6: Abandoned

BALOR HEADQUARTERS, New York City.

"Give me good news Blade." Salem Balor announced as he walked into his emergency meeting room on the 134th floor of the large, guarded, glass building his arrogant self gets to call his. 

"Our perspective on good news is perceived very differently..." Blade Briar stalled his ruthless coworker. 

"Spit it out Briar." Balor demanded while giving him a glare.

"We are tracking them, my team is already out there. They stopped in the woods somewhere to rest. Guess they didn't learn about the radios, couple of dumbasses I'll say." Briar explained rather quickly with a nervous chuckle. 

"Tracking them. You are tracking them. Didn't you catch them? Why would you have to track something you already had?" Salem asked with a smirk.

"Sir, we thought there were only nine." 

"YOU THOUGHT WRONG!" 

"We killed one. There were eight. How did you expect to see the ninth one? He wasn't there when we searched the cabin. We had to kill a dog for crying out loud." 

"Team. Leave us alone for awhile." Salem said sternly while spit was flying out of his mouth. 

Salem's crew of journalists, guards, and colleagues left the meeting room while Blade's crew of soldiers stayed in position. 

"I escorted my team out. I suggest you do the same." Salem stated eerily and quietly. 

"I don't see why they can't stay sir." Blade retaliated. 

"Well I do. Give them the order to leave. Now." He snapped. 

Blade did a heavy sigh. 

"Soldiers. Stand down." Blade whispered. 

The soldiers left with worried glances back at their boss. 

Salem slowly stood up. 

"I have enough on my hands with capturing the families who allowed for this problem to happen in the first place, now I have an incompetent employee who can't catch nine kids that just barely pass age thirteen?!" He conversed while getting closer and closer to Blade Briar. 

"I do not work for you. I am not your employee. We work together for the safety of this country." Blade retaliated. 

"Then act like it." Salem added.

They were so close that Blade could feel Salems hot garlicky breath on his skin, and the dark brown eyes, almost black. Staring into his cold soul.

"Capture them. Keep them alive. Bring them here for they can watch everything they loved disappear. Or you'll take their place." Salem concluded while going back to his seat. 

"You can't do that." Blade chuckled. 

"Fuck that. I know you, I know your family. How's Sofia doing? Hmm?" He laughed. 

"Am I excused?" Blade said while straining himself from punching the living shit out of the arrogant sack sitting in front of him. 

"Yes. Remember what I said. You don't come back until you have them." 

"Guess I'll see you tomorrow then." Blade winked while exiting the meeting room. 

________________________________________________________________________________

San Luis Obispo, California 

Kadyn POV

We have been driving for almost 13 hours now. Everyone was restless. There is always so much movement in the back part of the van. Some people roll onto their stomach to stretch other body parts that fell asleep or at least to give their back and shoulders a break. Others would stand and literally demand for me to go slow so they could get some feeling into their limbs again. 

We've only stopped once since Briana's outburst of "CaRpE DiEm" so everyone could get a bathroom break. 

In all honesty I think we are high off of gas fumes. Someone will start laughing and pretty soon the whole van is in hysterics. The only one who is quiet is Ralph and that's mainly because of his physical pain, maybe even emotional pain. 

My stomach actually isn't causing extreme amounts of pain right now. It's just a throbbing, sort of numb feeling. Thank God for Simon, who knows what nasty infection I could've gotten if that bullet stayed in. 

"Kadyn I can drive again now." Dylan offered. 

"No I got it." I replied back quickly. 

I'm a generally angry person. I don't know why. Maybe it ran in my genes, or I was so used to isolation that people just get on my last nerve now. Could be both I guess. Anyway I'm already pissed from the inequality forbidden children receive. First Maya, now Simon. 

My hand gripped the steering wheel tighter. 

"Kadyn It's alright man I wasn't going to fight you for it. If it helps it helps." Dylan urgently replied. 

