Chapter 141: Fear of superhumans.
The medic bay was becoming busier each day that passed and lately it was more than busy because of the spreading flu infection which was accompanied by fever. But it was nothing the doctors could not handle, and the sick individuals were healing up nicely.
Another person that was healing faster was Philip Harg and this pleased Nimo a lot because the man got hurt in the search for her brother. Facing his family had been one of the hardest things she had to do.
His grandmother had even fainted when she saw what remained of the wounds on Philip’s chest. It had made Nimo wonder what the old woman would have done if she saw her grandson when the wounds were fresh.
After comforting his family, she had faced her own family. Things had not been rosy on their side because they too had an injured relative, and his wife had wailed so loudly that the sound could have popped a bubble.
She spent the night comforting her mother who blamed herself for Patrick’s injury, and at 3: 00 a.m., she left the house and slept in the medic bay with Mark Harg.
He was a responsible young man, not once had he left his brother’s side. No matter how many times Nimo had urged him to go home and rest, he had not moved an inch.
He had asked her, "How can I go home when my entire family is in the med bay?"
His mother had been watching his grandmother so that left him to watch over his brother. Nimo had stayed by his side, sleeping off the rest of the night in a chair beside the bed.
Since morning, as soon as visitors were allowed, others had been coming by to visit Philip. This gave Nimo a moment to go home, bathe and pack some breakfast for herself and Philips’ family.
When she was entering the medic bay, something startled her. It was the sound of tires screeching which cut through the air like the vehicle was about to crush into something.
She turned sharply, her heart jumping as she looked back, with a scream forming on her lips.
The vehicle had stopped so abruptly that it had skidded sideways. Sunshine jumped out before it had fully settled, urgency flashing in her movements.
Before Nimo could stop her, Sunshine ran past her like her ass was on fire.
Nimo hurried after her, calling her name. "Suni, Suni, Suni, wait! What is happening?"
Sunshine slowed down but walking, her boots echoed on the tiled floor as she stormed into the reception area. Her voice came clipped and sharp. "An unexpected awakening."
The words froze Nimo mid-step, wondering why there was worry in her friend’s eyes. Awakenings were to be expected so what was special about this one. Was it another case like Elio’s or was it some kind of dangerous power?
Neither of them noticed Molly Gadriel, seated quietly in the corner, waiting for a birth control shot. Suni’s words had permeated into her sharp ears and Molly stiffened. Her knuckles tightened around the chart in her hand. She had read the apocalypse guidelines on awakening and superhumans; she knew the warnings about not trusting them. Fear pricked every nerve in her body. She dashed out of the medic bay without getting the shot.
Sunshine leaned across the reception desk, speaking quickly to nurse Kendall about needing to see one of her patients: Tommy Kirkland.
Molly’s voice trembled out, "Is it ....Tommy? Did Tommy awaken?"
Her voice was meant to be a whisper, but it came out louder than a gun shot.
The room went silent.
Parents instinctively pulled their children close. Someone swore under their breath. A doctor froze mid-injection and a nurse stumbled backwards.
A man coming from the bathroom stopped walking and he pointed in the direction where he had come from. "He’s locked himself in the bathroom." He reported.
"Oh my God!!"
"We are all going to die. Superhumans are dangerous."
"Hurry and call the soldiers."
Listening to their panic, Sunshine blamed herself a little. The ideas she spread about superhumans were developed from her bias. It needed to be changed.
SHE turned, raising her hand in a gesture of calm. Her voice was steady, commanding but not harsh. "Everyone, please. Breathe. There is nothing to be worried about and if there is, we will..."
"No-no-no!" A voice interrupted. It was Molly Gadriel who had returned with soldiers that she notified quickly about an attack in the medic bay. "I heard you clearly, you said awakening." Molly suddenly spoke, her tone laced with accusation
"Molly, you heard wrong, you heard the president. She said everything is fine." Nimo told not just her but everyone there.
They heard but fear however, had already taken root. No one wanted a superhuman near their loved ones especially their children, who knew of what they were capable of? Mutated sheep had ripped off Tommy’s arm and bitten him everywhere. He was a mutated human. What if he bit them too?
"Make way." Major Elio barked at the soldiers standing in the entrance.
Hades entered, his arm supporting Rosario, who looked fine physically. Confusion shadowed her expression as her hands rested protectively covering her swollen belly.
"Ouch!" She cried out, then laughed. "Just a rough baby kick."
Sunshine’s tone softened, but emergency lingered. "Doctor, full body check. Everything. And include the baby."
"Why? I still have a few weeks until my next antenatal visit." Rosario asked.
Sunshine was calmer as she replied, "I have been told that there is a flu going around so we are taking extra care of pregnant women and newborn babies. You are the most vulnerable groups we have alongside the elderly. We are living in abnormal times; we must be careful at all times. This is why weekly checkups are a must for everyone, but most residents keep disregarding this because it is not a rule."
Rosario nodded faintly as she was guided away, though her gaze flicked nervously around the tense waiting room. It seemed like there was something more going on than just a simple flu.
Turning back, Sunshine pressed nurse Kendall again. "Tommy Kirkland, in which room is he?"
Nurse Kirkland had already understood that she needed to be calm so she smiled and replied, "Room three, although I doubt, he will come out of the bathroom. He goes there to smoke secretly when he thinks we are not watching. We have tried to stop him, but teenagers will be teenagers, if you know what I mean."
Sunshine laughed. "I know what you mean."
The people around started to relax.
"What about the awakening?" Molly Gadriel jumped in. "Madam president, I heard you loud and clear. You said that someone awakened."
Sunshine whirled around and looked at Molly with sharpness. "And how is that any of your business Molly? Even if there is someone that had awakened, how are they related to you?"
Nimo backed Sunshine up, standing by her best friend. "Have you been attacked by a superhuman? Stop creating trouble here. Even if there are superhuman’s on the base, as long as they have not harmed anyone, they are welcome. In fact, they will get more benefits because they will help us defend the base better. We have been outside the wall and some of the things we have seen...." She looked around and said deliberately, "Without help from good superhumans, it will be hard to survive if they make it onto the base."
Those that had seen the footage Siegfried showed them nodded.
"There is a new rule. From now on, anyone who awakens will be in a special class and join the soldiers. No more secrecy and no more fear." Sunshine declared.
She turned away, walking in the direction of the bathrooms.
Molly Gadriel rush to leave, her husband had to hear of this!