CHAPTER FOURTEEN

        Carry the two. Add the five. Finish the math. What’s that give me? Four days, seven hours, twenty-four minutes, and three seconds. That’s how long it’s been since I clambered my way through the rift; and, in doing so, lost all hope of finding any sort of salvation.

        It was sad, really. In my panic to put a safe amount of distance between myself and the infected, I forgot to retrieve my rifle from the doorway I had it propped up against. Leaving me utterly defenseless the second I set foot on the other side of the metal slab; and came to face-to-face with a creature unlike any other.

        The poor thing looked terrified the moment our eyes locked together. But that moment was short and brief because, before I could even get a chance to react, the terror turned to anger; and the creature lunged at me.

        Instinctively, I thought I could outmaneuver it, and so I tried. But I was sorely mistaken; and forced to eat a big, old slice of humble pie the instant the creature took me down to the ground. Immediately pinning my arms behind my back, and dragging me towards the center of a huge, open-air lobby.

        Several feet tall and hundreds of feet wide, I think this space used to house the main reception area for Grav-Tech’s medical research facility, but I can’t quite tell anymore. Where there should have been hardwood floors and fluorescent lighting, there is now nothing but a sea of bio-luminescent moss – short and thick, and slightly translucent. Filling the otherwise darkened room with soft bursts of colorful, radiant light. It’s almost beautiful, in a way, and extremely mesmerizing.

        So mesmerizing, in fact, that I almost don’t pay any heed to the back of the room where an enormous mound of dampened earth has replaced what I can only assume was once the giant, oval-shaped desk that the reception area used to be known for. Nor to the twisted tree that now grows outward from that mound. And the creature with the beady eyes. Watching me take my every breath from behind the tree’s two main, arching branches.

        “What is your name, child?” asks the creature behind the tree; its voice slightly raspy.

        “Samuel… G-grunge,” I respond as I try to clear my throat, and find my courage; hoping the creature doesn’t notice the slight hiccup in my voice. “Second Private in the United Colonies of Naturalized Restoration’s Mobile Task Force: Special Unit Division. And you?

        “I am Demery Haven-Thrall,” says the creature as it stands tall, and moves out from behind the tree. “Anointed Watchman of Sector B. General of the One Hundred and Twenty-Third Brigade of Half-Breeds. And close confidant to the Queen of the Pangeans. Now tell me, Private Grunge, what are you doing in my domain?”

        “I am here on official MTF business, General Haven-Thrall,” I say, forcing myself to try and stand just as tall. “My High Command leaders gave me a mission, and I must see it through to the end. Or die trying.”

        “Ooh! Must you now?” asks the creature, seemingly amused as it starts lumbering towards me. “Pray tell, what is the… objective of this mission you were given?”

        “To successfully infiltrate Grav-Tech’s medical research facility, and find a man named Daniel Ross,” I say, unsure of where this is going as I watch the creature approach me rather rapidly. It’s a lot taller than I first thought.

        “Oh, is that all?” asks the creature as it finishes closing the distance between us, and leans down to look me in my eyes. “Because my scouts found a military-grade weapon nestled in the borderlands. Not too far from where you were taken captive, if I’m not mistaken. So, I’ll ask you again, what is the objective of the mission you were given?”

        “To successfully infiltrate Grav-Tech’s medical research facility, and find a man named Daniel Ross,” I say, repeating myself; and feeling a little baffled and shaken at the creature’s implications. “Then, once I was able to locate him, I was supposed to prepare for immediate evac; and let High Command come in to take care of the rest. The military-grade weapon your scouts found – my service rifle – served no real purpose in my mission other than to provide me with a means of protecting myself from the infected.”

        “Excellent! Now, also tell me this,” says the creature as it looks away long enough to stretch its gnarled torso. “Why should you be allowed to live to see another day?”

        “Because… well, I honestly do not know,” I say as I shrug my shoulders, and lower my head in defeat. “At the end of the day, I’m not a bad person; but I’m not a good person either. I’ve committed my fair share of atrocities, and been witness to plenty of others. But if you think the time has come for me to meet my maker, then so be it. I will ask for your mercy, but I will not beg you for it.”

        “Ha! Finally!” shouts the creature as it rests its elongated fingers on my shoulders; and lets out a soft, light-hearted chuckle. “Okay, Private Grunge, I think I’ll let you live for now; but you must come with me. There are many of my people here whom would rather see you dead for your unwelcome intrusion, and there is something I want you to see before any of them can get the chance to make that happen. Alright?”

        “Sure thing. Lead the way, General,” I say as I lift my head back up; and follow in the creature’s lumbering gait. Knowing deep down I should be fearful of what’s to come; but also grateful for the opportunity to embrace that fear, and live to see another day.