章 120: Layer Six

As I filled a glass of water in the kitchen, I glanced at the TV where my parents and the girls were engrossed in the morning news.

Sensing a somber atmosphere, I walked out of the kitchen and asked, "What's up?"

My father responded, "We are watching news."

"That I see. Anything happened?" I asked, noticing the seriousness on their faces.

Veronica, with a troubled expression, said, "A whole city in Texas has been infected by chemicals. There are hundreds of casualties."

I quizzed, "Was there anyone that you knew?"

The room fell silent for a moment, and everyone looked at me strangely.

I was oblivious to their reactions and asked, "What?"

My mother, concerned, remarked, "What are you talking about? Just because there were no relatives, should we ignore it?"

I retorted, "Yes. Why would you care? It only makes you depressed."

Oliv, puzzled, questioned, "What happened to you, Max? You never thought like that."