Chapitre 361: 40. Somethin' Stupid.
Adam's face turned red and fury as he clenched his fists upon receiving Damon's call, delivering a message from the treacherous Salvatore, Mimi. He wasted no time informing Magnum, Constantine, Dresden, and Reddington. Together, they embarked on a relentless pursuit, tracing Damon's footsteps to the very facility Mimi was meant to destroy seven weeks prior.
As they arrived, the facility reeked of stale air and desperation, and they found no trace of Mimi. However, confirmation came as a conversation between Damon and Mimi that Adam overheard. To his dismay, Damon had taken no action, instead exacerbating his anger by confiding in Colin, who seethed in silence for three agonizing days. Damon had tried to get Mimi's power of attorney back to himself, which blew up Colin's rage.
Colin yearned to be a part of the plan, his eagerness palpable. But their mission required meticulous planning, causing three arduous weeks to elapse. Damon was closely monitored and observed as he entered the facility to rendezvous with Mimi. Emerging with his companion, Adam strained to hear Damon's spiteful words directed at Mimi. He heard how Damon confessed to his new wife that he hates Mimi, and she is getting exactly what she deserves. Damon used words like "Freak, monster, useless whore" Adam tried to control himself.
Finally, the team breached the facility, obliterating everything in their path and recovering Mimi's precious enzymes. Adam, driven by his determination, sought Mimi, only to find her confined to a bed, her wrists bound in spiked handcuffs. Her fragile figure, emaciated and unresponsive, made it incredibly challenging to rouse her from her slumber.
Mimi's right side bore a grotesque, swollen mass, radiating heat and darkness. The stench of medication, agony, and filth clung to her, overwhelming the senses of those who approached.
Now, I was chained to the bed. My right side was swollen and black. There were few enzymes coming out anymore. But yes, I was medicated. I slept quite a lot. I couldn't really stay awake anymore. I was not sure if I was going to slip into hibernation again.
I remember being abruptly awakened by someone shaking me vigorously. Through my bleary eyes, I could make out Adam's face. He scooped me up in his arms, wrapped me tightly in a warm blanket, and we ran. I could feel the cold air biting my cheeks as we dashed outside. It was all a blur, but I remember Adam holding me close to his chest, his heartbeat a steady comfort against my ear. We reached a car, and Colin was already waiting inside. My body felt completely drained, and I didn't have the energy to process anything. So I let myself drift off into a deep sleep, cocooned in Adam's protective embrace.
Adam struggled to control his racing emotions as he gently roused Mimi from her drowsiness and hurriedly made his way to the waiting car. Their reliable companion, Colin, was already there, deftly attaching cannulas to Mimi's fragile form. The room fell into an eerie silence as Mimi once again succumbed to unconsciousness, or perhaps even passed out.
Colin sprang into action swiftly and decisively. Dresden and Constantine joined him, their gloved hands carefully extracting the platinum from Mimi's liver. The car was filled with tense anticipation as they worked, their movements precise and purposeful. Wizards' mutterings brought an eerie atmosphere in the car as they used their magic to get platinum out of Mimi. Gradually, the platinum was obliterated, leaving no trace behind.
Colin wasted no time, swiftly connecting Mimi to an IV to provide the fluids. With their mission accomplished, they embarked on the journey back to the safety of their house and the medbay. He took his bag and gave Mimi some drops onto the way. The occasional clinking sound of bottles accompanied the car ride, a stark reminder of the gravity of Mimi's condition.
Adam stood in silence, his eyes scanning the scene before him. A deep sense of unease settled in his gut as he took in the bleak and disheartening sight. Mimi's situation was dire and offered little hope for improvement. The recent loss of their beloved friend Burt had left everyone reeling in shock, the pain of his absence palpable in the air. The atmosphere around their base was thick with an intense desire for vengeance, as though the very air itself was infused with it.
Over the next six weeks, my consciousness ebbed and flowed. Colin and Samuel, the caretakers, kept me sedated in the incubator, rendering me in a perpetual state of slumber. The incision on my right side throbbed, a constant reminder of the surgery I had undergone. I slept, drifting in and out, numbed by medications, haunted by nightmares.
The agony of it all compelled me to remain heavily medicated during my recovery. I divulged every detail of the murder to Adam, recounting it with utmost precision, desperate to etch it into my memory. Damon, Petra, and the amoebas were all part of my narrative. I tried to tell Adam as much detail as I could.
In her distressed state, Mimi muttered the names of the hit squad, though Adam struggled to decipher her words. To ease her suffering, Samuel and Colin continued to keep her sedated until her physical healing was well underway. Adam made little sense of what Mimi was talking about. He needed to keep Mimi in his arms and even nest, but Samuel and Colin were adamant that there was no nesting or close care. Mimi was too fragile, and they did not want an infection.
