Chapter 119: Savior
[System Notification]
[Congratulations, Dr Devon Aldridge, for creating the cure for Aerothrax and saving Blissville Hospital from total destruction]
[Rewards]
[Pain Transference: Temporarily absorb a patient’s pain into yourself for painless surgery or procedures]
[Poison Immunity: Your body becomes resistant to all known poisons]
Devon stopped in the hospital’s empty lobby, the fluorescent lights buzzing softly overhead, casting long shadows on the tiled floor. He flexed his hand, feeling the new powers settle in, a quiet strength that made him untouchable to toxins and ready to carry the pain of others.
"Not bad ," he muttered, his voice low, a spark of satisfaction lighting his hazel eyes. He could almost feel the immunity humming in his veins.
The hospital was back in motion now, the night shift sent home to collapse into their beds, the next crew already bustling in early, their faces tired but determined. Lives still hung in the balance, sickness didn’t take breaks, and neither could they. It was as if the crisis had never happened, the hospital snapping back to its rhythm like a heartbeat finding its pace.
Outside, the world was ablaze with the news. Blissville’s miracle spread like wildfire, igniting every screen, every phone, every corner of the internet. Social media was a storm #BlissvilleMiracle and #DevonAldridge trending worldwide, posts piling up by the millions, servers straining under the weight. "Who is Devon Aldridge?" one tweet demanded, shared thousands of times with a shaky video of him striding into the hospital, nebulizer slung over his shoulder like a weapon.
"My sister’s alive because of him!" another read, paired with a photo of a woman in a hospital gown, grinning through tears. Clips of survivors pouring out the doors, hugging families, went viral, racking up views faster than anyone could count. Comments flooded in hearts, prayers, questions. "How’d he crack it so fast?"
"Where’s he been all this time?" People searched his name, clicks hitting tens of millions, news sites crashing from the traffic. Those in the medical world were no stranger to Devon but now a lot more people familiar with him now.
News outlets scrambled to get him. Invitations flooded in, talk shows, podcasts, press conferences, even late-night hosts begging for a piece of the man who’d stopped a disaster in its tracks.
The world was desperate for answers, how did one guy, working alone, crack Aerothrax in hours when global labs were still scratching their heads? Devon sifted through the calls, his phone buzzing nonstop in his pocket. He picked Global News Network, the biggest stage, anchored by Zoey Carter.
The Global News studio was a sleek, modern marvel, all glass walls and bright lights that made the air feel electric. The set was a mix of cool blues and warm golds, with a giant screen behind the anchor desk flashing clips of Blissville, survivors hugging, families crying, the hospital doors swinging open.
The audience buzzed, a mix of live viewers in plush seats and millions watching from homes, bars, and hospital waiting rooms across the globe. Zoey stood center stage, her red dress hugging her curves, sharp and bold against the set’s colors, her smile warm but polished, her dark hair catching the light like silk. The cameras rolled, the theme music faded with a dramatic sting, and she faced the lens, her voice smooth and commanding, pulling every viewer in.
"Good evening, and welcome to Global News Tonight. I’m Zoey Carter, and we’re diving into the story that’s captured the world’s heart and hope. Just hours ago, Blissville Hospital was a war zone,a deadly airborne toxin, Aerothrax, locked down the facility, trapping hundreds of patients and staff in a desperate fight to survive. People were coughing blood, struggling to breathe, as the threat of a new pandemic loomed large. Governments scrambled, experts warned of catastrophe, but time was running out. Then, one man changed everything. Dr Devon Aldridge walked into that hospital with a machine and a cure, turning a nightmare into a miracle. Tonight, we’re beyond honored to have him here to share his incredible story."
The crowd erupted, clapping so loud the studio shook, cheers echoing off the glass walls, some jumping to their feet, waving signs, "Thank You, Dr. Aldridge!" "Blissville Hero!" Zoey turned to the side of the set, her smile widening, a playful spark in her dark eyes. "Please welcome the man who saved Blissville, Dr Devon Aldridge!"
