110 Reunion with a Friend (2/2)
Carlo voiced what was in the minds of everyone.
”We'll leave later. I actually wanted to leave already but you see right, a lot of things happening preventing us from doing so. We'll just let it pass and leave a little bit later.”
”Well, you got the call.”
Carlo replied while shrugging his shoulders. He also wanted to leave too as he wanted to check on his family as soon as possible but as just what his Bro had said. It felt like something was preventing them from doing so. Is it destiny? Fate? Who knows?
After that exchange, Mark put the sleeping Janette inside the vehicle but did not tie her anymore. Them everyone else entered the vehicle after Mark went out once more.
”Dude, why do you have too many women with you?”
Rollan suddenly asked making Mark shrug his shoulders.
”I want to ask that question myself, you know? But who can I ask? It's good that you're here. At least, there's one more male in the group.”
”You're not going to use me as a shield, are you?”
”Nah, you're the only one thinking that. Anyway, you can sit on the passenger seat in the front.”
”Why there?”
”Because we have to women in the back who have problems with males you see.”
Rollan was speechless. It was not like he could not see another male sitting there and also Mark.
”Don't say anything, just enter the car.”
Mark started to push him into the front passenger seat.
Everyone was inside the vehicle now while Mark went back to the crowd and approached the congresswoman who was currently talking with Chief Mallari and another person. The person that Mark was not familiar with was surely the Mutator from their ranks. Mark did not want to interact with this guy but it could not be helped at the moment.
”Mark!”
Madam Lanie called out as he approached and asked.
”Is there something you need?”
”We'll postpone our departure for later so I'm just here to ask permission to use that house again.”
”There's no problem with that. As I said before, your people are always welcome here.”
”Alright.”
”Wait Mark.”
Mark was about to turn around and leave but Chief Mallari called him.
”What is it?”
”Thank you for lending your aid to us once more.”
”Nah, I got my payment already.”
Chief Mallari smiled bitterly at his response.
To the side, hearing that Mark took some payment for helping, SP02 Agbayani frowned. He was about to speak when.
”Don't you dare try to open that mouth of yours. I don't want to hear that nonsense you wanted to spew out of your mouth.”
Mark's hostility was obvious.
SP02 Agbayani froze because of that and Mark left immediately afterwards.
Seeing Mark's back from a distance, SP02 Agbayani turned his head towards Chief Mallari and Madam Lanie.
”Chief, Madam, did I do something wrong?”
The two did not answer and just smiled bitterly at him making the young cop even more confused.
After leaving the three, Mark then approached Rosamie and her children.
”Can you three follow us? There are some questions I want to ask.”
”There's no problem with that. We also have questions to ask you.”
Rosamie agreed to his intention.
”Yeah, we have questions Mark-Ojichan!”
Emika unnecessarily added.
”Alright. Just follow behind our vehicle.”
Mark then returned to the vehicle.
Rosamie on the other hand went to offer some pleasantries to the congresswoman and the police chief who led them here before boarding their vehicle.
The two unique looking vehicles drove away under everyone's eyes. Nevertheless, it would be hard for many people here to digest what they had just witnessed. Even if any of them were to tell what they saw to other people, no one would believe them and they might even be branded as liars.
***
Mark's group soon arrived back at the house they had just left not too long ago. Leaving this place and returning later looked awkward but there was nothing that they could do due to the sudden circumstances.
As time was the essence, Mark started giving orders.
”Anna.”
”Yes?!”
”Start to prepare lunch. If we are able to, we'll have an early lunch and leave after noon.”
”Roger!”
”Anyone want to help her?”
Mark asked the rest of the group.
”Master, how about I help?”
Odelina asked.
”I'm just about to ask you to change Janette's clothes though. Its all stained with blood.”
”Then, I can do that after cooking.”
”Alright, if you say so.”
There, they would start their meeting inside the living room but now, with the old members aside, Rollan was now included. Rosamie, Emika and Mikio were not members of the group but as Mark had questions to ask them, they also huddled on one of the sofas.
***
Day 4 - 7:32 AM – Central Business Park, Pasay City, Medical Building
It was a building formerly used as an office. After the military occupied Bay City and converted the place into an evacuation zone, the several story offices was converted into a medical facility.
Paula stood outside one of the rooms that were converted into an intensive care unit. She was looking worriedly through the glass window. Inside the room, a female could be seen with all the medical apparatus sticking on her body. The female Paula was worriedly looking at was no other than Angeline.
Angeline had been unconscious for about a day now. Though she was not in danger anymore, she had yet to wake up. Furthermore, no one was allowed to enter her room as of yet as she had just received a surgery.
Paula could not help but remember what happened. She stared back at the unconscious Angeline with a sad look.