Collided

Chapter 5

Alyssa woke up and grabbed a quick breakfast. She managed to clean up using the last of their water, saving a cube to refill the container later. Her first move was a quick dash to her father's lab, making sure no one spotted her. She tended to the thriving plants he had been cultivating for sustenance, carefully selecting some to take to the food market later. Dr. Adler had been nurturing them in the lab, meticulously ensuring they remained virus-free. People had been paying them for these healthy crops.

With a handful of tincture vials in tow, Alyssa went from one sick person's residence to another, delivering the doses to their caregivers. These tinctures were meant to last a few days and were vital for the patients. Returning to the lab, she gathered her belongings along with the food plants and then hurriedly set out to secure some food, aiming to avoid public attention and the inevitable questions about her father's whereabouts.

En route, she reached the home of her friend Tinker. They hadn't caught up in a while, so Alyssa decided to make a stop.

Tinker's face lit up at the sight of Alyssa. Knowing her preferences well, she prepared her favorite sweet mixed drink and served it to her. Alyssa savored the taste, truly appreciating the thoughtful gesture.

"How's Dr. Adler?"

She took a brief pause before responding, the weight of her father's recent decisions heavy on her mind.

"He's doing okay. He's in the lab, running experiments, distributing tinctures to the sick. You know, the usual."

"He's putting in so much effort. We all believe in him."

"Yeah." Her answer carried a hint of frustration.

"You're family to me, and Dr. Adler has been like a second father. We're all desperate for this to end. We've all suffered losses. I apologize if my words seemed insensitive."

Alyssa let out a sigh. "I can't shake the feeling that I'm losing him. These days, he's so consumed with finding a cure that it's like he's slipping away from me. Our time together has dwindled, and I miss him more than ever. I'm genuinely concerned about his well-being. It's as if he's sacrificing everything for his work. I understand the importance, but the pressure from everyone is overwhelming. He's working himself to exhaustion."

"I understand your worries, Alyssa. But your father is resilient and strong. If anyone can pull through, it's him."

Alyssa offered a nod, choosing to shift the topic. "I need to head to the river to fetch some water. Want to join me?"

"Absolutely, I'm headed that way too. I have to tend to the livestock, grab some chicken, and get more water for making soup tonight."

"Perfect! Let's go together then!"

After tending to the animals and making a quick stop at the market, they made their way to the river. As they approached, their attention was caught by the sight of a man's back facing them, unclothed.

"Now that's quite a view," Tinker whispered with a mischievous grin.

"Shh. He might hear us."

Tinker only responded with a suppressed giggle, and Alyssa found herself chuckling as well.

While they couldn't quite place who he was, they both found themselves momentarily captivated as they discreetly watched him begin to dress. Not wanting to be caught staring, they maneuvered around him and headed to a different part of the riverbank, putting a good distance between themselves and the man.

After filling the water container, they loaded up a wooden cart fitted with wheels to transport their supplies home. There were a few such carts designated for communal use, with the expectation that they'd be returned.