Finding Purpose

Chapter XI

It didn't matter how fast we were, there were too many files to analyse, even with the three of us trying our hardest. By the amount of scanned files, I would have said we were down to almost three quarters of the total. But it was the sound of footsteps coming closer that made us realise the danger of what we were actually doing. Both Ann and Eve had put the folders back in their original places. I however was still looking for a clue.

"Ayme, you need to hurry!" Eve whispered.

"I know, I know," I said, rapidly going through the files. "I just.. need a few more minutes, that's all I'm asking for."
"We don't have a few more minutes," Ann hissed.
"I just.." I put the file in my hands down and grabbed the next. Ultimate destruction, it read. I would have rolled my eyes and made a snappy comment about it for End being so ridiculous in picking names if I had had the time. Sadly, I didn't. I managed to look through it very quickly and I could almost feel my eyes light up when I finally found what I had been looking for.

The main serum has been undergoing specific tests, all with a positive outcome. The antidote for the serum is to be tested. Only in emergences can this serum be used.

A note with a different date was added beneath it.

Antidote has been tested. Results can be found in file QR51-02.

How much more time did I have before I could manage to find the specific file and get out of it alive? I scanned around and didn't know which God or Goddess to thank when my eyes fell upon a small folder in the back of the wall. I grabbed it, and not knowing where else to hide it, put in under my shirt. Ann grabbed the remote from the desk and pressed the button, then throwing it in the drawer, hiding what evidence there had been.

Not a moment later and I would have been caught red handed actually stealing the file. Now it was just us that had been caught being in Ends office. Also not the best thing to do, I thought, as a Minotaur entered the room. With only one glance at us he had picked us up, ignoring our screams and took us somewhere I wished I hadn't gone.

-----

The Minotaur who had caught us had dropped us in a cell and left us alone for the last three hours. In those passing hours, we noticed the guards would check up on us every quarter hour. When I was certain the guard patrolling had left the hall a long time, I had finally taken the file out from under my shirt and started to read it. In case any of the guards came back, Eve was sitting next to me, looking to the door, while I was partially hidden behind his back. If there was a guard going to come up, we would have some time to cover the file up.

"What does it say?" Eve asked softly. He couldn't see me, but I think he could almost hear the smile on my face when I spoke.
"I found it," I whispered.
"You did?" Ann said, crouching down to look at me.

I nodded, while reading the facts over and over, just to ensure myself it was really there, that this wasn't part of a dream. "The serum was developed in a lab, not far from here, and, if everything in here is accurate and up-to-date, it should still be there."
"But why would End develop a cure for a death serum?" Eve asked.
I scanned the small personal notes that were written besides the printed ink, and a small smirk appeared on my lips. "End had no idea what the serum would do to an immortal being, even a Primordial like him. He had an antidote made, but only one sample, in case he got infected with it too. That way, he would be the only survivor."
"That's twisted and sick," Ann snorted.
"So the next step is to get to the lab and get the antidote, right?" I nodded. "Yes, and then we'll.."
Ann held up her hands to cut me off. "Hold it right there, sister. I'll do this whole journey in small steps. That's the only way I can keep my sanity."
Eve laughed. "That makes two of us."
"That's okay," I said. "To accomplish something big, you start with baby steps."

------

I was feeling a lot better than when we started this journey. Sure, we were locked up and still had to find a way out, but that was just a small bump in the road. I had found a possible cure to heal my father. I had even more hope than when I found out Phi was my father. The smile that had formed on my lips hadn't left either. I even thought of sending the Fates a quick thank you, but it left my thoughts the moment an Iris Message appeared.

I looked up, and couldn't help but feel the sadness that washed over me. My dad had gotten worse in those few days that we'd been gone. His eyes were hollow, having huge bags under them, and his face was worn down to the bone, like he had lost too much weight.

I swallowed before I spoke, trying to get the lump out of my throat.
"Hey dad," I said.
My father smiled at me. "Hi sweetheart," he replied. "How are you?"
I cringed a little at his question. "I'm fine.. but what about you?"
My dad tried to smile for me, but it barely appeared on his lips, let alone his eyes. "It could be better."
I looked down at the file in my hands, dreading to ask him the question that had been evading my mind for so long. "How long?" I whispered.
My father sighed softly. "A few weeks perhaps, but no longer.."

"We already know where to find the cure, dad. It can even cure End himself!" I held up the folder to strengthen my point. "We can save you.."
My voice trailed off as my father closed his eyes and shook his head. "You remember that I told you to hurry, didn't I?"
I could only nod.
"But I don't want you to hurry for me, Ayme," my dad said silently.
"What are you talking about?" I asked him, starting to feel confused.
My father looked off screen to his right. "Benjamin, come over. Your sister wants to talk to you for a moment."
I swallowed, dreading what I was about to see.
My brother came into view, and I couldn't help but cringe down and feel nothing but hopelessness, the despair consuming my entire being. I saw my little ten-year-old looking so word out, like he seemed to have trouble to stand. My father had to help him to stay on his feet.

"Hey.. May, how.. are you.. doing?" my brother asked, taking deep breaths, trying to get some air inside his small body.
I swallowed hard as I tried to get a grip on the situation. After everything we so far had accomplished, I thought things were finally going better. This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening.
I looked at the image of my little brother, who was slowly dying.
"Hi Bennie," I whispered.