MLPH C3, P2- "Paths That We Take"

"Paths That We Take" is the second Part of "Miracula Luxia: Patient Hope" 's Chapter III. It was released on 31.05.2020.
== Plot ==
Having finally reunited with the rest of his family, Jared feels much happier and eager to spend the rest of the little time he has left with them.
However, a new opportunity appears and John joins a large amount of survivors from the settlement to go into the city of Paris and retake it from the undead. At the same time, his family decides to leave, telling him that he has to go with them, knowing that it will never be the same without him by their side.
Which path will Jared take? The path to a happier family? Or the path to a better friendship?
== Story ==
Once the two boys sit near the campfire, Jared's father opens his mouth. He tries to speak, but is unable to do so immediately, due to the excitement about finally being reunited with his long lost son.
Seeing the tension forming within his heart, Jared's mother decides to speak instead.
"It has been way too long, sweetie."- She says- "All this time, we've been looking for you, never stopping to do so. We searched for you, hoping to find at least a sign that you're alright somewhere."
"And yet, fate has decided that you should return to us. And here you are."
Although he is clearly excited to be reunited with his family, Jared is also slightly angry.
He looks down.
"Why did you abandon me?"
All three of them look at him.
"What do you mean, honey?"- His mother asks up.
He looks up angrily.
"Oh, all of you know that. Stop pretending that you do not!"
Jared's mother, father and sister look at each other sadly.
"We admit it, son. We made a huge mistake."- His father says- "We had to leave you there. You were wounded and we were unable to carry you away, due to all the things that we had to take with us."
"We're so sorry."
John shakes his head angrily after hearing the truth about how Jared's family abandoned him.
"Do you know how desperate he was?!"- He yells- "Ever since I rescued him from your infested neighborhood, he was always talking about how he wants to reunite with you and be happy. And what did you do? You abandoned him! Left him to die, not caring about his safety."
"You are lucky that I was there to help him after he got out of the building he was in!"
Jared's sister stares coldly at John.
"Why don't you keep your mouth shut?"- She says angrily- "This is family business. And you are not to be involved!"
The girl's words force Jared to temporarily lose his temper.
"How dare you say that to my friend, you ungrateful girl?!"- He yells at his sister, not caring that she is a part of his family- "If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't even be here with you! I could be wounded, dead, or worse! You are disrespecting my dearest friend. And for that, I will never forgive you."
Having said that, he stands up and joins the guards in protecting the gates of the settlement.
"Honey, wait!"- His mother says and runs towards him.
Jared's father watches the whole scene happen and shakes his head.
He turns to John.
"I am so sorry for that, my boy."- He says to him- "My daughter usually means well, but when it comes to things that happen between us... she becomes a completely different person."
He looks at his daughter coldly.
"Say sorry to the man. He did much more that we have for Jared."
The girl sighs and looks at John sadly.
"I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean to make my brother angry, but... "
John smiles.
"I understand. Don't sweat it, I forgive you. I know many people who get angry when it comes to family business. They act just like you."
The girl shrugs.
"Yeah. I admit it. I have a bit of a temper when it comes to our family. But I don't mean to hurt anyone when I do something, neither verbally, nor physically. Seriosly, I don't!"
John nods.
At this moment, Jared and his mother come back and sit near the campfire.
"I am sorry for acting so aggressively, sister."- Jared says to his sister- "I did not want to hurt you."
The girl smiles and hugs her brother.
"Hey, it's okay!"- She says and notices a tear in his eye.
She wipes it and continues.
"I know that you felt confused, because I was shouting at your friend, the person who saved you. And, if someone has to say sorry, it has to be me. I know that every friend of yours is very important to you and that you can't stand when someone treats them badly. It's what we, the bigger sisters do. We understand our younger brothers and we try to correct our mistakes."
"Sometimes, I wish that I'm not so reckless when it comes to talking to your new friends."
Jared smiles and hugs his sister back.
"You're not reckless!"- He responds- "You just act like that, because you want to protect me. To make me feel safe and sound. Mom and dad would do the same."
He turns to his parents.
"Isn't that right, Mom, Dad?"
Both of them nod.
"It is our top priority to protect you from harm and make sure that you are always happy."- Jared's father says and smiles- "There is nothing more important than those things."
Jared's mother steps in.
"Now, now, children."- She says- "I hate to interrupt you, but it is time for all of us to go to bed."
She turns to John.
"You can stay with us for the night, sweetie. If you want, of course."
John looks around and sighs.
"Well, I have nowhere else to go, so I guess I have no other choice."
"Great."- Jared's mother responds- "Good night, then."
"Good night, Ms. Kaos!"- John says and lays on the cold, hard ground, trying to get at least a few hours of sleep before the sun rises.
Jared and his family do the same.
In the morning, Jared wakes up much better, feeling refreshed and ready for another busy day.
However, when he gets up, he sees that no one is with him. He stands up and looks at a large band of soldiers who are preparing for something big, John being among them.
Jared approaches John.
"John, what is happening? Where are you going?"
John shakes his head.
"There is no time to talk, Jared. I'm going to accompany those soldiers in going to the city of Paris. We are going to liberate it."
"As for you, you have to go with your family. Here they are."- He points at Jared's family as they approach them.
"Son, it's too dangerous to live here. We're going to leave this settlement and seek our fortunes elsewhere. Come on, bid farewell to John and let's go."- Jared's father says.
Jared is shocked to hear what is happening. He is unable to say anything to his friend.
They just silently stare at each other, knowing what must be done.
Moments later, Jared's sister quickly grabs her brother's arm.
"Come on, little brother!"- She says- "We don't have all day!"
