Nation 27

CH 17: We Are Not On The Same Team

[A few days later--- 2 October 2021, Saturday]

[12.40 pm]

Birds chirped from treetops as leaves rustled upon the cool autumn breeze. A distant, muffled howl was heard as the wind blew through the emptied hallways from the lower floors. Then everything returned to being still and muted- as if the breeze had stolen away all life and the very creation of sound itself. 

Despite the calm tranquility, it was nonetheless eerie. Jared could not help but feel a chill go up his spine.

‘Being up high on the rooftop is both scary and lonely… It’s as if the zombies are lurking within every shadowed corner, and we’re the only ones left…’ Jared shook his head at that thought and proceeded to hang up some freshly washed clothes on the clothesline.

A low whistle brought Jared back to the present. It was Adam who had just finished hanging his pile of clothes. The boy, who looked to be close to Jared’s age, stood a couple of feet from the edge and was gazing at the grounds below.

“It would seem that we’ve been completely surrounded by those zombies, and beyond them is only the dense forest,” Adam remarked as he walked away from the edge and towards the clothesline, “Thanks for letting us stay.”

“A-Ah… You’re welcome. I was nothing really,” Jared replied awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment.

‘If we hadn’t found the siblings in the basement, I’m sure that they’d have faired well... They couldn’t have lit a fire with the wood, kerosene, and lighter… Besides, there were crates of food, medical supplies, clothes… Plus, Clara had already started planting some vegetables like potatoes and such…’

“Hey!” a feminine voice called out, and both boys turned towards the staircase entrance. 

“Hey, Sam!” Adam replied.

“Samantha, h-”

“Jared, I thought we’d gone through this,” Samantha pouted as placed her hands on her hips, pretending to be upset, “You can call me Sam. We’re friends and it shouldn’t be awkward between us. Take Adam as an example. We just got acquainted a couple of days ago and he’s absolutely fine with calling me by my nickname… Hah… I feel so sad~”

“I-I…” Jared stammered.

“I was only teasing~ You don’t have to take it so seriously,” Samantha giggled.

“Ah, haha…” 

Samantha raised her hands and stretched, “Mmph~” as she inhaled deeply, “I can never get used to the facility being this silent, especially during the weekend. Saturday afternoon is usually the busiest time of the week!” Samatha complained.

“Oh yeah… You’re one of the nurses here,” Adam said thoughtfully, “You look too young to be one…”

“Oh my! You say the sweetest things~” Samantha giggled, “Although I’m the youngest staff here, I’m already 26 years old. Hm… How old are you and Clara, by the way?”

“Well, you definitely don’t look your age,” Adam reiterated, and Samantha giggled, “Anyway, I’m 20, while Clara is 16.”

“Whoa… What were you two youngsters doing out here in the middle of nowhere?”

‘Ah, right… Samantha wasn’t around when the siblings explained the reason they ended up in the basement,” Jared thought as he hung up the remaining wet shirt onto the clothesline.

“We were out in the forest to film. This is the only unoccupied forest that has an abundance of redbud trees. We were just lucky that the closest site with these many redbud trees is located just a few minutes away from this facility.”

“Ah, I see what you mean. Redbud trees can really set the mood- be it a romantic or scary scene,” Samantha said as she looked out towards the forest, “How many were in your group?”

“There were twelve of us. I don’t know if the others made it out alive…” Adam replied solemnly.

“Oh my… I’m sorry for asking…”

“No, it’s okay. They could have escaped…”

“Yes, your group was located fairly close to the road. So, there’s a chance that they survived.”

“Hmm… Hopefully…”

Another autumn breeze blew, and the same distant howl of the wind was heard.

Samantha gasped.

“That reminds me! I came up here to tell you both that lunch is ready. If you both are done hanging the laundry, let’s all go downstairs now.”

“Sure, I’m starving. Do you know where Clara is?” 

“She’s tending to the plants in the recreational area on the third floor.”

Although the facility had its own greenhouse, it was located in the courtyard- which was outside of the building Jared and the others were in. A person who wished to access the greenhouse would have to exit the safety of the building and walk out in the open. With the zombies that have climbed over the property’s fence and gathered in the courtyard, it was basically a death wish to go out now.

