Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 48: Bring Them To Me.

Chapter 48: Bring Them To Me.

The sea was eerily quiet except for the faint hum of the boat’s motor slicing through the dark water. Scarlett sat hunched over Garvin, her trembling hands glowing with the heat of her fire element. She worked tirelessly to extract the poison from his arm, her tears falling unchecked onto his pale skin.

"Are we going to lose him too?" Louise’s voice broke the silence, low and heavy with sorrow. His eyes were hollow, his face pale as the weight of their losses pressed down on him. "Just how many more people are we going to lose?"

Scarlett didn’t lift her gaze from Garvin. Her voice was firm despite the tears streaming down her cheeks. "We’re not going to lose him. Never. I won’t let that happen."

Louise heaved a shuddering sigh and turned away, wiping at the tears that had escaped his own eyes. Memories of Rose flashed through his mind, her laughter, her courage. Now she was gone, turned into one of those monsters. The image of her skeletal remains being overtaken by the horror transformation replayed in his mind, and he had to clench his fists to stop from shaking.

Larry broke the silence, his tone sharp but tinged with concern. "You need to stop crying, Scarlett. Even though we’re at sea and monsters can’t easily reach us here, those tears could attract more of them. Do you want us to face another wave of monsters on the other side because of it?"

Scarlett ignored him, her focus entirely on Garvin. His complexion had turned ghostly pale, and his lips were cracked and dry. He had long stopped coughing, and now only shallow, ragged breaths escaped him.

"How’s his condition?" Louise asked, his voice tinged with desperation. "He’s not even opening his eyes. He looks... he looks so pale. Why do the good people always die before the wicked ones?"

Ethan, who was steering the boat, turned his head briefly, his expression taut with worry. "He’s going to make it Scarlett. Just focus on extracting the poison. Don’t push yourself too hard."

Scarlett’s fingers trembled as she channeled her fire and earth elements into Garvin’s wound, the poison resisting her efforts. "You idiot," she whispered under her breath, her voice trembling with suppressed anguish. "Why would you take that attack for me? I can heal from wounds, but you can’t. You’re so stupid."

Garvin’s body convulsed slightly, another mouthful of dark, viscous blood spilling from his lips and splattering into the sea.

"Hasn’t he vomited all the blood in his body by now?" Maya muttered, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as she shivered against the cold.

Larry moved swiftly, retrieving blankets from his system and handing them out. Maya snatched one gratefully, wrapping herself in it before casting a worried glance at Scarlett. "She should really stop crying. If we reach the shore and monsters are waiting for us because of her tears, it’ll be a disaster."

Larry sighed heavily, his eyes shadowed. "Let her be. She’s hurt, and people cry to release the pain in their hearts. If you were in her position, you’d cry too."

Maya fell silent, her gaze dropping to the floor of the boat.

Scarlett, however, was oblivious to their exchange. She kept working, ignoring the burning exhaustion in her body. Each tear that fell down her face was laced with her determination. "Please, Garvin," she whispered, her voice cracking. "You can’t leave me. You can’t."

___________

Meanwhile, in the Axe Squad Base...

Victor sat upon his throne, his expression a storm of fury and frustration. The dimly lit room was filled with the hum of machinery, and the flickering holographic screen before him displayed a grim truth: Matthew’s green marker had vanished, signaling his death.

Victor’s fingers curled into fists, his once-calm demeanor breaking as he muttered under his breath, "Dead. They killed him. The chosen ones are more formidable than I anticipated... especially her. The queen among them. Just who is she?"

The room was silent save for his voice until the sound of measured footsteps echoed. A middle-aged man in a white lab coat entered, bowing slightly. "We’ve found traces of the woman’s scent on three children," he announced. "A twelve-year-old girl, a ten-year-old boy, and a baby. The samples confirm it."

Victor’s scowl twisted into a wicked grin. "Excellent." His voice dripped with malice as he leaned forward. "You kept the scent, just as I instructed. Even when our monster failed, we had a backup plan. Good work. Now... prepare the children. I want the blood of a monster mixed with the controlling solution. Bring them to me."

The scientist bowed again before retreating. He made his way to the cages where Golden, Jaden, and baby Hope were held. Two burly guards followed closely behind him, their boots echoing against the metallic floor.

The scientist stopped in front of their cage, unlocking it with a loud clang that echoed ominously. The growls and roars of captive monsters rose in the background, filling the air with an oppressive sense of dread.

Golden held baby Hope close, her small frame trembling as tears streaked her dirty cheeks. Jaden clung to her side, his wide eyes darting between the scientist and the guards.

"You three. Come with me," the scientist ordered coldly.

Golden and Jaden didn’t move, their fear rooting them in place not until one of the guards stepped forward, grabbing them roughly by the arms. Golden let out a startled cry, clutching Hope tighter as she was dragged out of the cage alongside Jaden.

The children were led down a narrow hallway lined with flickering lights, their small sobs swallowed by the oppressive atmosphere. They were pushed into a large room where Victor stood waiting, his piercing gaze fixed on them.

"Hello, children," Victor said smoothly, a cunning smile spreading across his face. His eyes gleamed with malevolence. "I just need to ask you a few questions. Be honest, and we’ll get along just fine. Lie to me, though..."

He gestured toward a wall, and with a press of a button, a series of mechanical chairs with chains and blades descended from the ceiling. Torture tools of various sizes and shapes gleamed under the dim light, sending waves of terror through the children.

Golden and Jaden exchanged a glance, their faces pale. They didn’t dare look Victor in the eye, their gazes fixed on the cold, metal floor.

Victor crouched slightly, bringing himself to their eye level. "Tell me," he said, his tone deceptively gentle. "Have you met a woman with elemental powers? Someone who could summon food and other necessities for you?"

Golden and Jaden’s eyes darted toward the torture tools again, their breaths quickening. They both knew the truth could still cost them their lives. But lying to Victor... that was a risk they weren’t sure they could take.