Chapter 28 - A Parent's Love

"Anybody with a flashlight?" Rodney asked.

Several different people then took out their flashlight and illuminated the sewer system we were now in.

"Down here should be clear, but just in case stay alert until we're back on the outside." Rodney stated.

"Ejay, what happened up there." Lj asked walking up to me.

"Long story short... the captain was killed by an infected." I replied softly.

"I see... I figured it was strange he wasn't joining us. I guess I shouldn't ask anything more about what happened."

"Alot happened." I replied. "It's weird because I can't get a read on Angie. From my perspective she seems normal, but you can't just be normal after that right?"

"I don't know bro, you're asking the wrong guy."

"I didn't know you were capable of being sarcastic." I stated.

With a grin he replied: "Do you know if she has any other family?"

"None that I've ever heard of. Mali acts like her sister from what I've seen. Wait."

Wait.

"You just realized." Lj exclaimed. "The thirty kids around us right now will never see their family again, and that includes us too."

Mom.

"I wonder if she even knows?" Lj asked. "I would like to think that they notified all parents and guardians beforehand, but in reality it would make sense that they didn't. Some parents would understand the situation and be cooperative but most aren't just gonna let their children be shipped to Africa to never be seen again. I don't even think that everyone here fully understands the situation we're in now. Actually now that I think about it, we didn't leave the city in the best condition. With us leaving, the captain dead and infected roaming the streets..."

"Are you trying to say we left them to die?" I asked in an angry tone.

"I can't say we left them to, because we were being overwhelmed ourselves up there." He responded.

"Why are you saying all this now?"

"Cause I know you could handle reality. It hurts to think about, but at least with you I know I could have a realistic discussion. Having this type stuff weigh on your mind without talking about it isn't healthy. It's better to face it straight up, that way you can get over it more quickly. As your brother you should know this was on my mind ever since the captain informed us of the mission."

...

"You've never been one to openly talk about stuff like this." I pointed out.

"Well, this is the second mom that I'm essentially running away from without even saying goodbye. I would like to think they both are alright, but if that was the case my parents would've found me all those years ago instead of your dad right? Why am I getting all these chances to live?"

...

"Oh yeah, who's that guy that was with you and Lici earlier?"

"Sign language dude? His name is Nico and he's a hunter apparently."

"A hunter? I feel like I've seen him somewhere before." Lj stated.

"Hey kid are you alright? Those wounds look like they hurt." Said a blonde hair lady walking over towards me.

"They sting a bit, but I'm good."

"My name is Violet, I'm the lead medic travelling with the group. I could treat those cuts to an extent while we're moving."

"Get treated." Lj said to me.

"Miguel come here and lend me a hand." Violet exclaimed.

She cleaned up my wounds while on the move, but of course we did fall to the back of the pack. After about fifteen minutes of traversing dark and smelly sewer tunnels, we finally got a small glimpse of sunlight. It was like a wall of light that we couldn't see through. A few excited people ran towards it as if they haven't seen sunlight in years. I walked up to the exit and as my eyes adjusted to the light, the barren wasteland before us was revealed.

"We're breaking here for a moment to check our bearings and catch ourselves." Rodney announced.

"How long would you have to guess before we make it to the airstrip?" Cory asked.

"It should take us five days if everything goes to plan." Zhaire answered. "We will be making one stop one the way."

"A stop where?" Alyssa questioned.

"Remember that geothermal scientist Captain Nash mentioned?" Rodney asked. "We have to rendezvous with him and his team before we head to the airstrip."

"Where is he?" Another girl asked.

"He's on the coastline, close to the edge of Florida. We won't have to go all the way there, they're supposed to meet us halfway around 4pm tomorrow. After that we will all begin the journey west."

"We should also take this time to properly introduce ourselves." Violet added. "For each of the five units here, there is a unit captain. I'm Violet Simmons, Captain of the medical unit."

A true beauty. She possesses a slim but curvy figure, long well kept blonde hair and amazing light blue eyes. Not to mention a seductive smile that could probably break any man.

"Most of you already know me, I'm Rodney Bootle, the stand in Captain of the guard unit."

"Zhaire Neely, stand in Captain of the searcher unit."

"Miles Wilson here, the Captain of the hunter unit."

This guy's easily the most intimidating out of all the captains. A bit short but an insane muscular build most guys dream of acquiring. His raspy and deep voice fits him perfectly.

"Lastly over here I'm the Captain of the chef unit, Miranda Kane."

She looks the oldest out of the five, possible early fifties at least. Short dark hair along with a short and thin body. I wonder if she's even going to be able to keep up with everyone.

"You should all take this time to also get further acquainted with the others around you." Violet added. "We have a long journey ahead of us and along the way we are going to face obstacles that you wouldn't dream of inside the city. You're going to need to trust not only us captains but also every face that's around you at this moment. This situation is new to all of us, so it's important to know that we could rely on each of you and in return you can rely on us."

