Extra

by Stayrr

Third

28. Code Zulu Alpha 33-64

Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse! #Chapter 33 - Read Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse! Chapter 33 Online - All Page - FREEWN

Chapter 33: 33

My aunt cooked Chicken Lomi for tonight. It's made with thick egg pasta with chicken and vegetables on a very thick and rich soup. She even boiled an egg for each of us to accompany it with. Slurping sounds are heard and a few exclaims from a burn is what you would hear in the poolside area. Kaley is sitting next to me while I saw Rin and Olivia hawking at us from afar.

"You seeing the two?" Kaley said.

"Yeah, they've been stealing looks at us for several minutes now. Want me to talk to them?" I said.

"No! What would you even say? Call me big brother now?" Kaley remarked.

"Pfft! What the heck! Where did that come from? I think I've been influencing you too much with my sense of humor." I said.

"Hmm? It's not that dark, it's just a bit edgy, I swear that if you do that again, I'll also stab you with this knife that you gave me." She said.

"Hah! I'll stab you with 'something else'…" I whisper.

Her eyes rounded and she elbowed me. The egg in my bowl flew off to the side but I managed to catch it gently with my left hand. I placed it back in the bowl and I licked the soup from my hand.

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"Awesome!" Russel exclaimed.

"Damn." Zardon said.

A few people saw what happened and their eyes lit up.

"That's a soft-boiled egg, right?" Kaley said.

"Not sure…" I said.

She grabbed her spoon and she cut the egg with it. The golden yolk began to flow in the soup as Kaley scooped half of the egg and she placed it in her mouth.

"Thanks." She said with a smirk.

I was about to steal her egg too but I heard a splat a few chairs next to me.

"How did you do it? It's impossible! At that height too!" Russel said as he places his bowl under his hand where the yolk slowly drips.

"Hah! You? You could sharpen a pencil with those hands." His father said.

Everyone laughed and we continued eating happily.

A few minutes after eating dinner, we cleared the tables and we gathered for the meeting. Oscar stood up first as he relayed what happened yesterday after I left and their scouting and scavenging run today.

"Okay, listen kids. We now finished the catwalks and the fences today, though we might need to do another set of fences on the other side. Our exploration group also managed to reach the three walled houses just before the huge fishing area. We also located two more houses with survivors still in there but they decided to stay in their own houses. However, they said that they are willing to cooperate with us and they would like to see you tomorrow kid. I gave each of them a radio to open the communications between our houses." He said as he leans on a chair.

"It got a bit exciting in the afternoon when we opened the place with a lot of zombies, we managed to dispose all of them with zero casualties though we used a few of our ammo for it. Better let them practice with it than later, I say it's a good investment. To be honest, I'm surprised at Kaley's accuracy, you've used guns before?" he said.

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"Yes, I used to hunt with my dad before." she replied.

"I managed to kill half of them while the others managed to kill the rest with their melee weapons. It's a tight space so the other kids with guns didn't manage to shoot as freely as they could. Kaley was in a higher spot so she picked a few from a distance." he said after drinking a glass of water.

"We hauled a lot of supplies from the houses and we have a pool table there available to be placed here along with a few computers. We're gonna go back to that alley again since there are no gates to be locked and it's an open space unlike the gated places that Sky scouted before. And that's it! Why don't we let Sky takeover and he shows us his 79 kills, if he really did? Hmm?" He said as he looked at me with a grin.

"This competitive old man…" I said to myself.

I then went to the front with the helmet I brought and I took the memory card inside of it. The helmet has a concealed camera built inside it so it would still look aesthetically pleasing. I inserted it in the laptop and I showed them what happened.

There were a few reactions from the group as I began to speed past the DDR camp. The video shows the way I went and the mob before I went to the other back road.

I see Oscar counting the zombies I killed with his mouth. The other guys are doing that as well.

By the time I was running towards the fast food shop at the corner, Oscar puts his hands up because it already exceeded his kill count.

"What the f.u.c.k?!" Russel and Lois exclaimed when they saw the view at the park. Tons of zombies are roaming there and it could easily exceed a few hundred.

They saw everything up until the door at the back was opened.

"That's when I found Allan and the rest of the group. They were stranded there and couldn't get out. I then planned our escape and the video continues on the roof when you managed to call me."

It played and 'that' scene loaded up, it was when I pretended to be a zombie. A few of the guys were laughing now while I saw Kaley smiling but she has this terrifying aura as she looks at me while radiating a mild killing intent.

I fast forwarded it when I saw the figure sprinting. They were surprised and some were curious as they squinted their eyes to see clearer.

"Remember the broadcast? I think we have sprinters here. The shot was dark since it's still a few hours after midnight and I luckily caught the shot of that zombie running straight. Oscar, make a call to the president's number later because we have two types here. They could definitely use the information about this and I think this is much more dangerous than the regular ones if you face them abruptly." I said.

The video then continued on us leaving through the backdoor and letting them go first as I sprinted to my bike.

It shows the video of the graffiti and the other entrance to the DDR camps next to us which was the hospital in the highway. It even recorded my conversation with the soldier. Derek grew furious as he learned what his brother did. His wife tried to calm him down but he left the meeting to get some air.

It then showed the final moments when we reached the fence and the video ended. I turned the laptop off and I took my seat.

"That was crazy man!" Ken remarked.

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Chapter 34: 34

"It's like a movie, definitely take me sometime! I can be a sidekick." Russel said.

"What are you gonna do? Rub them with your rough hands till they die?" his father said.

"I give up kid, holy shit that was intense. Good job on saving some of the bullets." Oscar said.

"Thanks, you still need to give me those two SPAS-12s, I heard you took them. C'mon man, I found those." I said.

"What?! You hate shotguns, right? You even gave Ken the Sawed-off Double-barreled Remington!" he exclaimed.

The group is laughing at the banter between Oscar and me but I continued.

"I dislike using them but I found them technically, it was in the armored van that I took. I'll only accept a trade if you want to keep them. I'll take the M134 and an AK-47." I teased.

"Kid?! I only have one M134! That's my pride and joy! You're pulling my leg! And an AK on top of that?!" he bellowed.

"I'm just joking, breathe old man, how about an HK416, just one, but you'll add a laser sight, a suppressor and a scope. Also 2 drum mags." I negotiated.

"This kid?! Wait, just one? Hmm…" Oscar said while he contemplates.

"How many guns does this two have?" Allan said.

"I think Rin knows the exact number, right?" Kaley said.

"I can't tell you guys but it's definitely a LOT." She replied.

"Argh! I'd really like to have one!" Allan exclaimed.

"Hah! From those two? Aside from them giving it to you willingly, getting it from other means is like taking a coin from a dragon." Jared added.

"Fine kid! I'll give you an HK416 with all the attachments and the drum mags." Oscar had a sly grin.

"Filled with 5.56 ammo, yeah?" I said.

"No! You said mags only! You never said anything about ammo!" Oscar rages again.

"Oscar is getting played around." Lois said.

The other a.d.u.l.ts left the scene and the younger people just stayed watching us.

"Sky really got good at talking when he started to take over the business." Nicole said.

"Yeah, he used to just hole up in his room playing games and what not." Jared added.

"And now he's leading us all, a good job too. He's very different from when I first met him." Kaley said.

Everyone nodded while we continued on not minding them.

"Wait, wait, wait, we're talking about the 5.56s where did we get to the 7.62s?!" Oscar said.

"Reparations. You used the ammo for the SPAS-12 when you went out earlier." I said.

"Bah! Fine! Fine! An HK416 with the attachments, 2 drum mags filled with 5.56 ammo and 30 rounds of 7.62 ammo. Deal?" Oscar said.

"Deal. Shake on it?" I said.

"Deal and done! I finally won this time! Hah! You just got ripped off! No taking it back now!" Oscar said with a pose.

I just smiled and said to myself, "I would've settled for the HK416 with just a scope and 60 rounds, hah! Man, I'm an honest guy but when it comes to guns, I go crazy…"

We went to his locker and I picked the HK416 up, checked everything and placed the attachments. Oscar even got petty and he made me load all 200 rounds that he threw on the ground in the drum mags but I happily obliged. I pocketed the 30 rounds of 7.62s that he gave me in a magazine and I went outside to where Allan was.

"Here, your gonna do watch duty tonight right? Avoid dozing off yeah?" I handed him the gun and he raised it up like a lost relic being found for the first time.

"Sky thank you for giving me this gun, I-" he was about to claim the gun I lent him so I cut him off.

"It's just a loan, that's still mine. But tonight, you can have it temporarily." I said.

"Sure! It's heavy though…" he said.

"It has a hundred rounds on it. I'll grab a normal magazine later. Make sure it stays on semi-auto, that's the switch right there." I said as I instructed him on how to use it.

He starts to run to the catwalk and show the other guys lounging there.

The list for the watch duty is now posted on the wall. The rules now are that the list will now rotate between the people that are able and each shift will be three hours long with three people up. It would start at 9:00 PM and end at 6:00 AM. A total of 9 people a night, Ken is watching everything in the morning through the CCTVs and he occasionally flies his drone around while a few rotates at the catwalk randomly.

I saw that I wasn't on the list so I went to the gym. What surprised me is that a few people also wanted to use the facilities. All the guys were doing arms and their reason was they got jealous of Ken's arms. Ken was also up there heckling everybody.

"Amateurs! I was pushing myself since I was young, you're not gonna get results in a day!" Ken started shouting.

I looked at everybody and they were doing all sorts of things and I facepalmed. Some were lifting the equipment for legs with their arms while a few is lifting with their shoulders instead of their biceps. A truly lost one was furiously rotating the elliptical with his hands hoping his arms grows larger.

"You guys will have pulled muscles tomorrow if you continue on doing that." I said.

"Well tell us a few tips then!" somebody shouted.

I grabbed two dumb bells that are labeled '40' and I demonstrated a few exercises.

"Curl it up moderately but try to release it down very slowly so you feel the tension then raise it up again. Only lift it up when your arms are about to straighten. Try doing 3 sets of 15 repetitions and it would hit your biceps. Avoid lifting it with your shoulders if you can't carry the weight. Use the small ones first and slowly rise to the heavier ones if you could easily lift the lighter ones. For the other variations…" I continued on giving them a small lecture.

I then went on my own and did my usual routine. I stayed there for 2 hours again, only a few of the guys were left after I'm done. They were mostly the guys that worked at my shops. I had a hot shower after cooling down and then I headed to my room. I was exhausted from today and I needed my sleep. I was about to lay down but I heard a knock on my door.

"Hey, still awake?" I heard a voice.

"Yeah, come on in." I said.

It was the girls, Kaley, Olivia and Rin.

"Hey Sky, can we borrow your laptop to copy some movies? Oh! You have a huge TV here; can we watch it here instead?" Olivia said.

"What do you want to watch? I stored a few drives worth here." I said.

"What do you recommend then?" Olivia said.

"What kind of movies do you like?" I said.

"Hmmm, everything, pretty much." She said.

"That's not much to go on, Kaley? Rin?" I replied as I laughed.

They took a while thinking of one so I decided to pick one at random. I plugged an external drive to the TV and then I pressed shuffle.

"Oh! Sky picked something, what is it?" Rin said.

"I'm not sure, I pressed shuffle because you guys are taking so long. It's been a while since I've last watched a movie too." I said.

It played an autobiography of a lead singer of a band, F.Mercury the movie title was B.Rhapsody.

I remembered a tune from one of their songs and I sang it instinctively.

"Wow." Rin said.

"You can even sing?!" Olivia exclaimed as she flaps her hands.

Kaley also looked at me while her eyes are wide open, smiling.

"Well, I dabbled on everything you know, I even took voice lessons when I was a kid though I'm still a beginner. If you let me continue, you'll be assaulted by flats that would make you cringe." I explained as I laughed.

The movie's opening credits finished then it started, all three of them are sitting on the side of my bed while I was laying on the other side of it facing their backs. The sounds eventually lulled me to sleep so I just woke up in the middle of the night where Kaley is sleeping next to me while Olivia is slumped on our feet and Rin is at my chair. I got up and checked the clock, it was 2:16 AM. I then carried Olivia to where I was laying earlier and after that, I covered all of them with blankets and I went downstairs.

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Chapter 35: 35

Day 4

I saw four people at the corner of the catwalk talking with each other as I approach them. Allan is still holding the gun I gave him and he seems to want to stay up all night. He's with Zardon, Derek and Jo, they each have a cup of coffee in their hands to warm themselves. A mosquito coil is beside them to ward off a few mosquitoes flying around. They waved at me when they saw me and I gave a small salute.

"Mornin' Boss, can't sleep?" Jo said.

"Yeah staying up all night yesterday messed with the pattern, How's the watch going?" I said.

"A few were at the gate earlier and Allan tried to shoot them from here, after he missed three times, we decided to go out to kill them up close. I grabbed a crowbar from your workshop and I slid it in the holes." Derek said.

"Ahaha… new gun, new gun. Still getting used to the sights." Allan defended himself.

"Really? With the laser sight? Hahaha!" my uncle can't control his laughter.

I looked at the bodies in the street then I immediately turned my head at a certain direction. I feel the hairs on the back of my head raise as I stare at the darkness. I grabbed my gun from Allan and looked at its scope, I even turned the illuminator on and I still found nothing.

"What was that?" I said to myself.

"Sky?" Allan inquired as all of them looked at me.

"I felt something looking at me." I said.

"What? You sure kid?" my uncle said.

The four guys had a look of worry in their faces.

I nodded as I touch the hairs on the back of my neck. I looked at our houses and all the lights are turned off. We made an agreement beforehand to only use small lamps covered by a cloth or flashlights pointed on the ground when it starts to get dark, we wouldn't want random people coming at night.

