A/N:

Ey another one how awesome xd.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Wakening and Plans

(Alek's P.O.V)

It's been two days since we sailed or I guess made our way to New York. Demsey told us that we would be going to Queens, said that he had an informant that or I guess he has an informant from the inside.

Cami told me what Harper told me, explains the scars on his back and some slashes on his chest.

Once I get him back I am going to personally torture him and boy he will beg for me to stop.

"You're worried about him are ya lass?" Stephan asked walking beside me.

"Yeah, I don't know what's happening to him right now and gods I hope he's alright I mean sure it happened to him before but I'm not sure when will they break him. I answered

"Ay, Harper has always been different. Ever since he was born. Val would tell me and reassure me that he's a fight just like me and that gave me hope to not give up on him." Stephan started.

"Then why did you lose hope, why did you hate your son's mere existence." I interrupted, I saw him look at him anger flashing before his eyes before they were replaced by guilt.

He sighed. "He didn't want to listen, he was so stubborn. Val told me his personality was mine and he got her looks." Stephan chuckled.

"But that doesn't answer the question, why did you give up on him?" I pushed in, I need to know the answer for mine and Harper sake.

"He wanted to be an artist, I mean he's intellectual ready and his drawings are quite impressive, and his he's good with math. Why can't he be an architect or even a Politian for the matter!" Stephan sneered back.

I just glared at him but I do understand. He just wants what's best for him. "Stephan look, Harper has his passions, you have yours. You can't just force him to be you, what makes him well him is how unique he is. How he looks, talks, acts, thinks." I started so he looked back at me with wide eyes so I continued. "But he's still your son, so all you can do now is support him and his goals."

Stephan just stayed silent looking at the distance. I just stood there silently, looking at his face filled with conflict with his ideas I guess.

"You're right Alek, I have been a fool to him." He groaned.

"Then once we get him back, apologize and earn his trust back. Harper wanted your affection or even a little praise from his father. And once we get him back that happens got it?" I asked determinedly.

"Ay lass, say you learnt that from Harper, didn't you?" Stephan said smiling.

"Yeah, Harper might be stubborn at times but hell he is wise." A voice interrupted turning out to be Demsey's.

"We're almost there gear up; Dmitri and Frank will stay in the boat. The rest of us are heading to my contacts safe house." Demsey informed before walking away.

We both nodded before we got our gear.

"Sweet Thor!" Gobber gasped.

"Why what's the pro…oh." Mulch said, his jaw down.

The rest of us looked pass the fog to see New York it was in ruins. Completely filled with plant life. But what scared us the most is a huge tree grew near the Empire State building, the roots tangled around it.

Most of the buildings were either filled with moss from top to bottom or vines dangling around the trees which grew on the side of each building. I saw some buildings turned into ashes, some had scorch marks.

Maybe the cleaners are still here.

We docked near a pier which had the same thing, moss growing on the boards. Dmitri got a crossing board before dropping it on the pier. We got off but I noticed Edward pushing a conscious Dagur who had handcuffs and a gag.

I noticed the boats were starting to rust as most of us walked through, once we entered the docks. It was deserted, nothing but green. Kind off reminds me of Harper.

"This way, we'll be there in an hour or two, stay quiet, stick together. Half of the city's population turned freaks. The subways and sewers are nesting grounds so there below us. They can come out anytime so keep a head up." Demsey announced.

We all nodded, getting ready, loading our guns with ammunition. We started to walk towards the exit of the docks, it leads to a street deserted. It had a few cars mostly rusting and filled with moss but I guess most cars here are the same.

We went to the curve before we noticed the buildings were broke into. I looked to right to see a police car crashed into a store. But I heard an eagle like call. Demsey held a hand up making us stop.

He got his hands up doing some sort of hand gesture before out of nowhere an arrow just landed, hitting the tree beside us. Most of us got shocked looking at it but we didn't notice there was a piece of paper attached to it. Demsey went to the arrow pulling it out, he got the paper rolling it out before reading the contents.

He smiled, muttering how much of a jack ass Carlson is. So, he's name is Carlson. He got the arrow placing it on his pack followed by placing the piece of paper in his pocket.

"This way, we can cut through here." Demsey said pointing at an alley way.

We walked there keeping our heads up, everybody mostly looking around but we heard a screech from the distance. We looked up ahead to see at least six freaks running towards us.

But before we can fire the them, the scaffolding from the building in front of us collapsed. Then out of nowhere the door opened right beside the debris. He had a hoodie on along with a shoulder bag behind him. He had a bandana designed to look like a clown's mouth. I noticed he had hazel nut eyes. I looked down to see he had regular jeans butt he had combat boots. I saw his jeans tucked in his boots covered by duct tape.

