Help was a strong word to be used in the current times they were in. They were sure that many people who lived in the city of Slough, who were part of the Howlers, were saying these words, asking for help.
When it came from such a strong figure, those words really reached out, but for Amy, they were also painful.
"We... we needed help so many times as a family, we needed your help, Dad, but you weren't there for us, and now you're saying you understand everything and are here to help! How can I even believe that?" Amy said.
The one person that had always helped her in these situations, who was still here for her, was Gary, and she wished he was by her side right now.
Her father reached into his pocket; the moment he did, Xin reacted again. She had heard Amy call her father, and now that she looked at the man more, he did resemble a version of Gary. A worn-out version, as if he was older and a bit more scruffy. However, the fact that his presence was making Amy upset, causing her to react as well, made her realize she couldn't trust someone just because they were one person's or another's father. She could just use her own father as an example for that. She had come to learn of the things he had done as she got older.
The man had one hand held up, to continue showing he was peaceful, and then out from his other pocket, he pulled out a syringe that had a fairly thick tube filled with liquid. It looked like an Altered turning Syringe, only it had a different consistency and color than the usual vibrant ones of the Altered or the infected solution.
"When I heard about what happened to your mother and how long she had been in this state before I even came here, I wanted to have a solution that would help her," the man explained. "I had to call in a few favors, but I have their certainty that this had a 90 percent chance of waking her up, and she will be back to the way she was before."
After finishing his explanation, the man went to turn around as if he was already ready to stick the syringe in, but Xin called out.
"Wait! Stop! We have no idea what's in that syringe!" Xin shouted. "Amy, this is your family affairs, so I'll go with whatever you want to do, but I want you to think about it.”
"We're being attacked from all ends right now; your brother got taken in by the White Rose. Right now, we have no clue who is really on our side and who isn't, who the Phoenix Gang has in their hands.”
"Your father, you say, but he's been away for so long, and doing what? Why couldn't he meet you before? Why has he come now? Sure, it could be to help, but it could be because of the Phoenix Gang asking him to do a job for them.”
"Your brother spent so much money trying to look after your mother. I mean, look at this hospital that you're in; it's all because of him. You think he wouldn't have gone searching for a solution, some magic spell that could wake your mother up? It all sounds a bit too good to be true."
After listening to Xin's words, Amy was a bit hesitant. The news that her mother could wake up, someone she hadn't spoken to for years, someone she missed the voice of and would visit regularly. The answer was easy for her, but now she was having doubts. There had already been those who targeted her and Xin, and now there could be someone who was asked to target their mother as well.
"The world is more complex than you think. Although Gary has done well to rise in this world, there are many things that he still doesn't understand. He is scraping the tip of the iceberg, and this is what happens when he doesn't fully understand it!" the man replied. "I know he's trying to do his best, and he's done better than any parent could hope for, especially with no guidance from adults who should be looking after him. I feel guilty for that, but as I said before, I'm here to help, but as your friend said, I won't stick this syringe in unless you want me to. You have more rights than I do."
Amy felt her head spinning slightly as she went back and forth with her feelings. All she wanted to do was call Gary and ask him what he would do in this situation, what she should do.
‘But Gary isn't here. So I need to make the call. I still remember... I still remember you, Dad. Even though I was so young, why can I still remember you? Why did it hurt so much to think that you abandoned us...? It was because you were so nice to us at the time, so loving... I will bet on those few memories I have of you.’
Finally, Amy spoke the words out of her mouth.
"Please... help Mother."
Knowing that Amy had made the decision she wanted, Xin decided to take a step back. The man turned around and carefully placed the syringe in the shoulder of her arm. The fluid was injected, and then they all waited patiently.
The signal of the heartbeat monitor was still continuing on the side; things looked all well, and it almost felt like everything was going to stay the same, as if it hadn't worked.
That was until the heartbeat monitor had a slight uptick. It was beating only ever so slightly faster, and slowly her eyes started to open.
"Mum!" Amy cried out. "You're awake!"
****
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