"It might be nothing." Allan said.

"Maybe." I answered.

"But I definitely felt something." I said to myself.

I stayed with them all morning and I even switched the drum magazine for a normal one when I made a quick trip to the house. When It reached 3:00 AM, the people guarding switched but not all at once. The system is that the next in the list to take watch needs to set an alarm 10 minutes before his turn. The one that has finished their watch are to wait up to 5 minutes before one person comes to the next person's room to look for the relief, but the other two needs to stay put until the next one came out. So far, no one has disobeyed the rules and everything is going smoothly.

The outlier today is Allan since he stayed up all night because he keeps on wanting to hold a gun. I finally convinced him to take a rest as I was there now and he reluctantly parted with my gun. Like clockwork, the next three came out. It was Jenny, Chris and Arnel. My uncle and the others switched places and they waved me goodbye. They are stretching their backs as they went to their rooms. The three with me now are still yawning aside from Jenny.

I handed Jenny the M70 since she knows to use some guns since she had training before she became a guard but I still instructed her how to operate it. She left her shotgun in Oscar's care since a shotgun is an improper choice because of the noise that it makes. The other two are also listening to us so I included them in the small lecture. They each took their turns and I let them fiddle with it as I continued to look in the direction where I felt a presence.

"Hey sir, I'd like to properly thank you for taking us. Honestly speaking, I really thought that you would leave us at the supermarket when I learned that you only came for Allan. Turns out that you are a really good guy." Chris said to me.

"Please, stop calling me sir, it weirds me out. You're like Rin when we first met. Either call me Sky or Boss, like the other guys do. Also, you're welcome. First time waking this early?" I said.

He gave a smile and he said, "Okay Sky, it feels weird on my side though. It's been a while since I've woken up this early, I used to jog every morning before going to school." Chris said.

"Really? Just for cardio or something else?" I said.

"I used to do boxing as a hobby, I did it for a year but I stopped when Charlotte got worried. She once saw me go home with a broken nose; she took care of me that time but she pleaded that I stop doing it." he said.

"You could've continued jogging though, people need the strength of their bodies now more than ever." I said.

"Right, that's true, but what's your story sir? I mean Sky?" he said.

"What do you want to know? I have a lot to tell." I said.

"How did you get that scar on your eyebrow?" he asks.

I touched that eyebrow instinctively and I said, "How about this, let's have a light spar and if you land me a clean hit, I'll tell you? I'll just dodge and parry."

"Here we go…" Arnel said as he smiles while Jenny gave a confused look at that remark.

"Really? Do you have gloves?" he asks.

"I have it upstairs, but we don't need it." I said.

"But what if I hit you?" he said.

"You won't." I said with a grin.

He gave me a frown but he gritted his teeth and he said, "Fine."

He threw me a quick jab but I parried it with my right hand.

Then I said, "Let's go down first yeah?"

He rubs his left knuckle then we went down the catwalk. I handed Jenny my phone and she sets a timer for 3 minutes. When she gave us the signal, I readied my hands and Chris lunged towards me. He threw me a couple of punches but I still feel him holding back a bit. I just dodged and weaved but I would occasionally parry with my hands. I examined his form and though he needs to work on his footwork and his breathing, everything seems to be fine.

At the last second, as I was about to parry his right hook, he turned it to a straight, mid-swing. I was almost caught off-guard since I was eyeing his collar.

"This kid…" I said to myself. I just dodged and I flicked my wrist while the phone beeped. I saw him close his eyes at the last second so I tapped him on his shoulder.

"Good job kid, keep your eyes open though. Did you get hit hard before? Closing your eyes in a fight is a no no." I said.

"Are you a professional boxer?" Chris said as he catches his breath. Nothing is more tiring in boxing if your full punches only hit the air.

"Hah! No, that would be cool though." I said as I hand him something.

"Hmm?" he looked at his hand and he froze. He gave me a bitter smile and he sat down.

"I'll hit you next time." he said as he pockets the thing that I gave him.

"I'll wait for it; you can certainly try." I said as I walked up to the catwalk.

Jenny gave another confused look. She grew curious and she asks, "What did he give you Chris?"

Chris then reached for his pocket and places it on her palm. She saw it and she immediately shook her head.

"That's impossible." she said.

"Then what's that then?" Chris replied.

"It was hanging out, I swiped it so he could fix it later." I said.

"But how?! This is a button, right?!" she exclaimed.

"Well, you need to spend a lot of time practicing that trick. You need to judge the distance accurately and move your hand precisely. It's a lucky hit and it being loose helped a lot." I said.

"But why would you spend a lot of time doing that?" Jenny asks.

"It's fun and you know, because I can." I said as I laugh.

We all chatted while the others started to wake up one by one. They handed me the guns and I placed them neatly on my locker. I saw Kaley and Olivia still sleeping in my bed so I just let them. Rin must be in her room though; I just saw the blanket that I covered her with neatly folded on the chair. I saw Zeus coming up to my bed then lying next to Olivia.

"This two have been pretty close, good thing someone could take care of Zeus while I'm busy." I said to myself.

Zeus began licking Olivia's face and she eventually wakes up. Her eyes opened up but she disregarded the kisses and she hugged Zeus while she laid on her side. She saw me looking at her and Zeus so she greeted me.

"Oh! Hi Sky, good morning! The movie was great yesterday, we were all crying at the end. Hope we do that again later even though you slept earlier." she said. She yawned and she continued to snuggle with Zeus.

I headed down and I can already smell the food that is being cooked. I hear them frying something and I went inside my aunt's house.

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Chapter 36: 36

"Morning." I said.

The rest of them greeted me and I helped them prepare the food. We made Fried Boneless Bangus on top of Garlic Rice and an Eggplant Omelet. The first dish is Milk Fish deboned, seasoned and finally fried. The Eggplant Omelet is made by boiling eggplants then mushing them and finally mixing them with scrambled eggs to be fried with the stem still on.

After that, I helped with carrying them on the poolside while they prepare coffee for everyone. I was about to head up to wake the three but I saw the three of them walking down. We greeted each other and we went to the other houses to wake those who are not in the pool area yet.

Rin and Olivia went to the other side then me and Kaley went in the other. We first saw Ken sleeping soundly with Peanut on the couch then I woke him up while Kaley knocked on Kristine's room as well.

We then headed to Allan's room but there were a lot of rustling going on and we heard a female voice inside.

"We'll head down, thanks." the voice said.

Kaley mouthed to me, "Jenny?" I just nodded while we smiled walking to the next room.

knock* *knock* *knock*

"Chris? Charlotte? You guys there?" I said as I knocked. No one answered for a while then I tried for the knob. I opened the door and I saw the bed with pillows bisecting it in half. The door from Allan's room then opened and the two came out. They looked at us embarrassingly first but they linked arms.

"Well, this happened, ahaha… We really like each other and we think that we'll continue to do so…" Allan said.

Jenny was older than us probably in the mid 30s and Allan is kind of explaining the situation.

"Hey man you don't need to explain everything, do what the heart wants, yeah?" I said.

"That's so cheesy." Kaley said to me.

We all shared a laugh then they told us that the two are probably in the greenhouse. Me and Kaley went there and we found them harvesting tomatoes. Charlotte is eating one while Chris is carefully placing them in a basket. They saw us come in and they both gave a small nod.

"Sky! Did you grow this all by yourself?" Charlotte asked.

"Yeah? Why?" I said.

She handed Kaley a tomato and Kaley then took a bite from it.

chomp*

"Hmm! It's good! Sweet too!" Kaley exclaimed as her eyes shot up.

"You're really good with your hands, this garden is well taken care of. I'm happy that you let me take care of it. I promise to do a good job and meet the same standard such as this." she said earnestly.

"Thanks, I still really find this switch of personality too abrupt, can't you act a bit more barbaric like last time?" I teased.

"Last time?" Kaley asked.

"Hah! You should've seen her at the store, you wouldn't recognize her I'm telling you. In the store…" I told Kaley the story when I met the two at the supermarket.

She harrumphed while Chris laughed heartily. I saw the button on his shirt fixed now and then we all went to the back to eat breakfast. We brought the tomatoes in the table and we sliced a few of them so we could have fresh vegetables in our meals. We even made a dipping sauce with soy sauce and lime with chilies for the Bangus. We finished eating and I grabbed a cup of coffee after putting some sugar and creamer. I also made one for Kaley which she promptly accepted.

Oscar then sat next to me and said. "What's the plan now kid?"

"We finish reclaiming the area. The goal today is to at least reach the radio station. I'd also like to drop by the two housed families first and you guys double check on the alleys that you went through yesterday. We might be able to finish this thing in 2-3 days." I said.

"What do we do after that then?" Chris raised his hands.

"There's a whole lot more to do. I won't bog you guys down on the other plans for the future but some of them are that we need to have a group exploring outside and gathering more resources, start on teaching some of you to defend yourselves and how to survive, and establishing a partnership with the DDR camp next to us." I said.

"We're gonna go outside? Isn't that dangerous?" Charlotte asked.

"I'll train a few of you personally, some would come with me and some would stay here to guard this place. I know it's dangerous but we need to gather more resources and more people." I said.

"More people?" Kaley asked.

"Yeah, Ideally, I want as much as possible but realistically speaking, I'd like 150 people as a start." I said.

The group gave me looks of surprise and wonder.

"That many? Why though?" Kaley replied.

"Ever heard of Dunbar's number?" I asked them.

They gave more looks of confusion but Kaley answered, "If I recall correctly, it is the suggested cognitive limit to the number of people where a person can maintain a stable social relationship with and those who the person has a relationship with has the same stable social relationship with each other."

"What? That's too many relationsh.i.p.s in a sentence. My head spins when you all start to talk like this…" Russel said.

"Hahaha, but what Kaley said is correct. However, it varies between 100-250 persons, I think 150 is a good number for an average. The catch is that we need to be very careful in choosing the people that we let in. If you remember the mob in the video, they're around 50 plus of them. It would be dangerous if we let people that have let their humanity go or have other intentions for us. We've been pretty lucky that we have each other here. I think I could handle more than the said number but let's just stick to that for now." I said.

The group looked at each other and smiled.

"Are you trying to make me tear up kid?" Oscar said jokingly while the group laughed.

I clapped my hands and said, "Alright, that's enough talk for now, let's get to work."

I brought the same group as before while Oscar formed his own with Arnel, Chris, Jo and Zardon. Arnel volunteered to test the waters even though he's still afraid of blood. We both we'll be heading to explore the area but I'll head to the families first to talk to them while Oscar will do another run through to the alleys. Allan and Jenny will be the additional guard in the catwalk during the day while the rest do their usual things.

We set out and Jared saw Kaley's tanto on her hip.

"Hey bro, you gave Kaley the small knife and you're using the short one, can I use the samurai if you're not using it?" he asks.

"Tanto, the small knife is a tanto. The 'samurai' is a katana.'" a small voice from somewhere sounded.

"That's probably Aya." I said to myself while Jared tried to look for where the voice came from.

I looked at him and said, "You're lucky I even gave you that trench knife, you can't even peel a potato without losing 50% of it. And it's called a tanto and a katana by the way, don't let your little sister hear you say that again. Lois was burned before and she'll keep on correcting you if you don't say it right."

Everyone laughed and Jared scratched his nose. Oscar and his group now walked in the alley and we proceeded forward to one of the families' home. I rang the doorbell and waited for someone to come out. It's a regular sized house, only a single-story and a family of eight is inside. After a short while, a kid peeked out but he went inside quickly. His dad came out and opened the gate for us.

"Can I help you?" The father said.

"Hello, I'm Sky from a few gates back, I-" I said before he cuts me.

"What? Sorry, speak a bit louder, I'm kinda low on the hearing side." he said as he points to a hearing-aid on his ear.

I immediately understood so I started to sign with my hands while I talk to introduce myself. However, all I could sign was my name and a few simple answers. He looked surprised and he gave me a smile, he introduced himself the same way I did. When he started to sign more, I told him that I only know a very few number of them. He nodded his head and he invited us inside so his wife could translate while we talk.

"I need to learn everything now. Communication is key as always." I said to myself.

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Chapter 37: 37

"Sorry for the intrusion." I said.

"No, it's no problem at all, your American friend, Oscar, came here yesterday. He asked us to come to your compound but we said that we prefer to live here. Oh right, my name is Andrew Jr. That is my beautiful wife Isabelle and those are my kids: Jonathan, Esther, Madison and Billy. My parents are in their room sleeping but their names are Andrew Sr. and Estrella. You said your name was Sky, right?" he said as he offers his hand.

"Yes, good to meet you all." I shake his hand and I introduced my group.

I made a quick glance at their place and they seem to be well stocked. There's a lot of canned goods on their glass cabinet and they don't seem to be famished. They are a middle-aged couple where their eldest is probably close to my age and the youngest close to Olivia's age. They mentioned that Oscar gave his parents a small checkup yesterday and they seem to be doing fine. His eldest son Jonathan seemed to be interested in joining our scouting group but his mom is against it. Andrew is the only one who has a firearm and it's an FN Five Seven on his hip concealed by a vest.

"That is a nice piece. Its bullets fly faster than the 9mm and the .45 ACP." I said to myself.

"Well sir Andrew, we were just continuing our scouting of the place and I would like to share you a few pieces of information when I went outside. I…" I said as I tell him everything from yesterday. They seem apprehensive but I feel his daughter looking at me quite closely. Kaley saw it and she immediately sat closer to me to mark her territory.

