As far as the plan went, I could see the storm beginning to make way for brighter days. Although I regretted pulling AJ into the mess and indirectly had caused him being infected by Darla, I never once regretted the things he had done to help us. I believe that things happen for a reason and there is a reason for AJ to be where he is today. To help us. My only wish now is for a cure. Not for me, but for AJ and those who a better chance than me. - A lot of things had shocked him last night. Never in a million years would he had expected things to turn out the way it did. It was rather unfortunate that he had to go to the extreme and turned suicidal to wake them up; to make them for the first time to sit and really listen. But it did and he wasn’t about to complain. The first thing he noticed when he got home was that his father was in the living room instead of all coup up in the study room. The next shock was to see that it wasn’t some CNN news he was watching so intensely. It was the Cartoon Network Channel. And the biggest surprise perhaps was that his father was oblivious to his appearance and continued to laugh away at some silly mistakes Donald Duck did. His mother, who was always elegant in some Designer clothes that he could never keep track had never looked so beautiful that night. With an apron hung on her shoulders and tied neatly on her waist, her hair tousled up to a loose bun; she had popped her head behind the kitchen door to tell him that she was working on preparing dinner with one of the maids and that she would be expecting him to join them in half an hour. And in between his daze of wondering if it had all been a dream, he had skipped into the dinning room, freshen up and welcomed by the smell of a scrumptious dinner waiting to be eaten. He knew there would be one of those ‘family talks’ he always drag but for that moment, he indulged it all in. We promise to help you if you agree to take some medications. Do you realise the risks you’re taking if you help me? Do you realise how much we love you? No. Well, this is how you’re going to realise it then. We will help you, you take your med. We will go to prison definitely, but we’ll be happy because you are. You will do all these for me? We will do it for this family. And so here he was in Max Coultron’s office, waiting for his assignment as the Personal Assistant to the big man himself. It’s amazing how there was only so much you can achieve just by having rich, influential people as parents. “Mr. Mc Lean, glad you can make it.” AJ turned to find the slightly obese man entering the office. He stood up immediately, extended his hand for a handshake and said, “I’m glad that you’re willing to see me, Sir.” Coultron received the handshake and shook his head while moving behind the desk to his seat. “In the contrary Mr. Mc Lean; I’ve always wanted the younger generations to work with us and understand what we’re doing, from what your father told me, I’m glad that we’re on the same page.” “If you’re referring to the Darla Home down south Sir, yes, we’re on the same page. I feel that what you’re doing is admirable enough.” Coultron, already comfortably seated, nodded his head, the huge grin on his flushed face never subsided. “If only all the young teens think the same way you do, we wont have to keep this a huge secret.” “We can still make that happen Sir.” AJ replied. “Well, we’re having a major setback right now and I’d like to hear your input in it.” “About what Sir?” “We have to think of a way to wipe out the After Darla Organisation, they’re bad news to us.” AJ almost lost his facade then but managed to stay calm. “That bitch Leighanne Wallace is trouble, she’s asking too many questions. It’s making us look bad!” Coultron fired. Seeing that AJ showed no response to it, he calmed down and smiled. “I hope you don’t mind me using such language, sometimes, it’s hard to control myself.” AJ shook his head and smiled. “I have no problems with such languages Sir. However, you’re right, we have to stop After Darla.” “Well, you don’t have to worry about that now son, you’re still new to this place. Since you’re so interested in Darla, how about an exclusive tour?” “Tour, Sir?” “Yes, a tour. I’ll have someone drive you down to the South Home and learn all there is to be learn about our operations there. I am certain by the time you reach back here, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to help this organisation out.” AJ let out a genuine smile. “Sir, that was as clear as saying that you trust me.” “Of course I do, son. Why wouldn’t I? Your parents are huge contributors to this foundation. Without their financial support, we couldn’t do half the things we did.” AJ stood up and extended his hand for a handshake again, this time, the smile was too wide to be faked. “Sir, you have no idea how much this means to me!” - After Darla Organisation, a non profit foundation set to help bring families of victims to Darla, was single-handedly run by a Kindergarten school teacher Leighanne Wallace. At only 22, she had successfully managed to balance her full time job as a school teacher and the founder of After Darla and still had time to look this good. Ebay Daily caught up with her and she was so busy that the interview was set during a tea break from another family gathering. Wearing a simple white top and a denim skirt with almost no make up on, it was hard not to see that she was tired, but the glint in that blue eyes when she started talking about her mission with After Darla just how much passion this woman has. Ebay Daily: How did After Darla came about? Leighanne W.: It wasn’t planned really, I was hanging around with an old friend and we started talking about Darla and personally, we both had lost