Libby, you do realise that Rahim's probably going to kill you when you tell him about Crane, right?

Yes, I do. But I'm not going to let that stop me from standing up for our new acquaintance. Only ... how am I going to get the message across to my best friend without him getting ticked off, like he usually does when things don't go his way?

Well, if the worse comes to the worst, just pull a Jade and set him straight like she does. Simple!

Steeling myself together, I entered the Tower's Headquarters and as expected, I found Rahim busy at work over a radio. Trying to hide, I see? Pfft, tough luck, mate. The area had a large space with a darker green wallpaper and a lighter brown floor. It also had the small standard kitchen far to the left and on the right sat a dark chair, matching crates (with tall bookshelves) and a lighter table with sheets of the Scouts' mission plans strewn over it. The final pieces of furniture consisted of a black television sitting on a table near the bookshelves. It flashed images of an elephant on a blue screen and informing everyone of the dangers in the quarantine and the night in a child-like nature. Good way to help the younger kids learn about the outbreak.

"You here to rip my head off like everyone else is?" Rahim growled, cowering over the radio.

"No, I'm not and everyone doesn't want to rip your head off." I answered, approaching him ... only to see him cower even more. Really?! You're scared of your own best friend whenever you mess up?! Woooow! "I just... I just have some news to tell you," I continued, mimicking the words he told me moments ago.

"And what's that, exactly?" Goggles questioned, turning round to face me and judging from the scowl on his face, he knew what I was going to tell him. A raise of an eyebrow was all he needed and as expected, he hit the roof. "F*ck! Okayokayokay, please please tell me you told him what I did!"

"No, I didn't, and for good reason." I calmly shot back.

Hearing this, my best friend glowered with anger and fear. He knows he's in the wrong, doesn't he? "Why would you do that?! You're supposed to always have my back!"

"Oh, so you think I'm against you like you believe everyone else is?!" I probed, feeling hurt by the sudden accusation. You're my best friend mate, it would take a lot for that to happen!

Guilt immediately painted Rahim's face. "N-No, I-I don't. S-Sorry," He calmed down after this, but I could tell that he was still on high alert. "So, what did you do?"

"We had a conversation," I began explaining. "And I think blaming him for Amir's death is wrong."

"Why?" He growled. Okay, just be cool. Just be cool, Libby...

"Because this is a complete misunderstanding," I continued calmly, attempting to hide my growing anxiety. "I could tell that 31 feels guilty and that he didn't mean for this to happen, he really didn't."

Judging from the look on his face, I could tell that Rahim wanted to keep blaming Crane and again, I understood because that's his method to deal with loss. But before he could harden once more and shove another hateful remark, his radio suddenly crackled with static and a familiar voice spoke. "Hello? Anyone on Floor 19, do you copy?"

With a flash, Rahim switched his radio and aggressively responded with: "What do you want, a**hole? I thought I told you that we don't tolerate lazy people like you here!"

"Well I'm making up for it, because I'm down here on 13!" Crane scowled back, unknowingly surprising us when he continued. "Listen, this guy of yours got f*cked up pretty bad by a zombie."

Mark's alive?!

"Oh sh*t!" Rahim gaped in shock, allowing his aggressive demeanor to fade completely. "You went after Mark?! Is it... Is it safe down there?!"

"It's safe enough, now." Yes!

"Okay, don't move," My best friend instructed. "I'm sending Lena downstairs,"

"Alright," Crane replied.

Once the conversation finished, Rahim immediately contacted Lena whilst I was recovering from the surprising news that Mark was alive and well. Despite not interacting much, he and his brother both seemed like cool dudes to socialise with. Here's hoping that the latter is okay too... Unless, he's— No. He couldn't have been the zombie, he just couldn't. "Dr. Lena? Hello, do you copy?"

"Go ahead," My medical supervisor answered from the other end.

"Mark's alive on 13, though he's f*cked really badly," My best friend explained, also recovering from the news. "Are you able to head down and check on him?"

"Yes, I'm on my way there now."

"Okay, thanks." Rahim replied appreciatively, switching his radio off and sending a surprised glance in my direction. "I... I don't know what to say anymore, considering what just happened,"

"Yeah, tell me about it." I agreed.

"Is is true that he didn't mean for Amir to die?" Goggles asked with concern. "Should we trust him?"

"Yes, of course," I answered honestly. "I'm cautious myself but yeah, I think we should give him a chance. You gave me one without hesitation and look where that got us,"- The latter prompted Rahim to grin and me to smile. Always great to see you happy! -"We should give him one as well,"

Hearing this, my best friend took my words into consideration and initially, I believed he would continue judging Crane because he also had the tendency to be a tad bit stubborn. But that's fine along with the other flaws, since we're all human. Though nothing could have prepared me for his response!

"Okay,"

What the bl**dy hell?! Who are you and what have you done to Rahim?

Said best friend grinned at me gaping with shock, before he decided to switch his radio on again. "Hey? 31, do you copy?"

As this was occurring, one of the doors opened and a friend of ours' entered with several pieces of paper in hand. Hi, Alfie! I acknowledged him with a friendly salute, which he returned with a smirk.

"Loud and clear," I heard Crane answer from the other end once more.

"Alright, I'll admit. You're not so bad for a new guy," Rahim commented in a polite manner. Yes! "Perhaps, I misjudged you."

"I just want to help and repay you guys for what you did for me."

"Well, good. Come find me and Libby, and we'll talk about how you can do that." Goggles replied, switching off his radio and strolling over to greet Alfie with: "Hey, what brings you here?"

...

To be continued in The Cured...