CHAPTER 30: ERASING THEIR MEMORIES
Arlo and Elena stepped into the guard-post, finding a moment of privacy. Elena glanced at Arlo with a mix of curiosity and concern, her eyes reflecting the dim light of the room.
"Arlo, how do you plan to handle this situation?" Elena asked, her voice was full of uncertainty. "They saw what we're capable of, and your headquarters strictly prohibits revealing our powers to outsiders."
Arlo took out a little bar-type, sleek device. He held it up, revealing a compact device with a screen and a few buttons.
"This is the Neutrolizer," Arlo explained, his voice calm yet determined. "It's a device designed to erase specific memories from a person's mind. We'll use it to remove their memories of our extraordinary abilities. They will only remember that we saved them from the bandits."
Elena's eyes widened as she studied the Neutrolizer. "So, we can manipulate their memories? That's incredible."
Arlo nodded, a touch of solemnity in his expression. "It's a necessary measure to protect ourselves. We can't risk exposing our true abilities."
Elena hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "But is it ethical, Arlo? Altering someone's memories?"
Arlo's gaze met Elena's, filled with empathy. "I understand your concerns, Elena. But don't worry, this will not affect them, this process is very safe. We're dealing with a world filled by zombies, and we have to do what they have told us.
Elena nodded at him to show that she was with him.
Arlo placed a comforting hand on Elena's shoulder, offering reassurance. "We must do what's necessary to survive and ensure the safety of those around us."
Elena said, "I trust your judgment, Arlo. Let's use the Neutrolizer and erase their memories."
"Perhaps we should wait for a little while, allowing them to get into their sleep, so that our tasks won't be disturbed."
"In the meantime, let's check our kill counts."
User - Arlo
Kills - 65
User - Elena
Kills - 127
Elena smiled and said, "I have more kill counts than you in the last few hours."
Arlo smirked and said, "My love, do you want me to show you my Total Kill count?"
"No, I don't want to. Let's see our contribution points."
[Elena Contribution points - 9620]
[Arlo Contribution points - 17680]
[Total points - 18975 ]
Elena inquire, "Why do you have more points than me?"
Arlo explained, "We can get more points by saving people."
Elena complained, "Why didn't you tell me about this?"
Arlo chuckled at Elena's playful complaint. "I wanted it to be a surprise, my love. But don't worry, we're a team, and our points are shared. We both contribute equally to our missions and achievements."
Elena smiled, her eyes filled with affection. "You always know how to make me feel better, Arlo."
They shared a brief moment of tenderness and then they began to wait at the guard-post. After 2 hours later, Arlo stood up and said, "It's time, let's use the Neutrolizer and erase their memories." Elena nodded in agreement and retrieved the Neutrolizer from the table.
The device emitted a soft, blue glow as she activated it. Arlo and Elena moved quietly through the warehouse, careful not to disturb Luna and her companions as they slept. They opened the door of first room and found Andrus and his secretory sleeping together in the blanket.
Arlo smiled and said, "This guy has a fetish for his secretary?"
Elena took a look at their condition and commented, "How can they do something like this in such current conditions?"
Arlo replied, "They do this to relax their mind and spend some time with their loved ones. Because they don't know when they will die."
Arlo smiled and suggested to Elena while looking at her, "We should do something like this in the future."
Elena blushed and said, "I am not going to do something like this with you."
Arlo chuckled and replied, "We'll see about that." He then pulled her close, enveloping her in his embrace. Elena was taken aback by this sudden gesture, finding herself nestled against him.
"Why did you hug me? We are here to erase their memories. Leave me and just do it."
Arlo locked eyes with her and uttered, "How could I resist hugging such a beautiful woman like you?"
The device emitted a soft, blue glow as she activated it. Arlo and Elena moved quietly through the warehouse, careful not to disturb Luna and her companions as they slept. They opened the door of the first room and found Andrus and his secretary sleeping together in the blanket.
Arlo smiled and said, "This guy has a fetish for his secretary?"
Elena took a look at their condition and commented, "How can they do something like this in such current conditions?"
Arlo replied, "They do this to relax their mind and spend some time with their loved ones. Because they don't know when they will die."
Arlo smiled and suggested to Elena while looking at her, "We should do something like this in the future."
Elena blushed and said, "I am not going to do something like this with you."
Arlo chuckled and replied, "We'll see about that." He then pulled her close, enveloping her in his embrace. Elena was taken aback by this sudden gesture, finding herself nestled against him.
"Why did you hug me? We are here to erase their memories. Leave me and just do it."
Arlo locked eyes with her and uttered, "How could I resist hugging such a beautiful woman like you?"
Elena blushed even deeper, feeling a rush of warmth spreading through her. She couldn't help but smile at Arlo's compliment.