He must've noticed my white knuckles. He seems to be a very observant guy. That's probably how he got this van without being seen in the first place. 

I controlled my breathing while the ghost next to me decided to speak.

"This area is great for camouflage, let's see if we can find any abandoned places around this city..." He croaked. 

"A place with supplies. We all need food and some are in dire need of anything medically related." Jaanai whispered to me while looking worriedly at Ralph. 

"Yes your majesty." I smirked which led me to receiving a smack to the head. 

"Jack get your girl under control." I growled while fixing my hair. 

"Ha you got hit by saying words, imagine trying to control her physically." Jack started laughing which yet created another laughing fit throughout everyone. 

"We need to get out of this van." Ralph whined. 

"I couldn't agree more." I added. 

***********************************************************************************************

Ralph POV

Everything hurts. My head is pounding, I can't clearly see out of either eye, and I'm positive I broke a few ribs. Whatever fumes my friends inhaled in the back seat I need for crying out loud. 

"THERE!!!" Tate shouted abruptly while standing which led to a big boom after the one word was spoken. 

"BWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!" Briana and Alex were dying while leaning into each other. 

"Ow Ow OW FUCK!!!" Tate exclaimed. 

"WHAT'S THERE!!!" Hunter shouted above the chaos. 

"Building Building Building..." Tate whispered while rubbing his head back and forth. 

"Great the ceiling broke him." Jaanai added. 

"SPIT IT OUT!!!" Kadyn yelled while swerving. 

"ABANDONED CEILING!" Tate screamed.

"HAHAHH AN ABANDONED CEILING!!!" Alex and Briana were screeching. 

"No an abandoned building, right there!" Dylan inhaled while pointing to a large, old, and dirty structure.

"Definitely looks safe and full of supplies." Jaanai said sarcastically. 

"We need somewhere to stay, look at how protected it is." I remarked. 

"True, a lot of greenery to camouflage. Maybe edible plants." Jack checked off a mental list. 

"It almost looks like..."

"It's a hospital." Kadyn finished the sentence for me. 

The big blue sign came into view. 

"Fch hpital mical cenr." Briana tried to read the busted sign. 

"What are you now? Spanish?" Alex laughed. 

"I speak Spanish and she sounded nothing like it." Jaanai glared.

"It was joke." Alex sighed.

"French hospital medical center." Tate said while pushing his glasses up his nose. 

"Oh now you are okay." Hunter chuckled. 

"It's like the code Simon created." I whispered. 

"Yeah that's how I read it." Tate admitted. 

Kadyn pulled up behind the building to find a spot to park. 

"Should we send scouts...?" Dylan asked.

"No too dangerous to split up right now. Too vulnerable." Kadyn simply stated.

"He's right. We all go in together. Gather any weapons they left behind." I ordered while getting out of the van. 

"UGH." I gasped as the impact of my feet touching the ground reached my stomach. 

"You definitely hurt something in there." Jaanai said while trying to help support my weight. 

"Thank you." 

"Of course." 

"Ahh fresh air. Never thought we'd meet again." Jack took a deep breath. 

"I'm sure our brains are appreciative." Briana laughed while stretching her arms. 

"Ok we found three guns, four flashlights, and one knife." Dylan emerged from the van with Hunter. 

"Dylan, Hunter, and Jack get the guns. Kadyn gets the knife. Tate, Briana, Alex, and Jaanai get the flashlights." I arranged the plans. 

"What about you?" Kadyn looked me up and down. 

"A girl is supporting my weight right now, I don't think I can do anything that's beneficial." I chuckled which led to a horrible coughing fit. 

Kadyn passed out the weapons while shaking his head in an understanding motion towards me. 

"You sure you can handle a flashlight in the other hand?" He asked Jaanai. 

"Yes Kadyn. I passed multitasking class." She snarled while snatching it. 

"Uhm ok." He said while chuckling. 

What the hell is multitasking class?

