Chapter 7 - Exploration (2)

We are infected. These are the words of the Recluse, who is in poor health. It has the effect of a bomb in the midst of total confusion.

_ Keren: “ What did you just say, Grandpa? ” he said, with a bead of sweat on his forehead.

_ Recluse: “ I was sitting quietly with my little group and my wife. Then, some men in gas masks showed up. They wanted us to join their group. ”

_ Keren: “ Why? ”

_ Recluse: “ They were talking about revolution... but I didn't really understand. ”

_ Keren: “ Revolution? ”

_ Recluse: " I refused. And that's when some bastard opened a jar containing a strong-smelling liquid substance before running off with his group. "

Maïko and I look at each other without saying a word, simply pondering the words that have been spoken.

_ Keren: “ I guess he threw the liquid away? ”

_ Recluse: " He didn't even need to. Just by breathing in that liquid, my wife became infected. "

_ Ayden: “ Is that possible? ”

_ Recluse: " I decided to find that group, hoping to find an antidote. Just before finding their hideout, I wasn't feeling well either. I realized that the infection is transmissible. "

_ Ayden: “ I have a bad feeling about this. ”

_ Recluse: " When we got to their hideout, there was a jar of pills not far away with the word ‘antidote’ written on it. "

_ Keren: “ So you stole it. ”

Taking a step back, Maïko's body shivers.

_ Maïko: “Oh, damn… ”

_ Keren: “ Tsss. What the hell is this? ”

The Recluse spits blood and slowly loses his strength. Maïko covers her mouth with both hands.

_ Maïko: “ Oh my God! ”

_ Recluse: " I don't have long to live... leave here quickly and take the jar with you... find a doctor and treat yourself with it... If you come across those strange people... you're dead men. "

_ Ayden: “ What about your wife? ”

_ Recluse: “ She has surely ascended to heaven… ”

Anger rises in my head, powerless in the face of this injustice.

_ Keren: “ Damn it... Okay, change of plans. Let's go home, hurry up. ”

So we leave, abandoning the Recluse to his own sad fate. Our exploration thus goes from an incredible start to an unfortunate scene. A real emotional roller coaster. Head down, I run with my fist clenched.

We have been running for about ten minutes. Dusk is approaching and we are still several kilometers away from the village. Out of breath, we catch our breath as we walk. Then we hear a “BOOM” behind us. It is the guardian Keren who has just collapsed suddenly.

_ Ayden & Maïko: “ TUTOR KEREN!! ”

We rush to his rescue.

_ Ayden: “ Are you all right?? ”

_ Keren: “ Damn... I think so... that the grandpa wasn’t lying... I’m fine infected... “ he says, the prickly throat

Seeing the suffering, I touch his forehead to assess his condition.

_ Ayden: “ Damn, he has a fever surge. Maïko please, give me your second water bottle. “

_ Maïko: “ O...Okay! ” she says, fearing

_ Ayden: “ Ok, now I’m going to need your help to transport it. I are going to take him by his arms, you are going to take his legs. “

_ Maïko: “It’s okay. “

So we start to walk and carry with difficulty the tutor Keren.

_ Ayden : “ Tutor Keren how old are you? ”

_ Keren: “ What can ... it do for you... damn... I am 18 years old. ”

_ Ayden: “ Ok, hold on a little longer. ”

_ Maïko: “ But I don’t understand, we’re supposed to be infected, yet personally, I am in shape. “

_ Ayden: “ Same to me, I don’t know why. But let’s take this opportunity to leave in speed as much as one can. “

_ Maïko: “ Yes! ”

Suddenly, a flare emerges in the sky, we stop for a moment and let’s take a little break.

_ Maïko: “ What was that? ” she says, surprise

_ Keren: “ A rocket... illuminating. “

_ Ayden: “ Why did a flare just go off?”

Our time is limited and even if, for some unknown reason, we are still of attack, the events to be expected do not bode well.

_ Maïko: “ I have an idea. “

_ Ayden: “ Develops. “

_ Maïko : “ I will use my Source to detect if there are individuals at surroundings. “

My eyebrows are rising.

_ Ayden: “ Can you do that? ”

_ Maïko: “ Yes, I use the power of steam. My body heats up a quantity of stored water, then I transform it into a gaseous state. Thanks to that, I can transpose a part of my body on a wet surface. “

_ Ayden: “ Incredible. “

_ Maïko: “ The trees around us are quite wet, so I can transpose my head on it to check around. “

_ Ayden: “ I didn’t know it was possible. ”

_ Keren: “ The human body is about 80% water... I understand now why you carry so much water... You are a Class elementary but of Type N... Interesting. “

The tutor Keren coughs severely.

_ Ayden: “ Tutor Keren stop talking! ”

_ Keren: “ Shut up... Don’t underestimate me... ”

Meanwhile, Maïko uses his Source and transposes his head on a tree at several meters from our position. Shortly after, his head returns to its trunk.

_ Ayden: “ So, did you see anything interesting? ”

_ Maïko: “ We’re in trouble. ”

_ Ayden: “ Huh? Why? ”

At this moment, I see her trembling like a leaf, as if she had seen something terrifying.

_ Ayden: “ Tell me what’s going on, Maïko. ”

_ Maïko : “ I saw individuals with gas masks. “

_ Ayden : “ What? Shit, they’re probably looking for the jar. ”

Maïko places his hands on his head.

_ Maïko: “ They arrive in fury... They are all on horseback and I also saw some dogs with them. “

_ Ayden : “ Certainly hunting dogs to track the jar. Damn, the situation is really critical. “

_ Maïko: “ We’re screwed Ayden... They are really a lot... I would say a fortnight... “

His face changes of expression.

_ Ayden: “ Maïko? “

_ Maïko: “ Our tutor is infected... We have to transport him... And our pursuers arrive at full speed... “

She looks me straight in the eyes. reflecting the terror she feels.

_ Maïko: “ I don’t want to die Ayden! ”