Chapter 3

III. Afraid

I DIDN'T HAVE much of a choice, did I? I don't have any valid argument where they could leave me be. The Nivans family was kind enough to take me under their wing, even though we did a terrible thing of leaving them without even saying a proper farewell.

As much as I am a bit grateful, I didn't know how to treat them warmly, considering the fact that I was isolated from people for years. The feeling of receiving thoughtful and caring actions were foreign. Sure, I was able to interact with people; however, emotions were never needed to be involved. So, yes, this is going to be another problem for me.

"We're here," Piers called out and killed the engine of his car. I nodded and took my backpack from the backseat then got out of the car.

Piers' parents are out of town for a vacation and they will return in two weeks, which will then leave me under Piers' care for now. We pulled out into an apartment complex, not like what I expected since the Nivans family was a bit well-off if my memory serves me right. Piers didn't like the term wealthy, though. After examining the building, I shrugged the thought away and trailed behind him. We got into an elevator and he pressed the button to our designated floor. The whole way from the car ride to the elevator, we didn't exchange even a single letter to each other. Not that I wanted him to talk to me, I guess he just doesn't know how to approach me unlike before. Now that I think about it, we wouldn't be friends if it weren't for our mothers. We are different in so many levels, with him being raised in a veteran family of soldiers while I was raised in an abusive household.

We walked for a little bit then stopped in front of a door, his apartment. He fished out for his keys in his pocket then opened the door. He let me in first before he closed the door behind us. I took in the new surroundings, my eyes wandering the smallest of details. His home was simple and not a speck of dirt or grime was evident on the corners of the room. Well, I can't say that I was surprised.

"This is just temporary," Piers told me, and I found myself nodding as I was still examining his apartment living room. He was still talking in the background when the frames of photographs mounted on the wall caught my attention. I went over to it and admired the pictures of Piers' family; from his beautiful mother whom he got the hazel eyes from to his father who looked like a prim and proper man, just like his son. I took a frame on the table and looked at Lorraine's beautiful face, Piers' mother. My mother's close friend.

"How are your parents, Piers?" I asked him.

He went over to me and looked at the picture frame on my hands. "They're doing fine, I guess. I just received a call from Mom asking how you are. I told her that I brought you to my apartment for the time being while they're away. She's very excited to see you."

I placed the picture frame back to its place, and I turned around to meet him. "Well, I'm just going to end up disappointing her, Piers. I'm not very good at making friends, even before all of this."

"I know. But I became your friend, aren't I?"

"That's different. I wasn't even trying."

"Yeah, that's the point." Piers said, which made me stare at him. "You're going to do fine." He pointed out a door on my right. "Your room's over there. I've bought you a set of clothes so that you can change. It's in the closet. You can have a look around while I go prepare us dinner."

"Do you need some help?"

"No. I got this. But thanks."

I watched as Piers disappeared to the kitchen. I opened the door to my room and flicked the switch on the wall. The room was neither small nor big, only enough space for one person. I left my backpack on the bed, feeling the urge to take a quick shower. I took a towel and went out to the bathroom. I took my transparent contact lenses off, placed it on the container then took a quick shower.

When I was finished, I wrapped the towel around myself then proceeded to wear the contact lenses again. But it slipped through my fingers, causing it to fall on the tiled floor.

"Shit," I cursed under my breath then bent down to find the damn thing. My vision was a little blurry as I've looked every corner but to no avail. When I was about to get up, the back of my head got hit by the sink, making me groan in pain. "Stupid..." I whispered to myself.

"Cheryl?" I heard Piers' voice called out. "You okay?" He was now knocking on the bathroom door, and hearing his voice made me realize that I've also forgotten to bring clothes with me.

"I'm alright!" I grunted, rubbing my aching head. "It's just my contact lenses... I can't find it."

"Do you need help?"

"Yes, please," I murmured, opening the door to see shock appear on his features. Then his expression morphed into irritation.

"At least get decent when you present yourself." He reprimanded me.

"Sorry, I forgot to bring clothes with me."

He just shook his head then got in the bathroom, and I just stood there watching him look for the transparent contact lenses on the floor.

"You're pretty careless, aren't you? Do you always forget to bring clothes with you when you take a shower?"

I shook my head even though he didn't see it. "No, just today. There's always clothes in the locker rooms at the rehab, so..."