It took me two long months before I could even muster the strength to leave my bed. Adam and the other fleas planned to compensate the families of the victims, but there were those left with no one to claim their losses.
Each person had a name engraved on a plaque, accompanied by a code. Lake Lanier beckoned me for another assignment, and I would take Adam along this time. We embarked on a drive, the knowledge of our destination known only to him. The flea people were aware of the existence of the plaque, but I had never shown it to anyone. I had intended to reveal it to Damon, but he never materialized.
As I sat on the rocky ground, concentrating on carving a plaque, Adam silently joined me. He stood behind me, observing me as I worked, and then spoke in a gentle voice, filled with admiration. "Mimi, you are extraordinary," he said. "I can see how much effort you're putting into this carving, and I'm amazed at your skill."
He paused for a moment, and then continued, "I understand that this may not be the ideal setting, but I have to ask you something. Mimi, would you do me the honor of marrying me or even becoming engaged to me?"
I felt my heart skip a beat at his words. I had known Adam for a long time, and I had always felt a special connection with him. As I finished the carving, I turned to him and replied, "Yes, Adam, I will marry you, and we shall be engaged." The joy and love in his eyes were all I needed to know that I had made the right decision.
We stored the plaques together, for they held stories that only we could comprehend. It was unlikely that anyone in their right mind would decipher their enigmatic inscriptions.
Those plaques remain, their numbers multiplied. With each new plaque, I questioned if it was truly worth it. I don't know if Adam has been there since that incident. I have, and many times. I've sometimes considered telling someone how many died in our fight against the drug companies, but I've never wanted to. We were and will always be in the shadows, never in the spotlight. I have hidden location where they are in my mind and Lake Lanier is big place and my description might not be accurate enough for anyone for find them. They are mine, ours and not pack's. Those losses, they are only mine to bear. No need to my pack feel pain of total strangers to them. I am eternal masochist, keeping the pain inside me.
Then, it was not a pleasant trip, but I have sworn to myself that this was my duty as a leader. This time, however, Adam stayed faithfully by my side, his calming presence helping me to deliver and talk to relatives.
The room echoed with their anguish-filled voices, blaming me for the deaths of their loved ones. As we embarked on a three-week tour across several continents, the sights and sounds of grief surrounded us. With heavy hearts, we visited the homes of the victims' families, bearing gift baskets as a feeble attempt to ease their pain.
Burt, one of the unfortunate ones, had no relatives or loved ones left to mourn him. Unless you count me and so many other fleas who were devastated by his death, including Billy, my main hacker, he was so depressed that he took leave and did not say when he would come back. I understood him perfectly.
Magnum and Murdock swore revenge on Sark. Jake and Rob took some time off to be with their family. These things kind of remind one of their mortality. I was bitter sweetly glad that they took the time to be with the ones who loved them. Rob had found another one for himself, too. He did looked at me quite intensely few times but then again, Adam was nearby and he did not appreciate that too much.
Adam, witnessing the toll it took on me each time I lost someone, vowed to be my rock, his unwavering support proving invaluable. It was hard even for Adam, too. He saw a whole new side of me, and what was surprising was that he defended me from those relatives who blamed me. He told them point blank in what shape I had been.
He was blunt, honest and told everyone who dared to blame me that being a flea is fully volunteering and instead of berating me maybe they should focus honor the fallen, be grateful for their life and what they achieved. He was truly my defender.
Our journey then led us to America, specifically to Chicago, where, once again, Damon had cleared his side of the bedroom. The air was thick with indifference, as I no longer held any feelings for him. I was just getting a grip on my life and maybe start enjoying myself. To do something for me, but no, duty called.
Amidst the monotony, Mimosa made a surprising announcement - we were to embark on a Europe gig. In preparation, I managed to increase my weight to 44 kg, determined to be strong enough to save the world. Four months of freedom had passed, and my recovery was progressing well.
I would not be alone on this mission—Mimosa and Mirella would accompany me. The air was filled with the scent of anticipation as we prepared for our journey. Meanwhile, Adam and Colin were assigned the task of journeying to South America, their purpose being to eradicate the aconitum fields and other herbs grown there. The sound of their determined footsteps echoed in my mind.
Samuel, Charles, and Bran had their sights set on North America, tasked with tracking down and gaining control over a list of individuals. The tension in the room was palpable as they discussed their strategies. It would be up to them to decide what that control would end up being.
We knew our mission would not be easy. We'd have a long and brutal job ahead, filled with the sounds of fight clubs, the piercing cries of killings, and the subtle whispers of sabotage. A tight schedule loomed over us, adding to the pressure.
As we envisioned the dense jungles at the end of our journey, a mix of excitement and trepidation washed over us. Oh, that my life could be a little too hectic. This time, there would be no one for me to take care of, to order me to put my rage down. I was on my own unless you count Mimosa, and Mirella, too, would have just woken up.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone