The room fell silent after Jeb's question.
"Why didn't this force come to my hometown?"
Jessica didn't answer immediately. She saw a traumatized boy that didn't deserve this outcome. She weighed down her words carefully.
"It's not that simple."
The answer made Jeb more angry as he gritted his teeth.
"What is not simple?!…
"The fact that this is it's the force's job to solve this type of problem!!"
Jeb's loud voice caused Amy to stir in her sleep as she groaned and fell asleep again. The repeating hum of the ceiling fan filled in through the space resonating in the tense atmosphere.
Jessica couldn't say anything as she gazes down, her eyes full of shame.
"Tell me why my mother die-"
Jeb couldn't continue as his voice broke. The happy memories he had accumulated with his mother-his family had been jolted by the trauma.
"Jeb, calm down."
Jessica unsure of what to do turned to hold his hands. But Jeb removed his hands in defiance and anger.
"C-calm down?! Do you...no, does the force know how the joyful and happy people got torn apart?!
"Their bodies were dismembered by those damned creatures, scattered on the road like ragdolls!!"
His voice and body trembled as tears flowed down his cheeks.
"I know...I saw them, Your anger is justified." Jessica continued "This was a failure from our side. I am terribly sorry for your loss."
"Failure?! This scale of disaster should be seen from the very get-go!"
The sounds of huffing and heavy breathing continued as Jeb's world started to spin as his vision blurred slowly. He started to stagger as he struggled to stand still. His clumsy movements alerted Jessica as she hurried to support him.
"Are you fine?"
Jessica asked with concern and responsibility as she made him sit down on a chair.
"Yeah...I am fine-"
His voice broke as he slowly lost hold of himself. His eyes rolled back as he started to collapse toward Jessica.
Woah!
Jessica took quick action as she bends down to her knees to prevent him falling against the ground. She looked around to find a place to lay the fainted Jeb. She puts him down on the bed and she exhales quietly.
The commotion caused Amy to wake up abruptly as she grunts .
"What happened...?"
The question caused Jessica to divert her attention to her side.
"Your brother has fainted."
Jessica replied quietly as she seemed to be contemplating something on her mind.
Amy opened her mouth in shock and confusion as she hurriedly stood and went to her brother's side.
"Is he going to be okay...?"
Her genuine concern for her brother made her falter and she couldn't help but smile.
"Yeah, he will be probably fine."
Jessica's answer caused Amy to sigh in relief as she grips her pants. But she was still confused.
"How did he faint?"
Jessica stays quiet for a time and finally answers,
"He fainted from exhaustion."
###
Argh...What happened...How did I faint?
Jeb wakes up as he slowly gains consciousness. He sees Amy by his side and Jessica on a chair with her arms crossed.
"How long was I out?"
Jeb asks Jessica as he stretches his back.
"For 1-2 minutes..."
The room fills with awkwardness as neither of them find anything to say. He clenches his fist and is about to say something when Amy's voice interrupts his attention.
"You are fine!"
Amy looks at him with relief and concern as she goes to hug Jeb.
"When did you wake up?"
Jeb asks Amy while gently stroking her hair.
"That's not important...I thought you were in pain like before."
Her words make Jeb smile as he hugs her tightly. But another thing catches his attention as he reminisces his words.
"Ms. Jessica, I am very sorry for how I lashed out on you."
He turns his gaze hesitatingly to the other side as feeling of shame is imminent on his face.
"No, It's alright...It is me who should say sorry as you lost so much..."
She smiles as she looks less burdened from her mistake.
Jeb was a loss for words as his eyes widen and his breathing calms down.
"But still-"
Jessica cut in between as she looked very aware of her and the force's mistakes. She tucked her hair behind her ear and says,
"As I said, you have every right to be angry at the force."
Jeb nods in understanding as he subconsciously aligns his fingertips.
Jeb understands that this situation was a blunder but there in no point in continuing to rant.
Jessica shifts her posture as she looks very serious.
"What happened was not ever supposed to occur...this disaster has claimed hundreds of lives. But hundreds of Unnaturals have been dispatched to the scene...
"We hope that there will be survivors."