Cole lay in bed, eyes open and staring blankly at the white ceiling. The room was filled with morning light. She breathed lightly, waiting for whatever analgesic Vincent gave her to finally kick in.Eventually, it did. The soreness in her bones was nonexistent, except for some slight stinging in her right thigh.A bag of blood dangled to the left of the bed. The intravenous tube extended carefully to the bed. Vincent eyed the blood as it traveled through the tube. Cole observed the side of his face that was partially protected by the mask. A red streak on his skin showed beneath his jaw. As if someone had attempted to strangle him…Cole turned away before he could see her face. Hoping he didn't notice tears spill from her eyes. She breathed deep and willed herself to stop. Though her heart remained sore.The sting of fluid didn't help as Vincent started cleaning her smaller injuries.Once it was over, Vincent put away his kit and ordered Tuck to stay with the patient. Whatever was goin
"Cole." Eris's husky voice was softer now, laced with an undercurrent of tension. He exhaled, his brows knitting in concern. "I know I can’t force you to eat… or make you sleep. These things aren’t easy. But my hope—" he paused, choosing his words with care, "is that someday, when the world’s not so broken, you and Tuck will get to be kids again. Do normal stuff… stay out late, go to school, have holidays…" His voice trailed off, distant, as if lost in a memory. "You remind him of someone important. His best friend. They got separated when she got sick."Cole blinked, her eyes rising to meet his, a flicker of curiosity there. Eris seemed to catch himself, his expression guarded now, like he had revealed more than he intended."I’m telling you this so you understand what’s coming. When Tuck finds out you’re not eating…" His gaze shifted briefly to the shadows beneath her eyes, the fatigue evident in her pale face. "And not sleeping either."Eris fell silent, studying her. For a moment,
"I…" Cole blinked nervously, looking down at her hands in shame. Even though Vincent showed no sign of anger. "I think I overslept."Vincent was quiet and had an air of calm surrounding him. His seated form shadowed hers. Vincent was wearing a pair of dark blue trousers and the protective mask covering his face. Seeing he was shirtless and with wild hair of his own. Cole guessed he rolled out of bed and slipped on a mask. It wasn't proper protection, but Vincent did not seem to care."Vin, if you get sick, I'll never forgive myself". Cole spoke, peeking up at him. "You should go put s-something else on".Vincent took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he extended his other arm. Reaching, he cups her chin in his hand and brings her gaze to his again. "There are worse things to die from…" He says, chewing on his lip as a thought crossed his mind. Cole read the look in his green eyes as they traveled to the bruises on the side of her face. Pain surfaced in them, darkening the light i
After years of isolation, Cole got used to sleeping alone. Now there was someone snuggling her like a mama cat.It felt good.Safe…Vincent continued this every night, until the power was restored.The next few days felt like a month. Salvaging parts, fixing the power, doors repaired, broken windows boarded, and damaged walls patched. Cole was resting, Tuck was ordered to go scouting with a separate team. All while Vincent and Eris were summoned to the training room. They faced a restless 'Natalie' who was determined to train them harder. Both Eris and Vincent were back in training with Lieutenant Natalie Yuki. She went over close combat, weapon assembly, all types of potential escape routes and vulnerable points within the house. Plus, how to store explosives to keep from blowing the whole house up."I think I remember why… I chose to go to med-school…" Eris pants, laying on the training room floor. Right next to Vincent, who got tossed out of the ring as well by Natalie's best soldie
"Cole. I need you to listen." Vincent tries to speak, but Cole was already on the verge of tears."You can't know that. I'm not going. Vin, I'm not going." Cole dodges his reach when he gets too close."Cole, I need you to put this on." Vincent sighs, growing impatient as he holds onto a suit meant for the patient."No. I don't need that cause I'm not going.""Cole, if we stay here you won't survive." Vincent finally says. "The people that attacked us took supplies. Some of them are damaged… We can't care for you properly if we don't have what we need."Cole fell silent while she processed it all. "I can’t go" She shakes her head, stepping back again when he stepped forward.“I won’t go”. Cole shivers out, emotions swirling in her dark gray eyes. “I won’t go” she repeats in a firmer tone."Cole." Vincent gave a warning tone. A tense look on his face as he stares at his patient. He steps forward, while Cole takes a step backward. Losing her balance when the back of her leg bumps the bed
Cole rose from her bed. The sun had not yet risen. The bedroom is pitch black and silent. Apart from the soft tweets of birds that echo as the dawn approaches. Cole sits up anxiously and stares at nothing while twirling the end of her braid with her finger. Lost in her own thoughts, she didn’t hear when the bedroom door was opened.Only when the lights flick on, Cole snaps her gaze toward the entrance.There stood a figure suited in black, holding a bag in his left hand. “Hey Cole.” Tuck hesitates but nears her bed anyway.Cole watches as he set the bag down and unpacked its contents. He spreads each item on the white bed sheet. She stares at the strange outfits and mask. One outfit was black thermal with a hood to it. While the second was some kind of astronaut suit?“You’re going to have to change into this… Doctor’s orders.” Tuck explains. “This thermal one might be a little loose. I modified it to unzip in the back and the pant legs too. I have plenty of socks for you and gloves. T
Two days pass on the road to West Virginia. Vincent follows the guiding Humvee in front him as he grips the steering wheel. With Tuck sound asleep in the passenger seat. He fell asleep to the loud hum of the truck's engine. A collection of steel cases are strapped in the truck bed. The sky above is darkened by clouds that seem to roll endlessly. They flicker with lightning and echo with soft rumbles. Eventually, the rain starts to pour. Gentle drops sprinkle all over, becoming larger and larger. Until a heavy pour soaks the road. Beating loudly on the windows and body of the truck. The collection of raindrops sound like microwaved popcorn. Windshield wipers swipe left and right. Allowing glimpses of the road. Vincent squints his eyes as he looks ahead."More rain?" Tuck sits up straight with a yawn. The rumble of thunder was enough to stir him from sleep."Ugh, I have to pee." Tuck groans as he ties his hair into a ponytail."We have a few miles before the next stop. With any luck, th
(April 10, 2054) Year of OutbreakCurled up in front of a tv, little Cole eats her breakfast. A cartoon about a tiger cub plays. Until Cole's father interrupts and turns it off. "Come on, Coco, I have to take you to school." He says, grabbing his keys and coat when a shout comes from upstairs. Followed by the loud footfalls of someone coming downstairs."Dad!" Rosalie shouts, she's wearing her school uniform with her dark hair tied up. Holding her smartphone as she rushes to turn on the tv. "Did you see the news?""No." He answers while helping little Cole with her shoes. "Rose we can see it later. We have to go.""N-No, Dad look." She urges, switching the channel.The news report shows Rosalie's gym teacher passed away from Malum 2. "Sixteen students have recently been hospitalized. The High School will be closed. It's recommended that students and their households quarantine until further notice." The news report concludes."I guess we're staying home…" Dad sighs, taking off Cole's