We talked for a while and we decided to let Jonathan come with us for skill training, though they would just observe for now. Although their mother is against it, she relented after a bout of talking it out with her husband. She then decided to come to the compound now and she wishes to talk to the mothers there to ask to teach their kids school lessons. We found out that she was a school teacher so I agreed immediately. The world may have gone to shit but we still need our young ones to be properly educated.

We then said our goodbyes and Jonathan came with us while Esther and her mother Isabelle went to the compound while being accompanied by Andrew.

"Know how to use firearms?" I asked Jonathan that's carrying a metal bat.

"Umm, sorry no, but I would like to learn how to." he said.

"That's good, stay at the back for now yeah?" I said as he nodded.

A few moments, we finally reached the second place. It has two houses in it where it was enveloped by a wall and a medium-sized gate. The houses are both two-stories and they are very symmetrical to each other. The place is housing four people, the house in the right is where an older couple lives at and the house on the left is where their daughter is living with his husband though they still have no children.

I knocked on the gate and no one answered. I tried the radio that Oscar gave them and still nothing. Two cars are still on their driveway and I checked the clock, It's 9:22 AM. The door on the left house is open but after calling them a few times, no one seems to answer.

"They couldn't still be sleeping at this time." Kaley said with a worried face.

"Something's off, get ready. Mark, give me a boost yeah?" I said.

He backed against the gate and he formed a foothold with his hands. I ran towards him then he pushed my foot upwards so I could vault over the gate. I managed to reach the top of it and I slowly readied myself for the landing. Like a cat, I made the smallest noise as possible then I opened the gate for them.

We then checked the perimeter first and we headed to the left house. It seems like no one has left and everything still seems to be here.

"Hello? Mrs. Luna? Are you here?" I called out. Still nothing.

We went upstairs and carefully opened each door, even the restrooms, still nothing. We finally headed down and we decided to go to the next house. I drew my wakizashi just in case something pops up and I slowly opened the door.

As soon as I opened the door, everyone gagged. We closed our mouths with our hands and I tried to stop myself from vomiting.

The whole living room was bloody. Two corpses on the floor and another two on the couch. We decided to open the windows and let it air out first. After a while, I walked inside and saw the scene. The older couple, Mr. and Mrs. Luna are on the ground while their daughter and her husband are in the couch.

I examined the body on the floor first. Mrs. Luna was near the door, bite marks all over her and a few bullet holes while Mr. Luna has none, but his mouth area is covered in blood and his neck is twisted in an awkward angle and has a head injury. I checked the couple on the couch they are both hugging each other while their heads are pretty close and it has a bullet hole that connected the both of them. I checked their hands and the guy has a pistol, a P226 with a suppressor on his right hand.

"Suicide?" I said to myself.

I looked at the girl and I saw that a part of her shoulder is missing but she didn't have the lines from it protruding out yet. I nodded a few times and made a scene in my head on how this may have happened. I radioed Oscar and they came in a few minutes later. When Oscar saw the scene, anger was in his face and he kicked the nearest furniture around him.

"Dammit!" Oscar shouted.

"Mr. Luna must've turned, natural death perhaps?" I said.

"But his neck was broken, did he fall from the stairs? What's with his head though?" Oscar asked as he also examined the scene.

"Maybe, but the head injury is different from where the angle of neck resulted in." I said.

"Hmm, you're right kid. Looking at it, the guy there must've bashed the head of Mr. Luna here, there's a splatter here on the side. He probably turned at night and he made a feast of his wife. Then their daughter came and was bitten here?" he said.

We pointed to different locations where we think something might have occurred to piece the puzzle.

"Yeah, the husband must've come late and when he opened the door, his mother-in-law shows up at the door full of bites and he shot her multiple times. Then he saw Mr. Luna chewing his wife so he pushed him and he bashes his head on the wall here…" I said.

Oscar nodded and he concluded, "Probably saw his wife and they opted out. Damn shame, that guy there was a cop, his name is Gilbert. He should've radioed us first, f.u.c.k!"

"They really were a nice couple…" Kaley said.

We all gave a moment of silence and we carried them to the court to be burned. Everyone had solemn expressions while we're watching them reduce to cinders. I looked at Oscar and I saw him the most affected of all of them.

I approached him and said, "Are you alright old man?"

"Yeah, all the deaths I've seen in the war and these things that I've killed made me think that I would've gotten used to seeing it, but seeing people that you have known even for a little while still makes you remember that you're still human and you can still feel emotions." He said.

"You a poet now old man?" I teased.

"You f.u.c.k.i.n.g… I was opening up there, you ruined the moment!" he shouted.

"Just cheering you up old man. Let's continue the plan yeah?" I said.

We continued walking and then we reached where they left off yesterday.

To the right side are the single houses that each have their own large gates, there are two of them and there's a smaller one after those two. To the left is the larger fishing area, there are four in all here and the first one is the one in the gravel road that we have passed before. It used to be five but the fifth one got mismanaged by the owner and now it's just a dark muck of liquid. Good thing is that it's on the right side after the second court so their water doesn't reach the other three on the left.

These fishing areas are small bodies of water that has a net surrounding it. People here would breed fish for the market like Mud Fish, Milk Fish and etc. You can access the fishing areas by walking to one of the bridges towards the small house that is above wooden poles and there are small rowboats there in which you could ride to fish in the middle or just to feed most of them.

As we were about to enter one of the houses the radio buzzed.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 38: 38

bzzt*

"Sky, do you copy? This is Ken man."

bzzt*

I picked it up and I answered.

bzzt*

"Copy, yeah?"

bzzt*

bzzt*

"This radio is loud with this buzzing noise, oh right, I was just flying the drone overhead and never tried to fly it low. But I did earlier, see the drone near the second court? Careful around there, there is about three dozen inside it. The gate inside seems to open a bit and that is where they slowly come from."

bzzt*

bzzt*

"That's good looking out, thanks."

bzzt*

"What's the plan kid? Want to check the court first?" Oscar said.

I nodded then I said, "Yeah, let's go there first. It's a few more houses down the road but the gates around are secure so we head to the one where it isn't."

The only places that we'll pass before the court is the three gated houses and an apartment building. We headed to the court first and the difference with this court from the first one is that it is roofed and there is a 5-feet wall around it where a screen is welded on top of it. It's two gates are at the front and back and the front part is where the loose chains are located.

We were walking towards it now and a huge gust of wind blew past us, with it, a smell of rot and decay assaulted our nostrils. I commanded everyone to draw arms and I walked forward to peek through the gap in the wall. It's as Ken said, about three dozen zombies but they are just wandering around. A few are near the gate though you could only fit there if you go sideways.

"It's as Ken said. About three dozen of them. Kill everything that's already dead, Let's try to draw them out of these gaps in the wall first. Let's try to pick some of them with melee weapons so we could save on ammo. Though they move slower after they have turned for a few days, going melee with a group of them can get dicey. Those with weapons that could reach through the wall come with me and to those who only have firearms, go with Oscar and ready yourselves if some get through that gap." I said to them.

We drew our bladed weapons and we started on clanging the screen on top to make some noise. We were three feet apart from each other so the zombies that would come will spread for a bit. The rest without melee weapons stood guard near the gate.

clang* *clang* *clang* *clang*

They seem to have noticed the sound, a few heads turned towards us and we held our position. We started on thinning them out one-by-one and a few of their hands are starting to stick out of the gap.

"Don't try to reach their head if their hands are out! One scratch and I'll chop your arm personally, I'm not even sure if it works in this case." I said.

"This case?" Kaley asked.

"Oh, in The Pacing Unliving and other shows, they would chop the body part off to offset the spread. It's the show though, this is real life. We're not sure on how fast it spreads. But if any of you want to learn if it works, go ahead and get scratched, I'll make a clean cut." I said jokingly.

The rest gave wary gazes but it made them more careful in dealing with them.

"Too dark kid." Oscar said.

"It's for the best though, what we need to remember is that these things are still dangerous. Though they walk really slow, just one mishap and you're off the list. If you still see this as a game, don't." I said sternly.

Some of the figures are now piling up in the walls and some are getting footholds and there are now starting to climb the screen upwards by using the others as a stepping stone.

"Fall back! Wait for them to drop on the ground first, give some distance and wait for my signal. Those with guns, ready them. Oscar, how's it looking at the side!" I commanded.

"Clear here kid! Most of them responded to the clanging! Jonathan is here with me!" he replied.

I then held my blade with my right hand and my pistol with my left. The first one fell and Mark quickly swung down his hammer on its head as he rushed past me.

splatter*

"Finally! I can't reach them with this thing." he said.

He made a triumphant pose but he ignored the eight that are now climbing at the same time. I looked at the screen wobble and I see the side starting to bend.

twist* *bend* *SNAP*

The screen snapped on one side and it began to fall down, the eight holding on to it added to the speed in which it fell. I immediately pulled Mark by his clothes and he dropped his sledgehammer on the ground. The screen would have fallen on him If I didn't react in time.

"F.u.c.k! That was close!" he shouted.

I frowned and I shouted, "I told you to wait, didn't I?! Go to the back!"

The eight are now slowly getting up and a few are slowly climbing their way past the wall. Among the team, only I, Dong, Chris, and Jo are carrying melee weapons with proper reach because the sledgehammer is under the screen. There are still less than two dozen zombies to go so we opened fire.

Bodies started to fall down and the noise from the gunshots rang out. When less than five remained, I then made them stop firing and switch to use the melee weapons. After quickly dispatching the remaining zombies, I turned to Mark and said, "You good? Don't do that again yeah? I won't pull you next time you disregard orders."

He looked at me and he said, "My bad, sorry. I just can't stand doing nothing."

"Pick up that hammer first and switch to a machete or something when we get back. I know you mean well, but don't get the excitement on your head yeah?" I said.

He just looks at the ground and he said, "I understand, I'll stay all night for watch duty later to make up for it."

"Giving yourself punishment now, are we? You a masochist or something?" Oscar said.

"What's that?" he asks.

"Someone who gets off being punished or something similar." I said flatly.

Everyone's eyes go wide and my workers all nodded.

"What? I'm not one! Why are you all agreeing?!" he shouted embarrassingly.

"Well, you know. I see you with Alice a lot and it seems to be the case." Dong said.

"What?! It's! AHHH!!!" he shouted.

The two went back and forth and we all laughed hysterically. I just tapped him in the back and we headed next to the apartment building. The apartment building is a two-story building shaped liked the letter 'U'. It has a gate made with thin metal bars and there is a total of seven rooms each story. Everyone seems to have left this place in a hurry when the broadcast aired but we still checked each room thoroughly. My group searched the 2nd floor while Oscar's group is in the other.

BOOM*

A shotgun round rang out and we immediately tensed when we heard the shot from below.

bzzt*

"Old man, you doing okay there?"

bzzt*

bzzt*

"Yeah, just shot an old lady who hung herself."

bzzt*

bzzt*

"You're really noisy you know that?"

bzzt*

bzzt*

"Useless to put a suppressor on a shotgun don't it?"

bzzt*

bzzt*

"Shotgun addict."

bzzt*

bzzt*

"Pistol addict."

bzzt*

bzzt*

"Ooh! Look at me! I can't aim well so I always use birdshot!"

bzzt*

bzzt*

"I'M USING MAGNUM ROUNDS YOU LITTLE SHIT!!!"

bzzt*

bzzt*

"Oh? You ran out of birdshot then?"

bzzt*

bzzt*

"AHHHHHHH!!!"

bzzt*

bzzt*

"Umm guys, this is Ken. What happened to keeping the line open for emergencies?"

bzzt*

Me and Oscar fell silent while our group struggled to keep their laughter in. We eventually finished checking everything and then we marked the houses appropriately. We locked the gate and we went to the last three houses.

"Kid, how about we let them handle these houses. Nothing beats experience and we let Jonathan here for a test run too?"

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 39: 39

I nodded my head and I gave Dong and Mark my two pistols in which their eyes lit up in excitement. Oscar let Jonathan borrow his shotgun and he instructed him in how to use it.

"Shotgun already? You want him to blow his shoulder off with the Magnum rounds?" I said.

Jonathan flinched at the remark.

"W-wait, is it dangerous to use a shotgun first?" he asked.

"Well, a pistol or a revolver would be better for a first gun." I explained.

Oscar glared at me and he replaced it with a 500 Magnum.

"Here kid, just hold it steady. Point and shoot." he said innocently

I facepalmed again and he just raised his hands.

"What do mean by that kid? It's the only gun I have left besides the shotgun." Oscar said.

"Just give him the shotgun, will you? That thing will break his hand." I said.

"Well how bad is it?" Dong asked.

Oscar and I gave a demonic smile and said at the same time, "Hah! Try it then!"

My uncle Zardon was shaking his head but he has a smirk hidden on his face. Oscar handed the huge-ass revolver to Dong and he loaded a bullet.

"Hold it with both hands yeah? Watch your thumb on that side, hold it tight and pull the trigger." Oscar said.

BOOOOOOOMMM*

The sound went around the whole area and we saw Dong shaking his hand while still holding the 500 Magnum. He handed it to Oscar as Jonathan was shaking his head saying that he'll stick with the shotgun instead.

"Holy f.u.c.k! I'll stick with the M9! My hand f.u.c.k.i.n.g hurts!" Dong exclaimed as he shakes his hands around.

We laughed hysterically and we continued with the plan.

"What do you say us two go to the smaller one and the rest split for the other two big houses?" I said.

He nodded and then we go our ways. I picked the lock for our gate while the two other groups figure their own way to get inside.

The house we entered is just a single-story house but it has a backyard and a small pool in it. After we checked the perimeter, we entered the house carefully. It's very dusty and it looks like this house has not been used for a few months.

"This a vacation house or something kid?" Oscar said.

"I think so, we've been in this neighborhood a few years and we've never met the person living here." I said.

