Episode 5: Lost Labyrinth (3): Second siren (1)

"What are you doing?"

I opened my eyes and looked at the soldier.

It was Antonio.

"Oh my... god..." I sighed.

"Are you alright?" Antonio asked stepping towards me. He lowered his gun. Looking back, he asked, "Did you throw that?"

"Yeah... I thought you were those soldiers. Why have you dressed like that anyway?"

"The lieutenant. I took his clothes and used the other soldier's clothes to tie him up."

I was suspicious but Antonio wasn't lying. The clothes he wore had holes in it, the holes from the gunshots.

"So," Antonio said. "I met some people outside just now."

"You... what?"

"I said, there were people outside. I met them. It wasn't soldiers don't worry."

"So... who were they?"

"Lab scientists."

"Lab... scientists?"

"Yeah."

"Why..." I said but then I thought about it for a moment. "The place we were in before... that room, it was a lab room?"

"Yes."

"Hmm..."

Antonio looked over towards the kitchen. "Are they at it again?"

"Ah, I was hungry... we made some more food. Do you want some?" I stood up and walked into the kitchen. "It's alright now kids."

They peeked their head up from behind the table.

"Antonio!!!" Freya shouted. She shot up and ran towards him.

"So, we're safe?" Rose asked.

"Mhm, it was Antonio dressed as a 'soldier'," I punched Antonio's shoulder sightly. "What a prank, ha..." I sighed happily.

We packed and brought the food out. Claire was still lying there but she slowly opened her eyes and sat up.

"Hungry?" I said offering her some food.

Claire's hands shook as she reached out taking the food. She slowly retracted her arms and looked down at it - her tears dropped down on to the food.

I patted her shoulder slightly and said, "It's alright now. We're safe here. Look." I pointed at Antonio. "We've got someone reliable there."

Claire's eyes widened and she trembled backwards against the shelf.

"Hey, hey, Claire... it's alright."

I knew she wasn't alright after what I heard from Rose.

"Claire, let's eat, okay?"

Claire nodded and I sat next to her. Rose and Antonio brought out the rest of the food and we all sat together in a circle munching on it.

* * *

"Kids," Antonio said.

"Yes!" Freya replied enthusiastically.

"We'll get you home after this."

"Awwww, why!?" Freya pouted and aggressively ate her food.

Andrea spoke up. "Freya, they must be worried."

"But...!"

"We have to head back soon. We've been out for days."

"But... but Andrea!! Ann~" Freya wailed.

"No buts."

"Okay..." She tipped her head down and continued to eat.

"Where are you heading to?" Rose asked.

"We're going back home," Andrea replied.

"Home?"

Andrea looked at Antonio.

"What she meant," Antonio interrupted, "is that we'll be going back to the shelter above.

"Ah, right," I said. "But first, we should look for Rose's friends."

"Yeah, we should look for Ray and that kid. I do have a rough idea where they are."

"What!?" Rose exclaimed.

"How?" I asked.

"Well, I asked the lieutenant about the structure of this place. It seems like there are many other entrances to this underground facility."

"I finished!" Freya said happily. "These are soooo nice! But, I do miss the jelly we make at home~"

"Jelly's nice," I smiled. "I haven't made them since I was a kid. It brings back memories." I looked down at my food. "How long has it been since I made and cooked...? I mostly eat out or takeaways these days because of work."

"Hmm?" Freya expression changed; she was confused. "You make jelly?"

"Yeah, we make them."

"How??? We catch them and then eat it! It's superrrrr nice!"

"C-Catch?"

Andrea nudged Freya slightly and whispered to her quietly.

"Hahaha... I meant," Freya said. "We made them." She smiled awkwardly.

I felt my clothes being pulled slightly. turning around, Claire was looking at me and the food with puppy-like eyes.

"You can have more Claire, help yourself," I assured her.

She grabbed the next few containers of food, dragged it towards her and continued to eat.

"Woahh," Freya said. "You eat a lot! Erm... Claire!"

Claire nodded.

"How are you feeling?" Antonio asked me.

"It's much better now," I said placing my hand on the wound.

"We need to get you treated properly... you'll get an infection at this rate," Rose said sternly.

"Yeah, we'll find a doctor later when we get back to the shelter-" I paused. "No, actually, forget about that."

"You're right, we can't let them know what's happened to you," Antonio added. "It'll expose you and them people you were with earlier, Karen."

"Yeah..." I replied.

"He's referring to them..." I thought to myself.

"What about this!" Freya jumped up and walked towards me. She placed her hand on my wound. "Is it here?"

"Erm, yes."

"Hmm, follow me!" Freya dragged my hand and we walked behind the shelves.

"Will they be alright?" Rose asked Antonio.

"Yeah, it'll be fine," he replied.

Andrea stood up and followed us.

* * *

"Heyyy can I call you Karen... sis?" Freya excitingly said.

"Yeah, call me big sis if you like," I said proudly.

"Alright! Well big sissss, lie down here." She cleared the table and I lied on it. "Close your eyes."

I closed my eyes and wondered, "What's she up to?"

"So, can I have a look at your wound?"

"What?"

Andrea stepped in and whispered. "You can't Freya!"

"It'll be alright!" Freya replied. "Can I, big sis?"

"Hmm, sure," I said. My eyes were closed.

I couldn't see what was going on but I felt my clothes opening. She moved the bandages away from the wound. The cold air from the room made my wound sting but a moment later, I felt a warm aura around it. Freya's hands moved closer to the wound and placed it on top of it. The warmth around the wound grew and surprisingly, it felt nice. The stinging sensation became mild.

"Freya? What's this...?" I wanted to open my eyes but Andrea stopped me.

"It's alright, erm, miss," Andrea said.

"You can call me Karen as well," I said.

"Alright... Karen sis..." Andrea moved her hand away from my eyes but I still kept them shut.

"Nature provides us with everything," I heard Freya say. "May it bless you and fasten your recovery."