Our Time Bomb

Chapter 59 - When the plot thickens

Jefferson's pov 

How many people are sick? Are they more sick than my wife? When I go outside is it going to be chaos? These are the thoughts that rush torturously through my head. I don't think I slept for more than two hours, now I don't know the next time I will be able to sleep. 

I step outside the guild and the sight that meets my eyes is one I will probably never forget. Everywhere I look, there are villagers and Gyardicans, some are lying on the ground, some sitting. Many stare at me, their eyes hollow and deathly. I swallow hard as I leave the foreground. A man grabs my leg, his face is twisted with pain, he coughs, "It's your fault, the fault of the war. This is the universe punishing us for your fighting."

I bend down and grasp his shaking hand, "sir, I do not know where this gas is from, but we are going to find out, it is not having to do with the fighting I can assure you."

He coughs and says nothing more, just looks at me with those feverish eyes. 

I get up and walk among the people, I see one of my generals who is tending to another man, I approach him, seeing that he is not sick. "General Blake."

"Captain." he turns to me, "are you alright through the night?"

"I am fine, but my wife has fallen sick."

"sorry to hear that Sir."

"how many are sick, and how many well? do you know?"

He gravely looks at me, "From what I know, about half the population of the village is sick. Those who are not are tending to them. A tenth of the ones who have are sick have already died... Sir we must find a cure, but they hospitals do not have enough oxygen treatment for everyone. We have to find a way, or more people will die as we speak."

I suck in a breath, "Well... thanks for the information. I am going to monarch's estate to talk to the king, he will listen to me I believe and help us find a way to cure this."

He shrugs, "Alright... need anyone to go with you?" 

"no, everyone well is needed here in the village." 

"very well, best of luck to you Captain." He says.

"thank you." 

About four hours later, I arrive at the estate. It is eerily quiet. The courtyard is somewhat ghastly and deserted. The perfectly trimmed hedges loom above me as I climb the marble steps to the gates. I ring the buzzer and wait. A minute later, a voice startles me, "Captain." it comes from somewhere close to me. Though I can't see him, I know it's him, the king. He suddenly appears behind me, "lovely surprise to find you here." 

I stutter as he moves closer to me, "Uh- how did you..."

He laughs and his eyes bulge in a very odd way, "You soon shall know, young one."

I sense something suspicious so I carefully reach behind my back and press a button on my belt, its a recorder. "Anyway... I think you know why I am here my lord..."

He nods, "oh yes, I certainly do!" his enthusiasm tells me something is off. 

"Sir... why do you find it amusing? People are dying quickly as we speak. Has it not affected you here?"

He laughs outright, "my dear Captain, you are right, it is quite a subject of amusement for me. You see, I have cast this gas upon this whole district, I am quite proud of my work. Soon, you all will be dead. This district will leave me in peace, I tire of being responsible for all of these lives, so I may as well end them and do as I wish."