Devon stepped out from backstage, ditching his lab coat for a fitted dark jacket over a black shirt, his frame lean but strong, his face calm but sharp, those eyes scanning the room like he was sizing up a challenge.
The crowd roared louder, whistles piercing the air, signs waving higher. A woman in the front row shouted, "We love you, Devon!" and the audience laughed, cheering even harder. He gave a small wave, almost shy, his lips twitching into a half-smile as he took the seat across from Zoey, the spotlight hot on his face, making his eyes gleam. The audience settled, leaning forward, hanging on every second. Zoey sat, crossing her legs, her red dress catching the light, her notepad on her lap but unopened she knew this interview like the back of her hand.
"Dr Devon, thank you so much for being here," she started, her voice warm, her eyes locked on him with a mix of admiration and curiosity. "The world’s been glued to this story. You walked into a hospital full of dying people, armed with nothing but a machine you built, and saved them in hours. How did you do it? Walk us through that moment."
Devon leaned back, his posture easy but his voice steady, picking his words with care. "It was a race against time. I got word of the toxin early, saw what it was doing, but broke it down, found its weak spots, built a counter. Tested it quick, got it to the hospital faster."
Zoey nodded, her eyes wide, leaning forward just a bit, her smile soft but sharp. "You make it sound so simple, Devon, can I call you Devon?" She flashed a teasing grin, her voice dropping into a warmer tone. The crowd chuckled, and Devon’s lips twitched, amused.
"Sure," he said, his voice low, a hint of a smile in his eyes.
"Okay, Devon," she said, drawing out his name, her eyes sparkling. "Aerothrax was no small thing. Experts called it a monster, it was complex, deadly, something that could take weeks, maybe months, to crack. You did it in hours. What’s the secret behind that speed? Give us a peek into that genius mind of yours."
He shrugged, his smile small but real, brushing off the flattery. "No secret to be very honest."
The crowd murmured, impressed, some clapping softly. Zoey tilted her head, her dark hair falling over one shoulder, her smile turning playful, almost flirty. "You’re selling yourself short. You walked into a death trap with a machine you built in your lab, like some kind of science superhero. What was going through your head when you stepped through those hospital doors, knowing what was waiting?"
Devon paused, his eyes flicking to the audience, then back to her, catching the spark in her gaze. "People were dying. No time to overthink. I knew the cure worked, or I wouldn’t have gone in. Just had to get it to them, fast."
Her smile widened, her voice dropping a little, teasing. "That’s ice-cold focus, Devon. I don’t know if I could’ve walked into that chaos without shaking. But here’s the big one people online are buzzing about this, and we have to ask, you tested the poison on yourself, didn’t you? Took a dose to make sure the cure was solid. Is that true?"
He nodded, short and sharp, his face giving nothing away but his eyes steady. "Had to be sure. No room for mistakes."
The crowd gasped, then exploded with cheers, some shouting his name, others standing again. Zoey’s eyes widened, her hand touching her chest, her smile a mix of awe and something softer, her voice almost breathless. "That’s incredible, Devon. You risked your life to save others. That’s the kind of bravery that makes hearts skip a beat." She paused, her eyes lingering on him, a playful glint in them. "Including mine."
The audience hooted, laughter rippling through the studio. Devon raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a half-smile, amused but not taking the bait. "Just doing my job," he said, his voice dry but warm, deflecting with ease.
Zoey laughed, tossing her hair, her eyes locked on him a beat too long. "Oh, you’re too modest. The internet’s going wild for you, #BlissvilleMiracle is trending, millions of posts, fan art, even songs. Someone made a video edit of you walking into the hospital, slow-motion, with epic music. And I’ve got to say, you pull it off." She leaned closer, her voice dropping into a flirty purr. "You’re kind of a rock star now."
