Lifeless

Chapter 3

I dashed to the door and unlocked it.

Standing in front of me is a very dejected-looking guy, with messy hair and tear-streaked cheeks.

"Jonas!" I cried as I leapt forward to hug him. We usually don't hug; just this time - we had lost almost everyone we know, and finally know that someone we know is still alive.

"Hayley," he gave me a sad grin. Looking behind me, he saw someone lying on the ground. "Wait, is that..."

I nodded gravely. "Mum died," I whispered. Saying it out just made that harsh truth seem more real, and I nearly choked on my own words. I wished I could believe that she's alive, but she's not.

"How's Aunt Jasmine?" I asked, although deep down I already knew the answer.

That question brought fresh tears into Jonas' eyes. "She's... she's gone," he said in a barely audible whisper. I nodded and embraced him once again. To think that hours ago, this place was bursting with joy and happiness, and now it's a deserted, desolate, barren place with just me and Jonas.

Life really is unpredictable. We only have each other now. No parents, no plan on where to go from here, and no idea who we are.

"Oh, yes," I pulled away from the hug. "You're a Special, right?" 

He gasped. "How did you find out?" 

"Was just reading Mum's diary. What does being a Special even mean?"

"Good question. I don't know much myself," Jonas sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "Something about having a gene? Mum told me about it some time ago, but I never really pressed for details."

"Yeah," I replied, "Maybe I can go search it up, while you think about where to go from here. Something tells me it's not safe here anymore."

Jonas nodded. "Sounds like a plan."

...

As I typed 'Specials' into the search engine of my little tablet, I could not help but turn and look and Mum's lifeless body once again. I was wrecked with grief. It took me a few deep breaths to focus on the task at hand - to find out who we really were. 

Specials are born with the Gene 0254, which makes them immune to all diseases. 

That explains why I never got sick before. I did find it strange growing up but thought I was just lucky to not be down with a cold.

Although it has been 20 years since it has been discovered, little is known about the gene except that it makes the host immune to diseases. Scientists are currently tracking down those who have the gene so as to experiment on them. 

Say what? 

"Hey, Jonas," I called out to him, "You might want to look at this. We aren't going to become lab rats, right?"

His face darkened as he quickly connected the dots on what is going on.

"That means they are coming for us. Whoever 'they' are. It's not safe here now," he told me hurriedly.

"Pack your stuff. We'll leave in 15 minutes."

Hi! Yes, I've decided to continue this story:D This chapter is a bit short, so sorry about that. Exams are coming up so uploads won't be regular. By the way, the first half of this chapter was written last year, while I have just written the rest, so there might be a change in writing style. But anyways, hope you enjoy!