Chapter 22: Recovery

H-R

(Meanwhile, on the Tower's Roof...)

As immature as it sounded, I blamed my sister for Sammy getting kidnapped and Libby getting shot.

Why, you ask? Because if she didn't ask me to meet her in Dr. Zere's truck for a possible job in delivering his packages to Dr. Camden, I could have helped Libby save Salma's kid and maybe even take the bullet! Maybe everyone would better off if that was the case, considering how useless I am? I'll just be the Scorpion's adorable brother who her fans can make a fuss off anyway, instead of Rahim - the dude who wanted to play video games and make movies on YouTube. That's another thing I had in common with Libby, because she enjoyed making films and the occasional music videos during college hours. Though sadly, we never got put together in a group and looking back, it would have been awesome if we did!

I hated to say this, but... my dream of us doing that in the future was starting to feel impossible.

"Rahim?"

I turned round to see a concerned Jade approaching, much to my indifference. "What do you want?"

"I thought I'd come up and see how you're doing," My sister answered, smiling. "There's no harm in that, is it?"

"N-No, no," I replied awkwardly, allowing a ghost of a grin to paint my face. One of those rare moments where she isn't being a b*tch. "Do you know how Libby's doing?"

"She's stable and Lena's keeping her in hospital for observation," Jade told me. "She'll let us know when she's awake,"

I couldn't help but sigh with relief. "Oh, thank god,"

"Yeah," My sister agreed happily. It didn't take long for her grin to morph back into concern. "Listen, can I tell you something?"

"What is it?" I asked in a confused manner.

The woman smiled appreciatively before she took a breath. "What would you," A nervous gulp. "What would you say if I told you that I'm dating Kyle? Because I am,"

Oh wow!

"That's..." I began awkwardly, trying my best to force an excited grin on my face. "That's great news, congratulations,"

Jade beamed with joy, pulling me in to a one-armed embrace. "Thank you! I just thought I'd tell you because you deserve to be the first to know,"

"T-Thanks," I spoke in a surprised yet flattered manner.

"You're always going to be my little brother no matter what life throws at us, okay?" My sister reassured me, sensing that I was still worried about Libby. "You know that, right?"

"Course I do," I answered calmly, struggling to hide the slowly boiling anger that threatened to flare up. Why can't you see me as someone who can make his own choices instead of your useless brother who your fans can make a f*cking fuss off at your boxing matches?!

I need this to stop.

R-H

Good News, Henry: Libby's stable. Bad News: What are you going to do about Rais?

Looking back, I honestly felt stupid for not thinking the latter through for several reasons. One of them involved how much I already enjoyed staying at the Tower because everyone seemed like decent people. Despite the trust issues, Brecken was a good guy and Jade was exactly how Libby described her; a strong and intelligent woman whom any little girl would want to look up to. Easy to tell why Kyle has a crush on her. And there was her younger brother, Rahim. I wasn't too sure what to think about him initially, considering the rather hurtful insults he and the Tower's leader both threw in my direction during training.

But maybe, that might change soon?

As I ascended the staircase towards the roof, I was busy racking my brains on how to get Rais off Libby's back and... I wasn't sure if my plan was going to work but if it didn't, then at least I would get the punishment instead of her. Once I stepped into the warm fresh air, I briefly took notice of Jade and Rahim chatting away and offered them a friendly grin as I walked towards the back of the building and climbed up towards the crane.

After I pulled myself up, I quickly made sure I was out of earshot before I switched my radio on. Okay, buddy. Don't think about the danger you're putting yourself in, do this for Libby. "Rais, do you copy? This is Henry,"

"Ah, Henry!" My former Boss' pleased voice came through the other end. "Care to provide me with some good news on your treasured friend?"

You sick b*stard.

"Actually, it's the opposite," I lied, attempting to sound convincing as possible. "The girl is dead. She was shot in the stomach and died during surgery. Cremated,"

Please fall for it, please fall for it!

"That's a shame. I know she meant a lot to you," Rais commented in a disappointed manner. Yes, thank you God! "You couldn't have found her before she died?"

"No," I answered, suddenly feeling a burst of fierce defiance as I asked "Why were you after Libby, anyway?"

Upon hearing my words, my former Boss didn't answer and just like that, the line went dead. As I predicted, since he does that whenever he doesn't get what he wants.

"Knew that was coming," I sighed angrily to myself, before solemnly heading back down.

Good thing I'm in for it then, isn't it?

(Five Hours Later - The Slums in Harran, Turkey, The Middle East, Europe - 19:13...)

H-K

The next five hours were a f*cking nightmare.

Where do I begin? Well, most of them consisted of me, Jade and Henry helping a pair of idiotic twins named Tolga and Fatin out. Their tasks were fairly simple; collect objects A to B but the way those two treated us was f*cking appalling! They just wouldn't stop at insulting our intelligence and intellect, so much so that I wanted to bash their heads against the wall and scream at them to shut the f*ck up! Jade was a million times better at dealing with the twins but then again, that was probably her method of masking the mutual anger at the two bullies.

Now then, moving on.

