The Darkest Bond

Chapter 5- When the Storm Hits the Shore

Naomi arrived at the scene and immediately knew that whatever she'd find inside wouldn't be pleasant. After parking her car, she showed her ID to an officer, who conducted her inside. Some other officers were just standing, practically waiting for her to finish her investigation and others were investigating the scene on their own.

"May I have the room, please?" Naomi called with her deep voice.

The officers turned and locked the door behind them. Once Naomi was completely alone, her eyes began to scan the room, looking for the truth in the scene now before her. At first glance, the room seemed normal except for the body of a man lying in bed. The forensic specialist put to use all the tools at her disposal and once she felt satisfied, she headed back to her lab.

Hope you're ready for work, Little Guy.

Erhard woke up to the sound of Maria's voice. When his eyesight was focused, he was able to distinguish her already dressed up. Erhard then looked outside and saw that the sky wasn't completely lit.

"Good morning." said Maria leaning down to kiss him.

"What time is it?" asked Erhard sitting up on the bed.

"Six ten."

"Wow… that time already?"

"You should hit the shower."

Erhard nodded and headed towards where Maria was pointing. She then handed him a clean towel.

Erhard couldn´t remember when was the last time he felt so revitalized by a shower, but he was too focused on the feeling of cleanliness and tranquility to think about it. While dressing up, he looked at his face in a mirror. His eyes seemed to shine with a rekindled spark. He smiled in content and continued to dress up.

Maria passed by and noticed a fold in the neck of his thermal jacket. Stretching her hand, she delicately fixed the fold. However, she could take her eyes off of him. He took her hand and placed it in his cheek, saying more that hundred words could express.

"We should… probably get going."

Erhard looked at Maria's alarm clock. Six twenty. Nodding, Erhard double-checked he was missing nothing before exiting her house and climbing on her bike.

By the moment they arrived at Resurgam, a few doctors had already arrived, but it was mostly quiet. They headed straight for the mess hall in which they enjoyed the last precious moments they had. Then, a tall figure approached the couple.

"What a surprise to see you both this early."

"Look who's talking, Big Guy. You've never been here this early, did something happen?"

"I'm just making sure I don´t get into trouble with the chief again."

"You mean the incident with our last patient?" said Erhard, remembering the events of that day, to which the giant nodded.

"Which reminds me, Doctor Muller? That was an amazing skill you displayed when treating him. Also, it was a very fortunate thing that you correctly guessed the patient's true condition. I wonder, however, how did you figure it out?"

"That was…"

Erhard still didn't know how to reply to that question. He himself didn't quite understand what manner of supernatural phenomenon had taken over him, if supernatural was the right word to describe it.

"What's important is that the patient is safe thanks to you both." said the paramedic.

Both doctors nodded in agreement and Hank bid the couple farewell.

Erhard stood in silence for a while, meditating on the fact that he was so close to work his sentence off. He stared at his hands and wondered about that surreal episode; he wasn´t quite sure whether to accept it as a "paranormal" phenomena or not.

The two doctors continued to chat while they ate a good breakfast. Erhard was happy that he was eating something good for once, and was relieved to know that all those days in the cold cell hadn´t ruined his sense of taste.

After the breakfast, he stopped by most of the staff's workplaces, greeting as many people as he could. Maria also encouraged the idea; she wanted him to have only good memories of Resurgam, and of them together. Shortly after, Agent Holden arrived. All of Erhard's companions, except Naomi, gathered to bid him a heartfelt farewell. Maria didn't waste her only chance and kissed him before he got inside his cell.

"I promise you all I will come back soon. Wait for me."

"You bet, kid! Hang in there."

"Good luck, Doctor Muller."

The doors to the cell were sealed and Holden encouraged the Resurgam team to continue to push onward before getting inside the truck and driving away. Before the emptiness could take over the doctors, Gabriel Cunningham managed to get everyone back to work.

"It's the least we can do for him." he thought, going inside with the rest.

The truck moved further away from Resurgam, but Erhard's heart was content. Holden was also happy. Erhard thought that maybe he found a little joy in being alone, away from a burden such as him, but soon, that thought vanished.

"Thanks for this, Holden." said the surgeon almost in a childlike manner.

"You've earned it. Don't thank me."

"So, where to now?" asked Erhard after a short silence.

"Chicago. You need to see some people and then give another conference about Viral Evolution and Control."

Suddenly there was a huge impact; an explosion on one side of the truck. They had been hit by a high power weapon like a grenade. Erhard didn't have time to hold on to something. A dense smoke began to seep through into the surgeon's cell. The truck was on fire. Erhard called Holden's name several times, but there was no answer. Then, the doors to his cell were opened. Before he could run outside of the vehicle, two men restrained him and another one injected him with a drug. As his consciousness faded away, Erhard could hear the distant sound of waves, crashing into the shore.

AN: After what looked like eons, It´s finished! I apologize for taking so long to update anything, but collage and other literary projects keep me busy. Now, I realize this is a very short chapter compared to others, but it is part of the changes I underwent as a writer. I'll do my best to keep the tension and flow as fast and interesting as possible in a short number of pages. With that said, look forward to this story's next chapter. Thank you so much for all your support along the way, without it, I simply wouldn´t be here.

Once again I apologize and hope you enjoy this and my other stories. Be seeing you!

Shin Izanagi