RONI
I woke up in someone's arms and I smiled. I reached out for Jack's face and showered him with feathery kisses. We were up late last night, planning out things. We almost argue with names for the baby. Silly. If it were up to me, I wouldn't want this mood and moment to stop. To be filled with joy and happiness everyday is what I've always wanted to have. And I'm going to make things right starting today.
"Good morning." Jack muttered huskily. The bed made a creak sound. Funny how we're both curled up in a small and comfy bed. "Morning." I greeted back. He slowly pulled out of the blanket and stood up. He fixed his hair and planted a chaste kiss on my lips before grabbing the jacket on the armrest. Based on the wall clock, it's six forty-five in the morning. It's still early but he mentioned something about finalizing something.
"You can stay on the bed. I'll be back later. We'll have breakfast together." He muttered. I nodded and smiled at him at the same time. He looks dashing even with his slightly damped hair. Jack is taller than Art and has a more masculine build. I smiled wider. He came last night and didn't ignore me just like the last time. I wonder if I can change the result of the bet?
"Do you want me to fetch you a hot chocolate?" He saw my empty tumbler on the bedside small drawer. I shook my head. I can do it myself. He grabbed his bag pack and put the strap on his shoulder before swinging the curtain. But before he leaves, he turned to me and walked to my direction. "You forgot something?" I asked. He smiled and crouched in front of me so we're on eye level.
"Uh-huh." He muttered before he claimed my mouth with his. He touched his forehead with mine after, our chest panting. He closed his eyes before planting a gentle kiss on my forehead. "Maybe I'll transfer some of my things here." He teased. I immediately slap his left shoulder. "I'll be back in my tent as soon as the surgeon gives me a 'go' sign."
He chuckled at me and then caressed my stomach. He's drawing small circles on it and I giggle. I pinched his cheek before kissing his nose. "Then it's settled. I'll be back in a minute. Can't keep my eyes off of you." I cringe my nose. He's super sweet today and I can't get over it so I pushed him gently away from me. "Alright. Now, off you go." He chuckled again until he finally closed the curtain between us. I can't help but smile from ear to ear. I'm in love once more. Deeper this time.
A minute later, the three idiots came but with another one. They're all here once again with plastic trays in their hands. This room isn't some canteen or something but they like to eat in here.
"Good morning my Queen. Sorry to interrupt your sleep but we just want to eat with you." Matt said as he handed me a bowl full of chicken noodle soup and french toast. "Why are y'all here again?" I asked before crossing my arms. I put the bowl and the rice they brought on the desk beside my bed. "Chill out okay? We just to eat together like college days." Art answered while raising both of his hands in the air. I narrowed my eyes at them and raised my brow after. Surely they're not just here because of that. Knowing how much they want to get some juicy information.
"Really, guys. Just spill the tea." I closed my eyes in annoyance after. Lauren raised both of her hands in the air. "Alright, one out of Seven." Art teased. I rolled my eyes at Art and gave him dagger stares. He won't just shut up.
"We figured you're lonely here since Jack didn't even visit you last night." Lauren spilled. I figure that out too. I pursed my lips, stifling a laugh. They really don't know about anything. I smirked and grabbed my wallet. "How about we bet now?" I offered. They looked at each other and Prim just shrugged. Art collected their money. I'm surprised they brought a lot of paper bills. I only have five hundred bucks and my debit card with me. They all bet that Jack won't come today before they finished their breakfast and I handed five dollar bills to Art to bet on the opposite. He'll be back any minute now, I'm sure.
"Aren't you hungry?" Lauren stopped a spoonful of noodles mid-air. I smiled at her and waved my right hand. I'll eat once Jack is here. "I've brought you some fruits, Roni." Matt muttered. He put the basket on the desk filled with my favorite fruits. Isn't he thoughtful?
"I'm amazed. How did you get these? Stole it from the pantry, I guess?" Prim asked. Matt rolled his eyes and wrinkled his nose at her. Oh boy, here they come.
"I'm not like you. I've brought a lot of food." He fired back. "Oh please Matthews I got more of it and I have a receipt. Go check it out." Prim uttered nonchalantly. They were about to fight when Jack came in with plastic cups on his left hand and a bigger lunch box on the other. The four were shocked when they saw him and it was a sight to see. They look like they've seen a ghost.
"Well, I won." I smirked at them. Jack slowly fixed the curtain and walked to my direction with a creased forehead. He's confused as to why they're all here and why they look surprise. "What's happening here, baby?" He whispered. I smiled before he planted a soft kiss on my cheek. "Wait. Hold up!"
Matt stood up and moved closer to us until he's beside Jack. He still has that puzzled expression on his face. I leaned on Jack and whispered something about what they did here last night.
