An Act of Chivalry (Sander Sides)

Chapter Twenty Five

Lights off.

When the city shut down the helicopters were already drafting people from the rooftops. This only lasted thirty minutes because, strangely enough, after the first pick up no one came back. The generators only lasted for an hour. It was enough time to get people out of the buildings and to a safe house. Only twenty percent of the remaining city complied with our forces. These people were mainly families. The rest didn't comply, and I hope to whatever the fuck's out there, that they'll be safe.

Our building was one of the few buildings still running. The ones that complied are sheltered in a building nearby. It's heavily guarded to; I'd probably break apart if something happened to those people.

"Virge, please focus!" Thomas snapped, quickly pulling me back to the dreaded situation that was a reality. My feet were pacing, my head was spinning, and if my hands got any sweater I'd start leaking the ocean. 

"S-Sorry Thomas I-"

My mentor dropped his head, pacing still at a quick pace. "Oh god no, don't say sorry-" Thomas stopped dead in his tracks, turning on his heel to face me. His eyes darted from me to the clock and back, "I'm just stressed Virgil. I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry."

My hand fell from my face and I stopped biting my nails. Instead, I returned his apology with a shrug, "It's cool Thomas." Was my only reply.

Tick, tick, tick the clock nearby echoed around the room for three seconds before our silence was filled by the beep of a watch.  Thomas hummed at this, "Valorie? is everything alright?" I glanced up concerned at my mentor. He sent a smile back. A weary one, but one that told me to calm down. 

The golden watch swirled and swirled until finally finishing its scan. "I'm detecting a foreign element entering the building, would you like me to turn on the cameras?"

"Sure, view them from tv thirty-two, please."

"Sure Thomas."

The tv turned on, portraying fourteen different cameras. One on the roof, four on the outside walls, one on the front entrance, one on the back entrance, and the rest were watching from the inside. Nothing seemed to move, apart from the bustling of people on hall five. This wasn't new and I didn't see anyone in the crowd that I didn't recognize, so I sighed in relief.

A short smile of mine went my mentor's way and he briefly smiled back. It's safe to assume we were both relieved. This didn't last.

"Sir, I'm still detecting a foreign element." Thomas's smile drooped with his brows as they furrowed together.  "Why?" He asked, more to himself than Valorie. "Valorie, give me an energy reading."

The watch spun, "I'm detecting a radioactive substance running through the walls."

My legs walked me a few anxious steps closer, "Can you check the air vents?" 

the watch replied immediately, "Vents scanned, the current levels on average consist of fifteen percent oxygen, fifty-five percent carbon dioxide, twenty-two percent nitrogen, and the rest consist of hydrogen and common air particles such as dust and or germs."

"Okay, thanks I guess." I flopped back onto the couch and relaxed a bit more. 

-----

Virgil flopped down onto the red couch nearby. I would've followed myself but something didn't feel right. "Thomas, you should sit down," Virge suggested, rolling his back and trying to shake the tension that hung heavy in the room. I just shook my head, "Not yet I-something doesn't feel right."

"Ohh-"

"What up bitches!" The door hit the wall with plenty of force, moving out of Remy's path as the mentor strolled into the room. He took his sunglasses off and looked between us. He then glanced around the room. "Dudes, this room has a hella bad vibe in it. What happened?" You could see the recognition of worry spread across Remy's face right before his shades returned over his face. Remy was such good relief when he needed to be, but is serious when it's required. This is one reason I credit him with so much respect.