While we're checking each room Oscar asked me, "So kid, when are you gonna tell me Kaley's story?"

I choked and I'm surprised that he remembered that promise. I sighed and said, "Okay, what do you want to know?"

"Everything of course! Tell me everything while we work. Quick!" he exclaimed.

"We met at 2nd year in highschool. It was when highschool was still 4 years in this country." I said.

"Gonna give me more details than that! I don't care about how the school system works! I need details!" he bellowed.

"Fine, when I was in highschool, I was this huge nerd and I was very introverted. My classmates avoided me like the plague, and I don't look like this at all. I was a changed man when you met me, I worked on myself and lost a lot of weight. But back then, I aced all the subjects in my school and I was the subject of jealousy and I was always the one being make fun of by a small group of people." I started.

Oscar looks at me while he's listening to me.

"I really wanted to make my own circle of friends but I was really shy and I can't talk to anyone unless they talk to me first." I said.

"Well I know that too, but where did Kaley come in?" he asked.

"I'm building up on it. That's how a good story works you know?" I replied while I laugh.

"Bah! Get to it!" he said.

"There was a transfer to our class but I never really cared who it was at that time. Then this beautiful girl walked in, to be honest I was really mesmerized but I never did anything with it." I said.

"Why? You could've at least talked to her." he said.

"Forgot the part that I was a fat shy dude?" I said.

"Fat? You're just husky at best! I saw your pictures when you were young you know? Wanna see fat? Go to where I'm from! Hah!" Oscar exclaimed.

I laughed but then I continued, "I was just there, alone sitting on a corner and she sat next to me. She introduced herself and I did too. I thought that was the end of it but we had plenty of interactions. She tried beating me in some of the subjects and only thing she managed is to tie me. The whole class was surprised when that happened. However, bullies from my class started on beating me up telling me to let her win like that would make her happy."

"I never knew you were bullied kid. What happened then?" he asked seriously.

"I never let up. I have some pride too you know? My bullies back then were smarter than they look, they would do all sorts of things. They would steal my bag and throw it in the trash and if they beat me up, they would only hit my torso where it's hidden. I endured all of it and I never told anyone, my parents thought it was just bruising from Karate or Kendo training. I would've fought back since I know a few things but that is not the way I think back then. I'm just… afraid." I said solemnly.

"What about the teachers though? They never noticed anything?" he said.

"No, only Kaley did. She dropped her eraser and she asked me to pick it up. Bending my body made me groan in pain and I saw her looking at me with a worried expression. Turns out, she was just confirming her thoughts and she had to make sure. She introduced me to her mom and her very scary dad, her dad thought that her daughter had a boyfriend coming home and I was scared shitless. Her mom knows someone from the school and got the kids expelled for bullying me. It almost got on the news but I told them to just keep it low. The kid's parents even gave a huge amount of money to me for compensation and for medical expenses though we never really needed it. Anyway, I still came to school the next day and the kids who were bullying me were gone. I just found out that the other kids in my class not approaching me was due to them also, they said that anyone who approaches me will get the same treatment as me." I said.

"Damn." Oscar said.

"Know what the kicker is? I asked those kids, why me? They could've picked anyone, why me? Know what they said? 'No reason, just to pass the time.' When I heard them say that then, I almost let myself rampage on the spot. I clearly saw the places I could hit where I would cause the most damage. I would've done what I thought I was supposed to do. But before I ever got to do anything, Kaley threw water at their faces in her anger she shouted at them while the guidance counselor tried to calm her down. It did not do much to them but It was something that I really appreciated, who does that for someone you just met? After that incident, I've met more friends and I started to enjoy school. We hang out a lot but we never crossed paths when college started since we went to different schools." I concluded.

"You never asked her out?" Oscar said.

"No, haven't got the chance to at that time." I said.

"Did you even have feelings for her or vice versa?" he asked.

"I'm pretty oblivious at that time you know? Maybe, I just respected her a lot as a person. We both just studied our hearts out and we graduated as friends. Part of why I didn't ask her out is maybe I got really scared of his dad." I said with a faint smile.

"Hah! I wish I would've met you sooner kid! I would've thought you a lot of things if you were my next-door neighbor. You're really lucky that you met her at the airport." he said.

"Yeah, I was about to walk past her because I thought she wouldn't remember or even recognize me. But she did, who would've thought?" I said.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 40: 40

"What?! You better not let her go now, understand me?! I'd even give you my M134 if you guys became together." he said.

"Really~? I thought you'd die first before you hand over that gun?" I said.

"Well, I did say that. It would be a nice wager though. Screw it! I'll give you the M134 if you guys hooked up! I swear on my wife!" he exclaimed.

I immediately snorted and he looked at me with confusion and he said, "What?"

"Nothing." I said with a smile.

"What?!" he asked again.

"Nothing!" I said again with a bigger smile.

He threw me a suspicious look and he grumbled while working because he can't figure out what I meant by the smile. We were about to finish checking this place out but I found a safe behind the huge painting on the wall. Both our eyes lit up and we highfived. I cracked my knuckles and I began finessing it. Oscar wanted to just blowtorch it, but he agreed to let me crack it first.

"Be quiet, yeah?" I said to Oscar.

I placed my ear close in the safe and I began spinning the combination lock around slowly. I hear a faint click on my ears and I turned slowly on the different side. I spend about 10 minutes on trial and error and we heard the safe opening with the final click.

"Good job kid! Those hands of yours are crazy, your hearing too! HAHAHAHA!" Oscar praised with an ecstatic expression.

We opened the safe and found cash, jewelry and a few stacks of paper. We then found two black cases at the bottom. The first case contains a Remington 700 with a scope and a suppressor while the other contains two Glock 19s with extended magazines and a combat knife. Besides the cases are 5 boxes each of 9mm rounds and .308 Winchester rounds. We both looked at each other then he tossed a coin.

"Heads." I said.

The coin flew in the air and then it landed on the floor. It was heads. I took the case with the Glock 19s but I placed both of them at my holsters which used to be empty. I grabbed the ammunition boxes and I placed it in my bag first along with Oscar's share. We closed the safe and marked the house then we went outside. We were all smiles when the two of us headed outside and the group gave us confused looks.

I noticed that my group hasn't come out yet and Oscar's group has.

"Why are the two of you smiling?" Chris said.

I opened my jacket and Oscar pointed to our cases.

"We found guns." We both said at the same time.

"What?! You lucky bastards." my uncle said.

The group gave envious reactions and shocked reactions at the same time.

"Why is Sky's group taking so long?" Oscar asked.

"I remember that there was someone inside and Kaley is talking to them." Arnel said.

"You aren't gonna go there kid?" he said.

"Hah! I think she could handle it. I remember this place has a family of three inside. If I recall correctly, their daughter's name is Alex. I've played basketball with her a few times." I said.

"Oh? What was she like?" they asked.

"In basketball? Definitely better than me, she was in the varsity. She's very tall and could easily dunk." I said.

A few moments pass, I saw Kaley and the rest walk outside. They seem to be in high spirits. The recruitment must have gone smoothly. Before I even got to talk, Jared walked up to me and pointed at my torso.

"Where did you get that?!" he exclaimed.

"Cool huh? Hey, you guys can keep those M9s but I'll teach you a class later on how to use and maintain them yeah?" I replied.

They both nodded with a gleam in their eyes after that they made a small dance to celebrate.

"Everything done? What happened there?" I asked Kaley.

"They got worried at first when we rang their doorbell and they didn't recognize any of us but we said we're living at your place then they let us in. Alex mentioned that you used to play basketball with her too. They wished to stay at their home and they have a couple of guns for protection, although they lack food. They have a small garden but they can't harvest the crops yet. I said I'd tell you first and they also said that they are willing to help anyway they can in exchange for food." Kaley reported.

"That's good to hear, great job!" I said.

"How about you guys?" Oscar asked his group.

"The place still has a few supplies remaining. The people living there must've left when they heard from the news the situation. Their electricity is still running there though, they must've forgotten to turn the main switch off. We marked the place and then we saw you guys outside. Are we heading to the radio station now or to the small houses in the middle of the fishing areas?" my uncle said.

I looked at my watch and it's almost noon so we decided to do those things later after lunch. We left Jonathan in their house and we found his parents and younger sister are also home. I saw Esther winked at me before we left their place and Kaley saw it so she linked her arm with mine as she pushes me forward. We were in the back of the group walking so nobody saw it happen…except for Oscar.

I never looked back but we were still walking while our arms are still interlocked and Oscar never said a word at the back.

"Judging from his character, he would've flipped by now…and the gun that he wagered, that M134 it's his most prized treasure. Hah! He'd probably find a reason not to give it!" I said to myself.

Allan and Jenny saw us coming so they waved at us while Allan went down to open the gate. We were waiting for a few moments and by now he would've opened the gate.

"Allan? You doing something else?" Oscar said.

"Yup, a moment. My shoe got untied and I can't tie them properly." He said.

"…" everyone else.

The door finally opened and we settled near the poolside area. I saw the kids writing on their notebooks while some of their mothers are guiding them.

"She started immediately huh? That's good." I said to myself.

I walked towards one of the seats and I placed the case down. The rest also gathered around me and Oscar placed the other case in the table.

"You only found those?" Nicole asked.

"Ah, no. We just grabbed these first since they contained guns and a knife." I said.

"Hey bro, Alicia and I were thinking of asking you to teach us how to use guns too. The more people who knows how to use them the more secure this place is, right? Allan taught us how to operate the rifle that you lent him but we want to have guns for ourselves." She asked.

"Yeah, that's right. I plan to train a few for scouting first and the rest when we secured the whole area. I'm gonna give a small lecture later if you guys want to sit in." I said.

They looked at each other and they both nodded. They held each other's hands as they walked away and I saw Rin looking at them with a gleam in her eyes.

"Could she be also?" I said to myself.

She saw me look at her and she immediately averted her gaze.

"Maybe she's still not sure? Maybe something else? Bah! Nevermind, I'm not good at these things." I said to myself.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 41: 41

The food for today was then placed on the tables. For lunch we have Stuffed Bangus with Salted Eggs. The fish is stuffed with tomatoes, onions and peppers then it could be fried, baked or grilled. We ate it over rice and my aunt made iced tea.

I noticed that the fish has still bones on them so I meticulously removed each one as I always do before eating it. Kaley saw and she smiled and then she tapped on my shoulder. I looked at her while my eyebrows are raised and then she pointed at Rin.

I looked at Rin and noticed that she's also removing the bones one by one while the rest are eating a mouthful and they would just remove the bones that they encounter by pushing it out with their tongues and getting picked by their hands.

We both smiled at each other as we continued on removing the bones. My family members just smiled at what I'm doing since they already know why, though they were surprised at Rin.

The rest who haven't known me that long are so confused as to why I'm doing it and to why was Rin also doing it.

Charlotte has a confused look on her face and then she kept on asking Chris why but Chris doesn't also know. They kept on squabbling but Chris gave in and asked me.

"S-Sky, Charlotte wanted me to ask you about why the two of you are eating them differently." Chris said.

The rest with confused looks also looked towards me if I would answer or not. I said, "It's not much of a secret, I'm kinda sure on why Rin does as well but I do it for convenience. I just don't like the feel of the bones in my mouth so I remove them first before eating. Also, I do the same with other foods like watermelon, sunflower seeds, etc. I'd like to see them neat and ready before I start to eat them."

"What? Really? I think our teacher once told us about that, it's…" Chris trailed.

"OCD, one form of it." I said.

"Yeah! That's what she said! Did a doctor told you that you have it or did you just notice it yourself?" Chris said.

"I noticed it by myself when I was younger. Even when I walk, I would plan where I place my foot, where I'll turn, where to stop or how fast I'll go. Even with these guns, I'd like for them to always be in pairs, I'll get an itch if one of them is missing. How about you Rin?" I said.

The group then turned their heads towards her.

"Umm, that sounds about right in my case too. Before I met Boss Sky, I worked in a store and I was tasked on organizing inventory in the customer help desk. Mrs. Thelma, the owner, left that post for me and she said that I was perfect for the job. Boss saw me on the store and also noticed it, he even talked to my former boss to let him take me here." Rin said.

The group made different expressions when they heard the story. Kaley looked at me and she pointed at my wakizashi, I nodded at her look that means, 'Same thing with that blade, right?'

"The only bad thing that comes out of it doing this is that the food gets colder, that's why I only grabbed the fish and I will just add the rice later so it would still be hot when I eat it." I said laughing while they continued to eat.

I finished removing the bones on my fish and then I started eating. To their surprise, I even managed to finish eating faster than them. I grabbed a cup of the iced tea in the pitcher and I drank half of it, I refilled it again and I brought an extra cup for Kaley.

"Thanks." she said as she gave me a smile.

"How about me? Won't you take care of an old man?" Oscar said.

I rolled my eyes and I grabbed another cup for him.

"Thanks kid!" he said while laughing heartily.

We all finally finished eating and I handed my case to Rin to be included in the inventory along with the guns in my torso.

I stretched for a moment and we headed out. Allan and Jenny are still on the catwalk because they also ate their lunch there.

I checked our loadout and I refilled the ammunition for the M9s that I gave Mark and Dong. I also gave them a belt for a holster and I handed the combat knife to Mark. On Oscar's group, he also gave them a couple of pistols and he handed my uncle a shotgun. Each of us now are equipped with a ranged weapon and a melee weapon.

Before we left, Charlotte and Zeidrick walks up to me and said, "Hey, I'm thinking of postponing on building the fence to the other side of the wall. We're thinking of dismantling the wooden house next to our place and filling it up with more soil so that we could have a bigger place to plant crops. We could till the soil inside and make isolated farms but if we make a small farm outside just next to our place, it would yield more crops in the long run. You guys are sweeping the area now and there will be no zombies coming from your side and on the other side since the fence there is already been built."

