City ₪ Two

I swipe my ID onto the led system beside the door of the lab where supplement supplies are placed in. The green light flickers as the door automatically opens. This got to be one of our perks since we work as an intern in the Westercourt Institution, we can basically get some supplies anytime we want to.

The whole room is designed in plain white walls and silver trays and cabinets. The syringes are lined up in each cabinet in packs, ready to be distributed by the volunteers like us every morning. I take three packs which contains ten syringes each for Mrs. Lee, Jeno and I.

As I place the packs inside my bag, I noticed through the window view were five doctors including Jeno and a girl wearing in a white hospital dress in which I think in the same as Jeno's age passing by the lab room.

In my curiosity, I immediately pack my stuff as I slowly open the door and slightly peaked my head to see where they may be heading at. I noticed that they just make an entrance to one of doors, four doors away from the lab room to be exact.

My brows curved in curiosity even more, "What are they going to do in the test lab?" I mumble to myself. Though I know Jeno has been called to assist during an assessment, I wonder what kind of assessment would it be?

I head out of the room, walking pass the hallway. Seems as though the institution smells like a hospital due to the supplements being stock in this floor. I make a stop a feet away from the room where I saw them coming inside. Not that I am trying to peak on to their activity and Jeno said it's a private activity.. it's just that I'm here now, the more I shrug it off, the more my curiosity grows bigger.

I clear my throat, realizing that there was a security camera attached on to the wall near me. I play safe as I make a turn to the other corner of the room in which the cleaner's room is located, just beside the test lab. I peak into the window though there is a curtain blocking but I can still catch a glimpse of the activities being done inside.

There, I saw the girl seated on to the hospital chair as the other doctors were holding some apparatuses and syringes were lined up on to the table. I can see Jeno locking up the girl's hand one by one as I can see the frail look on the girl's eyes.

The said girl had messy brown hair, her skin was white but she had an intense dark circles around her eyes that shows like she haven't slept for days, she's was so thin like she did not take any supplements for days and judging by the way she looks, she suffers from Anorexia.

Maybe the assessment was all about saving people like her. For years, it's been every society's problem. The lack of nutrition and proper health care.

City 127 is a huge city and I can agree that help can't even reach out to everyone.

Soon after, I watch as Jeno taking a step back from the girl as the doctors are about to start their assessment. I had a tough time watching since one was blocking the sight, but I noticed that the girl was trying to get herself out from the locks which Jeno clamps on her.

It took less than a minute before I heard a loud scream coming inside the room. I gasp the moment I finally get a clearer vision of the girl who was screaming in pain. The doctors took three meter steps away from the girl, watching the girl even Jeno who remained still beside the door.

It just took less than a minute to turn the girl in berserk, she was screaming in pain as she tries to get off from the locks. Beads of sweat were forming into her whole body, until I noticed that her pale white skin were tatted with veins which most likely to pop out when it gets worse. Her nails dug destructively into sheets, which causes to rip it apart from sheets to the mattress.

My eyes remained wide, shivering in fear as I cover my mouth as soon as possible avoiding to make a sound. The screaming continues, getting louder and raspy as I watch her eyes turn red, then green, then blue. I worried alot and this isn't helping her, infact the assessment is destroying her!

In just a second, the scream shuts down as the only thing I can hear is my beating heart who drops down the moment I saw the girl lying lifelessly. One of the doctors tried to pump her but with the facial reactions they had, I assumed one thing. She's dead.

A tear escaped right into my eye, I couldn't take a look anymore as I lean my back on the wall. What did I saw just now?! I thought the Westercourts are doing their best to make people alive amidst the hardships given by the post-apocalyptic world?! I can't stand they have to sacrifice a single life of person just because of their fucking failed test?!

I cover my face as tears were streaming down my face. What have they done?! I was mentally speaking to myself in fear and anger at the same time, until I heard someone calling out my name. "Gel.."

I knew it was Jeno, no doubt it was him. I felt his hand grips into my wrist but I slap his touch right away, "Y-You.." I stutter, fear consumed me just now. "You let her die, Jeno."

"Angel.." I can see the regret look on his face, I know he wanted to explain everything to me because knowing Jeno, he wouldn't let me left hanging out on the things I want to know. "Let me explain."

"Everything was clear, Jeno. You, doing nothing against something isn't good is so not you! Why did you let her die?! What was the assessment all about?!" I exclaimed.

For the first time in my life, I watch Jeno with this kind of facial expression. It pains to see him sad and more over, I know that he did something which was against his will. "Listen," He huffs a breath out. "The assessment you witnessed was not the first time it happened here. Actually," He gulps, looking straight into my wobbling eyes. "It exists right after the day of the apocalypse. Means to say, hundredths of years since this assessment existed. For the Westercourts, the only solution to lessen the wide spread of diseases and even the lifeless people is to eradicate them."

"I don't get the point where killing is the only solution that they can ever think of?! I watch.." I paused, my face looked grim as I continue to cry infront of him. "I watch an innocent girl turn into a monster and in just a second, she turned into a corpse! You can't just expect me to understand this whole shitty organization do to us!"

"Angel," He frets, inching closer to me as he did not hesitate to embrace me as I sob on his chest. "I'm sorry. If only I can help you get out of this messed up world, I would. I would always refrain you from being a volunteer during an assessment, because I don't want you to experience the kind I have to endure almost everyday. But this," he paused. "It pains me even more seeing you like this."

My head was feeling hefty, I do not know the reason of my tears anymore. Was it because I saw an innocent girl die infront of me? Was it because how the world gets cruel each of our every day lives? Or was it because I felt bad for approaching him this way but at the same time, I felt safe with Jeno by my side?

"I'm sorry.." It was all I could ever utter from my mouth. I pull away from his embrace first, surprised, I see his lips curved into smile as he wipes my tears with his handkerchief. "It's okay, I'll should be the one to apologize for not letting you know about what the Westercourts has been doing over the years."

I shake my head, "I just can't believe you took the risk for me. You took all the burdens and not letting me know about it. I'm sorry you had to see first how cruel the world is. You're too young--"

Jeno stops me as he places his point finger to shut my lips, "You know I hate it when you see me as too young for you."

My lips pursed, but eventually it made me smile. "Jeno?"

"If you won't stop saying those words, I'll definitely kiss you."

My eyes rounded in shock, I absolutely did not expect him to threat me that way. We were like siblings and siblings don't do nasty things to each other. He's like a younger brother to me and we can't really be something more than that. Or was I really the one who's expecting?

"I.." I stutter, trying to conceal my hot cheeks that just embers through my veins now. "I'll just wait for you by the lounge."

As I check into my wrist watch, it's still pass one in the morning. We still have four more hours before the curfew ends and that we can now travel back home. I sigh, walking out first as I left Jeno frozen in place.

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