"We leave in ten minutes so rest and hydrate while you can." Rodney exclaimed.

People really listened to what Violet said, because right after they were done speaking, the groups merged together and people began familiarizing themselves with one another.

"Long time no see comrade." Nico says walking up to me.

"It's been a while huh." I playfully replied. "I'm Ejay." I say as I extend my hand towards him.

"Ejay? Is that a nickname or..."

"Nah that's my real name." I replied with a grin.

"Your an interesting guy Ejay."

He's telling me that?

"My name's Nico Williams, it's a pleasure to be escaping together."

"Yeah, likewise buddy."

"Looks like your back to normal Nico." Shea says as she, Nesha and Dameer walk over to us.

"I doubt that going back to normal is an option anymore. Especially given this situation we're in now. But, I'm trying to keep a smile up yanno."

"Well, don't force it." Nesha stated. "Forcing a smile is unhealthy, so unless it's genuine you could drop it."

"Nesha could see through all fake smiles." Dameer added. "She practices them in the mirror after crying at night."

"Excuse me big stupid who asked for your input?" Nesha asked.

"Excuse me, but this is an open conversation bIg StUpId." Dameer replied.

"You two fight more than most enemies, let alone couples." Shea stated.

"That's big stupid's fault!" They say simultaneously while pointing at each other.

Me and Nico couldn't help but to laugh at them.

"Francis, could you spare me a minute?" Rodney asked from a distance.

As I walked over to him he turned and started walking away. I followed close behind as he walked away from everyone else around. He stopped behind some bushes and waited for me.

"Is there an issue?" I questioned as he reached into his pocket.

"Before leaving the city, I went to inform a few people of the situation because I felt they deserved to know."

He pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and stretched his hand out to present it to me.

"This is a letter from your mother. She quickly wrote this in front of me and asked me to deliver it to you."

I stared at the letter for a moment before reaching out to accept it. I slowly and carefully opened it. A soft and gentle breeze began to blow around me as I began to read it.

"Dear Ejay,

I never expected that this would be the way that I would have to depart from you. I understand the weight of the situation that Mr. Bootle just relayed to me, but it's not easy to just accept these circumstances. I would like to come with you. I would like you to stay with me. My hand is shaking as I'm writing this, but there's a lot I want to tell you. I should start with saying sorry. I kept you in the dark with a lot of things that were going on. Things concerning your father in particular. You know you're a lot like him. Both of you are emotionally impulsive and tend to act irrationally. I could tell you both always have a lot on your minds but hardly ever talk about it. It hurt me a bit that you took that part of him, in truth I wished you spoke your mind more. You're both very smart, but also very humble. You both wholeheartedly care about everyone that plays a role in your journey in life. I think that's what I love about the two of you the most. There's so much that I love about you two, but I don't have the time to fit it all in this letter. There's so much, but I hate some of your tendencies too. I hate how you could be indecisive and question your own abilities. I hate how you leave clothes on the floor without even thinking about picking them up. But what I hate most is how you and Evan are both leaving me behind. It's alright though Ejay, the last thing I want is for you to worry about me. There's surely an unthinkable number of things that you're going have to worry about out there. You have a chance to help protect humanity's existence on this planet and I think that there is nothing that should stand in the way of that. Please don't worry about me for even a second, I'm going to try my best to enjoy the time I have left here. Don't hesitate when you're out there because I know how capable you are."

The ink is smeared from here to the end. I could just about make out the words.

"You're a trusting person, but never think that someone would prioritize you over themselves. Trust yourself more than anyone. Listen to what the people around you are saying before making decisions by yourself. Be careful who you give your heart to. Trust in God through all trials and tribulations. There's so much I want to say to you Ejay. I love you. I love you so much and my only request is that you never forget me. Watch over Lj. Actually tell Lj that I'm asking him to watch over you. He's got a better head on his shoulders, and tell him that I love him too. He's just as much of a son to me as you are. Please be careful Ejay. Tell your father that I love him as well and both of you betters get the job done. Goodbye, and once again I love you."

...

"It's healthy to let it out." Rodney said to me.

I slowly fold the letter again as my tears fall to the ground before me. I'll be fine mommy, no need to worry about me. If it was my choice I would choose to be your son all over again. Thank you. I wipe my tears away and slide the letter into my pocket.

"What does she mean when she said me and my dad betters get the job done?" I asked Rodney.

"The scientists that we have to rendezvous with tomorrow. He's your dad."

I stare down Rodney with an intense gaze as I finish clean my face.

"Let's move." I say to him as I walk back to the others.

I walk up to Lj, Liam and Lici, who immediately notice me coming there way.

"What happened Ejay?" Lici asked.

"Bro you good?" Liam asked.

"Never better." I replied before turning to Lj. "We're heading out."