Wither With Me

CHAPTER 58 - STILLNESS

The tide of shining dots seemed to vibrate on the horizon, growing in size and intensity. They were close. They'd soon be right on top of them.

Rowan took a quick glance at the helicopter pilots. Underneath their visors, he could see sweat dripping from their faces. Their hands trembled on the vehicle controls.

"Keep our position." he said.

"D-Do we have a plan, colonel...?" asked one of them.

"Do I have to answer that question, soldier?"

The pilot didn't insist.

Rowan turned towards the back compartment of the helicopter, where both civilians and wounded soldiers stood, anxiously observing him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our situation is critical." he cleared his throat before continuing. "I'll be blunt. That bright light covering the horizon is a swarm of monstrous creatures, similar to the one we killed a moment ago. They'll corner the helicopter, and they'll bring it down. Running away isn't an option. Neither is fighting." ha made a brief pause. "Any suggestions?"

They all stared at one another, frightened. They began babbling. A woman broke down and cried. They argued among themselves.

At that point, it didn't matter if everyone panicked. If a life-saving idea arose as a result, it'd be worth it.

"...ld be... ay..."

His attention was caught by a timid voice among the group. It was a young woman with glasses, the one he had to apply first aid on due to a broken arm. She bit the nails of her healthy hand, muttering something, while sitting on one of the seats of the compartment. Her voice was barely audible over the roar of the rotors.

"...there could be... a way..."

Rowan rushed to her side and crouched down to her eye level.

"Miss, speak clearly."

The woman flinched and glanced at the floor.

"W-Well... Um... At Saint Marie Hospital... Didn't a similar thing happen at the hospital?"

Rowan tried to remember. Captain Isaac had mentioned something in his report. The stinger hordes converging on the hospital had suddenly abandoned their state of aggression, although he didn't understand why. Did that young woman know about it?

"Miss, if you know something, speak up!"

******

"Nora!" yelled Claire.

She jumped up from her seat and lunged towards the front of the helicopter, passing by the colonel's side, headed for Nora and Lilian, who cuddled each other on the floor.

"Y-Yes...?" mumbled Nora.

"Nora, can you speak with Lilian...? Can you ask her to stop those things!? You pulled it off at the hospital!"

Nora shook her head. "I can't."

"N-No!? Please, you've got to try! This is some kind of pheromone signal, there has to be something we can do!"

"She won't answer. What do you think I've been doing this whole time? I've tried, over, and over, and over... But she doesn't respond." tears pooled up in Nora's eyes.

'But she talked to me earlier...!'

Lilian's stare was lost, she looked like a porcelain doll, inert and lifeless. Anyone would think she was dead if it wasn't for the blue glitter in her eyes.