loved ones from it so he suggested that instead of sitting and doing nothing about it, I should go out there and help. Ebay Daily: Who is this friend of yours? Leighanne W.: Oh, he’s from out of town. I’m sure he’d appreciate it if I don’t reveal his name but last I heard, I was in negotiations with some friends to start a similar organisation where he’s at. Ebay Daily: So you’re not going to tell us where he’s from? Leighanne W.: He would be too embarrass if the negotiations fall through…anyways, we’re here to talk about my organisation. Ebay Daily: Yes, how’s that coming along? Leighanne W.: It’s great. The support and response from the community especially has been overwhelming. Our main aim is to get these families who are very much affected by the deaths of loved ones to move on without having to forget about those who had passed away. I want them to still be able to look at their photos and still be reminded of the good times they’re together instead of grieving about it. Ebay Daily: Was the outcome good? Leighanne W.: It’s encouraging right now. We even found some similarities about certain things that happened and that got us thinking a bit, and it’s always a comfort to know that you’re not the only one experiencing them. Ebay Daily: If there is one thing you would like to do to see After Darla gain more success, what would it be? Leighanne W.: I’d love to have brunch with Mr. Max Coultron; he’s the Chairman of Home for Darla so I’m sure he could enlighten us with some answers. Ebay Daily: We’re a very well circulated paper, give us examples of the things you’d like to ask him, it will definitely be heard. Leighanne W.: Well, I’d like to know for one, why some of these parents had their son or daughter placed in the care of the Home for only a week and then died. Why their body was incinerated without their consent. I won’t settle for the fact that these kids were too weak or that their decaying body was a danger to other patients there because I’ve encountered too many similar stories with families. And there are some parents who claimed that their child was allowed to go home to spend the rest of their lives there when they were too weak and dying. They were even let to have a proper burial and wasn’t incinerated. I’d like to know where the line is drawn, I want to know how they decide who should be incinerated and who shouldn’t. Ebay Daily: Those are major concerns you’ve got there. Leighanne W.: Yes, it’s about time we get some answers from the Government. I’m disappointed that very few of our government bodies had came forward to support us. We’ve been fortunate enough to receive some though. And we received a letter from Ms Dawn Seymour saying that we have her support and that’s a great accomplishment right there. Ebay Daily: You didnt see it as a political move to gain more votes from the upcoming campaign? Leighanne W.: No, I don’t think so. I’ve met her a few times before and she’s quite the nice woman I’ve heard about. Ebay Daily: Is there any other pressing issue that you’d like to put out there? Leighanne Wallace.: I’d like to show everyone how these families had been discriminated against by some people of this town. I work in Loving Hearts and I’ve come across a number of kids who came in half way through the year because their former school apparently had parents and teachers who are uncomfortable dealing with kids who had brothers or sisters especially, died of Darla. The Government had made it very well known that the only way to get infected with Darla was through blood transfusion and direct contact with the victims themselves, not with a family member of the victim definitely. Ebay Daily: You said you had lost loved ones through Darla? Leighanne W.: Yes. It was a very painful experience and I missed him dearly. I also found out recently that one of my long time friend died from the disease too and I wish I had been there to give him my support. I know how it feels like to lose someone you love and I want to share my experience with everyone and to let them know that we can make it through together. - “Brian, come on get up, you have to eat something.” Nick said, waking up his friend who was deep in sleep. “I don’t understand why he’s so sick, he’s been off the session for over a week now.” Howie added, bringing the bowl of cold water to the small table next to Brian’s bed. Nick shook Brian’s shoulder a little bit more and waited impatiently for the young man to wake up. The heat that radiated off his body had alarmed Nick more than once that day and Kevin had yet to drop by like he normally would. “How much can our body take D? I think he’s got a high fever, that’s why it’s taking him a longer time to get better.” Howie wring the clothe that was soak in the cold water and placed it on Brian’s forehead. Brian almost jolted up at the touch of the cold clothe. “Jesus!” Nick smirked. “Works every time.” Howie smiled. “Can’t a guy get some sleep peacefully around here?” Brian groaned. “Nope.” Howie replied. “Get up, we got you lunch.” “Breakfast you mean?” Brian asked as Nick helped him up into a sitting position. “No, we mean lunch.” Nick replied. “You slept the morning through dude.” Howie added after seeing the confused look on his face. “I’m so sick.” Brian sighed. Howie nodded, avoiding eye contact as he pressed on the cold cloth. “We know. You’ve been talking nonsense all the time you’re asleep.” Nick smirked. Truth was, Brian wasn’t talking nonsense. He was calling out for his mom most of the time and crying that he doesn’t want to die. Once, he even called out to Leighanne. Nick had broke down at one point of the night when he heard Brian’s pleas. Howie just turned the other way and shut everything down. “I did?” “Yup. Now, you have to