Seventy Seven |

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Seventy Seven |

We arrived back to the Town of Roses late into the night. My ideal was to head right to bed and do some secret reading, unfortunately, Alana had other ideas. Upon our arrival, she requested our presence in her office. At her side was Raymond ready to swoop up the loot we had found.

We sat in her office, chairs had been set up much like when Landon was banished. This was much different however, as Alana seemed content in prowling on to Jax and Spencer about the mission. First they discussed Alexander and Summer before Alana dismissed Lisa and the two to take them to the farm.

"How will Summer's diabetes be treated?" I asked suddenly, interrupting.

Raymond looked over at me with a warm smile, "There are many ways humanity has fought illnesses much before technology. Eating fiber, for example, decreases blood sugar and insulin concentrates. Cider vinegar is also extremely good for the body. Chromiun, zinc, aloe vera, berberine, cinnamon, fenugreek, nopal—oh I could go on. Lucky for us, most of those can be grown at the farm. For now however, I can take this insulin and make a fake insulin with what I have at the clinic."

My eyes widened, "How do you know so much about plants?"

"My wife actually," he chuckled, a certain spark in his eyes, "While I was a doctor, she was a very popular pagan in our community. Heck, even through stage four cancer my beautiful witch would still go to see the ones in our community that couldn't afford healthcare. I remember she tended to our fifty year old neighbour Lakin who had gotten pneumonia. Oh, sorry I'm rambling."

My heart broke for him. Never had Raymond spoken about his wife and now I knew why. I felt disgusted in myself—why had she died of cancer and yet I got a free pass? It wasn't fair. I turned my head towards Sebastian to hide my tears, my hair covering my face. His gaze stayed on Alana but his hand moved to hold mine.

It made me smile slightly.

"Well," Alana hummed, "On another note. While I know Annie does not mind you staying I do. There is simply not enough room, not to mention the two new little ones. I had a townhouse cleaned and dusted for your arrival, Lori is already there."

"Were's Leon?" I asked confused.

She smiled slightly, "Leon seemed to home up with Annie."

"Doesn't he take up room?" I asked.

The old woman snorted, "Leon seems to be just fine in Annie's bed."

My jaw dropped.

"Alana!" Raymond gasped.

She waved him off, "I've heard enough. Seems like the mission was a success, you all may leave. Jax please check in with Cameron and return to your duties after showing our guests to their new home."

"Yes ma'am."

We left, with Jax silently leading the group. The townhouse to my surprise was Landon's old home. It left a bad taste in my mouth but I said nothing. Jax waved to the place with attitude before storming off. My brow rose as I pondered what he had shoved up his ass now. As I followed him with my gaze, I noticed Lori working on cars. A bright smile played on my lips, good for her. She fit well into this place.

Heading inside, I noticed the layout was more or less like Jax's house (aside from having two floors instead of one, and the place was smaller. I hummed, exploring the place noticing each room had a small sign with our names on it. I found my room and beside it was Sebastian's.

"Oi fuck that," he grunted.

I looked over at him, "What?"

He ripped down his sign, "I wanna share your room. Come on love, love me."

I giggled, "I'm going for a nap. Goodnight Sebby."

He pouted, "Mean."

I entered the room and plopped down onto the bed. Still with my boots on and all my clothing. I was exhausted to say the least. As I laid down in my bed, something dug into my leg. My eyes widened as I remembered my father's journal. Suddenly, my exhaustion disappeared, and I pulled it from my pants quickly. My fingers dragged across the cover before I ripped it open. To my surprise, it was in perfect condition.

I read the first entry.

Erin is dying and I don't know what I'm supposed to do.

As a father it is my duty to do everything I could to save her. Was not that what I was supposed to do? And yet I hesitated. Some very important men that I cannot name on paper (it is simply not safe) offered me a deal. If I succeed it would save Erin and yet, it would ruin everything. They say it is an "all cure" but I do not believe them. Such men want nothing but power through violence. This would not be an all cure and yet I could not distinguish my hope.

I believe I would do this, and I believe one day it would cost me.

Tears fell onto the page, I sniffled. I had so many questions and yet I could feel my heart expand. He knew it would cost him and yet he would do it anyways. To save me, his daughter. I flipped forward a few pages, wanting to know more about these men.

