Chapter 12: Meditation
For the next several days school remained cancelled and eventually the news released possible information of an evacuation order. Dan spent most of that time meditating and trying to keep calm about his 'condition'. He had slightly forgotten about his memory retrieve, but the questions lingered in his subconscious. Thankfully his parents hadn't noticed the disappearance, but in the town there was talk of two monsters going at it and then disappearing into the woods, heading north. No real evidence of this event was gather and thus thought to be rumors.
Dan was now sitting in the living room slightly listening to the forecast for their area as he studied his history book as instructed by his mother, who was occupied with cooking in the kitchen while her husband was up in his study doing business for his company that employed him. Due to the cancellation of schooling for the town, a lot of businesses decided to do the same and limit down their activities. Also it was per instruction from the government.
A loud knock resounded from their front door and jolted Dan to his feet.
"I'll get it!" He exclaimed to his mother in the kitchen as he made way to the door and peered out the keyhole.
He grumbled under his breath finding it was covered and pulled his shirt up over his face for protection. He really didn't need to since he was already infected, but Keith was trying to blend in so Dan figured it was for the best. He opened the door a little to peek out. It was several military men in uniform with guns and gas masks.
"Can I help you?" Dan asked a little worried that maybe these men were here for him.
He stuck his head out the door not really wanting to let them in or risk his parents getting infected with the spores.
"Excuse us son, but we have orders to visit all civilian homes in this village to announce the official evacuation orders and explain as well as answer your questions. Are your parents home? We have some forms we need them to sign." Said the one not carrying his gun in his arms, but papers.
Dan felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned to find his father standing behind him.
"Let them in son." Shinjiro said before allowing the soldiers in.
Dan nodded, but didn't like the fact that the armed men intruded. It made him nervous and feel threatened.
"What's going on?" Miyoko asked coming out from the kitchen and a surprised look took over her face as she saw the soldiers.
"Sorry for the sudden intrusion folks, but just allow me some of your time and I'll be on my way." The soldier holding the papers stated, "Tomorrow we begin the official evacuation of this town and all exits out of here are covered by military personal as well as scientists and doctors. Now I need you to fill out this form to allow filing to be made on your whereabouts after you've been evacuated and to see if you need a new residence assigned to you if no one is available to take in your family. If you know of any family members capable of doing so for your family please fill out the bottom section of the last page. Also if you don't have a car one will be provided for you. Upon exit of the town your vehicle will be stopped and searched as well as all family member examined to be sure there are infected persons hiding amongst the evacuees and then have them properly treated. Full cooperation is appreciated and I'll be back in an hour to allow you some time to fill out this pamphlet. Thank you for your time and good luck."
He handed the bundle of papers to Shinjiro and then left without another word. Dan was sweating slightly as he realized that it might be possible for them to detect that he was amongst the infected.
"Let me help you fill that out honey and Dan, sweetie, go pack up the necessary things you'll need, like clothes and such." Miyoko said breaking the heavy silence.
Dan nodded to his mother and went upstairs to his room. He shut the door and fell to his knees in desperate to know what to do now. He looked around the room and spied his phone laying on his desk and ran up to snatch it up. He quickly opened it and went to his contacts hoping the blonde would be able to help him, but alas his call wouldn't go through. He dropped the phone in a panick and tried to boot up his computer's internet, but it seemed all contact with the outside world was cut off and he was utterly alone.
'Calm down and meditate otherwise you'll lose control and they'll know for sure. You're just going to have to go through with this on your own.' Dan thought as he closed his eyes and focused on his rhythmic breathing.
After a while he opened his eyes and went to his closet and pulled out two large duffle bags, going to work on filling them with clothing. He filled one with clothing only and the other he halfway filled it with clothes and then some items he would need to survive on his own. He figured that it was best to do so in case he needed to run away.
The next day came without much thought to Dan for he had barely slept that night and even though he was worn out from packing the family car full of what his parents would need mostly, his mind wouldn't let him rest for he could feel the monster wanting to come out and had to meditate most of the night for fear of unleashing it. His mother came to wake him as he was hiding under his comforter so it looked like he was sleeping.
"Wake up Dan, honey, it's time to leave." Miyoko called to her son placing her warm hand on his head that was slightly poking out of the comforter.
"Morning mom." Dan mumbled as he yawned and stretched.
"When you're ready come to the kitchen for a quick breakfast and then we can start this long day." She said with a warm smile and then left the room.
