Chapter 177: Hope for Humanity (2/2)

She slumped in her seat, energy leaving her body, but when she opened her eyes, I could see vulnerability.

”I can't do it,” she said finally. She was resolute. Therefore, I had no choice.

”I'll do it,” Lucy volunteered immediately.

”No!” I yelled. ”You won't,” this time I was calmer. ”I can do it. I was trained,” I informed everyone.

”I am not untying you,” Lucy said immediately.

”I am not going to run away. I know that Bernard is right outside and he has weapons. I know that you have a gun under your shirt, too. I don't want to die, so I won't make a run for it, understand?” I assured.

I had gotten a clue when she knelt down and fidgeted at the last minute as she sat. The gun was tucked in her jeans, so she couldn't fully sit down without discomfort.

I had to make a change in plans.

Lucy thought about it for a long time. She raised the hem of her shirt to reveal the gun. It was a model that was easy to buy and easy to handle, but deadly nonetheless. I stared as she took it out and pointed it right at my head as she inched closer.

”I'll unlock you. If you try to run, I'll blow your head up!” she threatened.

I nodded quickly, but a pang of fear traveled down my spine. It was okay. As long as I didn't make a run for it, I would be fine. She unlocked my hands with one of hers while she pointed the gun at me with the other.

I kept my eyes on her the whole time, never looking away. Once down, I inspected my swollen and surely infected wrists. I twisted my right wrist to make sure I had the flexibility and slowly but carefully walked over to Gene.

”Hey, kid,” I whispered. ”It's going to be fine.” I patted her arm and she nodded. ”Where did you take the shot last time?” I asked tentatively.

”My leg,” she replied with the quiver of her lips.

I took the syringe tentatively from her hand. ”Then I will administer it to your abdomen, okay?” I announced.

”You can?” she asked in a low voice. I gripped her hand in assurance.

To fill the silence and dissuade the nervous atmosphere, I narrated the procedure in detail, telling her exactly where, why, and how I was administering the shot.

She groaned at the pain and squeezed her eyes shut to not show it.

”All done,” I announced. I turned to Lucy. ”Give me the puncture-resistant container,” I asked her casually. Lucy nodded, looking a little bewildered but produced a contained from the little bag she had kept in the room.

The procedure was to break the needle from the syringe and then place them separately in the container. So, after I opened the container, I broke the needle and made a show of putting it into the container. The needle was hidden between two of my fingers, completely out of view. I knew for sure Lucy wouldn't check for it.

I handed it over to her and walked back to my seat to be locked up again. ”See? I do as I promise,” I told Lucy with a smile.

She nodded numbly before shaking her head to get a better understanding. ”Tell me something else. How can I—” she asked. Her eyes sharpened as she looked at me critically.

”Next, you have to empathize with the people in the room. Just like you brought Gene her medicine, you will need to make sure the others get the proper care. Kidnapping is one thing, but torture is a different charge with grave results.” Her eyes widened and she nodded.

”What… what do you all need?” she asked. Everyone looked around at each other.

”You need anti-inflammation medicine. We also need contraceptive pills,” I told her quietly.

Lucy stiffened but otherwise agreed.

She left in a hurry and I found Jade staring at me. ”Why are you helping me?” she whispered. ”You shouldn't help me…”

I frowned. ”You need medical attention. I can't give you everything, but right now, you need basic medical help. This will scar you for life, but I will make sure it isn't worse.”

What else could I say? That I understood? I didn't. How could I understand?

She stared at me for a long time because her sobs filtered through the room. Apart from Benny and me who sat stoically, the two others grieved.

They probably saw no escape. They probably didn't think we could get out.

Right then, I wasn't sure I was fully confident either.