I contemplated for a moment and then I agreed. "That sounds good, we could think up of other ways to build inside the compound other than more farms. We'll discuss it in the meeting later. Do you need more people in helping you guys?" I asked.

"No, the house there is pretty small and the less people helping the better since there's not much room inside. I think my kid and someone else could do for now. I'm going to borrow some of those big rubber boots for the water." he said.

"Sure, we'll be going now. Grab some of the work gloves too yeah?" I said.

He nodded and we left for the small houses in the center of those fishing areas. All places are pretty barren and nothing is there except for a few household supplies and a couple sacks of fish food. It went faster than expected so we headed to the last place of the job today, the radio station.

Big letters that spell 'DZRH' adorned the small building. It's two-stories tall and there is a huge antenna on top of it. Oscar's group guarded the entrance and then we went inside after unlocking the gate first.

"Know how to operate this thing Sky if we get this thing running?" Kaley asked.

"No, I mean not yet. I've stocked up on many manuals and I'm sure that I have one for this thing. It just might be as simple as flicking a switch and talking to it but we might need a real tech here for maintaining the place. I've been preoccupied in building the compound I've only done a few readings on these things. Also, we have Sat Phones so I think broadcasting on a radio will not do us much good at the moment although it's nice to have something like this place." I said.

Mark is the one starting the routine while I point out things that they have missed. Everyone is learning fast and we need to adapt fast in this situation. Fortunately, the place is already abandoned. There were no more vehicles in the parking area and all that's left from the radio equipment are a few boxes of instant food, few gallons of water still in the dispensers and a few medicinal supplies in their medicine cabinets. Mark saw a fire axe next to a fire extinguisher and he contemplated on switching it with the knife.

"What do you think?" he asked me.

"Why not keep both? Just holster the gun and the knife and mainly use that one. The knife is very versatile but that fire axe is something similar to the way you use that sledgehammer, the bonus is that blood splatter can be reduced to a minimum." I explained.

He gave a pensive expression and he followed my suggestion.

We finished early and we took two trips in hauling the essentials. The rest helped in hauling everything in the truck and when we're done, a few also helped on dismantling the wooden shack. I showed Charlotte the list of the seeds in the inventory and she's now planning on what to plant on that plot of land when we finish it.

A few zombies are starting to wander around the fence that we built and Jenny quickly dispatched some of them while Allan carried the bodies to the place where we usually burn them. There's now a basket near the gate that we call the 'Random Trinket Bag' where we place items that we found on the dead in there. Now, there's a few watches, jewelry, wallets, cash, knives, cigarettes, bags and footwear. No one seems interested at first but I left it there because I knew we would find a use for those someday.

I looked at my watch and it's a few minutes short of an hour before the broadcast. I called over Mark, Dong, Nicole and Alicia. They wondered why I called them but when they saw what I was carrying they understood.

I was planning to teach them a few hours' worth about properly using guns.

"Hey! Can you take me too?" Allan chimed.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 42: 42

"You already know how to use them, you're just bad at aiming…" I said.

"But I could get better if I practice more right?!" he retorted.

"Of course, that's why you volunteered for watch duty. I'm just training new people to see if they could be suited to it." I explained.

"Hon, I'd think you'd waste more bullets firing at inanimate objects. I'd think it would better if you have a shotgun or a machete." Jenny said.

The look on Allan's face…priceless!

"He just got burned." I said to myself.

He slumped down but he stood up and he pointed at me.

"But Sky! How long did it take you to master them?!" he asked.

"I never said I mastered them; it would take a few decades to do so. I'm not Jerry Miculek you know. A day with my right hand and five days with my left is what it took for me to get decent. I burned through a lot of ammo and I spent a lot of time on the ranges when I got into it. I got really good at it but it's very different from the word 'master' yeah? It's different for everybody, though you need to practice diligently to retain your edge." I said confidently.

Jenny's eyes widened. She said, "Wow. It took me a few months, how accurate are you? My effective range with a pistol is roughly 20 meters."

"I could hit a non-moving target with a pistol accurately for around 70-80 meters, farther if I aim higher. It would vary if the person is moving or actively trying to avoid me." I said.

"Damn. Seriously? Is that good Jenny?" Allan said.

"That is way more than good." she replied.

"I could show you a few awards if you doubt me. Anyways, we'll go now." I said as I wave them goodbye.

"It's more than 80 actually." I said to myself.

We went to the nearest court and we sat to one of the stone bleachers on the side. I handed the couple the same guns I gave my group. Before we even started, the gate from Andrew's house opened and Jonathan and Esther came out.

"Hey, are you guys doing okay?" I said.

They both nodded though Esther is smiling a little extra at me, his older brother saw it and he gave her a glare. They decided to also take a few lessons from me so I let them share amongst each other.

I first gave them a lecture on basic firearm safety rules.

"Okay remember these words. Always keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction. Treat your weapon like it's always loaded. Keep your trigger finger outside the guard and off the trigger until you're ready to fire. Be certain of your target, your line of sight, and what lies beyond it. And lastly, always wear ear and eye protection when using and maintaining them."

I first demonstrated the proper form and I let them copy me. It took a few minutes but then we started on shooting with blanks just to get them started. I gave them 2 magazines each to practice and I corrected the inconsistencies on their form.

"Alright guys. We'll move onto live rounds after you guys manage to field strip them successfully. I'll show you first and you guys watch and after that follow after me the second time." I said.

"What's the point of disassembling them? To clean inside the barrels?" Esther asked.

"That's the point. Especially when we fire blanks. There would be more carbon and other buildup inside the gun so we need to always clean them after use." I explained.

I showed them my quick version, the normal version and then the slow version. All of them is looking attentively while I do it and after the last click, I placed it in front of them and looked at the three guns left.

They now followed me step-by-step and I left them on their own after doing it twice more in front of them. A few minutes pass and they finally got it the first time without questions. Mark and Nicole managed to get them the fastest while the rest are about the same.

I then placed cardboard targets away from the neighborhood and signaled for them to go to the opposite side.

"From this side to where the targets are placed is about 30 meters. If you could hit those accurately at this distance, it would be pretty amazing. The goal today is to hit them a few times with 15 rounds, to make it fair, let's go to the half-court first." I said.

Esther walks up to me and she said, "Can you make a demonstration first?"

"You said you could shoot accurately at 80 meters, right?" Mark said.

The guys are still somewhat in doubt about what I said earlier so I pulled a gun with my right hand and I started to shoot at the targets.

I aimed for the two at the right and after a deep exhale, I unloaded 4 rounds quickly.

BANG* *BANG* *BANG* *BANG*

I switched with my left hand and I aimed for the other two on the left. Same thing, another 4 rounds right after the other.

BANG* *BANG* *BANG* *BANG*

The group stopped covering their ears and then they looked at me.

"Oops. I should've given you guys earplugs. Live rounds are much louder than blanks." I said as I scratch my head.

"You should've at least given a warning bro!" Nicole exclaimed.

"Well they taunted me." I said.

"We didn't…" Mark and Esther said while the rest are rubbing inside their ears.

"Well, you now know what would happen if you do it without ear protection." I tried to change the subject.

"Yeah, yeah…" Nicole said.

"Oh, back at topic. You could check the targets first. My goal is everyone to be able to do this in the future. Hitting the cardboard is fine for now, just take your time between each shot, we're just training for accuracy now and not speed, remember what I taught you. I'll bring the metal targets in the future if we have more time and a proper place to shoot at." I said.

They walked to check the targets and some of them have their eyes wide in shock. Each target has holes on the same spots, heads and chests, dead center and a few centimeters apart from each other.

Some of them now are excited to try for themselves so we walked back to the half-court. I stood on the back and watched them. I taped a small piece of paper on the holes I made earlier in case they hit the same place.

I saw Dong's form slowly deteriorating as his pistol is slowly moving sideways.

"Come on man, don't give me that gangster grip, you watch too much hood films. It only looks cool; you'd hit a lot more if you do it the proper way." I explained.

The rest gave a chuckle and we continued.

I pulled the gun again and shot twice while holding it sideways. They now have earplugs in so they don't have to close their ears..

BANG* *BANG*

The holes were now a bit more apart but still in a tight group.

"See? The accuracy is much worse if you do it the wrong way." I said.

"…" everyone else.

Several gunshots rang out and the most notable one was Nicole out of all of them, 5 rounds managed to hit the target that is shaped like a person, not just the rectangle carton. I gave her an approving look and I said, "Keep that up and I'll give you a gun for yourself yeah?"

She gave a proud smile while Alicia gave her a small kiss on the cheek. Nicole got embarrassed but she gave her a slap on the butt. I shook my head and I started on instructing the others.

Esther then sat next to me and then she said with a flirtatious voice, "Hey Sky, are you seeing anyone?"

"Direct huh?" I said to myself.

I saw Jonathan facepalming at her sister.

"Forgive my sister Sky, she knows no proper decorum. Esther, ever seen the girl next to him last time? Can't connect the dots?" he said.

"I didn't see a ring though, so he's very much available right?" she looked at her brother.

I looked at her and I surmise that she's about the same age as Olivia, maybe older, and she's looking at me with a look I give when I make a perfect steak. I rubbed my glabella and I shook my head.

"I'm with her already, sorry." I said straightforwardly. It's better to set boundaries immediately before it gets worse.

"That's fine, I'm okay with it though…" she gave a suggestive smile.

"Is this girl suggesting on an open relationship? The f.u.c.k? How old is she?! I used to know people like that and though there's nothing wrong with that, it's pretty surprising to be invited in one." I said to myself.

If his brother could facepalm harder, he would. He began to grab her by the collar as he started to drag her back to their house after they returned the guns back to me.

"Come on, we're going home now…" he said while dragging her inside.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 43: 43

We headed back to the compound before the broadcast.

It started for a few minutes when we got back but it's just a few reports on reclaiming more territory but there was no news about the research even if Oscar told me that he told them about the sprinting zombie I caught on video.

The broadcast was much shorter today and the other videos are starting to get shorter as well.

Oscar gave me a look and I just looked back solemnly.

It still hasn't sink in with everyone fully. It's only a matter of time though and all we can do is keep the morale and order up. I don't want a scene like Bert in the supermarket happening here. Though there are a few people here that is adapting in the right direction.

We turned the TV off and it's free time this point on.

My uncle continued on working on the shack and they are placing the wood that's still usable in the side of the wall.

I went up my room and I placed the extra guns back and I replaced the 10 rounds that I fired from my gun earlier. I contemplated for a moment and then I installed a few more attachments on the Glock. I added a suppressor, a red dot sight and a tactical flashlight at the bottom of the gun at the rail.

"Good thing we were far from the fence, it would have attracted a few if we practiced inside the compound. Besides this is a bad place to practice with." I said to myself.

I heard a knock on the door and when I opened it, it was Aya holding a notebook.

"Sky! You know multiplication, right? Can you help me?" she asked.

"I can help you solve it but I won't just give you the answer." I said.

"B-but it's hard! The lady who came here gave an assignment for us. They're making us multiply 6758 by 891! That's too many for my hands!" she said while adjusting her glasses.

She left the door open and Zeus also came to sit on the bed.

"So, what are you finding hard on that problem then?" I asked.

"It's too many to count!" she said.

"Well if you look at it a different way, it could get easier." I explained.

"You say that it's a very big number, right? Why don't we do what we could first? Instead of multiplying them all at once, why don't we multiply 6758 by 1 first?" I guided her.

"Then it's easy! It's still 6758!" she answered.

"Then, multiply 6758 by 9 next." I said.

"Why 9? Can't we do it with 2 first?" she asked.

"Just try to do it that way, you'll see later." I said.

She counted in her head for a while and she wrote the answer on her paper in order, '60822'. She looked at me to check if it's right first then I nodded.

"So, what's next?" she asked.

I then told her to do it with the number 8 and her eyes showed realization. She immediately went on her own and she stacked the numbers before atop each other while she makes a small indent after each one. She now added the numbers and she wrote her final answer, '6,021,378'.

I smiled at her and then I ruffled her hair and I said, "Good! Now you get what I meant right? If it still overwhelms you, solve what you can first yeah?"

She nodded and she pulled something from her pocket. It's a small zip bag that contains a few handfuls of Trailmix, she poured some of it on my hands as she smiled.

"What's this, a quest reward?" I said to myself.

"Thanks! I'll teach the others too!" she said. Then she immediately headed down.

Zeus looks at me and then the food on my hand and I immediately ate the handful.

whine*

"This has chocolates in it Zeus, you'll die if I gave these to you." I said.

He gave me a sideways glance and he just rubs his head on my body. I played with him for a bit as I was scratching his belly while we're laying down in the bed. I hugged him lightly and he just enjoys the position that were in. He was mostly with Olivia since I was busy the past few days and I haven't had much time to play with him. I didn't notice that I slept for a few moments while hugging Zeus. I woke up and I still saw him sleeping beside me.

I suddenly picked up on a few people giggling outside my room. I walked outside and Zeus followed me while he gives a yawn. I saw the three huddled up and looking at Olivia's borrowed camera.

"That's the cutest photo I've seen all my life!"

"Right?!"

"This makes me a bit mad though, I've been with Zeus all this time and I don't have a picture like this!"

Olivia saw me walk up to them then she faced the camera screen on my direction. I saw a picture of me sleeping while hugging Zeus. I made a smile then I ruffled her head.

"Why do you always like to ruin everyone's hair so much?!" she hissed when her hair got ruffled.

"That's a good shot. Remember to bring that camera later at my room so I could copy it." I said.