"The night's coming guys," My girlfriend announced over the radio as she, Henry and I were travelling back over the roofs and quickly taking notice of the lovely sunset. "I repeat, the night's coming. You all know the drill, get to the nearest safe house and wait until dawn. Good Night and Good Luck,"

"How long have you been doing that, Jade?" Henry asked with curiosity.

"Since the Outbreak started," The woman answered after she switched her radio off. "But I think I might stop and hand it over to Ayo now,"

"Why?" I asked. I've become quite fond of hearing your voice on the radio!

"I think I should focus on the situations that are more important," Jade informed me kindly, smirking when she sensed my thoughts. "And don't worry Kyle, you still get to hear my voice,"

"Awesome," I fired back with a grin.

Hearing this, Henry shook his head teasingly. "Okay lovebirds, mind flirting later on please?"

Before Jade and I could respond, my radio suddenly blared with static and Lena's voice came through. "Crane, do you have a moment?"

I immediately switched it on without even thinking. "Lena - yes, I copy. Go ahead,"

"Libby's awake," The doctor revealed in a pleased manner. YES!

A huge overjoyed smile painted my face, and it didn't take long for Jade and Henry to realise the brilliant news! "That's awesome! We'll be there soon!"

"Libby's up?" Henry questioned hopefully as I switched my radio off.

"Yep!"

F*cking finally!

(The Tower's Hospital on Floor 19...)

"Kyle, wait up!"

Once we were back on the 19th floor, Jade and I couldn't stop ourselves from sprinting towards the hospital with an amused Henry in tow. Nope, you can't stop us! Seconds after I turned the corner, I practically busted through the hospital door - which prompted a surprised Brecken to exclaim: "Woah, calm down you two!"

"How is she doing?" I demanded fiercely.

"Libby's okay," The Tower's leader chuckled as Jade and Henry joined us. "She's a bit shaken, but still in one piece. Rahim's with her now,"

"Sweet!" I cheered happily.

"When can we see her?" Jade asked before I could.

"You can see her now if you want," Brecken answered in a pleased manner.

"Thanks," Henry said appreciatively, grinning as he followed my girlfriend and I around the left corner to find a little flash of light.

A trembling Libby was chatting away to Rahim and I almost couldn't believe it when I didn't see the bad*ss tomboy I had grown fond of. She was still that tough as nails survivor but here, I saw the more vulnerable side of her. The younger kid was clad in a simple hospital gown and wrapped up in white blankets, whilst her messy hair flowed freely down her back. Bonus points went to the IV tubes she was hooked up to...

But all that mattered was that she was alive!

"Hey guys," My bud greeted happily.

"Hey," Rahim responded in kind, smiling.

"How are you feeling?" Jade asked the young girl as I grabbed a nearby chair from the table I sat at earlier today and perched next to her.

"I'm okay," Libby admitted with a shaky smile.

"Good," My girlfriend complimented. "Because, that was a brave thing you did,"

Hearing this, my surrogate daughter shot her a surprised look as well as Rahim. "Erm - please don't take this the wrong way or anything, but are you feeling alright?"

The woman shook her head with amusement, sensing what the two kids were thinking. "I am. Ah, let's just say that I've had some sense knocked into me,"

"About time," The older boy muttered whilst Libby slowly nodded with intrigue before she curiously asked: "Okay so, what did I miss?"

Oooooh, you're gonna regret asking us that!

"Well, um, for starters, you thankfully missed out on helping two twins who were quite full of themselves," Henry beat me to it. "Not to mention, self centred,"

"Oh," Libby frowned sympathetically upon hearing his explanation. "May I ask what their names are?"

"Tolga and Fatin,"

"Pfft, interesting names those two have," The young girl scoffed, secretly unimpressed with their attitudes judging from what Henry told her. It didn't take long for a pondering frown to paint her face and her to change the subject. "Can I ask you guys something?"

"Yeah, what is it?" Henry asked with a slight hint of concern.

"Have any of you had... some kind of supernatural visions before?"

My girlfriend and two buddies responded in the negative. Meanwhile, the vision I had of an older Libby suddenly returned to mind and despite my anxiety over it freaking everyone out, I felt like I had to tell them. "I've had one, once. Did you?"

"I did, yeah," Libby answered. "I don't really know how to describe it, but I saw myself - only a couple of years older,"

"How old?" Rahim questioned with interest.

"I don't know, at least 19 maybe?"

"So, your vision happens next year then - is that what you're saying?"

Hearing this, the younger kid shot him a dumbfounded frown. He's trying to cheer you up, kiddo. Ignore his antics. "Yes, of course it would be next year and if I was 20, it would be two years from now - why are you asking these questions?!"

"Cool it, Lib," Rahim calmed her, smirking. "I'm just f*cking with you. Continue,"

"Thank you," Libby sighed, playfully rolling her eyes and earning a chuckle from her best buddy. "Anyway, I saw myself and for some reason, I was hanging out at this military base, I don't know where exactly. A creepy woman was walking around too, and she didn't consider approaching me - because I had a piece of blue clay in my hand and... strangely enough, I think it was protecting me from her," Wow. "What do you think that means?"

"Perhaps it could be related to the future in some way?" Jade suggested with intrigue.

Yeah, maybe that's it.