I woke up once again in a strange place.
"Hey friend." I heard someone greeting warmly.
I got up and looked at the person.
His face seemed familiar, but I wasn't sure who he was.
He seemed like one of the sub commanders I saw in the fort.
"I am Ping, the sword wielding commander of fort 4.", he explained.
Only then did I realize who he was.
Understanding this, I spoke in excitement: "that means I am alive... Where's Medusa? Where's Xender?"
He smiled, placed a hand on my shoulder and said: "this isn't fort 4, and I am not alive."
When I heard this, my excitement dropped down drastically.
With a sad expression, I said: "so..... I.. am.. I am dead."
"No you're not.", He replied.
"How? You dead and I am not. Why are we together?", I asked confused.
"You killed me...", He said.
"Me?!", I asked in shock.
"Don't burden yourself son, you didn't mean to. My only regret is that I am unable to see my boy grow. Other than that, I've finally got answers to some of the questions that have long troubled my heart.", He said with some level of satisfaction.
"The concept of the after life is amazing. Not until I came here did I start understanding what's really going on.", He added.
"What do you mean?", I asked puzzled.
"For example, who were you thinking of while unconscious?", He asked.
I paused for a while, after remembering, I spoke: "Xender!"
"That's it! Your thoughts propelled her to do the things she did!", He added.
"What do you mean?", I said bewildered.
"During your absence, Xender was not herself. This alone made me understand 2 things. One, the realm you were in. And two, the deep connection you guys share. She did things she normally wouldn't do, just to get you back. Almost like a loyal subordinate and his master.", He explained enthusiastically like a scientist finally getting the last piece of the puzzle.
As I watched him say these in excitement, I couldn't help but consider his words.
"This is what is experienced by most people in a comma, they are able to communicate to people through dreams. Sometimes these people just feel the urge to be around them unwittingly.", He added.
Suddenly, I could hear people's voice as they spoke.
"He should be awake any minute."
"Who's that?", I said looking around
"It's time...", He said.
"Time for what?", I asked.
"Time to go back...", He added.
"If my calculations are correct, the effect you had on Xender might take a while to fade away.", He said.
The place started getting brighter as he spoke, somewhat in a hurried tone.
"Please take care of my wife and son, they are all I have left...", He said as his voice began to fade like himself and the darkness.
"....Be careful of Xender, she's not what you t......", He spoke till I could no longer hear his voice.
The light became so bright and felt like my eyes were shut.
When I opened them, it became even brighter and gradually cleared as people spoke:
"I can't believe you kissed him!"
"It's not like I had a choice!"
"Gosh! What's your problem?!"
"She does have a point Xender, why did you kiss him? Why not just stab him directly!"
"What?!! He's been induced with the cure and all you guys care about is how it was done?!"
At this time my eyes were opened and I could see the arguing persons clearly.
"He's awake!"
"Derick!", Xender yelled as she rushed to me with tears in her eyes.
Looking around, I saw so many strange faces.
In the room, I only recognized Xender, Helen, April and June.
The others were strange. A Chinese woman, a muscular warrior like guy with an ugly expression, looking at me with an intense expression, and then by the side were two gaurds whose arms were wounded. And not so far from them was a guy and a girl, so close it was obvious they had something going on.
"How do you feel?", Xender asked immediately.
"Pains...", I replied struggling to lift my hand.
"Davis come get him to the health department!", Xender commanded.
"Is that building still up?", The warrior like dude questioned with an arrogant expression.
"Davis.....", Xender said looking at him fiercely.
He grunted and walked up to me, lifting carelessly.
Xender assisted and I was made to stand supported by Xender and Davis.
Sudddnly, I heard hisses.
As soon as I heard this, tears began to stream down my eyes uncontrollably.
"Medusa!", I said as I struggled to see her.
She crawled slowly to me as everyone in her path gave way for her.
She was so injured and seemingly ill-treated.
Seeing this, I cried some more speechlessly, struggling for them to leave me.
Xender and Davis seemingly understood and let go.
I fell and rested on Medusa, crying and hugging her with the last strength I had.
"Xender, please lead us to the health department!", I said sobbing.
On hearing me, without saying any word or having the slightest of hesitation she led the way.
I couldn't help but notice the awkward stares as we left.
Especially from the guy called Davis.
He looked like one I had seriously offended, but I couldn't tell how.
Helen too had a somewhat ugly expression, as did April.
I killed Mr. Ping in my unconscious state, who knows what else I must have done.
To be continued.....
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