||THE OUTBREAK||

||Chapter 11: Lead Me Home||

KARTIK'S POV

I and Naira were taking Kairav back to the bus, to Thomas. I was carrying Kairav in my arms and Naira was patting his cheek to wake him up but he still hadn't opened his eyes.

"Kairav....baby please open your eyes", Naira pleaded him, almost bursting into tears while I held him close to my chest.

We finally reached and everyone was shocked to look at Kairav unconscious.

"What happened to him?", Thomas asked worried as he approached us.

"I dunno anything. I just want you to check him up and assure things are alright", I said looking at Kairav and Thomas nodded.

We took Kairav into the bus and made him lie on a seat. I stood near Thomas while he did Kairav's check up and Naira held Kairav's hand, sobbing silently. We waited for a few minutes to let Thomas finish his check up, but we were growing impatient.

"Is he bit?", I asked Thomas, dreading to listen to his answer.

"Thankfully no....I don't see any bite marks", Thomas replied and I sighed in relief.

"Then what's wrong with him?", Naira asked Thomas, clearly impatient.

"Its because of dehydration. He was without water for too long. Because of this heat and extreme tiredness, he got unconscious", Thomas replied as he took off his stethoscope and faced us.

"There's nothing to worry guys. The kid's gonna be alright. Make sure he's hydrated well when he gains consciousness", Thomas instructed and Naira nodded.

Thomas walked out of the bus. Naira held Kairav's hand and kissed it.

I was about to say something that I spotted Watson coming out of the woods with that Chinese looking guy.

"I'll be right back!", I said and Naira looked at me confused.

I got down the bus and walked towards Watson and the Chinese looking guy.

"Why are you here?", I asked that Chinese looking guy with gritted teeth as I held his collar.

"You said he'll be cool with it?!", that Chinese asked Watson and Watson shrugged his shoulders.

"Gotta make him cool buddy. Kartik, let go off him", Watson told me with a calm voice and I looked at him in disbelief. Watson gave me an assuring look and I let go off the Chinese guy.

"Why did you bring this Chinese guy with you Watson? Couldn't you just leave him there?!", I asked Watson frustrated.

"Hey...I'm not Chinese. I'm Korean", that guy replied but I didn't pay much attention to him.

"Kartik....come with me", Watson said placing his hand on my shoulder and taking me to a corner.

"Kartik....that guy's harmless. He has no food, no weapons. If he'll keep wandering in the forests, he'll die!", Watson explained me and I continued to stare at him.

"Kartik....we survive this by helping and saving each other, remember? We survive by pulling together not pulling apart", Watson said his famous dialogue and I scoffed.

"But that doesn't mean we pick up every guy with no food and no weapons. We are out of food ourselves. A new addition will just increase problems", I tried to explain my point to Watson.

"Kartik...the more people, the more better. Besides he saved your kid, he himself made a place in this group. You should be grateful to him and give him what he deserves", Watson made my views clear and I nodded at him.