He had an bow and arrow strapped around his body before he pulled his hood off along with his bandanna. He had longish hair like Harper but only difference is it's blonde, he had a scar going down his eye like Demsey's only thing is it goes across his.

What's with the wasteland and scars?

"Well I expect payment of such." He said smugly.

Demsey sighed before flicking him off, Carlson chuckled back in return. "Carlson any news on Harper?!" Demsey asked while giving him back his arrow.

Carlson's face turned into worry before motioning us to follow. He entered the door that lead to a staircase. He closed the door before looking it and we started to walk up.

I noticed it was an apartment complex, we started to ascend up before we came across a steel bar door. Carlson excused himself before grabbing a set of keys hooked on his jeans before opening the door and letting us in.

"You're lucky I live near the dock." Carlson chuckled before locking door.

There were two rooms merged together and another set of staircases that lead to the roof I suppose.

He opened the door before we settled in, the windows were mostly boarded. I looked to the kitchen to see there was two huge boxes of military rations. I looked to the right of the room to see a mattress along with three boxes of military ammunition and guns.

"Well home sweet home, now off to business." Carlson started.

Demsey came forward while the rest of us got comfortable. "Look my guy inside told me that Harper is unconscious." He started but I immediately asked him something.

"Wait! What do you mean?!"

He sighed. "He told me Drago cut of him foot, the fatigue and beating he endured was enough for his body to handle but once Drago did it his body finally gave up.

"When did that happen?" I asked.

"Yesterday, but I'm planning to get the freaks to do our dirty work." He started.

"Wait what do you mean." Demsey interrupted.

Carlson smiled. "Look there's a nest next to Wilderbeast, at the same time I manage to get my friend to convince the others who are tired of Drago's oppression. There's a ferry not far from here, we can get everybody there including the civilians. We'll head for California but for you guys on the other need to get to your boat. For sure Drago wants Harper, and we can't get innocent lives under the crossfire."

Demsey nodded. "So, what's the plan then?"

Carlson grinned before going to a box military crate, pulling out a C4.

(Harper's P.O.V)

I felt light, but I remembered. I'm stuck in my own self-conscious, Drago did this before and I held. I won't break, never! I just hope Alek comes and at least I'll wake up from this hel you call my body.

I heard voices, one was scared and insecure. The other one was harsh and cold. I'm pretty sure I'm at the medical ward, Drago does this a lot I suppose. I remembered last one who got tortured when I was still here lasted for a full month. Drago would let them rest before bringing them to the hot seat.

False sense of security, yeah sure I mean Drago was a colonel who went AWOL, believing that the virus should be weaponized and not destroyed. That's why he in Manhattan, he kidnapped scientist who were either survivors or who were left behind during the evacuation here.

I'm certain that he knows that we're the only continent infected. God's Alek where are you, please I need by my side.

But yet who would he take innocent lives in, maybe turn them into his personal army for all I care.

I tried to open my eyes, then a bright light came into my vision. I opened my eyes slowly trying to see my surroundings. I looked around to see I was right, I was in the medical ward. Seems I'm the only one here so far.

I noticed my right arm had a tube attached to a bag, seems like there still now power till this day. Yeah how did Berk manage to get power, whatever. I needed to get out now.

But how would Alek find me if I leave, but if I stay I die. No maybe I can hide no, gods this is frustrating.

I need options right now! Yeah first get out of bed, find my gear. Get the hell out, possibly find Demsey's contact in the city. Carlson must be back in Queens but that's a long walk.

I pulled the tube out before getting out of bed, I scratched my eyes but something felt different.

I looked down to see my foot…. My left leg…. It's gone! My leg is gone gods! No... no… .

I just stared at it, looking at the stump covered in bandages. We'll all of my options are gone. The only thing left is wait and endure Drago's torture. If I join him, he would kill the gang either way even if I plan to betray him again.

I groaned before going back to bed, I just looked at my stump. How am I supposed to run now, walk hell even kick people out of my way.

Frustration started to build up and I didn't like this one bit. Alek where the fuck is you! My anxiety is coming back full force, ahhhhhhhhhhh!

Question is how long was I out, maybe a week or a month. Maybe Alek is dead or worst maybe she finally gave up. No, she would never give up, would she?

Then the door opened reveling a mint green dyed girl in a lab coat. She was looking at her clipboard before she looked back at me. I tried to make it who she was as she closed the door of the room locking it.

It was Eliza, huh looks likes she went from artist to doctor. She came forward which I did not expect as she pulled me into a hug.

"God, you are a moron you know!" She scolded

I just hugged her back, she was like a sister to me when I used to be here. "Yeah, I guess, but how long was I out."

She pulled out before looking at me with look that said bad news.

"A week so far Harper but thank God you're alive." She started before an explosion echoed from the distance.