System Of The Undead

Chapter 165: A Potential Lead?

Night had fallen and Rachel had stayed in the hospital late to round up a few things.

Mathias allowed her this freedom on the condition that she closed up after herself.

Rachel agreed to do so, the tension in the community was slowly rising and all it needed was one spark for everything to go to shit. She needed to make this place safe because this was the closest to civilization since the apocalypse began and she couldn’t even begin to wonder what people who weren’t so fortunate were going through.

This worried Rachel as she knew the consequences of losing control, she couldn’t risk it.

However, Rachel had lied to Mathias about the person who leaked information or rather, who she suspected.

That was Josephine even though Mathias couldn’t do anything about it.

Mathias knew he couldn’t spook Josephine and trusted Rachel to keep an eye on her.

Josephine did treat Rachel poorly and even if Rachel didn’t take it personally, it was a shitty thing to do.

Rachel understood why she did it however and hoped that Josephine would provide her that same understanding should word get out.

Mathias never got along with Josephine so it was easy to give him a reason to distrust her, Rachel could tell by their limited interaction.

She exploited this, she was willing to throw anyone under the bus to protect her newfound family.

She didn’t know what would happen if there was a new leader, they might not be as understanding as Mariam so right now, Marian was who she chose to side with.

She walked around in the building, inspecting every room but she was curious to see how Mariam’s husband was doing.

Rachel opened the door to his room and he looked a lot better. Visitations were severely limited so he couldn’t have visitors without anyone knowing, making the hospital one of the safest places.

Not to mention the security bolstered, Dimitris personally has his men guard this building upon his return.

Nothing could happen to these two people not because of the position they held but because of the potential information that they might be able to provide.

"I didn’t know there was anyone still around," Gabriel blurted out.

The room was flawless and arranged, the gut-wrenching stench that once filled the room was filled with fragrance.

Josephine has been hard at work and she was doing a good job at that.

"I’m sorry, I hope I’m not disturbing your rest!" Rachel quickly apologized, ready to leave the room if this was the case.

"You aren’t, it’s good to see a face as calming as yours after so long," Gabriel said, this gave Rachel her answer as she entered the room.

Gabriel was looking better, the meds were working and he was in far less pain than when she first saw him.

"I’m glad you’re doing better, Mr. Gabriel," Rachel said as she inched closer to his bed to check his morphine bag.

"I’m surprised my wife let you people in, she isn’t usually so trusting of strangers," Gabriel said but this wasn’t in a condescending tone.

It was a genuine surprise but the smile on his face showed he was glad with this change.

"I’m glad she did, she’s finally giving people a chance, who knows what would have happened to me if that Jason fella didn’t get that bag with Debra," Gabriel said.

He was seated on the edge of his bed.

"Mr. Gabriel. Pardon me but may I ask you a few questions?" Rachel requested, taking permission first because she couldn’t risk doing anything that would put her on the bad side of this man.

"Sure," Gabriel said, giving her his full attention as he didn’t have anything better to do either way.

"It is about your medical history, have you ever been this sick before?" Rachel asked and Gabriel was surprised by the question but he thought nothing of it.

"I was quite surprised myself, this is the first time I have been this sick," Gabriel confirmed but this wasn’t enough to build a solid case on.

The fact that they had limited medication could be a contributing factor hence her next question.

"Was it because of the limited medication?" Rachel asked.

"That can’t be right, I was on my meds when my health deteriorated," Gabriel responded.

Rachel’s hook had gotten a potential fish and she was ready to reel it in.

"Is there a point to these questions?" Gabriel quickly asked and Rachel couldn’t risk him catching on.

It was clear that he was clueless and might not even suspect any foul play, Rachel had no plans of being the one that made him think otherwise.

"I’m aspiring to be a doctor like Doctor Mathias, and I’m trying to do my own study about these things. It wasn’t my intention to make you uncomfortable," Rachel quickly declared.

"Mathias huh?" Gabriel said, his tone changing to one of irritation.

"Mathias isn’t a man you want to look up to, I would go for Doctor Charlie if I were you," Gabriel said.

This got Rachel’s attention and she wanted to get as much information as possible because she didn’t know when she might get this opportunity.

"Doctor Charlie hasn’t been present much unfortunately so I don’t think I have much of a choice," Rachel responded with a broad smile and Gabriel’s face creased in surprise.

"What do you mean he hasn’t been around?" Gabriel asked.

"I don’t know but I have only seen him once since I came here and that was on my first day," Rachel responded.

"That’s strange, Charlie has never been away for this long," Gabriel said, clearly in thought.

Rachel didn’t know what to say so she chose to say nothing, she had what she wanted.

She had strengthened the theory that Gabriel’s sudden illness was influenced by a third party.

"I should leave you to rest," Rachel said as she began to walk out.

"You..." Gabriel called out.

"What’s your name?" He requested.

"My name is Rachel, Mr. Gabriel..." Rachel responded.

"I need you to do me a favour Rachel," Gabriel said before mouthing off something to her but what that was? Well, that would be revealed later.

-

Bella had a task to do, she had to get some sort of drugs for the man for information.

She didn’t like it but she knew she had no choice but to do so.

She couldn’t talk to Rachel because of how heavily secured the hospital was, which meant she had to wait for her to be done.

This had to be done under the wraps and Rachel was her best chance at getting this.

It didn’t take long for Rachel to walk out of the building, locking up after herself before handing the key to the leader in charge of this security unit.

They said their farewells and Rachel headed home.

Bella was glad because she was about to head back home so this was what one would call perfect timing.

Bella stalked Rachel, she couldn’t call out because she didn’t want anyone to know they were meeting

If there was even one witness, then there was a possibility that a connection should be made.

Bella knew this, being a criminal who had evaded the law for years, one link was usually all it took.

She got close before whispering Rachel’s name.

Rachel heard this voice but she didn’t stop, only hurrying up her steps.

"What are you doing!?" Bella thought to herself because she didn’t want to run after her but would if she had to. Rachel had been spooked, a girl walking down the road alone only to be called by name by an unknown voice, Bella didn’t think of this at that moment.

She began to follow Rachel, walking faster than her before calling her name in her normal voice.

"Rachel! Wait up!" Bella called out and this was what Rachel responded to, stopping in her tracks as she looked over her shoulder.

"Bella?" Rachel asked, confused.

"Of course it is Bella! Who did you think it was?" Bella asked, now standing in front of Rachel.

"I have no idea but I thought it was some random guy, you did sound like a guy," Rachel said with a sigh.

Bella didn’t know if she could even take offence to this.

"We need talk, it’s important," Bella said.

It’s been a week plus since Jason ventured outside the wall, there was no doubt that the arrival of Dimitris gave them renewed hope but there was no telling if Jason was dead or alive.

Rachel didn’t know what it was she wanted to talk about but it had to be important if she had to come out here.

"Follow me. We can’t talk out here," Rachel said.

She couldn’t discuss it out here and needed a more private place and that was why Bella followed her back home.

There was no telling how Rachel would react to the request about to be made.