"Who?!"
Inside the building.
The sudden sound behind him startled Airon. He didn't know when there were other people behind him, but it made his scattered senses explode. He instinctively wanted to turn around and shoot.
"Ah?!"
Of course, it wasn't just him. Elena, who was also facing away from the door, was startled and jumped to the side like a monkey.
"Airon, wait a moment."
Only Laura, who was in front of the door, noticed the man who appeared at the door first, but when she saw that the man had no weapon in his hand and didn't seem hostile, she thought he was someone unrelated to the Red Army. But then she was surprised to see that he was wearing the same suit as Airon.
"Are you from the S.C.T.?"
"Tommy?"
"Airon, what the hell happened to you, buddy?"
Tommy looked at Airon's severed arm and thought that he had been infected, but considering this man's abilities, what happened to him was incredible to process.
"A damn group of lunatics has been doing inhuman things in this place. I was caught off guard as it was a child who infected me with a weapon covered in walker blood..."
Jacob sat on the floor with weariness, looked at Tommy with a dizzy thought in his mind, and weakly mocked himself.
"What happened to him?!" Tommy looked at Laura with a cold expression.
On the other hand, Joel approached Jacob and injected him with adrenaline to keep Jacob from losing consciousness. By doing this, he not only ensured that they could escape from this place but also considered Airon's words about what they should do in this place.
Tommy, with a serious and determined expression, approached Laura after discovering Airon with his left arm amputated. Knowing that Airon's group needed answers, Tommy began interrogating Laura to understand what had happened.
Laura, aware of the need for transparency and trust, recounted how she and Elena had encountered Airon in difficult circumstances. She explained that they had been attacked by a group of walkers, and Airon appeared to rescue them at the last moment. Since then, they had been together in their struggle for survival.
Tommy approached the woman and explained in a serious tone, "Laura, I need answers. How did all of this happen? How did Airon end up with his arm amputated?"
Laura was nervous but still said, "Tommy, let me explain. Elena and I encountered Airon in a life-or-death situation. We were being attacked by a group of walkers, and Airon appeared just in time to rescue us.
Tommy frowned and asked, "And how did Airon get infected? I don't understand how something like that could happen."
"It was completely unexpected. After Airon rescued us, we encountered the child who was traveling with Airon in a dangerous place. He seemed scared and injured, so no one thought he would be dangerous. But suddenly, the child attacked Airon with a knife infected with walker blood. It was an act filled with hatred and madness."
Joel, upon hearing this, was astonished. "A child attacked you? How could he do that to Airon?"
"Airon defended himself and neutralized the threat, but he got injured in the process. We did everything we could to treat the wound, but we knew the infection would spread rapidly. There was no choice but to amputate his arm to save his life."
Elena approached Laura to provide emotional support. Now that Airon's people had appeared, the situation had become a bit confusing.
"I understand that you acted in self-defense, but this is serious. We need to ensure there are no more risks to the group. Is there anything else we should know?"
Laura seemed to understand what this man meant, so she said, "Tommy, I promise we have no more secrets. We are as surprised as you are by what happened. Airon trusted us and helped us survive. We also want to ensure everyone's safety. We have handed over our weapons and are willing to cooperate in whatever is necessary."
Tommy looked at Elena and nodded. "I understand that this situation is difficult for everyone. We need to stay united and find a solution. Now, you will be safe. Thank you so much for saving a great man. Tens of thousands of people rely on him."
"Thousands of people?"
The dialogue continued as Tommy and Laura delved into the details and shared their concerns. As they progressed in the conversation, a foundation of trust and collaboration was established between them, recognizing the importance of facing the upcoming challenges together.
...
"Let's go back now, Tommy. There's no time." All Airon wanted now was to get out of this place.
"Yes, our people are waiting for us..."
Airon was overwhelmed by the loss of his hand and the consequences it entailed. As he walked alongside Laura and Elena, his mind filled with thoughts and reflections. He knew this amputation would significantly change his life.
"How am I going to adapt to this new reality?" Airon wondered. His left hand, which had always been a vital part of his fighting ability and dexterity, was now gone. He felt a sense of loss and limitation but also a renewed determination to find new ways to face the dangers that awaited them.
"I must learn to trust others from now on..." Airon thought. While he had always been the first to face dangers, he now needed to acknowledge that his strength did not solely rely on his individual skills but on the unity and collaboration of the group. He had to stop assuming all the risks by himself and learn to delegate, trusting his companions to share the burden.
Additionally, Airon realized that his approach had to change. Before, he would recklessly dive into danger without considering the consequences. Now, he understood that his survival and that of others depended on making more strategic decisions and carefully assessing risks. The loss of his hand was a constant reminder that recklessness could have devastating consequences.
Amidst his thoughts, Airon found a spark of determination. He knew he couldn't let himself be consumed by sadness or pessimism. He had to accept his new reality, adapt, and find a way to turn this adversity into strength. Airon was determined to use his experience and leadership to guide the group toward survival, making sure everyone was prepared for the challenges ahead.
With these new thoughts in mind, Airon walked with a steady pace, ready to face any obstacle that stood in his way. He had changed, but his determination and bravery remained intact. It was time to show that even with one less hand, he could still lead and protect those who trusted him.
Novel finished on my Patreon: SrCuervo