Chapter 13: Help me!

Chapter 13: Help me!

Andrews whole platoon entered the premises. They came perplexed at the sight before their eyes. Small quarters stood untouched, still-standing up to this day.

The barrier must have kept them safe, Red 2 said, assuming as she carefully inspected.

Andrew nodded.

Theres something else... She continued. She then reached out her hand to him.

Andrew was puzzled but waited for her.

A serious expression was on her face. My powers dont work here.

His eyes constricted for a moment as he heard what she said. He then let go from her touch and turned his back on her. As he did so, he summoned his powers. A ball of electric current condensed momentarily but vanished within seconds. It surprised him.

He then looked at one of his students from the lot.

Merlin shook his head.

It isnt him, he thought.

Andrew looked back at Red 2 and all the other tutors. His eyes scanned them as the strange feeling in his guts was still there. He could only ignore it.

He then contemplated before making a decision to proceed. He gestured for each squad leader to advance with their teams.

Merlin led the way for his squad. They cleared every house on the street assigned to them. But a mystified expression was on their faces. No one lives in those empty houses. Not a single person was seen.

Quinn looked around in a dining area and couldn't help but comment. This is strange

What is? One of her teammates approached her side.

She gestured her head at a cup of hot coffee on a table. They both looked at each other.

Someone must be in the house, they both thought.

They proceeded cautiously and walked towards the kitchen. A kettle was on a stove. What most perplexed the both of them was the water floating in the air.

Meanwhile

Merlin was upstairs clearing the bedrooms when he heard a teammate from another room.

Maam... put your hands in the air and slowly turn around.

Maam? It puzzled him but he immediately went to where his colleague was.

His teammate was pointing a gun at a woman standing and staring outside a window with her back facing them. She was in her pajamas despite the sun being high at noon.

We need to report this to Sir Andrew. their other colleague said. Ill go. He volunteered.

Meanwhile

Red 2 was examining a little girl. She pulled her jaw down and looked inside the childs mouth. The tongue was also purplish-black like the lips.

She took a cotton swab for a saliva sample, bagged and gave it to her subordinate. Preserve this for a later examination.

Andrew stood watch the whole process. What do you think?

Its all the same like the others. she said. It isnt contagious. That I could tell. Whatever did this to them is out of my understanding. What puzzled me the most is how they are still alive. She then looked at him. We need reinforcement.

Andrew contemplated for a moment before telling her. The communications are down. Were all on our own.

What! She was caught off guard. You could've told me from the start! What the fuck Andrew! She grabbed him by the neck Abort the mission! Now!

Negative. We are to proceed whatever the cost is.

Slap! She hit him on the face. There are students on this mission. Their lives will be on your hands.

Andrew looked at her with a dead-pan expression. As long as theyre still within our sight, Ill take full responsibility. Despite his guts turning against him, he was asked to proceed at all cost.

It was then a cadet interrupted them Sir! he saluted. Theres something you should see

Before Red 2 could let go of him, the ground shook tremendously.

Andrew knew what it was Take Cover! he shouted. He ducked to cover Red 2 with his body, protecting her for any debris that may fall on them.

The earthquake only lasted for a moment.

Andrew stood up and helped his colleague Are you okay? he asked. Is everyone alright? he shouted to the others.

Red 2 nodded but her eyes widened the next moment.

Andrew looked behind him. Chills ran through his spine as the temperature dropped for the both of them.

The little girl moved. Her eyes went back to normal. The black veins on her face and on other visible areas were gone. Her color came back, giving her life.

Mommy A word came out from her mouth.

As they heard her speak, it gave Red 2 and Andrew shivers, petrified by the sudden event.

Help me The little girl said as she looked at them, wanting to approach. Before she could take a step, she looked down on her arms. Her fingers, disappearing before her eyes.

Help me She cried one last time before she vanished into dust.