Derick fell on the ground and became unconcious.
"Quickly, let's take him in!", the sub commander said aloud.
I and Helen quickly ran forward and helped him pick Derick up.
Ronald remained on the floor, gasping for breath.
"Where do we take him?", Helen asked as we successfully pulled him up.
"Let's take him to my house!", Mr. Ping said.
This was an excellent idea, taking Derick to Mr. Ping's house, dad wouldn't suspect a thing, and Mr. Ping seems to know a way to help him.
When we got to Mr. Ping's house, his beautiful but funny looking chinese wife welcomed us in. When she saw Derick, she was shocked.
"Another poor soul!", she exclaimed.
"What do you mean another pour soul?", I asked immediately.
They kept quiet looking at themselves, one scolding the other.
"My father also lost his soul", Mr. Ping replied.
"What happened?", I asked.
"Xender, we should go get Dad, he is still at the borders, remember?", Helen said.
"Why don't you send someone to get him", I said harshly.
She stood there, looked at me and walked away.
I fear that Helen is the biggest problem we have now, she isn't discipline enough to hide such. If the commander interrogates her, I know she's going to buldge, even if he doesn't adopt any physical method.
But I'll figure a way to handle her later.
"I know what you want to hear", Sub commander Ping replied.
I hummed and looked at his dark brown eyes, "But it's a long story. It's best you leave us to try our best to save your friend.", he added.
"Is he going to be fine?", I asked.
"I can't say, but I'll inform you about his status at each points in time", he replied.
"Sub commander, I want you to make me a promise", I said to him, "What's that Ms. Xender?", he asked as him and his wife stared at me.
"I want Derick's stay here be kept a secret. You should act like nothing's up, and if you notice something suspicious, let me know at once.", I said to him.
"Ms. Xender, I don't make promises, for breaking them comes with a greater punishment to me that the benefactor of such promise!", He replied, but before I could utter another word he continued: "But I'll help you, more than once, I have seen you save my people, even though you are not totally one of us!"
When his words came out, I was shocked, I thought that was a secret.
On seeing my surprised expression, his wife said with a smile: "Don't worry my dear, your secret's safe with us!"
"I will do my best sub commander!", Mr. Ping said respectfully.
I stood for a while, then stepped out of their well built tent, and walked straight to the head quarters where my room was.
I've been up for almost 48 hours now, I need some sleep; my eyes are barely open. To top it all up, I haven't eaten anything since.
"Xender!", I heard a voice call, I weakly turned to see who it was.
It was April, her eyes were kinda like mine, she too appeared tired.
"How's Derick?", she asked as soon as she got to where I was.
How touching, this poor boy has quite a large number of supporters.
"He's going to get better, you can go have some rest", I said pushing up a smile, even though I wasn't sure about his currrent state. I just wanted the poor girl to get some rest.
"Alright sub commander..", she said, but seemed as though there was still something at the tip of her tongue.
"What is it?", I asked.
"Sub commander, I... I would like to see him, would that be possible?", she asked.
As soon as I heard her question, I couldn't help the frown on my face. I totally understood her; she obviously has feelings for Derick and would seemingly get a bit of satisfaction if she could just see his face.
The unfortunate thing is how I know and why I frowned. I know because, it was the same feeling that drove me out of the fort in search of him. If it was someone else, I probably would have done the same; but I won't cover as far as I did before giving up. I literally went through the entire forest, with a comprimising reason that he is one of us. But the truth is that I am beginning to develop feelings for him. And that was why I could help the frown, I feel a little bit jealous, a feeling I can fully explain.
On seeing my expression, she bent her head, and was about to go as she said: "Sorry sub commander, I just thought it would be possible to see him; since my grandma is dead, I feel responsible for him."
What a beautiful compromise.
But I for some reason couldn't say a word.
She turned and was about to leave, when I said: "Wait!"
On hearing this, she immediately turned to me, surpessing her excitement.
"You have to promise me not to tell anyone, not even your brother!", I said.
"I swear on my life, I won't tell anyone!", she replied.
I pulled her hand towards and walked to Mr. Ping's house, and knocked on the door.
"Who's there?", I heard his wife ask as they ran around the house, as some things fell on the ground making several thuds.
"What's that?", I asked as I opened the door.
"You shouldn't be in here!", Mr. Ping said with a sword to my face.
"Uhh?", I exclaimed shocked.
"Oh, it's you. I apologize Ms. Xender, I thought it was someone else!", Mr. Ping said as he lowered his sword.
I hummed, pulled April in, and said: "I am far from offended, I am infact impressed by your security. Derick truely is in the right place."
They looked at April and then at me, feeling slightly betrayed.
On seeing this, I smiled faintly and said: "She's Derick's sister!"
As soon as my last word ended, I heard a sharp hum from April.
"And she wouldn't reveal our secret, right April?", I added.
"Right!", she replied, nodding vigorously.
I turned to look at where Derick laid before I left, a place I had glanced at several times already since I got there; but Derick wasn't there, so I wondered where he was.
"Where is he?", I asked.
The sub commder looked at his wife and hummed.
This couples communicate like the true definition of soulmates; they understand themselves too well.
His wife quickly walked forward and held a sheet that had the same texture and colour with the rug.
"Brace yourselves, what you are about to see may disgust you", she said about to pull the sheet away.
I and April nodded gently.
She took out the sheet, revealing Derick; with the tomb balms gone. His body was black and crispy, like one who experienced a severe burn down; it wasn't a pleasant sight at all.
On seeing this, April began to cry. Mrs. Ping quickly stepped forward to comfort her.
"This isn't permanent, it can be cured. But we need your help, sub commander Xender.", she added.
"What can I do?", I asked.
"We need 3 zombies!", he replied.
"Is that all?", I asked raising an eyebrow up; knowing that even if it was 30, I'll get them all in less than 12hours.
"Yes, but, there's something you need to know...", she added
"And that is?", I asked.
"They must all be alive.", she added.
What?! How am I going to bring 3 live zombies into the camp un-noticed? Isn't this a huge flag of attention drawn to Derick.
"I'll help!", April said immediately.
Hearing her words, made me feel slightly more comforted; but that doesn't change the fact that the task is almost impossible.
I hadn't said anything when we heard someone yell from outside: "Is in there!"
"He is?", the loud voice of the commander followed.
"Yes he is! I saw them go in!", the person replied.
To be continued.....
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