"Ok, listen carefully team. Dylan and Hunter lead. They have the strongest weapons along with the strongest bodies. Jack you are all the way in the back. You are our eyes in the back of our heads ok? Kadyn you are in the middle while people with flashlights circle around the people containing weapons without getting in their way. Jaanai and I will be in the back with Jack since we'll be slow. Does everyone understand?" I explained the plan thoroughly. 

A chorus of "yes's" were commented back. 

"We stay in formation until the whole building is scouted and searched for any potential danger. Then we can split up to get supplies and figure out sleeping arrangements." 

"And to arrange training schedules." Kadyn added. 

"Sounds good guys, we go on our call." Dylan and Hunter spoke up while getting into position. 

"Ready!?" Hunter shouted. 

"Now!" Dylan supplemented shortly after. 

Our group marched into the old concrete building. Moss, spider webs, dirt, and graffiti covered the once luminous white walls. Bloody trails were found among the floor along with papers, pencils, and... people.

"Oh my god the smell." Briana gagged while holding her nose. 

"We would need to move all the bodies out and burn them." Kadyn whispered. 

"Wouldn't that be too noticeable?" Alex asked. 

"Not in California, fires happen all the time. I wouldn't do it here though..." Tate replied. 

We continued walking more slowly than ever, checking every patient room, every supply closet, and every floor. 

"Imagine how many stories these people could've told us about this place." Briana sighed. 

"It truly is an abandoned building. The doctors even abandoned their patients." Alex continued.

"No wonder there is no cure. Selfish bitches." Kadyn growled. 

"Nothing we can do about it now. The cafeteria is huge, that's where we meet, that's where we sleep." I interrupted the gloomy conversation. 

"Sounds good man, but you need help." Dylan stated. 

"Thank you?" I replied.

"No like I mean antibiotic type help. You look awful." He explained himself.

"Again, thank you?" I replied again. 

"Yes he's right. Jack and I will be in charge of medical supplies since we learn a lot about them in Absconditum. Dylan you take him to the cafeteria for me." Jaanai explained while passing me over to Dylan's shoulder. 

"Alex and I will get bedding and anything useful." Hunter added.

"Clean bedding." Alex corrected him.

"I'll go find water, food, and weapons." Kadyn finally spoke up. 

"I'll come with you." Briana offered. 

"Hmm. Tate you are with me." Kadyn looked right past her.

"So am I." Briana said with a tone I haven't really heard her use. 

"It's only been pairs of two so far cupcake." Kadyn said clearly getting annoyed. 

"Maybe learn math genius we have an odd number. Oh wait, I'm sorry. How would you know? You don't even know us." She retailed sternly. 

"I like Briana she can come." Tate said shrugging.  

Kadyn glared at her during an awfully long silence.

"Watch yourself." He whispered while walking past her. 

"Come on B." Tate said while patting her back.

________________________________________________________________________________

Dylan POV

Ralph and I made our way to the dimly lit cafeteria full of blue tables, chairs, and food trays everywhere. 

"Here you go." I grunted while sitting him on the uncomfortable cafeteria bench. 

"Isn't this ironic. We've always wanted to go to school and now we get to experience a cafeteria." Ralph laughed while coughing. 

"This whole situation is ironic if you ask me." I replied. 

"Very true. God for years I imagined meeting all of you, laughing, playing games, sharing sob stories, maybe even happy memories. It clouded my judgment, that's how bad I wanted it. That's how bad I needed it." He said solemnly. 

"You and me both." I whispered back. 

"You are just like I imagined." Ralph smirked.

"Great, this is going to be good." I chuckled. 

"No, no it's a good thing. You are quiet, but smart. Extremely smart Dylan. When you do choose to speak it's always wise before your years. You are always observing, you never stop. You just look and look until you can piece together a backstory that makes sense. You thrive around other people. You were meant to be a leader. I have no doubt." He continued on and on. 

"That's funny." 

"What is?" Ralph looked confused. 

"Lucas would say that. All the time. I swear he would've helped me steal Oliver's truck to go meet you guys if he was still..."

