554 The Familys Decision, From Agreeing to Begging (1/2)
Day 130 - 10:22 AM - Infirmary, Audubon Highschool, Audubon, Camden County, New Jersey, United States of America
The talk about what transpired yesterday happened in the infirmary. Usually, a discussion like this would be held in private meeting rooms where only necessary people were allowed. Even Captain Morrison proposed that after they heard that Mark decided to speak. However, Mark was against it, and they could only listen.
Aside from the soldiers and the curious onlookers, Hannah, Arnold, and everyone from the Baley's Casino were also present.
Without minding who was listening, Mark leaned on the wall in front of everyone. He decided to divulge almost everything that happened.
From Elise's involvement with Ellse, the assumed relationship of Ellse to the group attacking this settlement, and the reasons why Elise did that, Mark started to tell them about his first.
Not only the soldiers and other survivors but Elise's family members were also shocked to hear this. And of course, it was not surprising that anger many felt anger about this truth.
Who would have thought that the rat in the settlement was Elise?
It might be unintentional since she was not aware, but still, because of her, many people, soldiers, friends, and family, died and suffered. Some people inside the infirmary lost to their temper and tried to charge towards Elise, who was asleep. Of course, even though everyone here could understand their anger, no one would let that happen. Those people were restrained.
Furthermore, it was no secret that Elise lost her memories after she learned the truth. Blaming her in this condition was akin to making someone who knew nothing take responsibility. Well, of course, if it was still the society before the outbreak, she was still punishable by law. Unfortunately, that was not the case in the apocalypse.
And now, even more, no one here would be able to punish Elise as she now had Mark behind her.
After some people became violent, Mark declared had he intended taking Elise in her family away. This made Abraham, Candice, and Roan very troubled. They had not come to a conclusion on that matter yet.
And for everyone here, they became even more troubled than the family in question. It was because Roan, the strongest in this settlement, was the only one that could keep the outlaws in check. If he suddenly left, this place would not last any longer.
Disregarding everyone's thoughts, Mark continued to tell what happened yesterday. The involvement of the outlaws to the ritual. And that the leader of the outlaws was actually someone that Felicia would never forget, Jude.
Mark did not say anything about Jude's relationship to Felicia and her family, but their reactions already told everyone here that they had some sort of connection.
Of course, everyone here was skeptical about magic and stuff. They were just regular people anyway. Some even started to question Mark and thought that he was just fooling with them.
”Magic and monsters are just fantasy.”
Someone murmured.
”Oh?” Mark turned to that person. ”Then, explained what happened with Elise just earlier.”
That was a short exchange that transpired at that time.
None of them could explain what happened when Elise woke up, after all. If it was not magic or psychic ability, that what was it? They had no answer. Even so, skeptics were hard to please with things.
Thus, Mark conjured a black fire at the end of his index finger to show them. That made the skeptics shut up. Chemicals could change the color of fire, but it needed to be under a special light to turn black even if a chemical reaction was used. None of it was in the room. Furthermore, those that knew about it could tell that a pitch-black flame was not possible even if the equipment was present.
Furthermore, when Mark made the flame float steadily after removing his hand, the people here, no matter how skeptic they were, had no choice but to believe.
The discussion ended up with Mark telling everyone that the chimera left after being revived.
Mark did not tell anything else that was unnecessary. He left out the arrival of the other intrudes, his rampage, and his encounter with the Ninth Eye. It was not something that should be disclosed to these people.
The discussion took some time. Mark could not help but want to end it as soon as possible. Even more, since he was uncomfortable being the center of attention of many people for too long.
Lastly, Mark decided to warn the people.
”After we leave, you people here should leave this place too.”
Making everyone confused as hell, Mark decided to end this meeting.
With Mei, Mark left the room without explaining about his last words.
However, there was someone who could not stay behind anymore and followed.
***
Back at the rooftop, Mark and Mei decided that they would cook something for lunch. Felicia and the others could cook their own with the food they had in the vehicle, after all.
Mark took out some cooking items from his ring and started to cook some instant dry noodles. It was not hard and fast to cook. They both wanted some fresh food, but at this moment, there was nowhere to get fresh ingredients.
In the middle of cooking, the person that followed them decided to show up.
Mark turned around, knowing who it was.
”This is our food, we're not going to share.”
Mark said with a serious expression, making the person almost stumble.
After all, this guy was not here for that.
This guy was no other than Felicia's oldest sibling, her brother, Roan.
Of course, he was not here to ask for food. He did not even have the slightest idea that Mark and Mei would proceed to cook lunch after that meeting.
”I'm not here for that.”
Roan frowned.
”I know. I just want to say it.”
Mark nonchalantly replied, making Roan sigh.
”What are you planning?”
Roan asked.
”About what?”
Mark asked in return.
Roan was starting to get pissed off. He could not tell if Mark really did not know what he had done, or if he was feigning ignorance.
”You put our family in an awkward position. That's intentional, isn't it?”
Hearing that question, Mark smiled.