Chapter 21 The Five Survivors

"No, No... Don't go in there... Mom, STOP!!!"
I woke up all sweaty, the neckline of my sleeping gown was drenched with sweat and tears.
I didn't realize my scream was that loud when a knock on the door woke up all my senses.
"Harriet? Are you okay?!" Jayson called me, his voice was worried and wary.
"I'm fine!" I yelled, still catching my breath. "Georgia, open the door, please."
Georgia is the AI assistant in this bunker. When I uttered my request, the door slid open. I saw Jayson standing in front of the door and was about to knock again, his face was worried sick.
"What happened?" He asked. He didn't enter my room out of respect because I was still in my nightgown. "Another nightmare?"
"Yeah, I'm sorry I will be fine," I said to him while rubbing my forehead. There was a prickling sensation on the right side of my brain that kept on bothering me since we stayed on top of the building in the city of this Area.
I kept on dreaming about my mother, the day she died. I couldn't remember much of it due to the trauma I went through but what kept on playing inside my head like a horrible nightmare was weird. I was small in my dream. More like my seven year-old-self and my mom and I were in her laboratory at work. She was busy working on something and I was just watching her, playing with my ragdoll. It was as if a purple light flashed inside the curtain she was working on. I got scared when the light flashed more brightly, my mum's feature deteriorating as she slowly glanced at me, making it look as if she had turned into a Creeper.
That nightmare played in my head over and over again since our escape from the airport. I couldn't understand what it was for because my mom died of cancer.
"It's ok you can come inside," I said to Jayson as I rubbed my forehead continuously, hoping that it could make the throbbing pain go away. I looked at the digital clock on the wall of my room and it was just two A.M. I feel embarrassed that I woke up Jayson with my scream, knowing that he was staying in the room on the first floor. I must have also woken up Li and Mona.
"Do you need anything? Water perhaps?"
"No, I'm fine. It will go away in seconds." I lied. This kind of pain always stays one to two hours and sometimes, I had to ask for painkillers from Mona just to get rid of it. I just don't want to bother Jayson more because He had already done too much for us.
He stepped closer and sat on the side of my bed, staring into my face. The dim light from the bedside lamp made his green eyes look gloomy and I wonder what made him suddenly sad like that. Did I make him sad?
"What happened during the interrogation? I was about to ask you when we came back here in the suite but you walked straight to your room. Did he do anything weird to you? Tell me."
I couldn't look at Jayson's face. "He creeps me out," I murmured.
"Yeah, I noticed the changes in his behavior when we saw him again. I have a bad feeling for that guy. Just make sure you stay away from him, okay?" Jayson gently said as he touched my chin to make me look at his eyes. Our eyes met and I felt something uncomfortable with him. Or awkwardness? He"s handsome and mature and a gentle guy. Every girl would fall in love with him in an instant and I was just suppressing these feelings because I don't want this to ruin our friendship.
Yeah... I guess I like Jayson.
But I am just nineteen years old and Jayson's probably in his late twenties. I knew he treat more like a kid than a grown-up woman and that makes me sad about it.
I nodded at him and then averted my eyes again. It doesn't matter if he likes me or not. I'm just a helpless random girl he met in the airport. Without him, I am already dead for sure.
"Tell me what happened during the interrogation and the identity check?" I straightened my back at the headboard and gazed at his face. I have to know the whole details since we had no time to discuss that since we woke up from the infirmary and I was also curious what Commander Leo discussed with him because he looked vexed when he went outside that room.
I noticed his hesitation to tell me. And then to my surprise, he kissed my forehead and stood from my bed, walking towards the door.
"Hey, that's unfair!"
Jayson glanced at me and smiled before the door of my room slid close. I became upset that he"s being so secretive now but I understand that it must be too personal for him. He didn't like talking about his past. His life must be really so messed up that he wanted so badly to start a new one here in Arcania. And I believe he deserves it because I could feel Jayson is a good guy. He took care of us and gave us hope. If it wasn't for him, we couldn't make it here alone in this bunker. We all owe him our life.
I tried to go back to sleep and there was no minute that I couldn't see my mom turning into a Creeper. When I woke up in the morning, I felt like I had climbed a steep mountain because I still felt exhausted as hell.
After I took a bath and changed into my tracksuit, I saw the three already gathered in the living area, waiting for me. Jayson smiled at me while I descended the stairs.
"Here's our warrior princess. We've been waiting for you for thirty minutes, Harriet." Li complained as he looked up at the digital clock beside the flat screened TV. "We should hurry for breakfast!"
"I know I'm sorry." I apologized and ran towards them. I smiled when Jayson messed the hair on top of my head.
We went straight to the dining hall and had our breakfast. Li was always excited about the food and Jayson looked content in this place already. But my mind was filled with the thoughts of my dad and Carl, and I had to send a formal request email to gain permission from the Admin Sector for the information I needed on how I could see my family. I have a feeling they were both staying in the Second Level of this bunker where middle-class families stay. I wish there is a way I could see Timothy and ask him if he could help me with my problem so they could process my request faster.
An attendant approached us with a tablet in her hand.
"Ugh! Not again." Li grumbled and rolled both of his eyes in dismay. He must be thinking we're all called again to be interrogated.
"Hi. I apologize for interrupting your meal. But M-3247 and F1603 were called to the ambassador's office to speak to you regarding your email requests."
My eyes widened in excitement. That was fast!
And also Jayson. I wonder what he requested from the management of this bunker.
"Hey! Why are these four called by the ambassador?! They were not here from the day the evacuation started and we have never seen their faces in this City! Who are these people?!" An old grumpy man yelled at the attendant whose reaction didn't change and then I found out it was an Android. I didn't know they were also using androids here as servants in the Upper-Level.
"I apologize I cannot answer your query because this is a confidential matter." The android answered that made the crowd more upset.
"We've sent our requests earlier than them!" an angry woman with a shiny forehead wailed as the crowd started to murmur and stare at us. I felt embarrassed and uncomfortable by their stares and then a girl at my age glared at me, her eyes seemed full of hatred that made my eyes furrow. What made her so angry like that to me? Do I know her?
"THEY"RE NOT JUST RANDOM PEOPLE HERE! THEY"RE MY FRIENDS!"
The sound of a familiar voice echoed inside the hallway and from behind the crowd, appeared Timothy like a refined King, widely smiling at us. I quickly ran towards him in great happiness and hugged him so tight. He hugged me back tightly and I knew he missed me too.
"Oh my god, I missed you!" I gleefully greeted him, his blue eyes staring straight at mine. The crowd gasped upon seeing Timothy, the son of the richest man in New Arcania.
Jayson cleared his throat and came to us, patting Timothy on his shoulder. Li and Mona came too, his eyes looking scared at the upset mob of people.
"Can we go too?" Li asked.
Jayson, Timothy, and I just laughed at him and it feels good that we're all finally complete and together again.
"Come with me. I have so many things to talk about with you." Timothy spoke in a serious tone and he looked at me, his eyes were intense.
Does he already know where my dad and Carl are?