Chapter 212: Ch 212: Are you not going to Regret? - Part 2

Noah knew he needed to head back to his room, but leaving the kid alone here felt inhumane. Even if he could not remember why, something inside him was screaming that he should not abandon this child to the scientists.

So he decided to stay and watch the experiment, even if he knew that he might feel sick afterwards.

He stood behind the glass and watched as the scientists prepared the equipment.

The kid was placed on the bed, and his pale face looked even more lifeless under the harsh lights of the laboratory.

Noah felt his stomach twist as he recalled his own experience of being in that bed years ago. He could recall how terrified he felt, all alone and waiting to know what would happen.

But he had seen such experiments before and not thought much of them, so why did this one feel different?

Was it because the kid was already sick? Or perhaps it was because the child kept looking towards him as if he expected Noah to do something.

But Noah could not move even as he watched the scientist approach the kid. All he could do was give the kid a hesitant look.

The scientists injected the first dose into the kid’s arm, and his body immediately tensed. His fingers curled tightly around the sheets as he tried to endure the pain.

"Hold him down."

Two scientists grabbed his arms while another prepared the next injection, causing Noah’s hands to clench into fists.

"Is that really necessary? He is already sick."

One of the scientists glanced towards him as he said that. Perhaps they were afraid that he would barge in and tell them to stop this experiment.

But Noah’s feet felt frozen.

"You have already been told to stay out of this, Subject Noah."

Noah gritted his teeth but did not say anything else. He did not even realise when he had taken a step forward, but this was a warning for him to stay back.

The second injection entered the kid’s body, and this time, the reaction was much worse.

The kid suddenly began struggling to breathe. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he desperately tried to draw air into his lungs, and his face became even paler as a terrified expression appeared in his eyes.

Noah felt sick just looking at this happening. He needed to look away, but it was his responsibility to see to this kid’s wellbeing until the end.

"Stop! Something is wrong with him!"

The scientists continued working without showing any urgency.

"It is a normal reaction."

"He can barely breathe!"

"That is because his body is rejecting the drug."

Noah stared at them in disbelief as the scientists argued amongst themselves. But no one actually did anything to help the kid at all.

"How can you call that normal?"

The lead scientist ignored the one asking him and checked the readings on the machine. After a few more moments, he finally nodded.

"It is done. He is stable for now. After all, it is all up to him."

Noah looked at him and then at the kid, who was struggling to breathe, in disbelief.

"That’s it?"

"That’s it."

The scientist removed his gloves and discarded them. His careless way of handling this situation made Noah feel enraged. But he also knew that there was little he could do.

The lead scientist noticed Noah’s hesitation and anger and decided to reassure him.

"There is nothing more we can do. He will be fine as long as he is strong enough."

The scientist walked away as if the child struggling for every breath was nothing more than an unsuccessful experiment, but Noah found it hard to accept it.

He hurried towards the kid and reached out to him.

"Come on. I am taking you back."

The kid immediately tried to resist. His weak hands pushed against Noah’s chest as he struggled to breathe.

"No... I don’t... want..."

"You are too sick to stay here."

Noah tried to lift him, but the kid continued struggling even against him. However, it was all futile because his body had no strength left.

"No!"

His voice was barely audible, yet the fear behind it was unmistakable, which made Noah hold him more securely, trying not to hurt him.

"Please, just trust me. I am not going to leave you here."

The kid continued resisting, but he was far too weak to actually escape.

Noah carried him out of the laboratory, ignoring the confused looks from the scientists. He felt the child trembling weakly in his arms, and one thought kept repeating itself in his mind.

’I cannot leave him here. Even if these are his last moments, he deserves to spend them with someone who cares about him.’

And for the first time since returning to the labs, Noah felt like he was finally making a decision that was truly his own.

He had always been rational, but this time, he recklessly took the kid back to the child-rearing facility and knocked on the door he had taken this kid from.

The one-way mirror opened up for him, and the eldest in the cell noticed him. He quickly came closer, relief and hesitation colouring his eyes as he looked down at the bundle in Noah’s arms.

"Sir, is he...?"

"He’s alive for now. The medicine made it hard for him to breathe, but the lead scientist said that there are no side effects. The rest depends on him and his will to live."

Noah pointed out, causing the responsible kid to let out a sigh.

He clearly did not believe a word Noah had said to him, but he still felt like believing in the potential of his friend.

"I see. I am sure our youngest will pull through. He is much stronger than he looks. And you also brought him back alive. So thank you."

The kid tried to pull off a smile, but Noah knew the truth.

They both knew that the youngest in this cell would likely not last long.