Maxwell continues to badger me for information. He's young and kind but there's something evil in his eyes. He continues to snoop around my office like a rat. I have no idea why those men hired him as well but I will not allow him to distract me. I am so close now, and I have figured out why it had not been working. These men wanted a genetic mutation to the Lyssavirus, to have it eat away at a bodies defects instead of the mind's functioning. Rabies had never been seen as a all cure hope before but I think I have discovered it's secrets. Each time I change the strand I test it on Erin's blood (collected from her body) and it seems to slowly but surely working. I am excited. Soon, soon Erin will be able to be a normal child again. Soon she will have her childhood back along with her future.

He was close and so early on, what had he discovered that gave him such a break? My mind was whirling, whatever he discovered had changed the rabies into a cure. No wonder Maxwell had been so interested. Whatever he did, he had fucked up along the way. Maxwell had made the virus while my father had made the cure. Again, I flipped forward.

I have done it! I have done the numbers, and the experiments and I have made the perfect strand that is compatible with Erin's body. Instead of eating away at her blood cells, it only affected her cancer cells and yet in a certain way. It mutated her normal cells which then ate away at her cancer cells. Those cells had changed, I am not certain the exact affects and I will do more tests before going any further. I must made sure this is completely safe. I will not make a weapon like they want. I will make a fool-proof cure.

I flipped forward again.

That idiot has no idea what he was thinking! Maxwell stole my file! Little does he know I would never keep all my data in one place. All my data on Erin and her blood was in a separate file not to mention all my data on the Solanaceae is kept secret. No matter, without the full data he is powerless. I am running out of time, Dr. Brown says the cancer is getting more aggressive. He is the only oncologist I would trust with my baby girl. Sad about his wife but I won't let Erin end up the same way.

Dr. Brown...does he mean Raymond? The book tumbled from my fingers. Raymond was my cancer doctor? Does that mean he knew about the virus? About my dad? My mind raced and I knew I'd have to speak to Raymond. If he is Dr. Brown from back then it meant he already knew my true identity. So why didn't he say anything to anyone? A loud bang sounded from outside my window, making me jolt. My head turned to see dark, storm clouds blocking the moon and stars. Not even a second later, there was a knock at my door.

"Mira?" Sebastian's voice sounded tense.

I stood, hiding the book under my mattress and opening my door with a smile.

"Want to sleep here?" I asked.

He nodded, biting his lip, "Storms always get me fucked up."

Before I could reply, a loud scream cut through the night sky. Our eyes widened as we both turned towards the window. And then suddenly, we were plunged into darkness. I screamed, jumping forward into Sebastian's arms. Outside, the loud sound of guns and screams filled the air. Something had gone horribly wrong for the Town of Roses and they needed our help.

"The power!" I gasped.

He cursed, "Something's happening outside. We need to go."

Remembering I was still dressed, I pulled my flashlight out from my pocket. Flicking it on, we darted out the door. In the hall, Sebastian grabbed my hand. I looked back then down to see him in his socks.

"Should I wait for you?" I asked.

He shook his head, "Go. I got my light too. Just be safe love."

I nodded, my heart hammering against my ribs, "You too."

Then, I was out the front door. Moving as fast as I could. Outside, the sky was black with clouds and it was raining hard. I could barely see in front of me but what I could see was the front gates wide open. Zombies flooding in. A horde that had followed Spencer's car. The guards were having a full out war but they were losing. There was too much rain, the zombies sliding right past them or attacking them.

A woman screamed near me. I turned just as a flash of lightening illuminated the sky to find a zombie on top of a civilian, her mouth screaming, her hand towards me as a zombie dug into her. Without thinking, I kicked it off her. The woman gasped, her organs spilling out onto the road. Vomit filled my throat as I looked away, bringing my boot down onto her neck. The zombie moaned, moving towards me. Anger filled my veins and I swung my fist, it went through it's skull like Jell-O.

"Mira!" Jax screamed over the rain, "Get inside!"

My clothing was soaked, my vision horrible and my anxiety to the max level and the rain was just getting worse. It hurt, falling like heavy thuds against my face. It was almost hard to move, the icy rain had weighed down my clothing, my skin chilling. All I wanted was to crawl into my bed and shut my eyes, but I had to help, but I had to. I moved forward, slugging through the rain and through the very fast rising water. My boots slushed through the never ending puddle until I found Jax.

