The familiar agal on the man’s head pricked Adam’s memory.Same as the impeccably white ankle-length robe that made it seem like the man was coming from a different planet.To think someone could find the time and luxury to dress impeccably in such a situation was beyond Adam.All recognition ended with the shawl-like clothing on the man’s head that the black, double-roped agal was holding in place, though.Adam still couldn’t recognise the man.He was sure of one thing, though: unless Ameer had done plastic surgery, the man in front of him was not the haughty man who had almost killed him in Maradoit.Yes, they dress the same way. Well, at least Adam felt all Arab men traditionally dressed the same way.“See there. I see the confusion. I am hurt, though but it is fine. I am Ilyas,” the man said in amusement as he saw the blank look on Adam's face.“Il…Ilyas!” Adam said it a bit loudly as it finally dawned on him. Ilyas was the head bodyguard for Ameer.At least that was what Adam ha
“Why didn’t you say something?” “Because I didn’t want everyone to be disappointed if it didn’t work out.”“That makes sense,” Layla answered. Then, “Still, you could have told me. At least then I would have been prepared, instead of gaping like a fool.”Adam lowered his head to look at her.Her face was impassive as she looked back at him and Adam couldn’t read her.“Are you angry?” he asked, just to be sure.“No, I am not,” Layla said automatically. “I would have loved to know beforehand, though. No secrets, remember?”“Yes,” Adam answered. “I am sorry,” he said before he kissed her.She yielded to the kiss, and they stayed locked together for a moment before she opened her eyes, and looked back at the sky where they had been gazing earlier before she spoke.“They are gone,” she said against Adam’s lips.Adam moved back from her embrace and turned so that he could see the sky as well.“So they are. And it seemed we wouldn’t be having any company soon,” he said as he listened as far
The lack of a suitable means of transportation was the main reason why Adam had been ignoring the urge to go back to check on his people in Maradoit.But now that there was a fully-fueled airplane, Adam knew he couldn’t ignore the urge anymore.Though he was in touch with them every day and they kept him on board with everything going on, Adam needed to see his family.He also needed to bring Lisa to Sydney.Now that he and Layla had decided that it would be better to leave the centre right where it was instead of packing things up and moving.After he had meetings with everyone that afternoon where they discussed how they would get started on tilling the land and choosing the appropriate seeds for the season, Adam knew that things around here could run for a while even without his presence.Moreover, he suspected that Layla would rather stay in Sydney than come with him to Maradoit for a return trip.Though they hadn’t discussed it, as he saw her settle comfortably into the role of b
Adam got back to the house to find out that Molly had woken up."Finally,” he thought to himself, even as he dreaded the conversation he would have with the young lady.He wished he wouldn’t have to do it but then Carson was waiting.As much as Adam was sure that the man wouldn’t let anything affect his professionalism, he doubted that the man would be able to concentrate for long if he did not get any tangible news about his granddaughter soon.Adam had not deliberately kept the matter from Cason just because he wanted to; he just wanted to be sure it was what the lady would want.After all, it was not his story to tell.The doctor greeted Adam and quickly left the room in order to ensure their privacy.The young lady, whom Adam could now see a bit of her grandfather in, had her eyes closed as he came in.Adam knew she was aware that he was in the room, though.Her supposed relaxed pose was far from relaxed at all.She was wound up like a string box on the bed, where she had her knee
Damn right, he was right! Adam thought in anger.What the hell have they been feeding this girl?“Who told you that?” Adam asked as lightly as he could.“The man who made them take me to that place”Motherfucking Watson.“Oh, I see,” Adam said as he tried to process how to give her the news.Then she said in a dejected voice, “Can you do something for me, please?” “What is that?”“I didn’t want to wake up. I told her but she wouldn’t help me.”“The doctor?” “Yes.” Molly nodded. Then she looked towards the door before she continued, “Please help me.”“Help you with what?” Adam asked in the same conspiratorial whisper she was using at the moment.“Help me take this pain away. Help me go away. I promise not to be a bother,” she said, closing her eyes and blinking back tears before she continued, “I just want to join Gramps, Sister Margaret, and the others. I don’t want to live like this.”Adam couldn’t believe an eighteen-year-old could be talking about suicide so calmly. He wished he
After deflecting Jared’s probing question about his wife, Adam went to join those trying to get all the farming tools still available around the property. After all, any serious farming had stopped on the plantation for a while. He could see that they were able to come up with some. Luckily some of the men were original workers of the land, who had been with Layla’s grandparents before they died in the earthquake that claimed their lives. Most of them had stayed on the property because it was the home they had always known. Even though they took up employment elsewhere, they didn’t leave the property till the apocalypse started followed by Watson’s invasion. So, these men were the reason why they were able to easily know the places where they could get the tools. Still, it was not much. Layla was talking to those who already had experience in farming about taking those who were not under their wings. Then there would be men and women divided into different sections as well so
Carson declared a clean bill of health for Theo, and the doctors confirmed it too.The chemists responsible for the damaging chemicals were all surprised, and they couldn't wait to learn more about the solution that had helped to rectify what they had done.One more reason to get Lisa to Sydney faster.It was a joyous mood on the Samuelson’s property when the announcement was made.Theo presented himself to everyone with a courtly bow.Even Jared looked less sore-faced and his daughter looked on with her perpetual scowl on her face.Adam shook his head in amusement when he saw the reason for the young lady’s constant unhappiness.Maddy.Maddy was gleefully taking her new role of "best friend" too seriously.When Adam asked her earlier why she wouldn't let the girl be. All she said was “I don't trust that little viper. What if I let her out of my sight and she poisoned the water source? Then we would have more problems on our hands than zombies”Adam supposed that made sense.When he a
He met her looking up at the ceiling as if she was trying to decipher an answer from it.He knew she heard his approach but she didn't bother to turn around.“How are you doing?” Adam asked.“I am fine. Why wouldn't I be?” she was still looking away.Adam could hear the anger in her voice and he wondered who it was directed at.Well, if she was angry she couldn't be contemplating death, right?“Your grandfather is happy that you are alive,” Adam said cautiously.“Yeah. Lying would do that to people”Ah“What did you tell him?” he asked with no idea if she would answer that or not.But then she answered.“I told him I was treated well while they made me wait for him. He bought it. I didn't tell him that they told me he was dead. Everyone is happy”Really?“Does that everyone includes you though?” She went silent. Then “Why wouldn't I be?”“Right. Why not?” Adam said. Then “I am going away for a few days”Her head jerked towards him as she said with a little life in her voice “Can I co