I Have Lost My Humanity

I'll Keep BJ Safe

-

"Mum, we don't have enough food left. There's no place to get it than going outside."

"If BJ and Dustin go, I'm going with them."

For the umpteenth time that day, I sighed as I looked Bella in the eye. "Babe, we've said it a thousand times. You can't—"

"—go with you... but that's really your headache. I'm still going, and you can't stop me," Bella chimed in.

BJ whirled around her. "I see no reason why you are being adamant about this. Your father wants you to stay back,"

Mrs Agnes pointed to her husband. "You are not saying anything when you can see that your son wants has a death wish... You are not—"

"I'll keep BJ safe!" I interrupted. My mother's eyes widened at such a heavy and confident claim, but I maintained my stance.

It was my best friend. I was sure he would do the same thing if our positions were switched.

"We are much smarter than those people out there, so we will surely return."

"Also, I wouldn't have suggested it if I didn't know how resourceful they can be," BJ's father said while taking a seat on one of the black couches.

"They are excellent men, and you saw how they defied all odds to get here from their workplace. Also, they showed me what they worked on. Do you know that they built drones—"

Mrs Agnes responded loudly, "Who cares about that? If they die out there, will you bring them back to life?"

She shook her head and walked out of the room.

BJ and his father quickly followed her, probably to explain further and make her see their views. I couldn't blame her. Being a mother, it was normal for her to be protective.

Inwardly, even I was scared and worried but we couldn't sit still.

"Does that mean I can go with them now?"

"Bella—"

My girlfriend raised her hand to stop her mother.

"You heard what dad said. Dustin was able to build drones and not just any type of drone but the visual sensory type.

It gives 360° visual feedback straight into the brain synapses and also allows for long-distance visuals, so detecting the infected would be faster," Bella voiced.

'Fortunately, two virtual helmets are available. If not, the drones would have been unoperational,' Internally, I sighed in relief that Collins and Bright owned one virtual helmet each which made my creation complete. As expected of two kids who loved games.

The virtual helmet would be connected to the drones, and the ones wearing it would receive internal feedback as the drones scanned the streets from above.

The ones wearing the virtual helmets could also control the drones with their minds so it would be easier to make use of them.

"Also, he and BJ managed to make spears using long pieces of wood with sharpened tips. More tools to deter the infected. With all of these, I see no reason why I should sit back with you guys.

Also, it was my idea first. Have you all forgotten that?" Bella was still jabbering away.

As much as I was glad one other person was on our side, I felt Hannah's parents were wise in ordering her to stay behind.

When it was time for dinner, the air had been awkward and tense. I didn't know what to do, so I just rushed my meal and stated that I needed to head back to the room to continue drafting plans.

When we got to the room, I spoke with Emma, who shared the same thought as I had.

The drones I built were a good idea, and as Bella's father said, we are both intellectually efficient, which is why we needed to come up with the best course of action moving forward.

The next morning arrived, and we had finished drafting plans.

That morning, we decided to tell everyone our plans, but Bella was still mad that we didn't want her to join us.

Her parents also agreed that it was best she stayed with them, but knowing she was most likely going to disobey, I decided to try my luck.

"Come on, babe, let's talk," I cajoled.

"Don't even try to persuade me," Bella said as soon as we were a bit far from the rest.

She knew me so well, but I still spoke up. "Look, I do know it's your idea. Long before I thought of it, you had already spoken up, and I'm proud of you—"

"Dustin, just say what you want to say..."