Upon finding the gardening supplies, the group decided to create a makeshift greenhouse. Expecting a cold climate within the next couple of months, the group chose the biggest and most secure space in the facility- which turned out to be the recreational area. 

As all of the patients were on lockdown and only taken for a short and accompanied stroll within the same floor, the recreational area was no longer in use- thus making it perfect for the makeshift greenhouse. Making a small-scaled greenhouse proved to be rather simple with the guidance of both Clara and Louis. 

‘That basement really has everything- especially handyman tools and decorative items… Having the makeshift greenhouse placed next to the wide windows will provide the plants with ample sunlight during the day…’

“That’s my Clara for you,” Adam chuckled and shook his head slowly, “Even when we were hiding in the basement, she’d already started planting some potatoes and seedlings she’d found. She was so worried about the food supply running out after a few months…”

“Well, she does have a point if we were to take into account all of the patients and us… I’d say that we should be running out of food in about 5-6 months. However, by then, the potatoes and other vegetables we’ve planted should be fully grown,” Samantha said as the three of them walked towards the staircase.

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[Medical supply room, 3rd floor…]

[Sometime past midnight…]

Locked alone in a dimly lit room, a small figure smashed numerous pills laboriously. It was only when everyone was asleep that the behind-the-scenes task could be done in absolute peace and secrecy.

“This is all there is from the basement… There isn’t enough…” the figure mumbled.

*CLACK* *CREAK*

The figure jolt in surprise.

“I’m sure I’d locked the door. How-” the figure turned around and gasped at the blond-haired intruder.

It was none other than Louis.

“Hello, my dear drug dealer. Low on drugs again?” Louis asked with a smile.

Despite the friendly demeanor, the figure could not help but shiver. There was an underlining tone that just did not seem to match the young boy’s innocent and sweet appearance. Even his blue eyes which seem to pull people in were filled with malice. 

The figure trembled.

“Well, aren’t you going to answer?” Louis urged as he shut the door and locked it behind him.

The figure gulped.

“L-Louis… This isn’t what you think it-”

“Save your excuses. I’ve known about this from the start,” Louis leaned close, “So, tell me what you need.”

The figure hesitated before replying, “G-Galantamine…”

Louis stared at the figure for a few seconds before he growled, “Don’t. Lie.”

“I-I’m telling the truth!”

“I’m not a dimwit. I know that you’ve changed pills. Now, stop pretending and tell me what exactly you’ve been putting into the capsules!”

“I… B-Benzodiazepines.”

“I see,” Louis answered in a low tone and calmly approached the table where all the powder of the crushed pills was, “Is this all of it?”

“Y-Yes… Wha-”

Without warning, Louis flipped the table over. All the powder, capsules, tools, and stationeries fell and scattered all over the floor.

“No! What have you done?! Why-” the figure rushed to scoop up the powder but was stopped by Louis.

“What ‘I’ have done?! Are you serious?! I should be asking you the same question! What the hell have ‘YOU’ done?!” Louis yelled.

Despite not being hit by Louis, the figure flinched and backed away into a wall. 

It was the first time the figure had ever seen the boy enraged.

“I-I’m sorry…”

“How long have you been substituting with Benzodiazepine?” Louis asked in a menacing tone.

“A-About four days ago…”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes…”

Louis stared at the figure for what felt like an eternity before sighing and plopping down on a stool that was placed close to the door.

“It doesn’t seem that you’re lying. So, whatever it is, he isn’t suffering from the effects of Benzodiazepine… What else is he taking?”

“N-Nothing… Just vitamins…” the figure quickly grabbed a bottle that had fallen on the floor and passed it to Louis.

“Hmm… Strange…” Louis said as he glared at the figure again, “You better not try this stunt. I’ll be watching you very closely.”

“Y-Yes…”

“Also,” Louis stood up, “Don’t ever assume that you and I are on the same team.”

The figure nodded slightly.

“Do you understand?” Louis growled.

“Y-Yes!”

“Good. If you notice any change, make sure to tell me about it.”

.

.

.

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[Note:]

Galantamine is a drug used when there is a cognitive decline… [Good for memory] 

Benzodiazepine works as a depressant and is one of the top ten drugs that can induce memory loss… [Bad for memory]

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