Chapter 23 - Calm before the storm

As Sara and Prime blended into the crowd at college on an army medical base, General Ross walked down a corridor accompanied by a doctor. At that moment, he was heading to see one of his men who had been attacked by the green monstrosity on the college campus.

"Will he walk again?"

Upon hearing the general's words, the doctor glanced at the clipboard he was holding, containing the patient's information. Then he spoke.

"Many bones in his body are shattered"

Uttering these words, the doctor pulled back the curtain, revealing a man entirely wrapped in bandages from head to toe. Any onlooker would be amazed, considering it a true miracle that this man was still breathing.

"But I need to tell you"

The doctor continued, moving to the side of the patient's bed.

"His heart looks like a machine, never seen anything like it, except maybe in a racehorse"

Hearing this, General Ross approached the patient slowly, observing him. Although it seemed like he might say something initially, he simply closed his eyes briefly before turning around and starting to walk away. Meanwhile, the patient in the bed quickly opened his eyes, his hands gripping tightly.

***

After leaving college, Sara and Prime headed to a nearby restaurant, as Sara was famished after all the commotion. Upon arrival, Sara chose a table in a more secluded area, where she could place her order. She didn't want to appear like she was talking to herself in public, so she opted for a quieter spot with fewer people around.

"Prime, are you sure it was a good idea to let him go? I thought you wanted to talk to him" 

Sara commented, savoring her burger with a smile on her face. Additionally, she was especially curious to find out how someone could transform into that.

(That's fine. It's not like we lost him anyway. Before he left, I created a small symbiotic bird to follow him) 

Sara interrupted her meal, surprised by what she had just heard.

"Since when can you do that?" 

Hearing Sara's words, Prime pondered on how to answer that question. 

(Not long ago, maybe a week ago? Anyway, after the fight we had with Drake, I thought about how the reproduction process works as a symbiote. I mean, I was a man before taking over this body, but now I'm not sure if I have a defined gender)

Prime said while recalling the events. For a better understanding, Sara didn't notice Prime's experiments because he conducted them at night while she was sleeping.

(After several attempts, somehow, a part of me detached and took the form of a bird. Probably, this happened because it was what I was thinking at that moment)

Sara could only remember the recent events involving symbiotes, questioning if this was a good idea.

"Are you sure it's safe? The last symbiote that came out of you tried to kill us, so..." 

Hearing Sara's words, Prime mentally laughed, as these words were something he was already expecting.

(You don't need to worry. Although I call it a symbiote, I'm not sure what it is exactly. It has no intelligence; the only thing it can do is follow my orders. If I don't command it, it stays completely still. Also, although I don't know why, whenever it finishes executing my order, it rejoins me)

Sara sighed deeply, hearing Prime's words. Her last few days have been much more turbulent compared to her last years.

"I sincerely hope nothing more serious happens in the future" 

Sara commented, savoring the taste of her burger again.

***

While Sara and Prime waited patiently in the restaurant, Dr. Bruce and Dr. Ross were inside a small pickup truck, observing the road. Dr. Ross cast a sidelong glance at Bruce, full of curiosity, and asked.

"How is it, Bruce?"

Upon hearing this, Bruce became visibly uncomfortable, squirming in the passenger seat. 

"When it happens, what do you feel?"

Bruce pondered for a few seconds, contemplating whether or not to answer, but eventually relented. 

"Remember the experiences when we volunteered at Harvard? Those induced hallucinations?"

Hearing this, Dr. Ross briefly turned to Bruce, staring into his eyes. 

"And it's quite similar to that, only a thousand times stronger... like they poured a liter of acid into my brain"

Upon hearing this, Dr. Ross asked.

"And do you remember anything?"

Bruce simply shook his head from side to side, refocusing on the road. 

"Bits, images... everything is very noisy, I can't isolate anything"

Hearing this, Dr. Ross returned her attention to the road as the conversation continued. 

"But it's still you in there"

Bruce shook his head while speaking.

"No, no, it's not me"

Dr. Ross looked at Bruce again, placing one of her hands on his thigh. 

"No, I don't know... in the cave, I felt perfectly that he knew me... maybe your mind is in there but overwhelmed and not processing what's happening"

Bruce quickly interrupted Dr. Ross's words with his own. 

"I don't want to control it, just get rid of it"

With these words, both Dr. Ross and Dr. Bruce remained silent for the rest of the journey.

***

Returning to the story, after being informed by one of his subordinates about Blonsky, General Ross quickly made his way to the medical wing of the location.

"Sir"

Upon arrival, he was greeted by Blonsky, who apparently showed no signs of any injuries from the previous battle. Observing Blonsky's condition, Ross was impressed by the absence of any lingering effects.

"Good to see you ready for another round, soldier"

Upon hearing this, Blonsky responded with gratitude.

"Thank you, sir"

Advancing toward Blonsky, Ross inquired.

"How do you feel?"

With a smile on his face, Blonsky replied confidently.

"Ready to finish it"