Chapter 24 Discovered Paths

Dad...
It felt like the way up to the Ambassador's Office again was like flying with the use of balloons and their strings on my hand.
Jayson joined me to get to the place where Li said my father was waiting. While we were in the glass elevator, I couldn't stop biting on my nails and Jayson had to pat my shoulder just to calm me down.
Did Timothy call my dad from the Middle-class level of this bunker just so to make amends and to make me feel ok? I feel like I could bite all of my nails from the intense anxiety that was eating me inside-out. I can't wait to see them, especially Carl! I miss my little brother so much!
When we reached the First Level, I didn't wait for Jayson and I just ran away from the elevator, towards the wide double door office of Silvy. When I got to open the door hastily, she almost jumped from her seat and stood, stopping me from entering the Ambassador's door without any warning.
"Hey, hey, please. Let me at least tell the Ambassador first. I might lose my job because of your impatience." She eyed me but I didn't falter. I was too hyped to see my family and I couldn't deal with any irritating formality she was demanding.
"Ambassador Colton, here is F1603."
The led light on the panel beside the door light green, indicating that he was allowing me to enter his office. His wooden door opened and I got confused when I only saw Ambassador Colton and Timothy standing in the middle of the wide room, looking at the hologram in front of them.
Oh, Dad.
I stepped closer to look up at the green-colored illumination of the equipment for a video call and my eyes welled up with tears. He was carrying Carl on his side, dancing him like a baby because it seemed my little brother was sleepy. Dad was wearing clothing that was a bit bigger than his size and his eyes were deep, a sign that he hadn't slept well. His cheeks were a little hollow and I wonder if they were eating well wherever that place they were staying.
"Harriet!" Timothy called my name when they saw me and Jayson entering the room. My eyes were so focused on my father's stressed face that I didn't give a second to look at Timothy.
"Ohh, the girl is here." I heard the Ambassador say to dad.
"Harriet? Harriet is that you?" dad asked, his voice almost breaking into a sob as he danced Carl to sleep. I cried when I heard his voice and my hands automatically covered my mouth to muffle the sobs emerging from my throat.
"Dad, where are you?"
"I don't know, exactly, honey. The military brought us straight here after they left the airport and have no idea what place this is. I've heard some people speculate we're in Shannon port and if they're right, we're in Zone twenty-eight but I have no idea what this is."
"That is four hundred and forty-three miles away from here." Commented Ambassador Colton while his arms were crossed on his chest, looking at my dad on the hologram. "That is a no-fly zone because of the rumored rebels taking turf on the land. You travel with a helicopter from here to Zone twenty-three and then take an armored vehicle from there to the bunker where your dad is staying."
"But how did he get there?! That's too far from here!"
"They used a tunnel... I'm not sure but I saw it. When they transported us using a cargo plane, they went through an underground tunnel and took us here."
"I don't think it's safe to use that tunnel anymore. If the virus has already reached that place, then I am one hundred percent sure it's already infested with Creepers."
"Creepers?"
"It's a long story, dad. How is Carl?" I looked at my sleeping little brother and tears rolled from my cheeks again, wanting to hug him so badly.
"He"s fine, honey. He"s just tired of playing with the children here. We're staying in Level four of the bunker and it's not too good here. They have barely enough food for everyone. I am happy you're alright, Harriet. I knew you were still alive. I have trained you well to adapt and to survive in any harsh environment. I knew you could make it to the bunker." Dad happily spoke, sounding so proud that he raised a tough daughter.
But am I though?
"I'll get you and take you here, dad," I promised him as I wiped my tears.
He"s right. He raised me with these survival skills I learned from him and I won't let him suffer in that place. I have to get them and bring him here and I could do whatever Timothy wanted me to do. I can be their mascot to any of their political schemes. I just wanted to make my family safe with me here and live comfortably, away from the horror of what's happening outside.
"I wish I could tell you more, honey but I'm afraid they have to take this device now. I'm just happy to see you so well."
"Dad... DADDY!" I screamed out of sadness, knowing he and Carl were not ok in that place.
"I'm sorry Harriet. Ambassador Colton did his best to find your father using the entire statistics server and record of the population here in Arcania. I thought he was just here somewhere in the Third Level but we didn't find any trace of record that he had been here." Timothy explained in a low tone, holding my hand.
"Is there something you could do to let them guide me towards Zone twenty-eight? My father and Carl... they need me." I sobbed on Timothy's chest as he closed me in a tight embrace.
"I'll do whatever I can. I swear." He whispered, trying to console me.
"Is it true? It's possible that Harriet could get her family from that place back here?" Jayson asked, his voice suddenly filled with determination to help me. Did he just say he'll sign up for the army?
The Ambassador sighed and placed both of his hands on his back, revealing more of his round belly. He reminded me of that old guy who wears red overalls and gives a gift to kids during a time of the season. I forgot what his name was because people nowadays don't talk about that celebration anymore.
So many horrible things had happened in World War III. The people had no idea what to believe and how they'll get enough faith for them to survive their daily lives in those unfair, cruel times. They just know they should rely on their own strength, like what my father had taught me. Well, at least I started at a very young age because, for me, that time with him was the most amazing memory with me and my dad.
"We can make some arrangements for that, Mr. Fraser. But that only, if Ms. Fontaine helps us to achieve our goal to unite Arcania against the Scarlet Tundra with all the force we could use. The government is still afraid to make any move because they aren't sure who the real enemy is. We just found out that the virus had already existed way back in World War III and we have no clue how that happened."
"I don't see any problem with that, as long as I can save my family," I answered the Ambassador as I pushed myself away from Timothy. "I'll even join the army after I take them here."
The Ambassador laughed, amused by what I had said, and clapped his hand, making me confused. Is there something funny in any words that I said?
"Oh, I am very sorry. I just didn't expect you'd say that." He inhaled, trying to breathe evenly as he touched his chest. "But yes, I think that's a good idea. A party of people who signed for the army to beat the darkest and most evil enemy of Arcania. I would love to have a poster of that hanging on my wall!"
Is this person for real?
"You won't enter the army, Harriet. You won't survive that kind of environment!" Jayson hissed at me after he grasped my hand. "People will die out there! You will die out there! You can't exchange this kind of living just to fight with the military!"
"Try me, Jayson," I said dryly and took my hand away from his grasp. "If you'll go, then I'll go."
Jayson spanked his forehead, looking annoyed at me for being stubborn. "I wish I didn't tell you about it."
"Yeah, your mistake..." I murmured, and grimaced at him, trying to mock him.
"Wait, what? You both will sign for the military? Why do both of you have to do that? I have provided you everything you need here!" Timothy exclaimed, couldn't believe the sudden last two-second decisions I made with Jayson.
"You have to talk about it with Commander Leo then, child." The Ambassador suggested.