Piers raised his head to look at me, his eyebrows furrowed, might be in irritation. I held his gaze for a few seconds before he averted it and went back to looking for my contact lenses. After a few moments, he stood up and handed it to me without sparing me a glance.

"Thank you."

"Be careful next time. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes so get dressed."

I nodded then he proceeded back to the task at hand in the kitchen. I glanced at the contact lenses on my palm before returning to my room to get dressed. I opened the closet to find clothes neatly folded and undergarments lied in the drawers. Did he estimate my size then? That's very thoughtful of him. I pulled out a sweater and shorts, thinking about Piers' generosity.

One thing that I remember about Piers before was that he had a crowd of girls swooned by his good looks. Sure, he would entertain them every once in a while but that was just it. None of them were given a chance to get past through the stage of flirting because he didn't let them. He just wasn't that interested. I admit that it was true, that he is a good-looking man. Others would perceive him as a tough, honorable and devoted soldier. But underneath those looks and reputation is a man that has a heart of gold; that if you dig deep within him, you'll find the sides of him only his team and family get to see, whom they built a strong relationship with. I do appreciate his efforts on buying me clothes, even if the bra was a little tight.

After dinner, I insisted on doing the dishes so that I could be helpful to him. Piers agreed and left to do his own work. Then I went back to my room and plopped on the bed, staring at the white ceiling as everything finally dawned to me.

The Nivans family basically adopted me, even though I was a potential bio-organic weapon. I am sure that they have thought and considered the consequences of taking me in their care, like the fact that it could endanger their whole lives if my secret comes out, if it ever comes out. They didn't need to worry about me infecting other people because the only way for the Uroboros virus can infect was through injection.

I didn't see Piers' father that much, considering that he was always gone. But Lorraine and Camilla, my mother, must have had a very strong friendship that Lorraine was willing to take care of her best friend's daughter even if it means risking her family's safety.

"Wow... she must have really loved my mother." I mumbled to myself. I wonder what was Piers' say in this?

I heaved out a deep sigh and closed my eyes, letting darkness engulf me.

"I want her quarantined... close observation and a full series of blood tests..."

"I want to know if she is the one we've been looking for."

"What's your name?"

"Cheryl..."

"Do you know what's in the blood pulsing through your veins, Cheryl?"

"I... don't know what you're talking about."

"People of your blood type are very rare to find, people like us who are very special. With your blood, I can make the Uroboros stronger."

My eyes opened rapidly, realizing that it was only just a dream. Dreams like these were now frequent because of therapy, but it was as if it refused to be forgotten. It wanted to be part of who I am. But I will carry it for as long as I live, I will be the carrier of the Uroboros virus until I die. I am guessing that it was already past midnight because of the deep, dark sky. I looked at my wrist watch on the bedside table and it signed 12 am. I heaved a deep sigh then got up and went out of the room for a glass of water. I was surprised to find Piers there with a can of beer on his side.

"Hey," He greeted, as I went over to the refrigerator. "Can't sleep?"

I sighed as I closed the refrigerator, shaking my head. "I just woke up from a dream." I went over to the counter and leaned against it as I drank my glass of water. Piers tilted his head to the side, watching me as I did so.

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

I hummed in response, my lips curling upward into a small smile. I stared at nothing in particular as memories of one of the worst phases of my life came back into my mind.

"I dreamed of my days in Africa. I was placed in a cold tube as I was being transported. I saw the look of the scientists they gave me as I laid inside there, asleep and defenseless as they talked about what they'd do to me." I paused, surprised that I can tell this story without trembling. "Never-ending series of blood tests, quarantine, observation... you name it, they've already done it to me."

This isn't the first time I'm telling this story though. But somehow it made me feel a little better knowing that Piers wouldn't assess me, I just... want to get this out.

"I was rescued by the BSAA, got stuck in the labs again and went to rehab to get better. But I don't think that I'll ever be normal again, especially when..." My hand went over to my forearm, where the needles used to be, where they have injected me with the virus.

"I'm afraid. I'm afraid of being alone with my thoughts. They always drift to dangerous places, places I never knew existed, places that could scare you away."

"You can either let your past make you or break you, Cheryl," Piers said, and it took my attention. He had that glint in his eyes that made me believe every word he says. "There's a reason why Chris brought you back. It isn't over yet. You are given a chance to live this through. I don't care if you show me your hell because I'm not getting down that easily. I won't let you get through this alone. Not anymore."