79 Getting Information (1/2)
Day 3 – 8:11 AM – Bacoor City Hall 4th Floor, Molino Boulevard, Bayanan, Bacoor City, Cavite
Mark, who had already removed his mask, sat in front of Charmaine. She narrated what happened to her while she ate the food her Big Brother brought for her.
According to her story, when the infected came, it was total chaos. The local government was actually waiting for the military evacuation team to come before the outbreak reached this area but the evacuation team never came. At the last moment, the police and the other government armed divisions tried to evacuate the people by themselves but failed miserably. Not only they lost people and failed to evacuate, all the people who tried to evacuate fell into the hands of the infected.
”It's good that you didn't join them.”
Mark said as he put Abbygale in front of him and cuddled her to stop her tantrum. He channeled that calming energy to her and tried to control it little by little. It was effective as the little girl started curl into his embrace and slowly drifted into sleep. He was also managing to train his ability like this.
”I actually wanted to join them but the people pushed me behind. They all rushed to the vehicles that I didn't even had the chance to squeeze through.”
Charmaine said with a bitter smile. Still, her not being able to join those people saved her. She continued with her story.
Without any choice left, the people who lost hope in evacuating went into the building and tried to barricade the higher floors. Then the massacre happened.
”Then what about that huge tree?”
Hearing what Mark asked about, Charmaine shook her head.
”The tree started to grow yesterday. It took it about a whole day I think. No one was able to rest the whole time it was growing. The building was shaking too much that everyone was afraid that it would collapse.”
The weariness was visible in Charmaine's eyes while she narrated what happened yesterday.
”Eat up and regain your strength. Well leave this place after you recover.”
Charmaine looked at Mark for a bit while thinking about something. Seeing his resolute expression, she finally nodded.
”Brother, can I share some of these?”
She grabbed several packs of biscuits and asked Mark.
Mark did not even have to look to other directions. He could feel the envy and the eagerness of the people around as they saw the food he brought for Charmaine. Even the guards, the policemen and the congresswoman was not an exception. However, no one dared to ask for food from her while Mark was there. By what he behaved earlier, everyone think of him as a ruthless and lawless person who would kill for the slightest grievance.
Mark sighed while looking at Charmaine. This girl had not changed at all. Like several years ago, she was not selfless but not selfish either. She would share things if she have some extra.
”Alright, just be sure to leave enough for you to eat. There aren't much of those.”
Hearing what he said, Charmaine was delighted. She immediately called the nurse and gave several packets for the people to share. It was not enough at all but at least, they had something to put into their stomachs.
Mark caressed the head of the sleeping savage girl which took Charmaine's attention.
”Big Brother, you're already married?”
To her question, Mark did not know how to react.
”I didn't. You think, someone would fall for someone as worthless as me?”
”You're still harsh to your self aren't you? If you haven't married yet, then this girl is?”
”A kitten I picked up.”
”Big Bro. I'm asking seriously here.”
”I really picked her up. I'm not joking.”
Charmaine had a lot of questions about the little girl but was forced to stop since Mark shoved a piece of packed bread into her mouth.
”You're asking too much. Just concentrate on eating.”
She looked at her Big Brother with eyes filled with grievance. He just needed to say it if he wanted her to stop talking. He did not need to shove that piece of bread to her mouth!
Since Abbygale was asleep, Mark tried to peel her off and make the little girl lay down beside Charmaine but as he tried to do so, she immediately woke up.
”Gale, just sleep for a bit would you?”
The little girl rubbed her eyes and answered.
”No. If Papa is leaving, I'll go too.”
Mark looked at the little girl. She was not familiar with anyone here so she did not want to be left alone. He could not reprimand her either as she meant no harm… At least, to him and his people.
”Alright, but don't do anything without my permission.”
Abbygale nodded.
”Charm, I'll just talk to them for a little. Finish your food alright.”
”Big Brother. Don't fight with them.”
”Don't worry, I won't. Unless, they start first.”
Mark together with Abbygale left Charmaine with the nurse.
Charmaine looked at his back as he left. She was really worried that Mark would fight with the congresswoman and her guards. It looked like her brother changed a lot in the past years. He was always silent and timid before but now, he was behaving unruly and brave.
***
Mark approached the congresswoman's group and was led into an office. Of course, as a congresswoman, her office was not in this place. The office Mark was led to was actually the office of the mayor. It gave Mark a question in his mind.
'What happened to the mayor?”
Still, Mark had no notion to voice this question. It was not hard to guess what could have happened to the Mayor if he was not here.
When Mark entered, the congresswoman led him to seat in front of the mayor's table and she sat behind it. The bodyguards stood by the door while only one of the policemen stood beside her. Mark sat on the chair and Abbygale sat on his lap.
”I want to apologize about what happened earlier. We did not expect that he would push your sister away and snatch the radio. He even ended up breaking it.”
Madam Lanie put up an apologetic expression. Mark felt that she was really sorry but as if he'd just accept that apology.
”I don't care about your apology. The damage had already been done and I already reduced the compensation as much as possible. Actually, I want to at least have a replacement for the radio but I don't want those outdated models the government issued the police and the military.”
”You-!”
The policeman was about to say something but the congresswoman stopped him by raising her hand.
”I'm really grateful that you toned down the compensation you wanted. We really have nothing to give you if you didn't.”
Mark looked at her directly.
”Actually, you guys are not the ones to pay but that guy. Why are you even taking responsibility for him?”