Chapter 18

She stormed into the house and went straight to her room. "Amy where are you going?" Gianna tried to stop her. "It's urgent don't stop me" she answered breathlessly and pointed outside. David was already waiting there in his car. "Tell me! What are you up to? It's not good for you to roam around." She entered after her into her room who was already changing her clothes. She couldn't focus amid her bated breaths as she was struggling to wear socks on one of her feet that was up in the air. "Mom I told you it's urgent. I'll be back soon." she tapped her mother on cheeks and reached to kiss her softly. Then she hugged her in a hurry and ran outside. Gianna could only glance at her back who had jumped into the car in no time.

Gianna was growing more sensitive about her safety. She knew that her daughter too was a daredevil like her father. That recklessness could harm her in so many ways. Particularly, the encounter with boys few weeks back had been an alarm for her. She knew that Amelia's fears were right. Whatever she tried to ask her were not just her suspicions, they had been through hell because of Jason's audacity. But that was the last thing she could ever tell her. There were promises she was bound to keep. Though she believed her daughter would find it out eventually.

The breakout of Alto virus had been another blow to their peaceful life. She knew that Amelia would never stop risking her own life for something that would bring peace to humanity. She had her father's genes. Keeping quiet was the least she would ever do in situations like these. "If there are threats then you should stop doing it." She suddenly heard herself telling Jason as she drifted to her past. Gianna had put one of her hands on his shoulder who was sitting on a chair writing something in his diary. Sensing her hand on his shoulder he closed the diary, put his glasses down and looked into her eyes. "Threats are the only things that make me realize I am doing the right thing. Without threats there is no motivation." He told her with a gentle smile on his lips. Gianna puckered her eyebrows helplessly. She could see her future without Jason and that would send shivers through her body. He stood up, held her arms in his palms and pressed them softly. "Heroes don't always go with the flow. Sometimes they stand against it..." he said after a pause, "For all the right reasons," he added gently. She knew he was right but her heart sank.

Gianna had lost Jason amid confusions, fears and incomprehension. Amelia was moving in the same direction. Not that she had done something wrong but because when she decided to do something, nothing would stop her from doing that. "I love you and Amy so much. Both of you are my life. And nothing can change that fact." She heard him saying again. And with that he pulled a silver chain which was fastened around his neck with a big round locket and put it in her hands. "Give it to Amelia when she is big enough to take care of it. And tell her that this is nothing less than the meaning of my whole life," he said as he closed the locket in her hand and pressed it hard. She knew that it was priceless if Jason had declared it the meaning of his whole life.

Suddenly, coming back to the present she stared at her palms which were empty and pale. Tears rolled down her face. "I couldn't save you, I wasn't brave enough to do that." She whispered to herself as she cried silently. "But I won't let Amy be fool. I promise you I will save her from everything that can harm her." she gently blew her nose and cleaned her tears with a tissue. "I won't let her die like you."

Gianna saw that there were new challenges popping up in their lives. Alto virus had driven people around the town crazy. Amelia had decided to find the solution. Her mother had helped her pursue her dream and she encouraged her to do the right thing but not unless she saw the picture in the news channel that day. It was so horrible that it scared her to the throat. And pushing her daughter into that craziness was the most unlikely thing she would ever do. Since then she had been keeping a close watch on Amelia. She wouldn't let her go anywhere. Gianna knew that there was no sign of virus in that area yet. But the fears had engulfed every market, park and other public places. People who used to stroll aimlessly, had stopped coming out of their houses.

The previous day she had gone for grocery shopping when a young woman wearing blue jeans and black top stopped there too. She was normal and was busy shopping with her mother. They were searching products in the meat section. The woman suddenly got pale and lost her balance. She struggled to keep herself straight by taking hold of the meat on the counter but she failed and dropped back. Her mother ran to her. Just as she straightened up and gasped for air she began retching incessantly and with exhalation spewed a barrage of yellow viscous liquid with a tinge of blood and splattered the floor around her. The girl fell down again. Nobody dared to come close. Her mother was the only person who tried to pick her up. Gianna went there too but was incredulous what to do with her. That was the first time when the bells of alarm rang across the town. Gianna had quickly done her shopping and ran back to her home. Nobody knew what happened to the girl. That might have been food poisoning but it terrified everyone. It was as if the thing was approaching their vicinity.

Gianna had a vague idea of what Amelia was doing. But she felt satisfied when David and Amelia were together. He had always shielded her with his presence whenever she needed him and Gianna was happy about it. She liked him and his gentleness. For Amelia she had always considered him the best option. Though they were never seen mingling with each other romantically but deep down she knew they loved each other so much.

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David drove the car speedily ignoring the traffic. They sped past signals which were surprisingly not crowded enough. "Are you trying to imitate Paul Walker?" she said grinning when David didn't slow down. "No! I am struggling to be Vin Diesel," he laughed excitedly. "For God sake slow down. We have to reach there alive." she begged him. "Check your watch. What time is it?" He said pointing at her watch. "Ow it's 12:50." She said visibly tensed. "Don't worry Vin Diesel shall take care of it." he laughed and accelerated the car even more. Amelia held the grab handles with both hands and positioned herself on the seat despite the high speed. Within few minutes they stopped before a huge multi storied building with a mirrored front. On top of the building EPA was written in a calibri style. "So we are here." He gestured with his hand and told her to get ready. They got out of the car and waited for a while to inhale a fresh air. "How are we supposed to start" she asked nervously. "Relax Amy! we are just meeting a friend. I know he will help us." David comforted her. They entered the glassed door which opened automatically with thermal sensors. At the reception David introduced himself and asked for Thomas Mike. The receptionist called someone on the phone and then told them to go to the third floor, Room no. 304. It was all they had wanted. They thanked the receptionist and left with a cordial smile.