Chapter 13 : Code Red

Another day, another challenge. The robot's progress was going very well and smooth and it was expected to be finshed by the end of the week, much faster than initially planned.

"Never underestimate our power!", said Kukeiko in a loud childish manner.

It was break time for the two girls. Mei was enjoying her chocolate bar, while Kukeiko was browsing through her songs, preparing the next playlist for work.

"I wonder what this will be used for.", said Kukeiko.

"I'm expecting the school to use it to train those from the Hero Department."

"Man, it'll sure be a challenge to them."

"I wonder who'll pass."

"What time was it again?", asked Kukeiko.

"It's around 7:30 p.m."

"I'll have to go."

"Now? You would normally stay 'till 8:30. Have more homework?"

"It's not about the homework. I can handle it. I'm going babysitting."

"Really? You don't look like one."

Kukeiko then turned to Mei in a dramatic, yet funny way and looked at her in the eye while putting her fists on her hips.

"And what is that supposed to mean?", said with a raised eyebrow while laughing.

Mei laughed out loud and watched as Kukeiko gathered her stuff and calmly exited the workshop.

"Make sure you don't get carried away and forget to sleep.", she reminded Mei.

The tall girl with long wavy green hair, slim figure, pale skin arrived at the front door of the house.

"Good evening!"

"Thank goodness you're here! We really do need the help and we thank you for agreeing to look after our child.", said the mother, a short chubby woman with rost cheeks and brown hair with white spots.

"Don't worry. I've been doing this for a while now. I know how to deal with most children."

"We're so glad to hear this! This is the paper with all of the things you need to know about Alex. She tends to be rather noisy and easily cries. If she does, give her her plushie and pacifier. You can use the house however you please. So if you want to make yourself a coffee or want to cook something for yourself, you have our permission."

"Thank you. Please calm down and relax. If I'm having problems or something bad happens, I'll sure call you. When will you return?"

"We'll return around midnight if that's alright with you.", said the father, in a deep, yet calm voice.

"Yup!"

Alex, the child she had to look after, was a surprisingly easy child to handle. She did everything she was told to and was always laying on the floor watching the T.V.

After putting the child to sleep, she made herself some green tea and continue the schoolwork she had started that day.

10:46 p.m.

That's when it started again. The headache. The life-draininf headache, and the sweat. And now, it was cold. She was trembling. She checked the temperature inside the house and it was rather high.

"Just take your medicine and a 15 minute nap. It might help calm down the symptoms until I can visit Recovery Girl."

She was laying on the couch and was awoken by the phone ringing. Everything was worse. She felt like something was pressing down her chest. It was getting harder to breath. She was able to answer the phone.

"Kukeiko, how are you feeling?"

"Pretty bad. I feel very bad. I don't know what's going on..."

"Don't worry. We're on our way."

"Way...?", her voice becoming weaker and weaker.

"We got an emergency."

"What?"

"Your body temperature is very high. It's going to get bad if we leave you."

"But the baby... I need to take care for the baby."

"We'll announce the parents. They will understand."

And with that, she felt her eyelids get heavier and heavier and her chest tighter and tighter.