Chapter 19: The Camp
We passed over the entire town and many cities, the ride seemed to go on for hours.
Until finally we flew over a tall white wall and began descending on a large slab of cement with a faded "H" painted onto it.
"Come on."Arabella jumped out before the helicopter reached the ground.
"Bella!"Zeke called, jumping out after her, the helicopter crashed down loudly as he exited the pilot's seat. Luckily we weren't that far from the ground, so the machine was still in one piece.
I stepped out of the helicopter and onto the ground. Everyone's eyes were on me. I didn't hesitate to walk through the spectators as a path was cleared for us.
"Arabella."I said quietly.
"Hmm?"
"How exactly can you help me help Ambrosia?"I asked.
"Ambrosia is that girl I take it?"She said with that condescending look in her eyes and voice.
"Yes."I was annoyed with her arrogance.
"Well there is no guarantee that we'll be able to wake her up. But what we do have gives her a chance."Her eyes were dull as she explained.
We soon reached a large white building, Arabella typed in a code and the door opened. We walked down three flights of stairs to a harshly lit room that was as bright as the institution's.
"Lay her there."She gestured to a table.
I hesitated, looking skeptically at the table, eyeing everything, soaking in every detail of my surroundings, a technique we were taught called "Full Submersion", where you memorize every inch of your surroundings and find quick exits and escape routes and different strategies of attack, knowing what could help you and what could harm you.
I reluctantly laid her on the table.
"If we get this collar off it is likely she'll wake up."I say, remembering what my father said, then remembering what else he said. That the collar was the only way to keep her docile and manageable, but I decided to leave that part out.
"This procedure should take a few days, a week at most."Arabella typed into a keypad.
I feel like she was up to something, that she knew something.
"Leave."She demanded spitefully.
"You're demented if you think I'm going to leave her."I glared at the back of her head.
"If you do not leave I will not perform the treatment."She said plainly, turning to face me with a knowing smirk.
I glared at her, then reluctantly left.
I walked around, looking at all of the people. They were all smiling. Little children ran and played in the streets. People sold and traded in a line of tents, called a market place. Everyone was happy.
'Is this what normal life looks like.'I wondered.
Suddenly I saw a little girl, about 5 being beaten by a group of men. I ran up and tackled four of them.
I glared. "How dare you pick on a child."I began punching the guy I was on top of.
I felt that feeling well up in me, it compelled me to keep going and go even further. I felt my blood begin to simmer.
"Let him go!"The other three guys tried to pull me off, but they weren't strong enough.
"Mister. I'm ok."The girl said softly. I stopped and got off, standing over him.
"If you ever beat on an innocent again. I'll kill you."I spit on him. "Get outta here."
They ran away. I walked over to the little girl and picked her up.
"Are you ok?"I said gingerly.
"I..I'm ok. I'm used to it."She said quietly, looking everywhere but my eyes.
I poked her cheek, making her giggle. "What's your name?"
"Ajal!"She said sweetly. "It means death and destiny."
"Let's get you cleaned up."But then I realized Shira wasn't here. That's ok. I knew how to treat wounds.
I went to an ally, I ripped some of her shirt and began to clean and treat her wounds.
"What's your name mister?"She said looking up at me with gentle eyes.
"Kaiser."I smiled gently.
"That's pretty."She said in awe.
I chuckled, "Well just be safe ok?"I stood up, turning to walk away.
"Wait, please don't leave me Mister."she tugged at my pants.
"Ok."I smiled gently, picking her up. She clung to me.
"Where do you live?"
"I live on the streets."She smiled, even in her condition she was happy.
I remembered on the helicopter ride that Arabella gave me a pouch of money.
"Let's find a place to stay."I smiled, walking around the camp.
Eventually we found an inn, I walked in and it was brightly lit. The couches in the lobby were lovely.
"You can't bring that thing in here."The woman at the front desk said.
I opened my mouth to speak.
"It's ok. I can sleep outside."Ajal whispered, her small hand on my ear. "I'm used to being alone."
"No. You don't have to be alone any more."I said softly, patting her head.
I walked out of the fancy inn.
We were turned away by three other inns, all because of Ajal.
"What's everyone's problem with you?"
"It's because I'm cursed."She said quietly.
"How?"
"Because when I was born, my mother and father died. Wherever I go death is sure to follow. I nursed a lost puppy back to health and it died the next day. The people who took me in were brutally murdered."She paused, her eyes were sad, but her expression was one of a fearing smile. "And eventually...The curse will consume me too."
"Stop."I put my finger over her lips.
"I will find a way to break your curse."
"Thank you Mister."She smiled.
"You know my name, why not use it?"
"Because I was told to always be polite and good things will happen."
We slept in an alley way and the next few days flew by. I spent the time getting to know this little human girl.
"Mister?"
"Yes Ajal?"I looked down at the small girl sitting in my lap.
"Can I stay with you forever?"
"Of course."I smiled.
"I wanna thank you for saving me. But I'm too small right now. So will you wait for me?"Her expression was serious.
"Huh?"I was hoping that she wasn't going to say what I think she was going to say.
"I wanna be your wife one day."She smiled, her hand cupping my cheek.
I smiled, patting her head, "There's no need to pay me back."I said softly.
"Just being alive is thanks enough."
She giggled.
Then suddenly an explosion burst from the lab where Ambrosia was. I could sense it.
"Stay here!"I set her down.
I ran towards the building where Ambrosia was and there stood on top of the rubble a girl in a black jumpsuit.
"A..Ambrosia..."