Episode 2 - Chapter 38: Packing Up
(The Tower's Hospital, Floor 19 - 9:07am...)
"Okay, okay, so," I tried to speak, running a hand over my face with consternation. This is a first, definitely. "Do we have a plan on how to process this?"
"I've got one idea," Brecken reassured me. "We get Zere's research over to Camden's lab and Libby can go there for an MRI scan," A concerned frown. "The only problem is that most of Rais' thugs have relocated to Old Town a couple of days ago and they've found his lab," Oh sh*t! "He's flooded the place with biters and barricaded himself in the middle. Now, he's trapped. Then, the connection failed and we haven't been able to raise him, since,"
"Do you think the connection's working, now?" I asked him, fishing out my radio.
"I wouldn't be so sure," My friend answered solemnly, before perking up. "But if you want to try contacting him, go ahead," Gladly. "Oh! If you don't manage to get through to him, you could radio Dr. Abbas?"
"Who's he?"
"He was the Commissioner of Health," He replied. "Camden hasn't been in contact with him for very long, but he's also been researching the virus with his colleague, Dr. Marlow. She's in New York,"
I raised an eyebrow. Hm, I wonder how they were able to get in touch? "Okay, I'll consider that," I then switched my radio on, just as Melanie darted around the corner to hand Lena the second vial of Libby's blood. "Dr. Camden? Do you copy? It's Crane," Silence. Come on, don't f*ck with me too! "Camden, can you hear me?"
"Crane? Yes, yes, I hear you. What's going on?" Camden's voice came through the other end, much to Brecken's shock. Yes!
"I-I heard that Rais' thugs found your lab a few days ago," I told him. "Are you okay over there?"
The doctor sighed. "I'm trapped, but I'm safe," So, that's a yes. Good to know. "Are you coming my way?"
"That's the plan, doc," I answered politely. "I was also wondering if you could help us out with something?"
"Of course, how can I help?"
"I don't know the best way to process this - but, uh, we've just discovered that one of the kids here is immune to the virus," I begun to explain. "And Lena told me you have an MRI scanner - so, could you perhaps do a scan of her brain to help us figure out how that's possible?"
"Sure, what's this girl's name?"
"Libby,"
"And how old is she?"
"She turned eighteen, twelve days ago,"
"Right, okay," The doctor responded. "I'll start getting everything ready. Bring her and Zere's samples over,"
I grinned. "Awesome! We'll see you soon, doc. Over and out,"
As I switched my radio off and placed it back in my left pant pocket, Brecken sighed with relief. "Glad to know he's still alive,"
"Yeah, me too," I agreed, moments before my brows furrowed. "So, who's gonna tell her what's happening?"
"I will," My friend quickly signed up. "When were you thinking about heading over?"
"Haven't thought about that, yet," I shrugged. Well then, maybe you should get onto that? "Probably sometime this afternoon or first thing tomorrow,"
The Tower's leader gave an understanding nod. "Okay. When you make a decision, let me know - because I know a way you can get in,"
"Yes, boss,"
Following this, he left me to watch Lena continue the process of analysing the two vials in her possession and it wasn't long before my thoughts decided to take over. Now that the possibility was more likely, I'll admit that I was actually rather excited to see what Old Town was like! But then again, that could have been my curiosity getting the better off me again and this time; I found myself wanting to learn more about three people in particular. Of course, I knew that Jade had met up with Amir after everything went to sh*t, but what were Libby and Rahim doing back then? Were they with Melanie? And how did they come across the Tower?
God, I swear I sound like a little kid who asks too many questions to count. Oh wait, I was!
"I'm what?!" Libby's astonished voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Brecken, you're out of your mind," Jade was quick to berate him.
"Jade, I'm telling the truth," He gave a tired sigh. I'm sorry, man. "Lena wouldn't make up something like that. Plus, Crane's just spoken to Camden and he's willing to help us find out how this has happened,"
"How so?" Melanie chimed in.
"He can do an MRI scan of her brain," An amused scoff from my girlfriend prompted him to ask her: "Is something funny?"
"I can't believe this," The woman chuckled.
