Chapter 4: A Familiar Name

Ferral and his kids made it back to the mansion. They were greeted by two soldiers who stood guard at the front entrance. “Alright, you two go on and do your homework,” Ferral told Laura and Berus, “I have to go talk to your mother.” The two nodded and ran off, heading up the stairs. Ferral walked straight, heading toward a large room on the bottom floor. Just as he was about to open the door, it opened, Nia sighing as she walked out.

Their eyes met. “So, how’d it go?” Nia asked. “I ask the same.” Ferral responded. The two started to walk away from the room. “Nothing that seems threatening. Just some of our spies have begun to notice the humans’ halt in weapons production.” “Did they say why?” “Something about a mass illness. No further details were acquired yet.” Ferral rubbed his chin with his hand, thinking. “It would stand to reason that this illness is pretty recent,” Nia continued, “Regardless, with this information, regardless if little, could really give us a massive advantage.” Ferral closed his eyes and shook his head, “No, it wouldn’t.” “What? Why not?” “Depending on what this illness is, it could affect us, too. We are still part human, for better or worse.” As they talked, Reginald sped walked toward them. “Cheif! Cheiftess!” He called out. They looked at him, “What happened?” Nia asked. “Chief, I just received word that the night patrol’s leader, Jurga, has some important news for you.”

“What is it?” Ferral asked. “He wouldn’t say. Said he needed to speak to you directly.” Ferral nodded, “Very well. Let’s go, Nia.” As the two began to walk off, Reginald got in front of them. “Jurga specifically asked for you, Chief. Only you.” “Why?” Nia demanded, annoyed. “He wouldn’t go into detail. That man is rather odd after all.” Ferral turned to Nia, “Don’t worry, I’m sure whatever it is can’t be as important as he’s making it out to be.” Nia scoffed, “Maybe. Ugh, I never liked this little creep.” “It’s fine. You can ask the kids how their day went.” She smiled, “Yeah, and I’m sure they’ll talk my ear off. They just always have so much to say.” Ferral headed out of the mansion and walked completely out of the village. Sprinting through the south side of the jungle.

He went about ten miles out, stopping in front of a large cave. Ferral ran inside the cave, heading toward the very deepest and darkest part. As he got deeper into the cave, almost all light faded away, Ferral's crimson eyes glowing in the darkness. Once at the end, he could hear the sound of a man mumbling to himself. “Jurga!” Ferral called out. The man yelped, “C-Chief?” He asked timidly. “Yes, Jurga. Light your lamp.” “I-Is anyone else with you?” “No.” The sound of rummaging echoed through the cave as a flame lit the area, revealing Jurga. He was a humanoid over six feet tall, with large wings that folded back, and his body was covered in what appeared to be dark gray fur. He had no neck and large, bright red eyes. His body twitched as he moved.

“Do you know what it’s like?” He muttered, “To live like a freak? Cursed by the genetics of the failures that came before you and forced to hide until you must do the unthinkable just to keep this curse going?” “No. I’m sorry.” Jurga was the descendant of one of the most feared experimenters. What the humans called ‘Mothman.’ Ferral found him hiding in another cave somewhere in North America. Others have rarely seen him because he’ll only come out in the dead of night. “I was told you have some information to give me. What is it?” Jurga scraped his nails against the cave walls as he paced, “On our last patrol, one of my workers found a camp with several humans. They had construction equipment, chainsaws, bulldozers, and steamrollers. Upon closer and careful inspection, they discovered that they were planning a mass deforestation. And it would be heading straight to the village.”

“I see. Well, that’s not exactly anything to be concerned over; they’ll never make it past The Dead Zone.” Jurga scratched his ribs and left shoulder, “But that’s not everything. There’s more.” “Like what?” Ferral asked. “My worker overheard some of the humans talking about an epidemic going around their home. Something along the lines of an incurable illness that was rapidly killing them off.” Ferral’s ears twitched, his attention even more focused, “Did they say what’s the cause?” “No. Only that it’s been wiping them out for a few years.” “Interesting…” Ferral walked over to Jurga and patted his shoulder, “Thank you, Jurga. I want you to have yourself and your crew keep a close eye on those humans and see if you can get more information.” Jurga bowed, “Of course, Chief. What will you do?” Ferral began to walk off, “I’m going to go get more information for myself.”

As he made his way back to the village, Ferral was lost in thought. They were being killed off by some mysterious illness? No new diseases or viruses have been found in decades. So what? And was the village at risk? He needed to find out all the answers…..

Meanwhile, a jeep made its way through the jungle. Inside, three armed soldiers and a young man who was sitting in the passenger seat. “Are you about this, Doctor?” The driver asked. “Yes, we need his help,” The young man responded, “He’s the smartest man alive, and without him our chances of survival are next to none. Not to mention his own are in danger as well.” “I’m aware but…….HIM? I hope you know what you’re doing, Dr. Atlas.” Atlas clenched his right fist, “I KNOW he’ll help, I’ve seen the old footage. Experiment 9320 is a good person.”