Aftermath [in work]

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Brook opened his eyes slowly. His arms were numb, and he felt tight pressure on his legs. His brain was barely comprehending what he was seeing.

Everything was pitch black, except for a bright light shining on his face. Brook closed his eyes, and shook his head. When he opened them, he saw a woman standing in the light. Her hair was a light brown and curly, reaching down to the shoulders of her red dress. Her skin was a slight tan, with her perfect red lips. Her eyes were blue, and they were staring into Brook's. She smiled at Brook.

"Maria. . .?" Brook asked in a whisper.

Something hard hit his face, the blow closing his eyes. He could feel his heartbeat in his ear drums, he could feel the vomit sprawling up into his threat. Sweat pouring down his face, mixed with the blood now oozing down his nose. Brook opened his eyes again, and saw Michael sitting on a chair behind the bright light.

Michael aimed the lamp at his face, so Brook can see. Michael ha a face of seriousness when he asked, "Who the hell are you? Why are you here?

Brook's eyes adjusted and saw Michael clearly. "Hah, my name is Brook. Let's leave it at that, yeah?"

Michael asked again why Brook was here. To which Brook smiles and joked, "I'm here for the party. When does it start?"

Michael leaned forward and thrusted a punch at Brook's face, dealing a heavy blow. Brook took the punch, then spat blood on Michael's bulletproof vest. Michael ignored it and asked"You're here to steal supplies? Food? Or did the Zodiacs send you to kill us?" He asked Brook with an official tone.

Brook looked up at him and said seriously, "Now I want to kill you and take all you have." Michael sighed and looked down. "I'm not a bandit. Zodiacs didn't send me. I'm simply an armless man." Brook reassured him. "You guys rescued me, remember? Last night?" He added in.

Michael looked up and echoed, "Last night?" Brook nodded with a smile. "So you followed us here? Why?" Michael asked, turning his head. Brook shrugged and joked, "Want to join to the club."

"Really?"

"Hah, nah. Not really." Brook laughed.

"So then why?"

"Would you believe me if I said I wanted to thank you?"

Micheal sighed, and stood up. "Don't try to escape because we'll all be standing out that door. We'll shoot the moment it even creaks." He told Brook, as he left the room. Brook looked down and sighed. "Maria."

Michael approached his squad. Paul and Marco were kneeling beside Robert. Robert's skin was a light blue. His veins were noticeable, and were a deep blue. His eyes seemed to be caving in his eye sockets. Michael looked at him, and immediately turned his face away. "God. . ." He gasped.

Robert's eyes looked at Michael. His mouth shivered and moved, but no sound came out. Paul looked at Michael in disgust and asked, "Bandit talking?"

Michael looked at Paul and replied, "Not a bandit. One of the guys we saved from the camp last night, actually. He followed us here, so he knows already too much. We have to kill him."

Marco immediately looked up at Michael and said, "No more people have to die today, Michael." Michael sighed and looke down at Marco. He was the youngest of the group, twenty years old.

"Marco, why don't you go and scavenge some streets? Paul, talk to the guy. I'll stay here with Robert, i'll make sure he gets treated." Michael told everyone.

Marco looked up at Michael at hesitation, but agreed eventually. He left through the usual exit, while Paul immediately went to the room where Brook was held at.