Fake News

Returning to his room, the first thing Mino did was to boot his laptop and surf for some latest news. The first news itself caught his interest.

"The victim of the terrorist attack last night, identified as Nadela Sume, has been declared dead, eleven hours after being hospitalized. He was hospitalized in Apex Medico nursing home.

This is what the head doctor, Jennison Stadfer, an experienced trauma surgeon has to say,"

"His condition was critical right from the beginning. We tried everything we could within our capabilities. It really pains me, no matter how serious an incident is, it is always a commoner who has to pay the price.

His wound was large and it refused to clot. Cause of death is haemorrhage. Having a weak physique and most probably a sedentary lifestyle, he didn't have exceptional vitality. No matter what we tried, we weren't able to arrest the bleeding. The post mortem has detected out of ordinary. A grievous sniper bullet wound on his shoulder. We..."

Unplugging his cellphone which was charging, he unlocked it with his fingerprint and right away dialled the number of a certain someone he very much wished to avoid.

"Trrrrrrrrrr...Trrrrrrrrrr....Trrrrrrrrrr...Trrrrrrrrrr....click!"

After a clicking sound, a pleasant voice flowed into his ear.

"Oh hi Mino! Have anything to talk about?"

It was Maina.

Mino didn't want to waste time, so he cut to the chase.

"Maina. We can talk later. Please give me Amene's mobile number. I'm sure you have it."

He heard a surprised gasp from the receiver.

"Ah! Mind telling me the reason?"

"Please give me her mobile number. It's urgent. I'm sure she herself will tell you the reason."

"Oh... umu...i guess so..."

She was extremely dissatisfied. But Mino didn't have time to spare. Sensing the seriousness in his voice she replied,

"I'm giving you the contact right away. Be ready to explain everything in school."

Mino hung up. Once again, dialling the number he had just received, he waited.

"Good Morning... Amene Stadfer here. Please state your name."

The voice was sleepy and tired, but had a polite tone. It was definitely Amene.

"Mino Clair."

"Oh. Very well Mr. Clair, will you be kind enough to explain the reason for calling me and the source from where you received my number... wait a second... Mino! It's YOU!"

"Yeah. It's me. You sound dead tired. The backlash is affecting you too, isn't it?"

"Ummm...yeah... but why did you call me?"

"To know about the cause of death of the victim of the terrorist attack."

"Well it's common news. Go check it out on tv or any website."

Amene sounded annoyed.

Mino didn't hesitate but continued. His normally nervous demeanour was nowhere to be seen.

"I want to know the actual reason."

"Well, I'm telling you everything I know. Haemorrhage."

"Haemorrhage may be one of the causes, but surely not the prime one."

"You think you know more than a doctor?"

"No, but I know that you guys have been gagged. But telling the truth to a single person won't hurt."

"All drastic things begin with a small event. I am not allowed to tell it to you sorry. Your deduction powers are insane though, I have to admit."

Mino bit his lips in frustration. He said

"Please. I was present right there at the scene of the incident. The next day the victim could be me."

A silence followed.

"But that doesn't have anything to do with knowing about this patient is there?"

Mino's shoulders twitched. She was right on mark. However her voice was that of concern, apparently she was startled and worried after hearing that Mino was present at the site of the incident.

"You alright Mino?" she asked.

Mino racked his brains, he wanted to obtain the real reason of death at all costs. He had a hunch that his mysterious healing and this death is connected somehow.

Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed in his head.

"Hey Amene..."

"Yes?" She was confused when he heard Mino calling out to her with such a deep tone.

"I believe this incident is also related to me recovering from my unrecoverable injuries."

"Wh-WHAT!!"

"I have remembered important thing now. Let us share our intel. We might be able to learn something."

Amene gulped inwardly. Her heart was racing.

[Recovering from unrecoverable injuries... what the hell is he talking about. Should I accept? My friends are all trustworthy, so I think I might be able to share this with them.]

The temptation was too much for her. Eventually, she gave in and said,

"Fine. Let's not discuss it here. In school okay? With everyone." and hung up before giving Mino a chance to reply.

Mino smiled bitterly. He had no other choice. Getting up, he went downstairs for his breakfast.

Just as he seated himself on the chair, he heard a rumbling sound from the sky. It was faint, but audible.

Harn stated, "Lightning at a time like this? But the air is perfectly clear..."

Mino tried to make sense of the situation. Lightning was nearly impossible without dark clouds. The rumbling however, must be caused due to some phenomenon similar to lightning.

Not bothering himself with that, he heard another sound, even more faint, coming from the clouds, just like the rumbling before.

"Burrruuuuummmmm....."

"Whoa did you hear that?!" This time Mino's mom Ayla chimed in.

"Sure we did. But let's ignore it."

Trying to shut his mind from all these bizarre events, Mino focused on treating himself to the delicious breakfast with his whole family.