"They all have wounds on either shoulders near the collarbone or at the left upper arm near the heart. Or the left side near the heart. I hate to say this, but, they won't be able to survive."
"The bloodstream and arteries that enter and exit from the heart. Makes sense. But what about the people the victims had contact with?" I asked.
"We need to track at least two of them to find out how we can get rid of this epidemic. Or how we can prevent it from increasing, at least." Alue shrugged.
"Your right. Let's do that right now." We left from my room and walked to the cafeteria.
"We should warn the rest in this hideout. I don't want them to get infected." Alue seemed concerned.
"Hold up!" Dean caught up to us. "Alue, remember when I sent you to follow the woman with blonde hair and three brown streaks?"
Alue nodded. "Yes. Any details from her DNA?"
Dean pulled out his phone and explained as we walked.
"This still confuses me. She had the chemical inserted directly into the artery where it leads to the heart."
I widened my eyes. "That's bull!"
Dean shook his head and continued explaining. "The information I gained from the microchip says that she, Astoroth and few spies disguised themselves as scientists to create the chemical. Her name is Hezrel, she is one of Astoroth's spies. I don't know how she is immune, but she is. Problem is, I don't know if she ever 'infected' anyone she contacted."
"Perfect," Alue shrugged. "More sh-t to clean up after. What will the world come to?"
Dean sighed. "We will never know. But right now, the rest of the members can't go outside unless if asked for company."
"I'm working on that." Alue said. "Now I have a question, where is Darius? I haven't seen him in a while."
That is when I cringe. "Um...about that..."
Alue looked at me with confusion. It didn't take her long to somewhat figure out. "Did he leave the hideout?!"
I anxiously nodded. "He told me he would be back in a month."
Alue face palmed in disappointment. "Oh, s--t! I need to get him back here before he gets infected! Or at another person with me. Jake, in the meantime I'm out, you tell the rest of our allies about the epidemic situation, ok?"
Man, I hated it when she had to leave during a bloody situation. But I know she can take care of herself.
"Ok," I nodded. "But be careful."
Alue smirked. "Since when am I careful? I'm usually the one to get bloody. You be careful. Bye."
We both kissed each other on the cheek and she left the hideout...