"Okay, though I have saved a backup for all of them in Kaley's laptop." she said.

I gave an approving look then they followed me below after we took a picture in the stairs. Zeus was in the middle of the photo while I was in the side holding the camera in front of us while the rest are huddled together.

When we went outside, I heard a call from the catwalk, "Sky! Someone's here! He said he knows you from highschool!" Allan shouted.

Kaley looked at me and we both headed to the catwalk briskly.

We looked at the silhouette and we didn't even need him to remove his helmet to know who he is.

"Rap!"

"Raphael!"

We both called.

"What's up Sky? Wait, Kaley?!" he was surprised.

We opened the fences for him and he let himself in with another passenger in his pickup truck. It's a Raptor with bullbars installed in the front.

"Shit, man everything was crazy. We had to wait for things to die down before we head out. You look awesome in that get up, is that gun real?! That looks sick!" he exclaimed while giving both of us a hug.

"Let's go inside first man, you're the first one to get here by yourself who I sent emails to. I'll introduce you to everyone. Who's with you though?" I said.

"You'd be surprised, remember when I got into an accident and the nurse that I told you about that took care of me? Well, we were living together now before everything started… her name's Carol by the way" He said. He trailed for a while and I felt that he has more to say.

"Why are you wearing a helmet though?" Kaley asked.

"We had to ram a few of those things on the way here, with my accident from before, I subconsciously wore it on the way here." He explained.

I chuckled and then we went inside. I introduced him to everyone and my uncle who is in charge of home improvements.

"Hey, unc. Rap here's an engineer, he could definitely help you in a few things here." I introduced him.

"That would be great! I have a lot of ideas and I'm not really sure if it works or not." he said.

They shook hands and I asked Rin to show them to their rooms to rest for a bit. They brought a few of their bags and I helped them with some of their gear. They've started on unpacking their clothes so we left them there for a bit.

"Who are they boss?" Rin said.

"Oh, he's my friend from highschool. That woman is his partner." I said to Rin.

She nodded and we headed back down.

"So, how are they doing so far?" Kaley asked when we reached them on the pool area.

"I haven't asked yet. But I feel something is wrong." I said.

"I was so surprised that he came here, wait a minute, who among our batch did you send emails to go here though? Did you even think of me?" she asked a very important question while her expression is turning sour.

Rin slowly backed away as she heard Kaley.

"Before I answer, do you want me to give you an honest one or…" I trailed off but then she cuts me.

"I'd rather you be honest with me." She looked at me straight in the eye.

"Let's talk in private. My room." I said.

She followed me and I locked the door. She sat down on the opposite end of the bed and she looked at me.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 44: 44

"So? Are you gonna answer my question or not?" she asked.

"No." I said.

"No what?!" she exclaimed.

"I've only sent emails to Raphael, Earnest, Roi, Darelle, Kenneth and Kris from our batch." I said flatly.

"…" she just looked at me with a sour expression.

"I'm sorry. You told me to be honest. So, I did." I maintained my calm expression.

"That's very cold." she said as she hugs her knees.

"Being honest?" I asked.

"Yeah, it hurts." she said while looking at the ground.

"I'm sorry." I did the same.

"Well, you could've laid it out softly." she said.

"To be fair though, I told everyone when I found out about this at first." I looked at her again.

"Everyone? This? What do you mean?" she asked with a furrowed brow.

"The world, this virus." I said.

"What?" she got confused.

"A few years ago, when it was just me and Oscar, our plan was just to hole up in the bas.e.m.e.nt and wait 10 or more years until everything is over. If we have everything in this place now, we could survive for much longer if it's just us two. I disagreed with that thought so I convinced him that doing that is pointless, humanity will be over if it's just the two of us left standing. After a while, he got to thinking and he agreed with me so we expanded this compound, we built a few more houses and we made the bas.e.m.e.nt bigger. After that, I tried posting everywhere and I even tried to contact various organizations about my findings." I explained.

"What happened then?" she asked.

"What do you think? Would you even come with me three years ago if I told you that zombies are coming and I need you and your sister in my house?" I said.

"…" she was silent.

"I'd like you to answer me honestly too." I said straightforwardly.

She was taken aback, but she answered honestly after a long sigh.

"No." she said.

"And that is a normal and honest response, thank you. I'd say that to me too. It's like the story of the boy who cried wolf but they didn't believe him the first time he warned them. It hurts when you're trying to tell something with all your heart and no one listens." I said earnestly.

"…" she was silent.

"But still, thank you." I said to her.

"For what?" she asked.

"At the airport, you believed me then. I think that's what's important." I explained.

"I'm the one who should be thanking you at the airport, if it weren't for you, my sister and I would be gone now." she said.

"…" I just smiled.

We just stayed in silence for a while and then she spoke.

"I should also be saying sorry." she said.

"For what?" I asked.

"Asking a very stupid question." she explained.

"What question?" I asked with a straight face and eyebrows raised.

"Earlier, I asked you if you thou-" she tried to speak.

"Can't remember that." I cut her off.

"What?" she got confused again.

"Can't remember what you said earlier." I tried to pretend not to know.

"When I asked you if you thought of m-" she tried to explain.

"Nope! Still can't remember." I cut her off again waiting till she 'gets' it.

"…" she was silent for a while and looking at me in confusion.

I gave a grin and then she realized what I'm doing. She closed her eyes and when she opened it, it's already starting to water. She's about to start crying but I ruffled her hair wildly. Her hair now got tangled up and she glared at me. She removed the tie on her hair and it flowed once again on her shoulders. She's smiling now though her eyes are still watery. I wiped the tears off her eyes with my jacket and I leaned myself to the wall. I patted the space next to me and she moved close while she placed her head on my shoulder. We just sat there in silence for a while.

"For the record though, I never said I didn't think of you. I just didn't send you an email because we haven't had contact in years. I planned on stopping by your place even though I didn't know if that's still your address or you'd be there. I owed you a lot you know, I won't trust in an email if you could reach this place. I also pondered that if you would be with your dad, everything will be fine." I said as I looked at her.

"…" she was silent as she gives me a pensive look.

"Hey, why did we stop contacting each other after we graduated then? You remember right?" she asked as she tried to remember.

"Oh, I was busy moving my things to go to college since it's far and I need to prepare everything. I figured that you would be busy as well though we sometimes kept in touch through social media." I said.

"Right, it was a very busy time after graduating. However, I can't remember why we stopped contacting each other." she said.

"We still used to send a few short messages back then but I stopped when I saw a picture of you with someone else. I had to give some space, right?" I said as she looked down.

She finally remembered what happened back then. She met someone where she studies at while I focused on other things. Inevitably, time set us apart and that's why we haven't had contact in years. It's not a unique story, it's just one of the things that happens to people. We're not even a couple back then, just bestfriends that met by chance.

"Lucky for me we met at the airport. We know that this thing is coming, we just don't know the exact moment." I said.

"And if I didn't greet you, you would've left me there!" she exclaimed though she has a more lighthearted expression than earlier.

"Hahaha! Right, but it was before we saw the news with your pilot. I was really surprised that you recognized me, I was very different now from back then." I explained.

"True, I feel bad for saying this, but if our pilot didn't get attacked, we won't be here now. Well, I will always remember those eyes of yours, or is it the way you look at people?" she said.

"What? My eyes? The way I look at people?" I asked.

"Hmm, well your eyes can't grow muscle, don't they? Just kidding, they look deep and sharp. And the way you look at people is different. When you looked at me at the airport, I felt like you analyzed everything that you see about me. It's the same sensation back then when I introduced myself to you at the classroom back then." she said.

"Hmm, it's the first time someone said that to me. That sounds about right, I do that a lot to be honest." I said.

She adjusts her position and now she's laying her head in my lap while I play with her hair. I'm trying to braid the other side of her hair while she cracks her fingers.

"You know, there was two times I was wrong about you." I said.

"Hmm?" she said.

"First time was when we were in school, I thought you were gonna be the same as everybody else." I said.

"You're welcome. What's the second one then?" she asks.

"I never thought that you were gonna be this strong." I said as she paused.

"No, you're right about thinking that. But thank you for saying that I'm strong, that coming from you means a lot more than you think. I wouldn't know what to do if it happened at the airport and you're not there." She said.

"I think you'll manage though." I said.

"Stop lying, I know when you do." She said immediately.

"Okay, you got me there hahaha… How'd you know though? However, if you have your gun there, you'd have a chance." I explained.

"Not gonna tell you why I know. If I have my gun there, I won't need you there! I'd clear it all by myself and build my own empire!" she exclaimed sarcastically.

"Done!" I exclaimed.

"Huh?" she said.

I opened the camera on my phone and I showed her what I did with her hair. The left side of her hair now is braided up to the back while rest stayed the same. She smiled happily as she angles the camera to see every corner of her new look.

"Sky! This is cool! It looks really wicked!" she exclaimed as she sat up. She leans very close to me and she took a photo of us. I quickly covered her eyes when the photo was about to be taken much to her surprise. She glared at me and then we took several photos after. We stared at it for a while then she sat on top of my lap facing me.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 45: 45

She started on kissing me and I kissed her back.

"You know, I'm good with my hands too…" she whispered in my ear.

She pulled my hands above her clothes, towards her b.r.e.a.s.ts, and she squeezed them with my hands. The lights are on now so I could clearly see her expressions. Her face is very red though we never stopped locking eyes.

Her hands now moved to my chest, then to my stomach and then even lower. A button came undone and something was pulled under it. She held it with both hands while I feel the heat coursing through my body. My hands then went under her shirt and I grabbed the two of hers as we begin to slowly breathe heavily. Her mouth dripped something on top of it and her tight tugging is turning into a very, very slow stroke. It is a mix of pleasure and torture the way she does it.

My other hand then moved lower as I searched under her. She made a small gasp when I reached it, it's slowly moistens as I pinched the small nub under her. I'm slowly rubbing it with my thumb, twirling it, while my other fingers are slowly reaching her. I thought she would go faster, but her hands moved even slower. I'm feeling every bit of it but I can't find the release, I grunted at the feeling but it's very different from last time. This feeling of being withheld is a new sensation I'm enjoying right now.

Her other hand let go of me and it reached for the hand on her b.r.e.a.s.t, she pulled it away and she placed it on her plump behind. I gave it a huge slap and the sound rang out while she makes a high-pitched m.o.a.n. Her back now straightened and she removed her shirt as she let go of me for a moment. The two of hers made a small jiggle as it was released by the clothing that was keeping them together. She held the hand in her behind once again and she moved it deeper below.

"Play with that too…" she whispered in my ear.

My hand delved deeper as I managed to touch the surface of it. My hands are now in both of her, one has gone inside while the other is starting to prod from the surface. She gave me a light kiss on the lips as our faces are very close to each other and we could feel each other's breath. She raised her upper body and I'm in a very close proximity to her chest and she slowly presses them to my face.

"Damn." I said out subconsciously.

She made a giggle then she shoved them harder in my face. She then continued on doing that slow, slow torture where I was kept at the brink and at bay in the same time. She seems very amused at my expression as she kept on doing it. My fingers are now inside her and I feel the warmth inside, she's twitching every time I hit a certain spot. She has her eyes close now and I feel her tightening, my fingers are soaking wet and she m.o.a.ned louder and louder as she shoves her b.r.e.a.s.ts harder in my face and the slow stroke went to a very tight squeeze. She trembled while she's still on top of me while she gave me a euphoric smile.

She drips her saliva on it again and she stood in front of me. She removed her pants and I saw what I was playing with earlier and then she turned around and she also pulled my pants off. Her feet are on the opposite side of my h.i.p.s and she slowly lowers her body next to it. I'm very close but I endured through it, it's a mind thing now and I want this to last longer before I recharge again.

She pointed it towards her but in a different location…

"This is? Kaley?" I said while I grunted.

"Shh… be quiet." She hushed me.

She lowers her body against it but it's a different space I'm in. She grabbed my hands and she placed one on her chest and one where I thought I would be. I can't help but exhale heavily when she started to slowly move her h.i.p.s. Her m.o.a.ns of pleasure are slowly removing the control I had on my body. I moved where my hands were and from her twitches, I could feel that she's still sensitive from earlier. I only lasted for a few short minutes before we both released at the same time.

We stayed in that position for a few moments after catching our breaths first. I'm shooting it inside while she leaned her body at me. She pulled it out while she went on all fours. She looked back at me with a stare as if it was saying to do it once more and it has a look of begging as she pouted her lips. Her pleading look got me so heated I immediately got ready as I grabbed her h.i.p.s and I positioned myself for the other place. I rammed it inside her while she buried her head on a pillow and while her lower body is still raised.

Her muffled m.o.a.ns and my skin hitting her skin is the only things that I'm hearing, everything else is just pure pleasure. My eyes are closed as I slowly feel it building up again. I released it outside and we laid on the bed while she started to kiss me. We stopped after a while and we just stared at each other's eyes. We wiped off and we got dressed. She went to her room to get clothes for the shower as I waited for her at the door.

She gave me a suggestive smile but I said, "Don't look at me like that, I'm exhausted after what you did!".

"Hmph, good job on lasting that long though, I thought you'd be much faster." She said as she winked at me.

She chuckled and we chatted some more while we showered together.

We left there feeling refreshed though I told her to come with me to the other side of my room. I moved the bookshelf to the side and I opened the metal grate towards my armory and I opened the lights.

Rows and rows of guns and different kinds of weapons appeared before her. Her eyes widened in shock at the sight.

"I thought Rin was kidding when she said that you have a lot but I didn't think it was this… a lot…" she struggled to form her sentence.

"Oscar has more, anything catch your eye?" I said to her.

