Read A.I.E.T - Novel Version - [HALTED] :: AIET Introduction #2 - (Part 007)

[Carol, who is now conscious, is startled from The Officer's appearance. Carol's frightening behavior forces her to move away as she scurries to the wall that separates the front of the truck and them.]

"Woah, easy! Easy now." The Officer keeps his hands in front of Carol's view to reassure safety "Be careful when moving and try to calm down."

[Carol's eyes wander. Her breathing: rapid and fierce.]

[Not much sound is heard from Barrel or The Officer but the ringing tinnitus on both ears is dominant.]

With the ringing becoming intense, she presses down on her ears in hopes the tinnitus will end, "Gah! Make..! Make the ringing stop! It's...! It's too loud!" The ringing's frequency increases significantly, then slowly fades away.

Barrel speaks softly, "Hey, Carol... Are you alright?"

[Carol opens her eyes to look at Barrel. She removes her hands from blocking her ears in relief that the ringing is gone.]

"Yes... Yes, I am. And the ringing... it's gone now.." A tear drops down her cheek at the fact that she is still alive.

"What did you inject her with exactly?" Barrel asked The Officer

"And why should I tell you?" The Officer replied

"Have it your way, Officer.." Barrel turns to Carol once more. "Be sure to thank him for saving your life."

The Officer moves towards Carol and puts his hands under her head, "You need to be outside."

Carol flinches out of fear, "What, what are you doing??" A sudden burst of pain erupts all around her body. The immense pain forces her eyes to close shut. "Gah!! Ow..."

"Easy!! Don't move!!" The concerning tone of his voice lingers within the truck.

A deep sigh is released, "Relax, I'm just going to carry you outside. Your body is currently injected with a certain drug and moving while under said drug can cause further damage to you." He then puts his arm under Carol's legs. "From what you just experienced, that was only a portion of the pain and I HIGHLY recommend you not to squirm."

[The Officer picks up Carol and proceeds to move out of the truck. He gently places her down on the flat dirt path once he takes 5 steps away from the truck.]

"Keep still for about 10 minutes. I'll tell you when you can start moving." The Officer lifts his left arm and turns on his watch.

Jason simply laughs at the use of the inferior technology, "Sheesh man, are you all primitive? I thought you guys were all like high-tech and stuff!"

The Officer looks back at Jason who is still at the damaged tree. Knowing that Jason kept his word, he feels happily obliged to reply, "Vintage, yes. Money conservative: most definitely."

Softly speaking, "Officer?"

[The Officer's attention diverts to Carol who appears to be calmer.]

"Thank you. For saving me."

[He slightly smiles at Carol for her gratitude, then looks down at the dirted path to have it removed.]