Section 58: The Wish Granter

-Aria POV-

As soon as my dizziness disappeared, I tried to read the reports Caleb handed to me inside the warehouse. It seems like the children were injected with a drug that could boost their capabilities, to surpass normal human capabilities. Caleb told me to rest, much to his dismay I didn't listen to his instruction.

He carried me toward the warehouse, where children and teenagers gather around. They're playing with each other like families, like brothers and sisters. Truth be told, it's quite hard for me to focus in a loud environment, but there's no helping it since Caleb kept his eagle eyes on me all the time.

"Hm? What's this?" I found a new passage that looks interesting.

The drugs that were injected into the specimen had a variety of results depending on the individual. Each individual has different results that differ from others. However, the result was divided into two. The first one is called 'Wish' and the second one is called 'Maker'. The one who is classified as 'Wish' is the one who has an enhanced combat ability.

It is described as people that have keen senses, reflexes, strong physical power, and enhanced instinct. These types of people are preferred because of their abilities to fight on-field as soldiers.

"Wait, soldiers?" I latched my eyes on the reports.

I realized most of the test subjects in the list are either orphans or have a criminal record in the past. Some even come from poor backgrounds or broken home environments. They recruited these particular targets for a reason, and that is to avoid being detected from the public eyes. Not to mention, the test subject results are classified into two.

'Wish' and 'Maker', sounds like that popular search engine that people used these days before the chaotic drones attack. Perhaps, this project is tied with the development of the Wishmaker search engine. Whoever planned this project must have also known the reason why the city is in great peril.

I latched my eyes again toward the reports, the 'Maker' is classified as a dangerous ability type. The reason is that these experiments manifested supernatural abilities that are beyond human comprehension.

"This project sounds dangerous! Why would the government let this happen?" I thought to myself.

However, my thoughts were suddenly disturbed by the sound of yelling from the outside. A teenage boy who attacked Kallen came with a gun in his hand.

"GET IN!" he yelled.

Behind him, were none other than Tristan and Joel who were somewhat able to escape from his room.

"Wait, what-".

Surprised by the sight, Caleb came over to the teenage boy's presence.

"Calvin! What is this all about!?" Caleb widened his eyes in shock.

"I caught this stranger, and also an escapee sneaking around our base!" Calvin pointed his gun toward the two frightened men.

"Hey! They're my friends!" I rushed over to their aid. "Don't you dare, pointing your gun at them!".

Calvin put the gun on my temple, threatening me with a fury of anger in his eyes.

"If Vladimir attacks this base, it will be all your fault! Their men have been hastily approaching us and came to conquer us!" Calvin yelled in anger as he pressed the nuzzle hard on my temple. He gritted his teeth with a clenched fist.

"Wait a minute, Calvin they're trying to help us!" Caleb intervened. "I know we can't trust them yet, but swaying your gun toward them doesn't help either!".

"SHUT UP! VLADIMIR HAS TORTURED OUR KINS FOREVER! I HAVE TO EXACT MY REVENGE FOR VANYA YOUNGER BROTHER!" he glared at Caleb with hateful eyes. "I swear that Kallen will be the first who dies!".

Furious with his statement, I pulled his collar out of the blue and knocked his senses with my fist. He fell backward, with his bottom landed on the hard floor.

"I'm not going to let you touch any of them" I growled at the teenage boy. "Even if you're younger than me, I won't hesitate".

Calvin pointed his gun at me from the floor, his hateful gaze is now pointed toward me. His hands trembled uncontrollably as he aimed his gun at me.

"Alright, alright that's enough Aria!" Joel comes between us, trying to pacify the situation. "Don't solve every problem you encounter with a fist! And you too, uhh Calvin!".

"I don't need your comment!" Calvin replied snarkily at Joel.

Just when his focus falters, Caleb can confiscate the gun from Calvin's hand.

"Hey! What the-".

"That's enough Calvin, don't say another word" Caleb sighed. "I know you have ill hatred toward Vladimir and his lackeys, but try to understand that we'd like to avoid violence".

Calvin lowered his gaze, somewhat ashamed of his acts. The whole room was filled with cries and sobs from the children, frightened expressions were plastered on everyone's faces.

"You're scaring the kids Calvin, cool your head off" Caleb pat Calvin head familiarly.

Calvin left the premises with his head hung low, possibly guilty because of his outburst. Elizabeth happened to be inside, she could calm down the frightened children with her warm smiles. Joel is also trying his best to pacify the frightened teenagers on the premises.

"Never thought Joel is good with teenagers," I thought to myself lightly.

"Anyway, sorry about this sudden rage of outburst" Caleb coughed awkwardly. "You see, Calvin has a childhood friend named Vanya".

"I see" I listened to him intently.

"Vanya's younger brother is killed by Vladimir" Caleb's expression turned darker when he explained.

"Eh?" I could feel my expression slowly turning stiff as he uttered the word 'killed'. I know Vladimir is an evil person, but I would never have thought that he had the guts to kill someone, especially children.

"But your friends sneaked in our base, you gave me a bad impression about our truce" he replied with a touch of heavy sarcasm. "Now what should I-".

Before Caleb could continue, Tristan tugged my sleeve in a hurry with a panicked expression.

"This is bad Aria, Ender is in danger!" he hollered uncontrollably.

I raised my brows toward his statement, why would Ender be here? He sounds delusional. He's too sick to even move from his bed now.

"What are you talking about? Ender is heavily injured, he couldn't possibly be here" I sighed. "You're delusional".

Tristan shook his head strongly and dragged me away from Caleb at lightning speed.

"Hey! What are you-".

"Ender is on the archive room rooftop" Tristan spoke with a stutter. "He accidentally reopened his wound and now he's trying to hold the bleeding on his own".

Tristan's voice sounds like he's not joking around, could it be that what he said was true? No, that's not possible. Ender shouldn't be here, should he?

"Show me the way" I deepened my voice in urgency.