LINKAGE (boyxboy)

CHAPTER 20: CELL DESTROYER

That night Isaac went to sleep peacefully, having a good feeling inside after everything went well in the forest and they were going to move forward in their mission. Isaac kept looking at the ceiling, lost in his thoughts. Gavin hugging him had messed with his mind somehow. Was he that much desperate for affection and attention that a simple hug can disturb his entire brain? Maybe he was.

Isaac couldn't remember the last time he was with someone that made him feel like that. The lovely part of his brain affirms that it was a good thing, that everyone needs to crawl into love and affection at some point in life, but the logical side of his thoughts said that thinking that way about Gavin was the same as shooting himself in the head because their relationship should be professional only, and based on what Isaac had in mind their relationship was way beyond professionalism.

He cursed internally from thinking about it and wanting it so badly. The worst thing that he thought of was that Isaac didn't know what Gavin felt. The hug could mean a lot of things. Gavin could feel the same as Isaac or he was just being kind. Isaac could simply ask him. It wouldn't hurt, but being rejected would be like passing a knife through his skin.

Isaac shook those thoughts away and focused on sleeping. He wanted to rest as much as he could because the next days would be tiring. They would have to learn how to mix the two elements they brought from the forest and then find a way to insert radiation into it, not to mention they would have to find the monster that still is walking around the city like nothing is happening.

The next morning came like a flash... or not. More like a flame. What woke Isaac up was the terrible smell of something burning inside the bunker. The boy didn't get too alarmed as he got up to check what it was because the place had a system that automatically shut big fires down, so Isaac presumed this may be Gavin burning papers out for fun.

Isaac found Gavin in front of the stovetop trying to fry something that now was 100% burned out. The smoke dissipated in the air quickly as the system detected and absorbed it. Isaac stood by Gavin's side looking serious, but inside he was laughing at the situation. "What are you doing, Gavin?"

"Breakfast, but as you can see it didn't work out well. I only have one arm functioning normally."

Isaac yawned and put his hand in front of his mouth before responding. "Go sit down. Let me do it." He looked at the burned pan, then looked at Gavin giving him a 'really?' type of glare.

"You know, I wanted to do it since you do it every day." Gavin walked to the island, his usual place, and grabbed the television controller, turning it on. The TV came sliding from the ceiling and stood at his left. The first channel that appeared was the morning news, and surprisingly they were broadcasting Angelina saying something in a big round place full of journalists and people that looked like worked for the government.

"Look, it's your mother." Gavin said, making Isaac get his attention to the TV right away. He noticed the broadcast wasn't live, so the channel was showing the recorded footage. It said the live happened the day before when they were in the forest, and the headline said 'ALERT: NEW VIRUS SPREADING AROUND THE CITY | GOVERNMENT TALKS ABOUT IT FOR THE FIRST TIME'.

"I read something related to it yesterday." Isaac commented, paying attention to his mother preparing to speak. "A new virus amongst a creature killing people frequently. Qorjal is living its best for sure." Isaac said.

'Good afternoon to everyone. I would like to thank every journalist that came here today. I also want to thank our incredible team that quickly made this conference possible, and to our great President who allowed us in the Room today.' She finished her introduction, being applauded later. Angelina smiled at that, but then she went serious again. 'We are all here today to clarify the rumors about a new virus spreading in our capital, which unfortunately are true. Hiding it from you was certainly a mistake, but our scientific team is working all week to come up with a vaccine as soon as possible, but I assure you, it coming faster than you can expect...'