Hunger

Chapter 5:1: The City As Its Worst - The Ashfields

"Hmm, hmm, that’s better.”

That was what I called “being brilliant”. I must have lost my breath out there.

"Where have you been Jay? We thought you were dead!" Bob exclaimed, as he couldn’t believe that I was still alive.

"Long story Bob, just give me a minute or two", I said, while I was still gasping for air.

After several minutes, I was relieved.

"Is everybody okay? Has anyone got bitten?" I asked.

"Yeah Bob. Unfortunately, Debbie was bitten. She’s been coughing out blood since an hour ago. She has a bad wound right now", Bob replied, as he pointed Debbie.

"Let me see it. How was it?"

"It’s bleeding, very bad."

"Okay. Bring her to me now and I’ll give her a shot."

"Shot? What shot?" Hunnigan asked.

"Eventually, I found the cure for the virus, but still, we have to avoid ourselves getting bitten because there are only four shots left", I replied, as I opened the briefcase.

"Where did you get it?" Ashyra asked.

"I got this from your brother. By the way, you didn’t tell me anything about him."

"I’m sorry. I just can’t believe that after what happened to this city, I would see him alive and looking for me."

"Of course, he’s your brother. Come on Debbie, I’ll give you a shot."

Debbie looked pale. Her nose started to bleed profusely. Her peripheral veins were getting visible. She was truly not looking good. Eventually, I already gave her a shot. 

"The serum will take effect in an hour. In the meantime, let’s have a break first. I know that you’re all hungry. I got some snacks here in my bag", I said, as I opened my bag.

I was right that they were starving. They got themselves with some snacks and they ate right away.

"Debbie, how are you feeling right now?" I asked her.

"I’m turning fine now. Thank you for the cure", she said, as she kissed me on my cheek.

I was glad that everything was going to be fine. I turned to Ashyra and I saw her like she was thinking deeply about something. I got up from my seat and I sat beside her.

"What’s wrong? Don’t you like the snacks?” I asked her.

"No, I’m just . . . I just feel grateful because you’re here. I thought you were dead", she replied.

"A promise is a promise, right?"

She smiled at me for the first time, and I did the same thing back at her.

"So, tell me something about you and your brother", I said.

"Our father used to work at Halford Inc., as a researcher. He used to be the best friend of Sir Richard Halford. They have been together for almost ten years, until Sir has decided to find his own laboratory at the heart of this city. When my brother was still young, our father used to tell him good things about being in his profession. He hoped for him to grow in a very special way, until that time came. My brother didn’t make our father's dreams come true. He never wanted to work as a researcher; instead, he entered a very risky job at Rushford Special Ops Team as a spy."

"I’m not saying bad things about my brother, but he broke our father's heart. A long time ago, he discovered that an illegal syndicate was happened at Halford Inc., and he saw that our father had been involved. It actually made him so mad that he disrespected him so much. That’s why my brother hates Sir Richard so much, too, especially now that he’s behind all of this", she continued.

"Where’s your father?" I asked her.

"He died of heart attack several years ago. After that, our mother abandoned us because she gave up so easily. We never saw her again, that’s why, we only got the two of us", she replied.

"Don’t worry. Your brother is with us now. He’s very happy that he found you alive", I said, while I was comforting her.

"Stop the drama. We should all be happy that Jay has returned for us", Bob said, while he’s patting my shoulder.

All of them agreed and they continued eating snacks.

“Rrrrroooooaaaaarrrrr!!!!!”

Suddenly, a loud growl was heard from the second floor.

"What’s that?!" Hunnigan terrifyingly asked.

"Not again Jay. We’ve just been through hell back there, and here it comes now", Bob said.

"Don’t worry. I got weapons, so pay attention. We’re going to the runway, because we’ll meet them there. They will hold the place for us. We need to stick together now and remember that we’re getting nearer for the biggest rescue of all time. Pay attention and try not to get bitten again. Understand?" I informed them. 

They all nodded and agreed with the plan.

"Alright, let’s move now. Bob, Ashyra, take these guns and protect yourselves", I said, as I gave them my guns.

"Wait. I can’t use this", Ashyra refused.

"Don’t worry about killing them. You just shoot them in the head to take them down. I’ll never leave you", I said.

"But . . ."

"You’re an Ashfield, so you can fight now. Shoot them in the head when they get near. Just follow my lead. Trust me on this, but trust yourself on surviving."

"Okay, I’ll do this", Ashyra said in encouragement.

"Alright, let’s do this. Come on. We have to get to the runway fast!" I shouted, while we were running.