Her eyes looked around and it landed on a table carrying a huge sniper rifle with a bipod holding it up.

"What's that?" she pointed to it.

"It's called a Barrett M107a1. Oscar gave it to me after we bought this place. It's super heavy and it fires .50 BMG bullets." I explained as I showed her one of the bullets.

"This is too big for a person! What do you use them for?" she asks.

"They call it an Anti-Material Rifle; they use this for tanks and stuff. Oscar calls it the 'Goodbye Motherf.u.c.ker!' and that's what I call it sometimes. You could also use it against people but I think a normal .308 sniper rifle would be enough, this thing could go for miles." I said.

She chuckled and then she tried to lift it.

"It is heavy!" she exclaimed.

"If I gave that to you, your shoulders will be sore every time we go out. I'd like you to pick something more practical." I explained.

"You're giving me one? Is there something wrong with my gun though?" she asked as she looked around.

"No, but that is more suited for guarding the place. The zombies on the fence are getting more frequent and we never know what's in the squatter area if we go there tomorrow. How about this?" I said as I handed her an AR-15.

"It's light, easy to use and has more rounds than your Winchester." I added.

"This is the same one you brought to the supermarket, right? It does look cooler. Can I really have this?" she said.

"Yeah, though we only bring them out when we're outside or on emergencies." I explained.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 46: 46

She nodded and I let her pick the attachments that she wanted to be placed on it. She picked a square-shaped suppressor and a 2-8x40mm scope. I changed the stock to an adjustable one and I added a foregrip on it. I taught her what type of ammunition it used and she loaded a full magazine of 5.56s and she placed it on the gun.

"You could just push the bullets in, it's not like the pistols where you push and slide." I explained as I gave her another magazine.

She nodded and then she continued on loading it faster. She held it firmly and we went outside for a test run. Allan saw us coming up to them and he knew what we're up to.

"That looks cool guys!" he exclaimed.

"The HK416 isn't enough for you? Hah!" I replied.

"Well, I have a name for this beauty that you gave me. It's called-" he was about to claim it again.

"That's 'My Gun 3'." I interrupted him while Kaley smirked.

"AHHHH!!! One of these days man! You'll give me a gun when you recognize my greatness!" he exclaimed while Jenny was laughing at the side.

We went outside the fence while we look for a target. 130 meters from the compound, we spotted five of them walking around banging in front of a door where if I recall correctly is a home for a family who runs a bakery. I looked around us first in case something might catch us off-guard but that seems to not be the case. I first demonstrated on how to use it and I adjusted the sights and I fired a round.

psshew*

Clean hit to the head. One of them fell off and then I handed it to her. She excitedly grabbed it and she pointed it to one of them as they slowly walked towards us. She exhaled then she held her breath and then she squeezed the trigger.

psshew*

"This has almost 0% recoil." she said.

"Cool, huh? You can even try to shoot it one-handed and the kick is almost non-existent. Your M70 fires .308 rounds and the kick from that is a bit hard on the shoulders. You could fire this thing all day without breaking a sweat." I explained while smiling.

"Thank you." she said as she brightly smiled.

I was almost stunned from her smile but then she aimed at them once more with her sharp look.

psshew*

Another one fell on the ground and I noticed that the zombies turned around to look at their fallen comrade but they still continued on walking towards us. She looked at me too and her look told me that she noticed what they did. It's a simple gesture but something like that shouldn't be performed by them anymore.

I look at her touch the right side of the rifle seemingly looking for something. I chuckled and I said, "It's a semi-automatic now remember? You won't need to do that like the bolt-action you've used before."

"Oh, right." she said.

She blushed embarrassingly though she continued on taking her time on shooting each one perfectly. She aimed the muzzle down and she had a proud look on her face. I pat her on the back and then we headed inside.

"Nice shooting!" Jenny said.

"Thanks!" she said.

"We'll work next time on speed, you got the accuracy down." I remarked as she nodded.

"I can do that too…" Allan sulked.

"Yeah, after using thrice the rounds! You're getting better though." Jenny said with a smile.

Allan just scratched his head and his face look determined on learning the art. I closed the gate and headed inside.

We were met by Raphael and Carol and they were talking with everybody. They waved at us when they saw us coming towards them and we sat next to them. He introduced us properly to Carol and we started trading war stories.

"So, I'm the only one who came then?" Raphael said.

"Yeah, I think Kenneth was still in Detroit and Darelle was somewhere with his GF abroad, they always travel so I'm not sure where they are currently. Kris never responded to my emails and Roi and Earnest seemed to have stayed with their own families and holed up. I haven't received any news since the Internet went out." I explained.

He gives a solemn expression as he hears the news.

"If this place starts to run on its own, I'll pay a visit to Roi, Earnest and Kris. They could still possibly be in their homes. Before a whole month passes, I'm gonna go there with a few people to check on them. I was supposed to go to Kaley's place too but luckily we met at the airport." I said.

"But what happened here?" he gave a smile to both of us while he's smiling from ear to ear.

I retold the story with Kaley and she added a few from her perspective. The expression of the two changed a lot of times and I can still sense their solemn expression.

"So, you guys are together now then?" he asks while he made a hand gesture.

I smiled but I looked at Kaley, waiting for her to answer for us. She gave a blush but the silence was more than enough of an answer.

He was about to jump for joy but we both stopped him. We shushed him and then we explained that we haven't told everybody yet.

"But why?! These things should be celebrated! The f.u.c.k are you two on about?!" he whispered loudly.

"Just keep quiet until everyone notices it eventually yeah?" I said.

"I agree, I don't like on announcing stuff like this publicly…" Kaley said shyly.

"But damn, it took you guys a long time. I really thought you guys would hit it off back then, you both just hit books every single day! It's crazy!" he said.

"Hah! Remember the shy, fat kid?" I said with a raised eyebrow.

"You could've at least said something…" she trailed.

"Oooh~" Raphael teased.

I looked at her but she's averting her gaze.

"Why is she not looking at me now? Am I a Basilisk or something?" I said to myself.

We talked a lot more then I introduced Carol to Oscar. Kaley had medical training but Carol would be more suited in that position though Kaley would still help on medical related things because people with that knowledge are very scarce. We'd need them more than anything, I for one only know how to apply first-aid and a few other things.

I checked the clock and it was almost time for dinner. We gathered everyone around the pool and then I helped with bringing out the food while Kaley brought the AR back to my room.

Tonight, we're having diced tofu and beans with a tomato-based sauce. It's something like chili but with tofu instead of meat. We ate it over rice as we always do though Oscar is eating it with a few pieces of bread.

"I really don't get it why you guys eat everything with rice kid, it's crazy." Oscar said.

"It's an Asian thing old man, though you guys always eat food with bread or potatoes." I said.

"Well, that is true. The time I've been here, I'm slowly getting used to it. Though I enjoy the usual PBJ, Grilled Cheese and In-N-Out. Damn, I miss those." he said while eating a spoonful.

"I call that a heart attack." Kaley chimed in.

"Hah! That's another way to call it!" he exclaimed.

"Custom made is always the best though." I added.

"Well I don't know how to cook like you kid!" he replied while eating a spoonful.

After a moment Derek said, "Uh, hey Sky, I think the rabbits are gonna give birth in a few days, they were already pregnant when we got them."

Kaley's eyes shot up and she seemed to be really excited.

"How many are pregnant then?" she asked.

"Five of them are, they would at least produce an average of 10 babies." he said.

Her eyes gleamed along with the others but she had a thought and she glared at me viciously.

"Why are you glaring at Sky?" Olivia said.

"He plans to cook them for our food!" Kaley shouted.

"NOOOOOOOO!!!" a few of the kids and Olivia shouted at the top of their lungs while Charlotte almost dropped her food though Chris managed to catch her hand.

I scratched my head and I said, "It's really good though, It's much better than chicken or pork. We could start to eat them after they reached 4 months onward."

"Rabbits do taste good; I used to hunt them and eat them before." Oscar added.

"I also tasted one, It's really good!" Derek also chimed.

The looks they gave us is priceless. I'm suddenly the villain after I mentioned that we need to eat them. I thought of something then I had a grin.

"Why are you smiling now?" Kaley asked.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 47: 47

"Why? Won't you even try to taste them at least?" I asked.

"Look at them! They're really cute! Isn't that right Rin?!" Olivia shouted.

"Umm, I've eaten those before, they're really delicious. We made stew one time and I ate it for two days." Rin said while slightly embarrassed.

Olivia stared in shock at the betrayal of her friend while I laughed at the revelation.

"How could you eat them?!" Olivia starts to tear up.

"They eat their babies though." I said flatly.

"Um, What?!" The sisters shouted in surprise.

"Derek, back me up on this one?" I said.

"It's true, they actually do sometimes. We usually kill them immediately if they do that since it would be no use in breeding them." He explained.

"I think I can't eat anymore." His daughter Demi said.

"Yeah, cook them whatever. I suddenly don't care anymore." Charlotte suddenly chimed in while Chris scratches his head helplessly.

"But the ones who took care of their young are left alive so we could have more of them in the future." I added.

"I'm having mixed feelings now. AHHHH!!!" Kaley said.

"That's one of the reasons I told you to just name one." I added.

"That's a good lesson for everyone now, right kid?" Oscar said.

Everyone continued eating though I could feel Olivia's glare on me. I feel a prickly feeling in my back as I eat from her look. Everyone was eating lightheartedly as we soon finished the food on our plates. We cleared the tables and then we gathered around for our daily meeting.

"Okay everyone good work today. Goals are reached and we're steadily clearing the right side of this place. By tomorrow, we could reach the end of the road into the canal system. The group going out tomorrow should be ready since we'll be passing the small squatter area and visibility there is bad because of the chained houses all around. We would be passing the last few houses with the lights on them and we'll check the place out to recruit them to join our ranks." I said.

"Ken, do we have a status on the mob? Or even the DDR camp?" I asked.

"Uhh, still no sign of the mob anywhere, they might have gone to a different road and hopefully they avoid this place for now. The DDR camp that you asked me to keep in contact with has now a few civilians leaving the place." he said.

"Why? Did something happen?" I asked.

"The captain there said that a few of them went back to their houses to grab a few more supplies or some things that the camp doesn't have but only a few came back. The soldiers are still trying to keep order in the place so they didn't bother on checking out those who went missing." he added.

"No one wandered back here though." I said to myself.

"Unc, update on the shack?" I asked.

"Yeah, ah we finished on dismantling the shack and the bridge and I found out in the end part of it that there's a small water source that is connected to the canal system. We could set up a small irrigation with the help of our engineer here. He told me that we'd only need a few sacks of soil to cover most of the plot of land if we plan to make an irrigation system on the farm that we were gonna build."

I nodded. "How are we on food and other supplies?"

"We're still gaining more even if we eat like we usually do. Most of the source comes from your scavenging runs and we made a few harvests on the greenhouse and on the barn. We will start on breeding the fishes on the fish ponds and we could already harvest a few fishes from there. Jo and his family started on making salted eggs from the chickens so it could last a lot longer and the milk from the goats are also preserved and some of them are being turned to cheese or butter. In our increasing numbers, the plot of land being turned into a farm for produce is vital." Rin reported.

"That's great guys. After we secure this place, I'll start on teaching classes for you guys. It could be combat training by using ranged weapons, hand-to-hand or close combat weapons. While we are here, try to learn from others whatever skill you could find useful. Charlotte is good with plants and Derek is good with animals. There's a lot of people here that could teach you various things even from watching them work. Any questions?" I said.

"I'm still doing the watch duty for all three shifts as a self-inflicted punishment, though the schedule is set, I still would want to do it. Can the schedule be changed?" Mark asked.

"Don't beat yourself up man, we all make mistakes. I'm gonna need you well-rested for tomorrow. You'd just get bitten in the face if something walks toward you if you're sleepy." I said.

He looks at the ground but he nodded at me afterwards.

"Can we come with you guys tomorrow?" Nicole and Alicia asked.

"Sure, but you need to stay in the back row, you've only been trained for a day and I don't want misfires happening while we're scouting the place." I said.

No one asked any questions afterwards and I checked the clock it's 7:51 PM. Still plenty of time to work out. So, I went to the gym with a few others and afterwards I headed to my armory to clean the guns we've used today and to do a routine check-up on everything. I disassembled the guns we've used and I started cleaning inside the barrels and wiping of dirt and carbon residue from using it. Kaley knocked at the door and I taught her how to operate and maintain some of them. Rin and Olivia also followed to watch another movie from my room.

"We're gonna do this every night huh?" I asked.

"We'll you have the best place to do it in so, yeah!" Olivia remarked.

"Wait a few minutes yeah? Kaley and I are still gonna clean a few more handguns." I said.

The two just looked curiously at the guns and they started on asking us two a few questions about them. We answered everything they threw as they nodded with each answer and explanation. Rin was more interested at my katana on the rack so I let her hold it while Olivia is just curious on how guns work but she said that she's scared on operating them. Zeus just darts his eyes to whoever was speaking and he would occasionally add on the conversation by barking and woofing.

click*

"That's the last of it right?" Kaley asks.

"Yeah, thanks for helping me." I said.

She places the last Glock in the case and then we positioned ourselves in front of the TV while I played a random movie from my hard drive. We all snuggled in our blankets and the movie started to play. It was a romantic comedy movie with A.Sandler.

We left the opening credits running for a while and then I ran down to make some hot chocolate for everyone with a few soft biscuits so It won't crunch when we bite into it.

It already started for a few minutes right before I got up. Kaley and I just held hands under the blankets as we enjoy the movie. The movie concluded right before we finished the snacks I brought up. Right before I place them down at the kitchen, Oliva said, "Hey you two, we know what's been going on for a while now…"

"We both decided that we would bunk together and the both of you could be in your room from now on…" Rin added.