Jared forces his arm away from hers.
"Let go of me right this instant!"- He yells at her, forcing her to step back.
His whole family is shocked.
"Jared, what are you doing?"- His father asks him- "We have to go! Now!"
Jared smirks and stares at him coldly. It is as if he's no longer the Jared that they expected to see.
He has changed a lot.
"I am not going anywhere without John!"- He says to him.
Jared's father shakes his head.
"No, Jared. John has already picked his path. And we cannot change it."
"Come on, let's go."
Jared shakes his head angrily and gets closer to John.
"If John is going somewhere, I am going with him. And you cannot stop me!"
All of them look at him, noticing the clear determination and dedication in his eyes.
One thing is for sure. He is not going to back down.
Jared's father sighs and backs away slightly, seemingly understanding his son's sole desire:
To stay with his friend until the bitter end.
"As a father, I have to respect my children's decisions."- He says- "And I will."
He turns to his wife and his daughter.
"Come on, let's go. Jared has already chosen his own path and we have chosen ours. There is no turning back from this."
Jared's sister is shocked when she realizes that her brother is going to leave them behind.
"No!"- She says- "We must stay together, not apart. This is what we promised to each other. Right?"
She looks at her brother, her mother and her father.
"Right?"- She repeats.
Her father shakes his head.
"No, dear."- He responds- "This is not the case right now. Jared is no longer a small child. Well, maybe he was when we left him. But now? Now he is a grown-up man who makes his own decisions and has his own loved ones to protect."
Jared nods, clearly agreeing with what his father is saying.
"Yes. I want to protect you. Because, if I die, I will die alone. You will be far away, still safe. And sound."
"But if I come with you? I will endanger you. Your lives will never be the same, if I am with you."
"So, leave while you still can. Leave and live your lives normally. And if it makes you feel better, please forget about me."
Jared's father shakes his head.
"We may leave you with John now, but we are not going to forget you. Know that we will always cheer for you, no matter where you are."
"Good luck."- He finishes and hugs his son.
His wife and daughter do the same.
John smiles and watches them quietly, tears of joy rolling down from his eyes.
After a few moments, Jared bids farewell to his family.
"Stay safe, little brother!"- His sister says.
"Know that we will always love you!"- His mother continues.
"We know that you will succeed. Just keep that white flame in your soul burning."- His father finishes.
Having said their words of farewell, Jared's family leaves through the other gate.
As the rest of the soldiers prepare, John turns to Jared.
"Jared, why do you want to come with me? Your family clearly needs you more than I do!"
Jared shakes his head.
"And leave my dearest friend alone and afraid? No way am I going to let that happen!"
"We are friends, John. And, no matter how they treat each other at first, they are always ready to do anything for each other. It is what all friends do. They fight to keep each other alive until the bitter end of all of them."
He looks in his eyes.
"And that is why I will always be here for you."
John nods and smiles.
"I will do the same for you, my friend."- He says- "I will do the same."
Having chosen their own path, Jared and John join the soldiers in invading the city of Paris and trying to liberate it from the undead.
As they arrive in the city once again, they see that it has become eerily quiet.
Way too quiet.
"This is very suspicious."- One of the soldiers says.
"I agree."- Another responds.
Jared turns to his fellow soldiers.
"This is no time to be afraid. We must fight against those monstrosities. If we don't do that, they will take us down, sooner or later."
"So, let us free this city and defeat the undead once... and for all."
Everyone cheers and advances further into the city, ready to fight against the ravaging horde of undead within.
As the soldiers shoot the undead down one by one, our two heroes notice a trapdoor leading to an undergroud area.
The remaining soldiers notice that they have found something.
"Go in there. Quickly!"- One of them says.
"We will cover you!"- Another continues.
"What? And leave all of you here?!"- Jared says.
The soldiers shake their heads.
"Now isn't the time to worry about us. Go!"- The first soldier continues- "This might be an important area. Watch out and good luck, comrades!"
John opens the trapdoor and looks at what is down the hatch.
It seems like there is a hole. And no ladder.
However, our heroes are left no time to wonder whether to risk their lives jumping in there or not as one of the soldiers accidentally pushes both of them in there.
Fortunately, the two of them fall into what looks like an underground river.
They manage to get out, but not before becoming completely wet.
"Are you guys okay down there?"- A voice booms, coming from above their heads.
"Everything is fine!"- Jared responds.
The two boys look around and realize that they are in a sewer.
"Ugh."- Jared says- "My clothes are all wet. This feels bad."
John nods.
"It's what every hero has to do in order to achieve victory, right?"
Jared nods.
"Of course. We have to move on. There is no way back."
"Not anymore."- He adds dramatically.
The two boys move further into the sewers, trying to evade as many of the undead living in them as possible.
After being forced to fight some of them to proceed, they find a door.
"I wonder where it leads."- John says.
"Well, there is only one way to find that out... "- Jared responds and tries to open the door.
However, unbeknownst to both of them, a tall, muscular man emerges from his hiding spot and lifts his hammer in the air.
Just as John is hit in the head with the weapon, Jared notices the man.
"Oh my goodness! John!"- He says and looks at his assailant.
However, before he even has the chance to get a good look at him, the man lifts the weapon for another blow.
And then...
*thunk*
Both Jared and John are now unconscious.
The man smiles and grabs both of them. He carries them away somewhere.
When Jared wakes up, he sees himself and John tied to a chair. A man is staring at them, grinning maniacally as he does.
"Wh-who... "- Jared stutters- "Who... are you?"
The man grins.
"Welcome to my laboratory gentlemen. I am Professor Baltimore. And today, you shall be... my test subjects! Gyahahahaha!"