"Alive." Ralph finished for me.

"Yeah. If only." I sighed. I missed Lucas beyond belief. My heart throbs just thinking about him. 

"People just like him are lying around this hospital. People in the same situation. They were sick. They had EPA. They had loved ones, but in reality they had no one. " Ralph stated suddenly.

"Because no one understands the disease. No one wants to." I tried to state without letting my tears fall.

"Ralph why didn't I notice, why did I choose to ignore it. He showed all the signs. He just told me it was a cold. He told me not to worry. Now he's gone. He left Oliver and I alone. Then I left Oliver alone while putting him in danger too just to get somewhere late and watch a friend die when I could've prevented it. Why don't I do shit?!" I started speaking quickly. 

"You can't do that. Don't do that. Don't put the blame on you. Who killed your dad Dylan?" 

"I did." I said while slamming my hand against my head over and over.

"Who killed your dad Dylan, look at me." 

I looked at Ralph. He was so calm yet thinking a million thoughts. He knew the answer. The correct answer. 

"EPA." 

"and who killed Simon?" 

"Blade Briar's army."

"That's right. We don't forget that Dylan. We can't forget that. Thoughts like those is what drives us insane. We can't admit you to an insane asylum, we are forbidden." Ralph lightened the mood while pointing at my head. 

"Guys we found the pantry, they have so many canned goods that never go bad. Along with crates of water." Briana came skipping in. 

"Yeah thanks for helping with the load B." Tate said sarcastically while entering the cafe with three crates of food and water. Kadyn followed shortly behind with four crates. 

"These should last us a month or two. The pantry is high up so when we need a refill we'll go back. The smell is even worse there." Kadyn said while faking gagging noises. 

"You are disgusting." Briana rolled her eyes. 

"They have a lot of knives here, and a lot of supplies that can easily turn into weapons." Kadyn added while ignoring Briana's comment. 

"We got beds!!!" Alex came in without a visible head. 

"Wow Alex the headless horse lady coming through make way." Briana teased while helping her with the many sheets and pillows. 

Hunter followed with more.

In a few hours the cafeteria was split into a meeting/meal time side and a bedtime side. 

"Not going to lie, the beds look real comfortable right now." Tate yawned. 

"Where are Jaanai and Jack with the medical supplies, for real?" Ralph stated while holding his side. 

"Knowing her they are searching every floor." Briana added while sticking a mint into her mouth. 

"I made our training schedules!" Kadyn said while coming over to the bedtime side. 

He handed everyone a notebook page with a sloppy written schedule on them.

"We only need it for a month?" Alex asked. 

"Yes just to figure out everyone's speciality. Then ya'll can practice at your own time while we figure out how to get to the capital and save your families." Kadyn answered. 

"This is good. We don't have much time anyhow." Ralph added. 

"A week of weapon of choice, a week of aiming so target practice, a week of hand to hand combat, and a week of survival..." Briana read the timetable out loud. 

"Sounds like we are going to be badasses." Hunter smirked while pumping his fist into the air. 

"Hey guys sorry we took forever but looooook." Jaanai entered with a sing song voice. 

They had several bags that jangled when Jack and Jaanai carried them to the tables. 

"They are full of pills of any sort. Size, shape, purpose. They had them all." She smiled brightly.

"Really? I wouldn't guess you would find that in a hospital." Kadyn rolled his eyes.

"Don't ruin the moment for her please." Jack warned him. 

"I wanted to be nurse or a community leader when I graduated the schooling program in Absconditum." Jaanai explained her knowledge. 

"You always need two options just in case one is short staffed or over staffed." Jack continued. 

Jaanai proceeded to find the correct antibiotics for Ralph and decided to dress his wounds while the rest of us got comfortable in our beds. 

"Tomorrow bodies. Then training right after. We have a long road ahead of us." Kadyn sighed.

After that comment the building was filled with silence yet again for another dismal night.