The Mutation Wave

Chapter 30: A Brief Respite

Victor panted, putting his hands down temporarily. He never thought he'd run out of juice, but this endless aerial attack was really pushing his limits. His vision blurred with a light tinge of green as he focused his mind on yet another wave of missiles. Where are all these helicopters even coming from? Victor could feel his brain sizzling from exhaustion as explosions lit the skies for the umpteenth time.

Damnit, I really need a break...

A loud klaxon blared as if on cue with his prayer. What remained of the helicopters and tanks ended their assault abruptly, turning around to leave.

What the hell? Victor looked around wildly at the retreating forces. Is this some sort of trick?

"Hell yeah! Go home, you losers!" the chief guard yelled, bouncing up and down like a kid who had won his first shooting game. Cheers erupted around the settlement leader as the guards celebrated their apparent victory.

What was the point of all that? Did they really just give up? Victor mused, but now was not the time for contemplation.

"Inform the rest that the attack is over," he commanded hesitantly, before leaping off the roof and descending slowly to the ground.

~ ~ ~

Though the siege had lasted for barely an hour, it was a miracle that the settlement had suffered zero casualties. Well, almost zero. While the rest of the residents returned to their resting areas with nothing more than a scare, the medical team were fighting their own battle, trying to wrest Masako back from the clutches of death's grip. Brett paced outside the medical room worriedly, praying so fervently he felt as though his heart would explode.

William sat on the ledge of the rooftop, making sure he was out of range from the medical bay. He was beset with worry of course, but to physically feel his friend's life slip away without being able to do anything... That would be too much for him. William could only pray that Granny's attempts in the underground shelter to sustain Masako's life had bought enough time for the medics team to save her.

The doors to the rooftop creaked open.

"What is it, Marianne- WOAH!"

William's feet quickly touched the ground before he was tackled off the roof. Vivian clinged onto him and cried loudly.

"Where were you guys?" he asked, looking up at Marianne who walked in slightly behind her sister.

"Settling our familial disputes," Marianne said with exhaustion in her voice.

"Are you alright?!" William stood up suddenly, having just noticed the bandage on her arm. Vivian almost fell to the ground as he hurried over to Marianne's side.

"Yeah, my father shot me. The medics have removed the bullet already. Don't worry, I'll heal before you know it. We're enhanced, remember?"

"How dare he hurt you." William muttered, anger flashing in his eyes. "I'm gonna kill that sorry excuse for a father."

"He's dead!" Vivian bawled loudly. "It's all my fault; I bit him accidentally and he turned into a zombie!"

"What an ironic twist of fate..." William mumbled.

Marianne sighed and sat beside William. "Now that both my parents are dead, Vivian's the only family I have left. But to be honest, I feel kinda relieved." She shook her head. "I don't know; am I a bad person for feeling that way?"

"I don't know the full story, but what I do know is that he threatened your life," William said bluntly. "What kind of parent does that?"

"But he's family!" Vivian suddenly cried out, letting go of him. "Families should care for each other, shouldn't they?"