"What are you doing here, Jack?" Matt asked with crossed arms. "I'm here for the mother of my child, Matt. Isn't that supposed to be obvious?" Cheesy. Jack shocked them all once more. He said that bluntly with arms on my shoulder. The lunch box and paper cups were on the foot of my bed.
"I tried to convinced you to see Roni last night but you said you can't. What exactly happened?" Now, Art's even standing up and giving us both a meaningful stare. I bit my lower lip to force myself not to laugh. I'm enjoying their reaction so much.
"I can't, yet. That's what I said." I extended my arm and leave my palm open upon their reach. I guess I'm four dollars richer. Art sighed before giving me the money. I pursed my lips and wriggled my brow at them. "Well, since you're all here. Might as well inform you now."
We all straightened up when Jack used his baritone voice. He sounds so serious and you can see on his eyes that this is urgent. Even though Lauren wasn't done with her meal and I'm famished, we all turned to Jack with attentive ears nonetheless.
"With regards to the tragedy that wiped out Roni's team, I want you all to know how dangerous this expedition is." Jack started. "The real reason why we're here is to capture the test subjects that escaped the Antigen Compound a few months ago. Five of them or more are expected to be inhabitants across the bridge."
As soon as Jack spill the tea, my hands started to shake on their own. My friends have the same puzzled expression on their faces. Prim glanced at my direction swiftly before raising her right hand to Jack. "Does the higher ups knew about this?" She asked. Her calm expression turned when she looked my way, asking for answers. Jack held my hand and squeezed it tightly when I was about to say something. He doesn't want them to hate me. He wanted the blame all to him but is this okay?
"They do. That's why they recommended all of you for this. Antigen wants us to take down these creature's escapade before they go rampage."
"Haven't they done that already?" Matt cut him off with a tone of sarcasm. "This makes sense. That's why we're here during blood moon." Art commented, completely ignoring Matt.
"Blood moon. What are we talking about then? Werewolves?" Lauren faked a laugh afterwards. Jack and I exchanged glances before he sighed. He didn't let go of my hand and to be honest, I don't want him to do that either. I feel so weak all of a sudden. Telling them the truth isn't really easy.
"Werewolves." Matt whispered. Lauren bit his lip, terrified. Prim lay her hands and silently prayed for something. Art tapped Matt on the shoulders as the tension between the latter and Jack rose. "You knew about this?" Lauren stood up and pointed her finger at me. "Answer me!" She shouted. I yelped and closed my eyes, afraid of her outburst. Jack held her shoulders and tried to pushed her away from me but she shove him to the other side. "Roni, please. Answer me!" She begged as tears sprung from her eyes. Matt immediately hugged her.
"Veronica Jane Heartfillia, will you please tell me?" Lauren whispered.
"Shhhhh." Jack hugged me away too, softly caressing my back. I weep in his arms and tightly gripped on his jacket. "It's all my fault. I should've declined the offer." I whispered. We were so happy awhile ago and I destroyed it. I destroyed their trust on me and even deceived them to come here as baits. They have every right to get mad at me and abandoned me.
"Guys, please." Jack muttered. All the sobbing and murmurs are gone now and when I let go of Jack, everyone was composed. They all sat at the chair without sparing me a single glance.
"Okay. Thanks." He whispered. "I want you all to know too that we're leaving at noon. I've been calling my superiors non-stop for a chopper and it's expected to land at twelve o'clock later. I want you to pack your things and get ready to leave the place. I'll brief you the details later just in case of emergency."
"What emergency?" Art asked. "Werewolf attack." He answered swiftly. "It's daylight, Jack. They're probably asleep." Prim whispered back. "Just for precautions." I finally said.
Matt and Lauren left the room first and then Art and Prim followed. Jack set the table up for breakfast but all of a sudden I don't feel like eating. Everything bothers me. I grabbed my bag pack and opened the purse. The serum and the darts were all in place and when my hands started to shake, I hurriedly grabbed the small box wrapped nicely on the bottom end of the bag. It contains the test tubes with Jack and mine's blood samples. I haven't done anything since we came here and in order for me to finally end these lab rats, I need an antidote. I opened the drawer on the side and grabbed the microscope. I put my blood first on the slide and slowly poured a little amount of the Corpus Achilles.
"The doctor said I should feed you first. So come here." Jack muttered. I looked up and smiled at him a little. I need to finish this first. This is a top priority that I had forgotten. And the result may change and turn this event around.
"What are you doing?" He asked. I shook my head before turning my gaze to the microscope. The red blood cells began to combine with the serum. At first, the serum dominated and ate the cells but after a few seconds, the serum began to mutate. The red blood cells accepted the serum completely making me stare at Jack in awe.
"What is it baby?" He asked. I throw my arms at his neck and yelped. He hugged me tightly while I yelped a little. This might be it. The solution. "What happened? Why are you suddenly happy? Pregnant mood swings?" Jack said confused.
"My blood matched! I can turn them back to human again." I squealed.