"Flattery won't be able to distract me, Arlo," she teased, her voice laced with amusement. "Let's focus on the task at hand."
Arlo nodded, his grip on Elena loosening as they both regained their composure. They quietly approached Andrus and Soniya, who were still deep in slumber, unaware of their presence.
Elena activated the Neutrolizer, its gentle blue glow intensifying. She carefully aimed the device at Andrus and Soniya's foreheads, following the instructions she had been given. A soft hum was emitted from the device as it started the memory alteration process.
Arlo watched intently, his gaze fixed on the subtle changes taking place. As the Neutrolizer worked its magic, the memories of them fighting against the bandits began to fade away. The device ensured that only the essential details of the bandit attack and their subsequent rescue remained intact.
Once the process was complete, Elena stepped back and turned off the Neutrolizer. And then they both left the room. And they went to another room in which John was sleeping, but they didn't know that Luna saw them coming out of Andrus room and begin to follow them.
Luna thought, "What were they doing in his room in the middle of the night?"
Arlo opened the door of John's room and went inside with Elena and Luna saw them going in, and she quietly approached the door. Inside the room, Elena is using the Neutrolizer to erase the memories of John about their fight and Luna saw them doing something with John using a device.
Luna, feeling a mix of confusion and fear, instinctively fled from them, seeking a hiding place in her room. There, she woke up her secretary, Emelia, and proceeded to recount the entire situation. Luna didn't know that, Arlo had noticed her escape and discovered her whereabouts.
Fixing his gaze upon Elena, Arlo said, "We must capture Luna and also wipe her memories."
Without delay, they swiftly set off, racing towards Luna's location.
In her room, when Emelia heard everything from Luna and then began to understand the situation, but Luna interrupted her and said, "We need to leave this place.
" Before Emelia could reply to her, a voice came from the outside of the room, "Where do you think you will go? There are zombies everywhere outside, and you will die.
Arlo went into the room and took a seat on a chair and Elena stood in front of the door, to prevent them running outside.
Luna's heart raced as she confronted Arlo, her eyes filled with a mix of fear, confusion, and anger. "What did you do with them? And what are you going to do with us?" she demanded, her voice trembling slightly.
Arlo maintained a calm demeanor, his eyes piercing into Luna's. He understood the weight of her questions and knew it was time to reveal the truth. He gestured for Luna and Emelia to sit down and then began to explain, "First, let me assure you that we mean you no harm," Arlo began, his voice steady. "As for Andrus and John, we used a device called the Neutrolizer to erase their memories of the bandit attack and our involvement in their rescue. We did it to protect ourselves and to maintain the secrecy of our powers."
Luna's eyes widened in disbelief. "You erased their memories? But why?"
Arlo sighed, his gaze meeting Luna's. "Luna, my mission here is to protect humanity from this zombie Apocalypse. We are part of an organization called Reinforcement. Our task is to protect the people and save them. While killing as many zombies as possible."
"The headquarters has given me two choices. The first is to kill the people who know about our powers and the second is to erase their memories. So, I don't have any option."
Elena stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm. "We understand this may be difficult to accept, Luna, but this is the truth."
Luna's anger began to waver, replaced by a sense of unease and vulnerability. "So, what now? What do you plan to do with us?"
Arlo responded, "We will also erase your memories. Tomorrow morning, we will depart and ensure your safe return to your father."
Luna's mind raced as she processed the information, her emotions were in a mess. She glanced at Emelia, who appeared equally shocked by the revelation. The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the distant moans of the undead outside.
Finally, Luna spoke, her voice laced with a mix of resignation and defiance. "If erasing our memories is what you deem necessary, then do what you must. But remember this, Arlo, Elena.
You may have the power to manipulate memories, but you cannot erase the truth that will always linger deep within us."
Her words hung in the air. Luna was determined not to let go of her sense of self, even if her memories were taken away. She was ready to face the unknown, armed with the knowledge that she was once a part of something bigger.
Arlo's gaze softened, understanding the weight of Luna's statement. "I admire your resilience, Luna. You possess a strength that cannot be erased. We will ensure your safety and your return to your father."
Elena nodded in agreement. "Our intention is never to cause harm. We're fighting against this Apocalypse that threatens humanity, and sometimes difficult choices must be made. But we will do our best to protect you."
Luna took a deep breath, her resolve solidifying. "I will hold you to your words, Arlo, Elena. I will trust that you have our best interests at heart. But remember, the truth will always find a way to resurface."
Arlo and Elena exchanged a glance, acknowledging the weight of Luna's words. They knew that the consequences of their actions would linger, even if the memories were gone. They would carry the burden of their choices, knowing that they had altered lives in their quest to protect humanity.
With a sense of purpose, Arlo stood up from the chair and approached Luna and Emelia. "We'll begin the memory erasing process now. It will be quick and painless."