Project 2115

Chapter 20: Casino of Mine

The morning began with a disruptive pounding in Kai's head. His eardrums resonated with the echo of gunfire that infiltrated the casino's once peaceful lobby. A dull headache throbbed persistently at his temples. His parched throat craved hydration. "Mom?" he croaked out, scanning his surroundings for his mother, Anne. But his only response was his voice ricocheting off the cold, metallic walls of the room. His pulse quickened with concern as he called out for her again, his voice now a shout that drowned amidst the cheers of the survivors.

Kai's gaze fell on his kendo armor lying abandoned on the ground. But at this moment, it wasn't the armor he needed; he needed his mother. Slipping on his shoes swiftly, he left the room in search of her, his footsteps echoing in the quietude.

His eyes darted around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings of the casino, before finally resting on two large swing doors that led into a sprawling kitchen. He associated the area with water and the probable presence of his mother, motivating him to push through the doors.

Inside, a large, stainless-steel industrial kitchen welcomed him. The hum of the refrigerator was the only sound permeating the silence. His eyes found Anne rummaging through one of the oversized refrigerators, a sigh of relief escaping him. "Mom!" he shouted, his voice laced with panic.

Anne, caught up in her thoughts, was muttering to herself, oblivious to Kai's presence. "Can't find him," she murmured. Her son's amplified call brought her out of her reverie. She turned around, her initial surprise melting into a warm smile at the sight of Kai. "Kai, you're awake? How you feeling?" she asked, her tone still clouded with distant thought.

"I'm thirsty, Mom. You?" he retorted.

A talented IT specialist, Anne's technical aptitude had earned her stints with several firms as a contractor before she found a permanent home at a Cambridge firm. Her unique 'air coding' habit was a testament to her problem-solving skills. She would seemingly 'write' code in the air, her fingers tracing invisible lines as she worked through complex problems. Both Kai and his father, Peter, were familiar with this habit.

Kai observed his mother as she started air coding, her mind deep in thought. "I'm thinking," she said, her hands moving in swift, precise strokes in the air.

Deciding to give her some space, Kai walked over to the sink to quench his thirst. He filled a pitcher with cold, refreshing water from the tap.

Caught in her mind's whirlwind, Anne sifted through countless scenarios, probabilities, possibilities, and code. Her thoughts wandered to the horde of infected they'd encountered on the bridge, how they had halted instead of chasing them into the water. "If, else..." she murmured, fingers tracing invisible code in the air.

Amused by his mother's unique method of problem-solving, Kai turned his attention to the entrance of the kitchen as Jane and Doc made their appearance.

"Good, you're awake," Jane announced, her tone light.

"Who could sleep through all that noise?" Kai replied sarcastically.

Jane sauntered over to Kai, extending her hand for the pitcher. "Can I have some?" Without hesitation, he passed it to her. He watched as her rough, calloused hand securely gripped the pitcher, tipping it back to let the water cascade down her throat.