Chapter 22: What’s happening?
Jen gasps weakly as blood flows out of her chest wound in spurts, her hand reaching out towards the building where Jacob’s body lies. "Ja...cob..." she weakly mutters, her face quickly becoming more pale as she rapidly loses more blood.
Father David turns to Leo, his face set in determination. "Can you heal her, boy?" Henrick frowns and inspects the wound as the good boy approaches, waiting for instructions. "We’ll have to remove the rebar. Though, I’m not sure if she can survive the shock of it." says the soldier, ripping Jen’s shirt at the site of the wound.
Selene climbs up the side of the apartment building where Jacob’s body is, and cuts off the tongue tendril pierced through his head. She lift his body and walks down the stairs in solemn silence, her thoughts drifting to her own brother.
Alex watches her, unable to look at Jen’s dying form. Henrick grip the longer side that’s sticking out and looks into Leo’s eyes as he comforts him, seeing a small sense of panic in the canine’s expression.
"When I pull this out, you’ll probably have to lick her as much as you can. Are you ready, boy?" Leo nods, tongue hanging out in preparation. Henrick then pulls the rebar out in one swift motion, grimacing at the fact that some blood made it to her face and Leo has to lick it.
A green aura appears on Jen’s body as the good boy desperately wills all of his power into her failing body. Kevin approaches, tears in his eyes as he holds the speedster’s hand, praying to whoever is listening to keep her alive.
Dominic pops up from the ground, his voice shaking as he steps up to the group. "Got some bad news. I’m feeling tremors a few minutes away, more corrupted are coming." Alex clenches his fist at the news, hands covered in flames as he looks up.
"We’ve got fliers too!!" he says, unleashing a torrent of flames that washes over a few dozen mutated insects and birds. Henrick carries Jen to the lobby while Leo continues to use his healing abilities. The others provide covering fire as they retreat.
Everyone breathes a sigh of relief as Dominic erects another earth barrier at the entrance. Henrick gives him a look and a reluctant nod of acknowledgement at his invaluable help. Selene places Jacob’s corpse next to Jen, a worried look on her face.
"She’s...not getting better." Selene says, her frown deepening at the blood still pouring out, and at Leo’s slowing licks. "She’s lost too much blood." Henrick sighs and stands, weary from his fight and subsequent skydive. Father David places a hand on his shoulder in quiet support and then crosses himself in prayer.
Jen musters up all of her remaining strength to hold her brother’s hand. "You...idiot... should’ve let...big sister...die...see you...soon." she mutters as the last signs of life leave her eyes. Her last breath echoes through the lobby, a grim reminder of the nature of their new world.
Alex’s hands start shaking as he watches two of his friends pass away. Tears stream from his eyes, but do not stay long as they evaporate from the growing heat of his rage. He kneels beside them and smiles as a thought goes through his mind.