Chapter 88: The Undying Viral Sensation (1/2)
”Ahh, if it isn't the stream sniper of Team Rhapsody, I've heard all about the little show you all put on last night. Whispers spread fast; your group decimated the cult and Alton annihilated Paradox. I expected nothing less.”
Gale stood in front of Vanguard's cell as he stared at the man with eyes of hate. His hand was trembling as he spoke with a spiteful tone. ”We've dealt with the last of your reach. No one will remember the legend of Vanguard anymore. We fought your pointless war, are you happy now?”
Vanguard stood by with a smug look. ”Was the battle too much for you? I did warn those two though. You don't belong in the world of streamers. Quite surprised Percy didn't come and rub it in. Pity.”
Gale looked up with eyes full of tears as he bit his lip. ”Percy is dead.”
”What?” He muttered shocked. ”You're joking.”
”He gave his life to save everyone from you. All of this is your fault. His death is on your hand.” He spat slamming a photo of Percy on the glass cell. He stuck it on stepping back. ”Now his face will never leave you. I want you to remember the boy who admired you and died for that. Goodbye.”
Vanguard stared at the photo dazed. He clenched his fist, slamming the cell yelling out. ”Don't you turn your back on me, Gale! You get back here now! Answer me! How did he die! Tell me!” Gale never turned back as he left Vanguard alone. He stood still staring at the photo of Percy, one which would haunt him for years to come. He slammed the cell once more, leaving a small crack as he screamed out. ”Damn it!”
****
The door to the hospital ward was open as Alton alongside Zinnia stuck their heads in seeing both Alice and Iris resting in bed. Stepping in, Alton began chuckling to himself. ”Ah, I remember the days when I too was a prisoner to this place, subsided to lying in a bed for days on end. How does it feel now the tables have turned?”
”The Alice senses a hint of mockery. She disapproves of your insults. Do not move while she puts you in a ward of your own.”
”Pipe down sis, Alton has a bizarre way of caring for others.” Iris chuckled sitting up. ”How does it all go?”
”That doesn't matter. Zinnia wanted to visit.”
Zinnia sat on the bed staring at Iris concerned. ”How are you feeling?”
Iris sighed, looking down, cupping her hands. ”It only hit me last night that I might never see again. To have something I never apricated truly to be stolen from me in an instant hit hard.”
”I could only imagine.”
”It only serves me right, I suppose. I got way too cocky after defeating Vanguard I thought I could take on the world by myself. This couldn't be any more of a reality check.”
”What are you going to do?”
Alice pulled herself out of bed, walking over. ”We are going to take a little break from streaming. I've already put through the request with my father. We're going to pull through this and find an alternative for my sister.”
”That's understandable.” Alton nodded. ”Zinnia I think I left my wallet by the vending machine can you check?”
”Huh? Yeah, sure.”
Alton turned back sighing. ”I've been thinking about a short break too. It's probably best for Zinnia.”
”Percy's gone. It's clearly affecting her; I can tell that.”
”Yeah, Percy looked up to Zinnia as his hero. She won't admit it, but she feels guilt over it. Probably blames herself for it.”
”It wasn't her fault.”
”No, it's not. But as the leader of the group, I can't help but feel somewhat responsible. I should have disagreed with the CEOs. If we were all together, I could have protected him.”
”Don't you dare do that?” Iris snapped almost falling out of bed. Alice helped her stand as she looked towards him. ”You cannot blame yourself again for this. What happened to your old team wasn't your fault. Neither is this; I will not sit around and allow you to carry that guilt, Alton.”
Staring at Iris for a short time, he tutted giving up the argument. ”I'll leave you be; it's clear you need rest. You must have hit your head.”
”What makes you think Iris has hit her head? I do not see any injures of the sort.”
Opening the door, he turned back with a traumatic look of guilt. ”Because what happened to hero's might will always be my fault.” Letting out a long-winded sigh, he rubbed his face holding back the tears. He needed to distance himself for a while, get back on his feet and push the guilt and trauma back down again. In a state of thought, he noticed Scarlett walking away, catching his attention. ”Scarlett, what are you doing here?”
Scarlett turned around cursing under her breath. ”Oh, shit. Ah! Alton, if it isn't the hunk, I was looking for. I was actually looking for you no less. I'd thought I would visit the others out of respect and all.”
”Oh, I see. Fair enough, I guess. Sometimes I forget you care for other people.”
Scarlett gasped punching Alton's shoulder. ”I am deeply insulted by those terms, to actually think someone thinks I'm so psychopathic is downright disturbing.”
”I was joking stupid. I know you care about us.” He laughed, punching Scarlett back. She yelped, holding her stomach as Alton looked concerned. ”Hey, are you alright?”
Scarlett stared at Alton dully as she didn't speak for a little while. Dropping her arms to her side, she smirked. ”Suppose the cat is out of the bag, yeah? No point hiding it now.” She lifted her shirt, showing bandages over a large wound which was dried up with blood. ”You really had to twist my ace didn't you Dauntless…”
”What happened?”
”If you really must know, I was jumped by the Syndicate family during the raid. I chased after them, but they ambushed me and left quite the hit on me. It's embarrassing and might I say insulting showing any sign of weakness. As a member of the Dawn family, it is not acceptable to be injured like this.”
”You dummy, we're a team why didn't you say anything?”
”I did not want it to be an issue. You had enough on your plate with Monty, Paradox and Percy. Worrying about silly old me is the last thing you should worry about.”
”Not to me.”
Scarlett lowered her shirt, looking away, going red. ”If you are quite done making a fool of me, I would like to go home.”
”I'll walk you home?”
”No, while I apricate the request like I said you have much more Dearing issues to take care of.” She informs pointing to Zinnia behind them. ”I'll see you around Dauntless.”
Zinnia walked up, confused. ”Was that Scarlett?”
”Yeah, she was just passing through…”
”oh, okay. Sorry I couldn't find your wallet.”