The crowd cheered again, some whistling. Devon chuckled, low and easy, shaking his head. "I don’t check my phone much. Just glad people are okay. That’s enough for me."
She grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Humble and charming. You’re making it hard to stay professional here, Devon." The audience laughed, loving the chemistry. "Okay, let’s get to the big question, where did Aerothrax come from? There’s talk online bioterrorism, lab leaks, crazy theories. You saw the toxin up close. Any thoughts on who made this nightmare?"
He went quiet, his face unreadable, eyes sharp like steel, the air around him shifting. "It’s just as a mystery to me." His voice was firm, a wall going up, shutting the door tight.
Zoey caught the hint, her smile staying smooth as she pivoted. "Fair enough," She winked, quick and playful, keeping the mood light. "Let’s talk about the cure then. How does it work? Can it be made again, scaled up for the world? People want to know if we’re safe now."
Devon leaned forward, his voice steady, warming to the topic. "Of course, I’ve got enough for Blissville, and the formula’s solid. Labs can take it, scale it up."
She nodded, scribbling a note, her eyes flicking up to him, lingering a moment. "You’re handing the world a lifeline, just like that. That’s huge. And you’re a bit of a mystery, Devon. People in medicine know you, the awards and accomplishments you have made is astounding and ridiculous. The internet’s dying to know more about you however, who is Devon Aldridge outside of medicine? Give us something, a hobby, a favorite food, anything to make you human."
He smirked, dodging the bait with a spark in his eyes. "I’m just a guy who doesn’t like seeing people hurt. That’s all you need."
The crowd laughed, clapping loud, loving his cool deflection. Zoey grinned, leaning closer, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "You’re killing me here, Devon. it’s almost unfair." Her eyes sparkled, her smile flirty but subtle, playing to the crowd. "You’ve got fans out there, you know. Tweets, videos, a whole fan club started online. Someone drew you with a nebulizer as a superhero cape, and I’ve got to say..." She paused, biting her lip, her gaze locked on him. "You’d look pretty good in a cape. Or, you know, just that jacket."
The audience hooted, whistles piercing the air, a few shouting, "Get it, Zoey!"
Devon raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a full smile now, amused but keeping his cool. "I’ll stick to the lab, no capes," he said, his voice dry but warm, the crowd eating it up.
Zoey laughed, tossing her hair, her eyes locked on him, playful and bold. "You’re breaking hearts out there, Devon, mine included. But let’s wrap this up, one last question. You saved Blissville, maybe the world. What’s next for you? Where does a guy like you go after a miracle like this?"
Devon leaned back, his smile small but real, his eyes steady. "Back to work. There’s always something else out there to fix."
The crowd roared, standing now, clapping like thunder, some waving signs, others shouting his name. Zoey smiled wide, her eyes soft on him, her voice warm and flirty. "Well, you’ve got the world’s attention, Devon, and definitely a few hearts. Maybe even mine." She winked, the crowd cheering louder, loving the spark. "Thank you, Dr Devon Aldridge, for saving lives and for stealing the show tonight."
The cameras pulled back, the audience cheering as the show cut to a break, the theme music swelling. The lights dimmed, the crew bustling around, resetting mics and cameras, the air still buzzing with energy. Zoey stood, stepping closer to Devon as the set cleared, her red dress catching the light, her smile less polished now, more real, her eyes warm and bold.
"You were incredible out there," she said, her voice quieter, almost intimate, a hand brushing his arm. Before he could respond, she pulled him into a tight hug, her arms wrapping around him, her body pressed close, lingering longer than a quick thank-you. Her perfume was sharp, her grip firm, and the crowd let out a few cheers, catching the moment, some snapping photos with their phones.
Devon froze for a split second, then relaxed, stepping back with a soft smile, his eyes meeting hers, a spark of amusement dancing in them.
"Thanks for the invite, Zoey," he said, his voice low, warm but guarded, then turned to leave.