Lightening flashed again. He was completely soaked too, his hair flattened onto his face, his white shirt clinging to his skin. He looked scared, terrified holding his sword like a bat. When I grabbed his arm, he swung wildly, accidently cutting my arm. I winced.

"Jax!" my scream was horse against my throat, "It's me!"

His sword was lowered and he sobbed, "I-I don't know what's happening. I don't know what t-to do."

My heart broke and I hugged him close enough to talk into his ear, "Find Cameron, Find Molly and take them to the farmhouse. Protect the kids, protect the farm. Without it this town won't survive. We can take care of the zombies, send Lisa to the gates. Go now!"

He nodded, before pausing, thrusting his sword forward, "Take this. You use it better than me anyways. The farm has a number of guns. I-I'm sorry for everything Mira. I'm sorry for everything."

I nodded, no time for heart to hearts, taking the sword I turned. Jax took off, I swung at another zombie. Then, I moved forward. Towards the gate. There was so many getting through, the guard's numbers were dropping like flies. I moved forward, swinging and dodging undead arms. Power sang through my veins. I could feel Zero in the back of my head. She knew if I went down we both did. She filled me with power, my mind numbing as she took over. Teeth bit into my arm, my leg, my side, everywhere but I kept moving. I kept fighting until the horde was around me, just like my dream.

Retreat.

I ignored her and kept going.

Retreat now!

"No!" I snarled, "I will protect this place until my last breath! I won't let these people die. I won't let the kids or Jax or Alana or anyone die. Even if it kills me."

Fine, then die.

My body suddenly went limp. I understood what was to come and I didn't care. I was full of peace. Even if I died here, my death would mean something. My death would mean I died protecting those I loved, the place I loved and that was good enough for me. A zombie fell on top of me.

No, no I didn't want to die. I wanted to live. I would live! A cry flew from my lips as, my sword was pulled from my fingers. It moaned, it's crooked jaw making a grinding noise as it bit at air. My hands finding it's chin, keeping it away. Adrenaline filled me. I wanted to stay with Lisa and Sebastian. I wanted to continue to watch humanity survive. Death could not have me yet! The rain made it slippery, the side of my hand falling into it's mouth. It bit down making me scream but I didn't pull away. I would keep it away from me, I would win.

"Mira!"

Lightening flashed, and suddenly the zombie was off me. With a bullet through it's skull. I blinked, around me the horde was melting away literally. I watched as Sebastian moved around the horde, allowing his acidic blood to take them down. Above me, Lisa hauled me up by my jacket before shooting two more zombies.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

I nodded, grabbing my sword, "Thanks."

"Don't thank me yet," she snapped, "Thank me when we get out of this mess."

"Right."

We would fight until our last breath and we would do it together.

As a goddamn team.

Then, very soon clouds began to disappear as we finished off the last zombies. As we did my adrenaline began to disappear and I could slowly feel the bites begin to take their toll. I moaned softly, pain beginning to set in as it seemed Zero had taken the back seat on this. Sebastian and Lisa rushed over bite-free luckily just as the guards reached us.

"Good to see you two safe," the guard said, " I hate to do this after what you've all done for us but, uh, we've lost many people today. Good people, so we have to scan everyone for bites. Before you two enter back into the town."

I froze, and beside me Sebastian froze too. He stepped in front of me, glaring at the man but I could see the fear in his eyes. If they knew I was bit, I could be shot where I stood. Lisa glanced at me then my arm where a visible bite stood. It was hard to focus against the building pain throughout my body. Instantly, she clasped her hand over the bite.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" She growled, "We just saved you all!"

He nodded, "I hate to do this but you understand right?"

"Mate," Sebastian hummed, "If you don't back off we're going to have a problem. Do we look bit to you? We're fine."

I could feel my body begin to sway.

The guard noticed with a frown, "Miss Mira you ok?"

I blinked black dots out of my vision and nodded, not trusting my voice to hold steady. When I stumbled into Sebastian's back, causing the guard to reach for his gun. Which caused Lisa to raise hers and point it at the man.

"Mira I'm going to need to check you," the guard growled.

I breathed out slowly, sweat dripping off me.

Fuck.

"Well now," a sudden voice said, "no need for this. I'll check Mira myself at my clinic."

Instantly, Lisa lowered his gun as did the guard.

I looked up and for the second time in my life Raymond was trying to save my life.

Until he realized I was bit.

Fuck.

Then, just like that, the world went dark.                  

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