He solemnly got out of his pajamas and put on a plain blue shirt, a pair of black jeans, a thin orange jacket with huge pockets which he stuffed with his cell phone, mp3 player, headphones, and his house key. He let out a heavy sigh before finally closing the door to his room for the last time and went to the bathroom and then down to the kitchen. His mother had prepared a few plates of scrambled eggs and filled their cups with the last of the milk and orange juice.
"You got everything you need?" Shinjiro asked taking a sip of his orange juice as Dan slid into his seat.
"Yeah." Dan mumbled lowly as he used his fork to scoop up some egg.
"I'm leaving all the dishes in the dishwasher and when you two are done please put them in their and I'll start it before we leave." Miyoko said as she took her seat at the table and they ate their last meal in that house.
Dan's heart was racing as they exited their car into the care of the military and proceed to the line for the health check-up that was mandatory for them all. His hands were sweating profusely in his jacket pockets he had them stuffed in. He was so sure they were going to catch him and his only chance to escape was gone long ago, but he didn't want to leave his parents alone. He looked around trying to spy if anyone else was there that he knew and perhaps he could find Keith.
"Next!" rang out the nurse as she exited the tent and found the scared brunette standing there absentmindedly, "Come along boy."
She grabbed his shoulder and pulled him forward away from his parents as he looked back at them they flashed warm smiles. He wanted to tell them everything and tell them his final farewell, but the words wouldn't surface before he was led away into the small tent.
"Relax son this'll be like a normal check-up." The male doctor said as he proceeded to examine the brunette.
First he checked his eyes, then ears and hearing, as well as his breathing. He seemed to be doing fine until it came for the x-ray. Practically naked with only his underwear that barely covered the marking on his left hip. The nurse was quick to notice.
"Weird tattoo you got there." She remarked earning the doctor's interest.
"Mind if we examine it real quick, Daniel?" the doctor asked coming away from the x-ray machine's control panel.
Dan hesitated for a moment and then nodded. The male doctor slipped the brunette's boxers low enough so he could see the entire marking. Dan held in his fear as they were so silent.
"It a secret tattoo I got to rebel against my parents a long time ago." Dan stated in a lie.
They nodded after finishing examining the tattoo and Dan laid down as instructed so they could commence the x-ray machine.
"This'll only take a second, but after you've dressed we'll need you to go wait outside for a bit." The nurse informed the brunette as he tried to relax.
She was right for it wasn't long until he was sitting on a bench outside of the tent waiting for his parents as well as for the scientist that was supposed to test him some more. When he walked out he was surprised to find Mylene sitting and waiting as well. She seemed well composed and patient unlike the many others that surrounded them. He took a seat next to her as well as greeting her. He felt his mark pulse for a moment and realized that she too must be baring a mark of fate.
"How long have they kept you waiting?" He asked the blue eyed girl.
"Not long just finished with the checkup." She stated coolly.
"Have you seen Keith or any of the others?" Dan asked as he noticed her expression shift a little and he guessed it must've been a mark bearer's reaction.
She eyed him for a minute and then decided to speak, "So you too are worried?"
Dan hesitated trying to figure out how to reply in the code they were doing, "Are you?"
She nodded and eyed the soldier not standing too far away making sure he wasn't watching her facial features and smiled.
"How long ago did you see Keith?" Mylene asked and Dan took it as she was trying to find out when he had been infected.
"A couple of days ago when I went to drop off his mask that he lent me, but I got a surprise." Dan replied watching the guard as well.
Mylene nodded indicating she understood and then proceeded with the conversation, "So what's your parents' plan then?"
"Well, I don't really know." Dan replied as a man with barely any hair in a lab coat walked over to the bench.
"Miss Mylene Pharaoh?" He called to the group sitting on the bench.
Mylene stiffened a little and then stood up.
"I am." She said faking confidence.
"Follow me." He said and turned away.
Mylene looked back at the brunette to speak one last time.
"Maybe I'll see you later Dan, perhaps when this is all over with we all should meet up." Mylene said in a giddy voice that frightened the brunette, but he knew it was ploy and watched her mouth the last part of her sentence, "The woods."
He nodded, "Yes."
She smiled and quickly followed after the scientist.
Okay some fair warning for the coming chapters, I'm going to change up the Bakugan universe lore some and what not so now you've been warned. Be prepared.