"Believe what?"
"You're letting Crane manipulate you again," Excuse me?!
"What, no! That's not what's happening here, Jade!" My poor friend tried to reason with her. He then took a breath to calm himself down. "Look, I get that you're still p*ssed at him - but holding onto this grudge won't make things any better," Brecken?
Knowing Jade, she wasn't going to listen to him. "I...!" A defeated sigh. "I've had enough," A set of footsteps storming away prompted Brecken to frantically shout: "Jade, where are you going? Jade?!" Annnd... she's off. Nice going, Crane. Just when you think she's going soft on you.
"Let her go," Lena told him.
"Why?!" Brecken shot back worriedly. "If these mood swings keep happening, she's going to get herself hurt!"
"Her mood swings are common," The doctor tried to explain, much to everyone's confusion. Huh? "Just, just give her some time, alright? She'll be fine,"
Okay? If you say so.
(Floor 20...)
K-J
When you meet someone who changes your life, you become a different and better person. When he reveals his true colours, what do you become then?
I'm not proud of it, but I firmly believed that Crane was the catalyst for everything that had happened to us. Why? Because if the GRE didn't send him into Harran, circumstances could have been a lot different. Amir, Paul and Zere wouldn't have died, Melanie wouldn't have been kidnapped, Rahim and Libby wouldn't have had more trauma to cope with and...! And I wouldn't have felt like a failure for numerous reasons.
Now, you'd probably tell me that I was wrong to blame him and you would be right. That's why I regret my behaviour, but...! But at the time, I couldn't help it. One moment I'd be able to focus on assisting the Tower as normal and the next moment, the stress I felt would become too much. I'd lose control of my emotions and I'd lash out. That wasn't fair on everyone; especially Brecken, Libby and my brother.
I don't think words can describe how guilty I felt for disrespecting their decision to save Crane's life. Did I do so, because I was afraid that he would leave our fates in the GRE's hands? Yes. Did I secretly want him to have a taste of his own medicine? Partly. That's not something someone should want for their significant other in any way, hence why I also remember feeling conflicted about him. Even though he had lied to us, he still helped everyone without expecting anything in return and he never failed to make Rahim, Libby and I laugh with his jokes. He was also a genuinely sweet man to spend time with...
Someone whom I was hoping I could trust again, especially now that—
A surge of pain throbbing in my stomach snapped me out of my thoughts, prompting me to press a hand against it. Oooww! "I know, I know," Taking a breath to calm myself down, I continued to press on to what Libby liked to call her base of operations. "We'll be out of here, soon,"
Seconds after I walked into the young woman's room, I immediately went for the shelf of drawers where she told me she had stored Zere's samples away. "Okay, here we go," Upon unzipping my rucksack and placing them inside, I zipped said bag up and slung it over my shoulders - moments before smiling at the plush Sonic toy that she kept on her desk alongside her notebook, 3D journal and pencil case. Aww, that's sweet.
And Jade, here's a question. Don't you think you should tell her what's happening? Because, she could help you!
I gave a small sigh of defeat, just as pain throbbed in my stomach again. Oh, god. "I know. We wouldn't want to make her have a panic attack now, would we?"
Bearing this in mind, I decided to rip a clean page out of her notebook and take one of her pens. Okay, Libby... I'm really sorry for doing this, but I just need to have some time for myself. I hope you'll understand...! Once I finished writing, I folded the letter up and placed it atop her notebook with her pen - before fishing out my radio. "Hello? Dr. Camden, do you copy? It's Jade,"
"Hello, Jade," The doctor's voice came through the other end. "What can I do for you?"
"I wanted to let you know that I'm coming over to Sector 0," I told him, swallowing back a wave of nausea. "I've got Zere's research with me,"
"Hm, I thought Crane was bringing the samples over?"
"C-Change of plans," I found myself stammering nervously. Apologies for the white lie, doctor.
If he sensed my inner turmoil, I couldn't tell. "Very well, then. I look forward to seeing you. Let me know once you're here,"
A small, appreciative smile. "Of course. I'll see you soon. Over and out,"
Okay, please let this trip go well...