Doomsday Pillars

After meeting his father, Adam decided to wait for Daisy back in the medical center. He didn’t want to lose even just a minute of his time. Time was his most expensive currency at the moment, 6 days were just too short.

Looking around, it was Adam’s first time to walk around the city once called Semarang.

He passed through a field where some new militia trainees practicing. Coincidentally, a few familiar figure was training with them.

"Adam!"

Nathalie and Nathan, and some of the misfits saw Adam walking while they were on their way to practice martial art.

Other than the ones still in the rehab like Romi, there were only 2 dozen of them left. Considering almost everyone from the 3rd and 4th division died, Adam was still grateful that there were people left from his group.

"Where is Rick?"

"He’s with the training officer. He would be happy to see you awake."

Tommy was also with them. If Tommy was here then that meant she’s at the city.

Adam didn’t tarry too much as he said his farewell with a heavy heart and rushed back to the medical center. As he walked past the door and about to reach for the stairs, He felt a tug from his back.

"!!!"

A warm and soft hand hugged him from the back..

He didn’t have to turn to know that Daisy had been crying. Adam stood still to relish the warm feeling. This might be the last time he would feel this warmth.

A moment later, Adam turned around, put both his hands on Daisy’s shoulder.

"I am here, I am fine."

Daisy turned as red as a tomato realizing the people staring at them. She stepped back and observed Adam carefully.

"Are you really fine?"

"Yes, I am fi—"

RRRRrrrrrrr

A loud sound came from Adam’s tummy startling the people around. This time, it was Adam’s turn to be embarrassed. He smiled awkwardly while scratching his head. "Ok, maybe I am not fine... I am freak in hungry."

Both laughed at the same time releasing the tension they had been feeling all this time.

It’s been days since Adam ate real food. Daisy took him to one of the closest posts spread all over the city. She exchanged two vouchers for two canned meats. Mutated lizards with soy sauce and black beans mutated birds.

They sat on a nearby table and Adam wolfed down his food like a person who hasn’t eaten for years. Seeing Adam, she gave her portion to him.

She stood up and exchanged two more vouchers. Surprised at Adam’s large appetite, she smiled while watching him eat. If only she knew that his appetite was caused by the horrible experiments done to him.

Adam noticed that he’s the only one eating, he asked, "Aren’t you hungry?"

"No... I’m kinda fed up with canned meat anyways, but I’m happy watching you eat like this. A large appetite means you are healthy." She smiled.

Adam wiped his mouth with a tissue as he smiled at an idea. Something he had heard from one of his father’s staff before he entered the presidential office.

Adam grabbed Daisy’s arm and rushed out to the street.

"Ok, you wait here a few minutes."

"What are you planning to do?"

Adam answered with a cheeky smile, "Just wait." Then he jogged away.

While waiting, Daisy’s thought on how to convince Adam to go with her to Australia. She knew he had just woken up and probably needed more rest.

A few minutes later, a loud sound reverberated in the area.

Brrrmmmmm Brmmmmm Brmmmm

"..."

A 2000cc motorcycle stopped in front of her.. Daisy was startled...

"Where did you find this?"

A working motor vehicles were not prioritized for the mechanics to fix. So it’s very surprising to find Adam had one.

Adam smiled. "Courtesy for the president’s son. Haha."

As Daisy about to hop in, "Don’t we need to wear a helmet?"

"Who are we going to crash into..? There’s rarely any working vehicles around remember..."

Daisy arms holding tight into Adam’s waist, and the engine start, Adam drove quite fast and Daisy hair blows fiercely by the wind, she decided to put her cheek closely into Adam’s back, arms holding tighter not wanting to let go... All eyes staring at the two lovebirds as they drove through the empty street of New Java city in speed.

They traveled out of the city, still inside the safe zone, and reached an outpost near a farm lot.

Adam talked to one of the farmers and received a basket of fresh oranges. Again courtesy of the president’s son...

The love bird then rode to the side of an uphill facing the beach. The horizon filled with the golden rays of the sun setting, the soft crashing of the waves along with the cool breeze of the salty air. Both got off the motorcycle and enjoyed each other’s presence while looking into the distance, enjoying the fantastic view.

Daisy opened up the basket and started peeling the oranges for both to enjoy. Adam watched her as he smiled sadly. If only this would last forever...

But there’s really no hope for him, no future. He thought about spending the last 6 days like this and not say anything about his condition, but he couldn’t do that to her. It’s too selfish... she needed to know... he should tell her about it now...

"I—"

But before Adam could say anything, "There’s something I need to say." Daisy said in a serious tone. Adam’s word got stuck in his throat. He noticed her serious face, which was rare and decided to listen.

Daisy told her about Alex’s plan to bring her to Australia and how this would be very important for humans with special abilities like her and Tommy. She then told him about her regrets being unable to predict the incoming enemies on the last village battle. After that, she then started blaming herself and almost cried again. She finally asked Adam to come with her to Australia.

