"We hope that there will be survivors."
The words lingered in the air, longer than it should be. Jeb's eyes widened as his lips formed a subtle smile. He relaxed his gaze as he didn't knew if he should celebrate or not.
Hope...Hope is not certainty.
The thought weighed heavy on his heart.
Hope is the false security that brings relief masked with despair. Therefore, hope can't be trusted.
"What is the probability of people surviving?"
Jessica's facial muscles became tense as her posture became stiff. She knew that she would commit a grave sin if she rekindled a flame only to water it.
"We...are examining it."
"That means that it's low."
Jeb replied very quickly as if he had anticipated this outcome already. Even if he knew this was the reality, he hadn't become ready to face it yet.
"No..."
Jessica gave a quiet and hollow answer and knew that comforting wasn't the option.
She maintained her gaze but gave a contemplating look.
If I only had come sooner!
Amy had been overhearing the conversation for a while now. She somewhat knew that her friends-neighbors were never to be seen again.
She wanted to comfort Jeb but didn't knew how to. Her words couldn't find the right way to consolidate Jeb as she nervously tightened her grip.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
The slow and monotonous ring of a doorbell resonated in the silence as thunder on a dark night. Jeb had been so lost in thought, he didn't notice the ring.
Jessica's focus was broken as she stood up and treaded to the door.
By squinting her eyes, she could see the person. The figure was tall and well-built. His eyes weren't visible but he had a lit cigarette, hanging loosely from his mouth forming a trail of smoke.
Puff!
The man exhaled sharply grunting as he coughed and coughed. He must have had those coughs from smoking those cigarettes.
"Who are you?"
Jessica asked while furrowing her brows as she clenched her fists not knowing the man's intention.
The man at the other side gave a sneer as he stretched his hands letting out a low groan.
"Oh, come on! Don't act all grumpy now!"
His low and mocking tone stirred Jessica greatly as she tightened her clench. Instead, It gave a uneasy feeling to Jeb and scared Amy a little.
She brought her knees closer to her chest as memories of the disaster flooded in making her scared.
"Ugh!, Why are you here?!"
Jessica unwillingly opened the door as she backed away from the door giving a distasteful glare.
The man wore a beach shirt and a long pajama. His cyan flip-flops slapped lazily against the floor as he walked in there uninvited. The cigarette hung on his mouth loosely and about to fall.
His hair was black and surprisingly tidy. A pair of sunglasses was tucked to the edge of his pants. He looked as if he came from a party.
He glanced around the room with curiosity as he sat down on a chair, still wearing his shoes on. He gave a quiet but audible 'Tut-Tut' looking disappointed at the interior.
"What is your business here?"
Jessica tensed her facial muscles as a hostile tone in her voice was imminent.
"Don't act so hostile towards me!"
His cigarette finally fell after clinging on for dear life. Ash spread forming a line but the man didn't bother to pick up the remains.
"So this is the place," he said, dragging out each word. "Wow. Cozy. But...so simple, kinda bland!"
"State it."
Jessica's voice became low and intimidating as she relaxed her fists. Her expression became unclear-there was no sign of anger or annoyance. There was nothing.
The man smirked as he put both his hands up leaning on to the wall.
"I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm just here for a very serious matter."
His voice became steady and calm as he slowly stood up. He put his hands in his pocket and slowly exhaled.
"This is concerning the young lad."
He turned his gaze towards him, slowly walking towards Jeb. Amy shifted beside him and tugged on her brother's shirt.
"Hmm, You look smart."
Jessica patiently waited as she tapped on the wall with her hands repeatedly.
Jeb nervously gulped as his hands started to tremble. This was like how he felt earlier with Jessica except this time it was uncontrolled and life-threatening.
Bzzt!
A crackle resonated through the room as Jessica took a step. She got closer to the man as her stance changed.
"What are you trying to do?"
The man backed away from Jeb as his lips curved down. He put his hands up playfully but it indicated no harm.
"Hey! Relax gurl!"
"You've crossed the line."
She lifted her fist as her hips slowly started turning. She rotated her legs preparing for a blow.
"They are watching."
The man whispered quietly as he swiftly moved away from her.
That one sentence stopped Jessica dead on her tracks. Her jaw tightened as she dropped her raised first.
Jeb didn't know what happened between them but the uneasy feeling had vanished.
"Anyways regarding the reason for which I came, I need to take the lad and the girl."
The man said in a humorous and unserious tone as he took a glass and was searching for something.
"What?! So soon!"
Jessica shouted in a defiant tone as her expression tightened.
"HQ wants statements now."
The man took the sunglasses tucked in his pant and wore them in a stylish manner. He took a bottle of wine as he poured his glass.
Jeb frowned as he wanted to know where he and his sister were being taken.
"Are there any survivors?"
Jessica asked in a low and worried tone as she gazed back at Jeb and gave a subtle smile.
The man drank the glass of wine in one gulp
as he grunted in satisfaction.
"There is...no one."
Jeb's heart sank, the statement hit him like a truck. Even though he tried to not get his hopes up but he couldn't help it.
"W-What, No one?"
A bitter and unpleasant sensation spread through his heart. His heart thump loudly and with a fast pace.
Amy gasped as she fidgeted her hands nervously. Her breathing became heavy and vigorous.
She suddenly remembered her best friend-sweet and happy memories being replaced by her imagination of her best friend's corpse.
Tears collected in Amy's eyes as her world became disoriented.
Jessica gritted her teeth as she went beside the siblings and held their hands gently and assuring them.