Chapter 430

“Love, and loss, are two of the most powerful driving factors people can have. Usually, ironically, when people are content and happy, progress slows.” Zach chuckled darkly. “But when they’re suffering from loss, or have something they would die to protect, they push themselves. Innovation thrives in times of darkness, conflict, struggle, and survival.”

The man wiped the tears from his eyes, which were hard and haunted. “When my daughter passed, I vowed to make sure the world paid for what it had done to me, my family, and those who’d served their country. I doubled down on my research, striving to ensure no one else would go through what Amanda and I had, while also beginning to advocate, and bring to light, the truths of the world. The truth’s, of the government that had tossed us aside.”

James watched Zach intently but couldn’t think of anything to say. The man didn’t even seem to fully acknowledge James was there anymore. He’d gotten far enough in the story, that he would finish it, no matter what.

“As I mentioned, I found ways to identify the disease. And, as I worked on my research, I discovered an interesting link between the human body, and magnetic fields and electrical pulses. I devised a way to accelerate the healing of tissues and bones, which were one of the major dangers of withering. Additionally, my processes led to further advances in medicine, which helped eliminate cancer cells, and the abnormal reproduction rates of cells in human bodies.”

That had to be part of what the doctor had mentioned when he’d talked about Zach’s research. A groundbreaking field of study, that could heal human bodies in a way that would have been revolutionary, before nanobots. Or maybe, nanobots utilized some of that technology still, but brough it to the very source, to accelerate healing even more? The implications were massive. If what Zach was saying was true, then the man was the forefather of some of the greatest medical discoveries in the last few decades.

“If I’d stuck to just my research,” Zach continued, “maybe, things would have turned out differently. However, Amanda was never the same person after our daughter died, and so I continued to push for justice. I made myself a thorn in the government’s side, advocating for clarity, for the truth.” He chuckled. “And, I’m sure you can guess how that was handled.”

James had a good idea, but he didn’t say. His mind flashed to the enforcers, and some of the horror stories about them online.

“I was approached, you see,” Zach continued, “with an offer to buy my research, and all my medical breakthroughs, from me. If I sold the patents, I was assured, not only would I have wealth beyond my imagination, but the opportunity, to really, truly, bring some good change to the world. With the money I was offered, I could finally, reach those who’d before I couldn’t, and force the truth to light.”

He scoffed. “But it was a trap. All of it, a honey pot. Because my research, was what was keeping me safe. My breakthroughs, and my rights to them, were keeping Amanda and I safe. But when I sold them, foolishly thinking it would be for the betterment of the world, those safeties were removed.”

Zach’s fist slammed the table. “I was an idiot. I took the money, and no sooner had the ink dried, than Amanda fell deathly ill. Just as I thought I’d finally fixed things, and that we could finally move forward, the world crumbled around me.”

“A good chunk of the money was gone shortly after I got it. I spared no expense, in trying to save Amanda. I flew in specialists from around the world, spending exorbitant amounts of money, to try and decipher what was wrong with her.” Zach’s head dropped. “But, it didn’t matter. Before they even arrived on my doorstep, the government got to them. I can’t prove it, yeah, but I know they were paid off. Every single one of them, took my money and lied to my face. Every single one of them, said they couldn’t discern what was wrong with my wife. She died too, cause of death unknown. But I know, she was poisoned. I can’t prove it, but I know it. The moment I handed over my research, the moment I made myself vulnerable, she was targeted. It was a message. They could take everything from me. They would, take everything from me. And now, broken and penniless, I was no longer a thorn in their side. They’d won.”

Tears dropped onto the table, and Zach sobbed heavily. “The man I was, was gone. I no longer had anything driving me. I’d lost everything. I was nothing.”

James shook his head. “That’s not true.” He said softly. “You’re still here. People look up to you. People respect you.” James paused, finding the right words. “And you saved me.”

“Hmph.” Zach snorted. “People look up to the man I act like. People respect the persona. If they knew the man behind the mask, if they knew the blood on my hands, my failures, they’d look at me with pity.”

“You don’t know that.” James said.

“Don’t I?” Zach pressed. “My colleagues abandoned me. Everyone around me looked at me with eyes full of sorrow. I could see my broken shell in those eyes. I saw the hollow man in the reflections of the mirrors. It’s why I faded away, into obscurity. It’s why I ran, and hid, as a school nurse. A nobody. A shadow.”

“You’ve got the Knights.” James pressed. “I’ve seen you guys in action. You can’t tell me they don’t care about you.”

Zach paused. “They’re all I’ve got left.” He said softly. “My closest friends. I’d be dead, without them.” He looked at James, and his eyes were hollow. “In fact, I owe them my life. They kept contact with me, forced me to eat, to sleep, to keep moving on. They checked up on me, and never gave up on me. If not for them, I’d have ended my life long ago.”

The certainty with which Zach said those words, sent chills down James’s spine. It wasn’t an if type of statement, it wasn’t a hypothetical. The way Zach said it, James knew, the man would not have been here, if not for the Knights. It also, drove home just how close they were, and explained even further, why their bonds ran so deep. They weren’t just a group of friends. They weren’t a guild of gamers. They were something much deeper. They were a family.

“I owe my everything to them.” Zach said again, “And in return, I give them my everything. I resolved myself, to not let the loss of my wife and child, nor the feelings and efforts of my few remaining friends, to go to waste. Which is why, I put on the persona. It’s why I wear the mask of Z. I strive to inspire, to give hope, to all those around me, even though inside, I’m broken and hollow. Maybe, I’m delusional.” He chuckled sadly. “But I keep telling myself, perhaps someday, if I wear the mask long enough, it will become true. Maybe, I can become the Z I show the world.” He shook his head, “but, then I remember, I don’t deserve to be. That man, is far to great, for me to become.”

Zach broke down again, and while James didn’t know Zach that well, he still rose from his chair, and walked over the man. He didn’t know for how long, but he grabbed hold of Zach, and embraced him, hugging the broken man, comforting him the only way he could think. He realized, in that moment, just how lonely Zach truly was. How broken, Zach was. And he let the man get out emotions that he’d bottled for who knew how long. It was the least he could do, for the man who had saved him. And, he resolved himself to try and help Zach in return. Somehow, someway, James wanted Zach to realize Z wasn’t just a mask. He wanted to, somehow, show Zach that he was deserving of the love and admiration the people in the town had for him.