But the problem is, Alex will be leaving tomorrow...

"..." Adams feel conflicted with the news...

But then Adam thought for a while and gave a long sigh. Weighing the situation, This might be the best situation for both of them.

Staring at Daisy eyes, Adam slowly said

"You should go... but... I cannot go with you... I... I have so many things I need to do here. The misfits... and my father... my father needs my help."

.

.

.

It’s a lie.

.

.

Adam can’t imagine with the thought of Daisy seeing him die gruesomely like the pale fighters. He didn’t want to be remembered that way. If he let her go to do something she wished, that would be considered that he’s not being selfish right?

Daisy half-expecting quickly said, "In that case, I’ll stay with you. I won’t go," and crossed her arms.

"No, you’re needed there... more than here."

With full determination, Daisy said as she turned sideways, "No, I will stay here with you!"

Adam kept quiet and smiled at her. He looked at Daisy’s beautiful face, her hazelnut eyes. Her long straight jet-black hair. The fair complexion of her smooth skin. All of her, he wanted to imprint her into his soul.

Adam slowly took out an item and reached for Daisy’s hair...

"..."

It’s the daisy flower hairpin back to its owner...Its symbolize Adam’s promise

"Listen to me, ok? It will only be temporarily. We will see each other again. I promise. Each of us currently has our own duties. Let’s walk the path and see each other again in a year."

Daisy stared at the ground still adamant about her decision.

"Let’s do a pinky promise," Adam said while grinning.

Daisy pouted while saying, "We are not kids."

"Wow, did you know that pinky promise originated from the Japanese? Whomsoever didn’t keep their promise will get their pinky finger cut." Adam tried to lighten the mood but it’s not working. Daisy crossed her arms and turned away from Adam.

Adam laughed and he suddenly thought of another idea. He walked to the motorcycle and reach the storage compartment to grab a pen. "Let’s do this"—handing the pen to Daisy—"Each of us will write down a note about what we want to say. We’ll then put it inside the orange basket and hide it under that big stone.." When we meet again next year let the notes remind us of our current feeling for each other. Although... I am sure we’ll laugh together reading about it next year."

Daisy still thinks this is childish, but she doesn’t want to argue and follow Adams idea, as for Adam, this probably will be his last message to Daisy, it’s the only way he can think of right now...

Daisy seems to notice Adam took the note too seriously after they finish writing... Adam softly grabs Daisy’s hand. Daisy’s heartbeat raced as their hands touched and felt his piercing gaze.

Reaching out to her face, burning in his memory, her everything. He leaned in closer until they were inches apart. "I love you," he whispered as he kissed her soft lips.

They then went to an abandoned house and spent the night merged as one in each other’s arms. A passionate night that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. If she only knew...

.

.

.

Next morning, the two woke up in each other’s embrace. They rode back to the city with Daisy holding him tighter than usual.

They went back to the place where all the misfits stay, Adam helped Daisy and Tommy pack and then went to the gathering point. Rick all the other misfits all there to say farewell to Daisy and Tommy.

Alex welcomed them with a big smile. "Glad you can make it, We are now heading to the Star Base in Bali" Alex boarded the ship with his 500 elites plus a few dozen more.

As the ship sailed away, Daisy stood at the edge staring at Adam trying to commit him into her memory. She hoped that their trip would end soon.

"One year, we will see each other then"

.

.

Finally, the ship has left... that’s the end of it he thought... Adam has planned the same story to his friends, the misfits, something about a mission from his father that need to start soon. He approaches Rick and told him to take care of the misfits while he’s gone...

"Please take care of them"

Rick seems to think there’s a deeper meaning behind it...

Adam wished to stay longer, but.... suddenly his bones and muscles started ripping each other. Sweat coming out of his body, blood rising up from his stomach, he knows what he needed to do... he quickly said goodbye and rushing away...

Adam hurried into one of the abandoned houses... his body loses all control...

ARRRGGHHH!!!

Adam feels this time it’s a bit different... He can see his whole body turn blackish color... quickly. Taking out a syringe, he injected himself. He breathed heavily... He can tell the injection somehow not as effective as before... something inside him seems to change... he felt both rage and despair mixing together... His emotion out of control... Adam tried so hard to calm himself but black color blood keep gushing out of his ear and nose... when suddenly, the door to the abandoned house is open... he heard footsteps... someone come approaching.

"!!!"

It’s Melissa... She gaped in shock

"Please... Melissa... please don’t... tell anyone."

"I’ll call for help!!"

Melissa ran out of the abandoned house when suddenly...

CRACCCKKKK!!!

She heard loud breaking sound. She quickly went back to check. but there was no trace of Adam only black color blood filling out the floors...

Adam’s gone

That’s the last time everyone saw him...