eat something while I go and release myself.” Nick smiled as he got up from his seat and limped towards the restroom. “You still have that limp Nick?” Brian frowned. “I don’t think it’ll ever get away.” Nick shrugged and continued his slow, pain walk. Howie watched him walk and the words that came out of his mouth was something he wasn’t prepared to ask himself. “What did they do to you at Phase 4? You never did tell us.” “You never really did tell me what happened in your session either.” Nick replied. “Can we talk about this later, I really need to piss badly.” “Don’t let us stop ya!” Brian joked. Nick shook his head and soon disappeared behind closed door. “How are you today D?” Brian asked. “Same as yesterday…oh wait, you were asleep the whole of yesterday, you wouldn’t know how I was then right?” Howie joked. “Right…so how are you?” Howie smiled and took the clothe off his forehead and soak it back in the cold water. “Just dandy Brian, how are YOU doing?” “Don’t turn the question around D. You and Nick took care of me the entire of last night, you KNOW how I’m doing. Tell me, can you read that sign over there?” Brian asked, pointing towards the No Smoking sign on the wall. “No Smoking.” Howie replied immediately. “You got that right just cause you memorised it well already. Don’t think I don’t notice how you stumble sometimes, and I know it’s not your legs!” Howie sighed and wring the wet cloth before placing it on Brian’s forehead again. “Don’t make a fuss about it k?” Brian rolled his eyes. “Sure, you two can fuss about me but I can’t do the same to you. You know, I’m getting tired of how you’re always giving up on yourself and wouldn’t let others help you and I’m tired of Nick always keeping things to himself. You know what’s he doing in there D? He’s throwing up blood and he thought I wouldn’t find out about it. Maybe the next time you two want to keep a secret from me, be sure to hide it well.” Howie wasn’t allowed to dwell what Brian had said, the front door was opened and they heard Kevin walked in, deep in conversation with someone else. Kevin never brings anyone else into their room before and this got him worried. The look on Brian’s face showed the same. At that exact moment, they heard Nick coming out of the restroom and a gasp later, everything went strangely silent. It was all eventually broken by Kevin’s calmed voice. “I think we need to sit down.” But no one moved, instead, a voice Howie had never heard before, said. “I missed you, you look so different.” “Well, take a good look at me cause you’re gonna look like this soon too.” Nick had replied. Oddly enough, Nick sounded angry. “AJ?” Howie turned to Brian. “Did you just call out to AJ?” Brian nodded. “AJ, is that you?” “B rok?” Footsteps later, a young man around Nick’s age with bronze, clean cut hair and shades that hide his eyes appeared. Kevin was not far behind, helping Nick walk back to where they were. “AJ, AJ, I missed you Bone!” Brian was embraced in AJ’s hug and the warmth that radiated from him was enough to make him feel better. “You must be Howie.” AJ said, looking at Howie. “I’ve heard so much about you.” Howie replied before extending his hand for a handshake. AJ had other ideas and embraced him too with a hug. Howie didn’t know AJ well, had never met him before, but the hug was a much needed warmth he yearned. “My parents decided to help me and I got a job at Max Coultron’s. I was just given a tour of this place and I know everything about all five phases. I’m sorry for all that you’ve been through, I promise to get this out in the open as soon as possible.” “AJ slow down, we won’t hold it against you.” Brian laughed. “I can’t…my parents were in it guys, I feel guilty as well.” “Guilty enough that you have to inject my blood in you?” Nick spat. “You decided to go suicidal now?” AJ wanted to scream at his bestfriend to stop being so angry at him. That all he ever wanted from this visit was a hug from a friend he really missed. But seeing the tears that was now welling up in his eyes, he knew Nick was sad. AJ went up to his friend, Nick just stood there, hands cuffed on his waist, probably trying to ease the pain from standing too long, while his eyes fixated on the floor, refusing to look at him. He ignored the animosity and embraced him like he did before. “I miss you too.” AJ whispered, rubbing Nick’s back as the young man dropped all defence and returned the hug. Soon, he was crying on his shoulder. “Why did you do it J?” “Because it’s meant to be that way.” “Er…guys…I think it’s better that AJ get going, we don’t want anyone get suspicious.” Kevin interrupted. Nick let go of the embrace and AJ nodded. “I know I can’t stay here long so I’ve written letters to all of you. I want Kevin to read it out later when it’s safe. For now, I just want to tell you guys that everything is going well. I’ve been assigned to help organise the election. Mayor Nielson is going against candidate Dawn Seymour. It’d be quite a showdown.” AJ smiled. “We have everything planned, it’s up to you to make it happen.” Kevin said. “And it will. I wish I could stay longer but everything that needs to be said is in the letter. I’ll see you guys soon.” AJ said as he walked out of the room, his heart begging him not to. “AJ?” He turned to find Nick smiling at him. “Yeah?” “Thanks, for everything.” - Yes, everything that we planned were going great. In the Home where I was, however, Death never stops to take a break. We were progressing so much with the plans but it wasn’t the answer to a cure. And although we looked forward to the day when we will be reunited with our families once again, we will eventually, die. Unfortunately for me, I was about to learn first hand how it feels like to lose someone forever.