Kaley and I just looked at each other though we both blushed and smiled.

"C'mon now, don't make it sound like I'm leaving you, we can stay the same way as it is. He's just in another room… alright?" Kaley said.

"Umm, what we mean is that if we continue to grow larger in numbers, we might need more room for everyone. I already feel kinda guilty that I have a room for myself." Rin said.

"Who said we're running out of room? Once we cleared the place, we could have houses for everybody." I said.

"But why are some of them bunking in the same room with like 4 or 7 people?" Rin asked.

"I think that the reason a few families here are bunking in one room is that they feel safer with close proximity with each other. Like when you're watching a horror film with family members, it makes it bearable if you can't before." I added.

"Umm, Sky, if you don't mind me asking, where is your family? You know… your mom and dad?" Olivia reluctantly asked.

clench*

"Olivia!" Kaley shouted while Olivia flinches.

"Oh." My arm throbbed and I think the look on my face scared the three of them. It seems that they can't breathe properly because the air got suddenly heavy. I was just staring at a blank space and not moving.

I remembered.

The scream, the blood, the smile, and the quiet.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 48: 48

I clenched my hand so hard, my nails started to pierce my skin. The blood flows through my hands and it dripped through the sheets. I feel my vision haze and I almost heard nothing.

After an unknown time, I just felt a hand trying to stop the bleeding from my hand. It was Kaley.

We both were just alone in the room and she is putting something in my hand. She proceeded to bandage it and she positioned my head to face her. She seems to be calling me but I could barely hear her.

"Sky? Sky! SKY!"

SLAP*

My expression returned to normal and I saw her looking very worried at me. I saw the bandage in my hand and I saw Rin and Olivia peeking from the door.

"Come here." I said to them.

They flinched and Kaley looked at me.

When Olivia entered, she said, "Sky, I'm very so-"

"I'm sorry." I said.

"Huh?" she replied.

"I'm sorry for scaring all of you. I just remembered something unpleasant." I said.

"Are you ok Sky?" Kaley asked.

"Yeah, I'm good for now." I replied

"No, I-I shouldn't have said anything…" she said as she looks down about to cry.

"No, it's ok. I really should be getting this out of me. Keeping it bottled would make it worse like Oscar said. Can you guys just listen to me for a while? It would help me a lot. I already told the story to some people and it eases the heaviness I feel here." I said as I tap my temple with my index finger and middle finger.

They all nodded and sat in front of me and then I began to speak.

"It's the day I lost both my parents…" I started.

All of them stared at me in surprise and Kaley's giving me a look that a question from her mind got answered.

"Exactly 5 years, 2 months and 16 days. Remember the place where we burn the bodies in the corner? See on the other corner the 3-story house with a stainless gate? That's where I used to live."

"We had a lot of dogs before, 14 of them, none of them were trained though. Every time someone would come in the door or would just pass by, they would make a lot of noise. That day, I thought it was just a few bystanders talking really loud outside that's why the dogs were so noisy, turns out, a f.u.c.k.i.n.g drug addict got too high on psychedelics and started making a ruckus outside."

"He jumped towards our garage and he broke the door there to get in. He might've come to the kitchen first and grabbed my mom's knife. All of our dogs were mutilated since most of them were Shih Tzus, we only had 2 big ones and even though they managed to take a bite off that guy's shoulder, he still managed to kill them. We just found the pile of their bodies sprawled out on the first floor after everything was over."

Olivia starts to cry while Rin has her hands on her mouth. Kaley went to my side and hugged me.

"My dad then went outside his room to check the place, wondering what's the commotion is about. I just stayed inside the room minding my own business since I thought it would be the same as any other day the dogs made noise. I thought it was over when the barking stopped. I just heard the door slamming really hard and I heard my mom scream. I grabbed whatever is closest to me and I rushed outside."

I paused for a minute and then I continued.

"A guy was on top of my dad, smiling maniacally and shouting, 'I WOULD KILL ALL OF YOU F.U.C.K.I.N.G DEMONS!!!' and all I hear was the knife getting stabbed over and over and my dad wincing every time it gets pulled out. My mom tried to shoot the guy with my dad's gun but she doesn't know how to even use it, it just clicks and nothing happened. The guy just smiled wildly and then he slashed the knife and it hit my mom's neck. It must've hit an artery since the blood just flowed like a waterfall. Blood hits my eye and I just blacked out, my body just…moved."

"I just came to my senses when my aunt is wiping my body with a towel. A lot of people are outside and I saw the light from a police car and an ambulance blaring. I was outside sitting on the stairs to my house with a few figures covered in sheets lying on the ground where blood seeps out in a few places. I saw a cop speaking to me but her words are inaudible. I just looked at her lips and what I deciphered was 'Put the weapon down!'"

I looked at the rack where my tachi was supposed to be and then I looked back at them.

"I laid the tachi on the ground and I looked at my bleeding arm. My left eye was also seeing red since there was a cut on my eyebrow. It was on the news for a while but we said to never reveal our names. I even had no recollection what I did until I watched the CCTV footage until I remembered everything. I killed 6 people with my tachi."

"What?" Kaley looked at me.

"Yeah, what happened was I drew my blade and I hesitated at the first strike. I managed to cut him but it's too shallow. I made a diagonal slash from his shoulder to his abdomen but it was just the flesh getting sliced, not the bone. He managed to slice my arm a few times before I cut his arm off. I even tried to talk to the guy, asking him why did he do it, he just smiled and continued chanting his gibberish. He threw a vase at my face and he ran outside. I chased after him not even noticing that all our pets are dead. Some of his own family members that was looking for him saw his state and me chasing after him, so one of them smashed a bottle at my head by throwing it. The rest of them pulled out knives and rushed towards me, I held the tachi with both hands and I moved, one slash for each one. The five of them were bisected and the guy who broke into my house died of losing too much blood."

They flinched when they heard what I did.

"People would just practice a gun or a sword or even martial arts for a hobby or just for protection as we always say, but that was the time I used what I learned for its intended purpose…to kill. It was all a blur; I never would have believed that I did it if I didn't get to see myself doing it in front of the monitor. A few days after, I was acquitted by the supreme court and was let go. My uncles almost smacked the shit of the family members of the ones I've killed there that said I should be locked forever."

"What?! That's stupid!" Rin was the one who bellowed.

"Well, that family is a really f.u.c.k.i.e.d up one. They're lucky that they didn't all rushed at me at the time. I would've killed all of them on the spot. Using those substances must've have melted a few synapses on their brain." I said.

"After everything was settled, I decided to take a break from everything. So, I left the country and tried to ease my mind. I met a lot of new people in my travels and I changed a lot and I learned a lot of things I didn't before. A few years after that is when I met Oscar and we bought this place after." I concluded.

I didn't even notice that tears are slowly flowing from my eyes as I speak, theirs too. The three gave me a hug and we just laid in the side of the bed for a while.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 49: 49

The door opens and a figure carrying a case entered.

"Holy shit kid! Are you starting a harem?!" Oscar exclaimed.

We immediately dispersed and we sat down laughing at his remark.

"What's up old man? Just told them the story." I said.

"Oh, why aren't the three of you mounting him yet?" he joked.

Kaley and Rin turned beet red while Olivia is oblivious to the joke. I threw a biscuit at him which actually hit him in the face.

"The f.u.c.k?! I was just trying to lighten the mood. When he told me that, I had to bring him to a club! He's a slobbering mess but did he give you the look?" Oscar said.

The three became silent as he said that.

"Hah! 40 years in the military, 40 years! It's like facing someone with a tank while you're holding a .22! I almost crapped my pants when I saw him." he exclaimed.

I gave a faint smile and I wiped the tears on Kaley's face.

"Anyway, kid! The president wants to talk to you." He said.

"WHAT?!" Everyone in the room shouted.

I fell off the bed from what he said. He handed me the satellite phone and I answered when it rang.

"Hello? This is Sky Ishiyama, to whom am I speaking to?" I said politely.

"Yo! This is Rod! The President!" I heard from the other line.

"Rod? What the f.u.c.k?! Why's he so casual?!" I said to myself.

The rest are hearing a bit from the speakers and they are flabbergasted as well except for Oscar. Well, he's been speaking to him for a while.

"Hello~? You still on the line kid? Call me Rod too, Oscar there told me about your situation there and I'm pretty impressed. I'd give you an honorary rank If I could, but I'm too far from you. Good job on starting small, anyway, I've sent someone on your location. She'll arrive there tomorrow; you can tell her whatever you want and she'll do it without question. Be ready though." He said.

"Umm, I-"

"Anyway, that's it for now, bye!" he said abruptly.

click*

"What?!" we four exclaimed.

"Is that really the president?" I looked at Oscar.

"Weird huh? He surprised me too, I thought I was talking to a surfer dude. What he didn't mention on the broadcast is that a few more countries like the UK, China, Russia and Germany managed to send a few of their people around the globe. They've sent a unit to them and they are tasked with monitoring the situation on the front lines." He said.

"So, something like a special unit? How did you even convince the president to send us a person like that?" I asked.

"Forgetting my old rank kid? I still have some connections in the army so I told him about it. I also learned from your silver tongue and must've fibbed a bit to make us look good. What's coming is the real deal though." He said.

I nodded. "That would be a great addition to our fighters. Aside from me, you, Jared, Kaley and Jenny, we're the only ones who could hold a gun properly. I've started on training some of them though they're still at the beginner's level. What's her nationality though?" I said.

"He didn't say though, what do you guess?" he said.

"No idea, what's important is that she's here to help even if she has a hidden agenda. We'll use her as she uses us." I said frankly.

"Think she would be a spy kid?" he said.

"Maybe, we just need to be wary." I said.

"Won't she be dangerous then?" Kaley asked.

"What do you mean? I'm here though?" I said confidently.

"Wow." She mouthed. However, she smiled cheekily.

"On a serious note, we just need to keep our outmost attention on her but we still need to treat her as our own. We have a common enemy here. If she has something bad planned for our country, she would've just killed the president and it's done, this country just crumbles." I said with a pensive look.

Oscar nodded and he said, "No use mulling over it tonight kid, we'll find out tomorrow. Here!" he throws me a pair of keys and he drags a huge case at my door.

I gave a confused look but he said, "That's the key to the M134, you think I wouldn't notice you lovebirds?"

"You're really giving that? I never agreed to the wager though and I think you'll just make some BS reason to keep it." I replied.

"Hah! I would, but I swore on my wife kid!" he said.

"What's going on?" Olivia asked.

"Well, I've been working tirelessly for this guy here to be with someone permanently but he seemed to be waiting for someone! I've only managed to get him with somebody when he's piss drunk or when I knock him out." He said with his hands up like he has no choice.

"Wait, you've knocked me out before?! When did that happen?!" I was surprised.

"You know… pills, blunt-force trauma, Chloroform. Semantics. Anyways he told me the story of you two when I saw you at the airport and I said that I'll give him the minigun if you guys became together. I did saw you guys locking arms at Andrew's place." He explained to Kaley.

She blushes but then she glared at me. "Did you just use me to get a gun?!" she said.

"No! We're already…you know, when he told me, he didn't know at that time. Anyway, just keep it! I just like how it looks but I call it a waste of ammo…" I trailed as I threw the key back at him.

He suddenly exploded.

"Kid?! What the fu-! AHHH!!!" he shouted more unintelligible terms until he calmed down.

"Hahaha! It's too much man, I'm not the Terminator! But you know what I think? We could ask Raphael to mount it on top of your SUV!" I suggested.

"Too much?! It's a f.u.c.k.i.n.g weapon of destruction! …wait. That sounds like a great idea! We'll make it detachable and it could be turned by a guy manning it! Betty is bulletproof and it's gonna be a mobile fortress! Hahaha! Your words kid! It's mounted on my car so the gun is still mine!" he shouted while he started to drag the gun back down.

"This old man is so noisy sometimes; I wish I could place a suppressor on him." I said.

They laughed and Kaley asked, "Does he really have a minigun?"

"Yeah, he checks it every day before he sleeps. Kind of like his sleeping ritual." I said.

"Are we gonna sleep now? There's too much that happened this night… I'm exhausted yet I still have energy…" Olivia said weakly. The two also nodded at that thought.

"Wait a minute, I have an idea…" I grabbed a chair and then I tried to grab a box from the top of one of my cabinets. I grabbed a small device and I hooked it on the TV and I turned on the laptop, the three saw what I brought out from the box and their eyes lit up.

I waved the remote and I passed a book towards them. "So, who's going first?" I said.

The three looked at each other and they pointed at me. "You sing first Sky!" Olivia shouted.

I gave a sigh of helplessness and then I flipped through the pages of the song book as I lay down the microphone. As I began to browse to the pages Kaley tapped me. "Umm Sky, I forgot to ask, is this room also umm, soundproof? Because you know… it might disturb people when you know… we sing." she said as her face gives me a look and I understood what she's implying.

"Yes, of course. Not only would it attract zombies, it could also disturb the others sleeping if this room is not soundproof. I had this room modified so it could be turned off or on at will, If I recall correctly, the tech is elastic tubes that retracts and detracts with a push of a button It does all the work needed. It's a pretty cool thing its…" I explained as I assured her then she nodded silently after she blushes.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 50: 50

I finally picked a local song and I sang my heart out. They laughed at the few off-beats that I made. I took lessons but it doesn't mean that I've learned all of them perfectly. We each took turns as we let the time pass quickly, a few songs after and we're all exhausted from the singing and I saw Kaley's eyes dropping slowly. We decided to sleep now as I helped them to their rooms. Morning comes quickly as I was woken by Zeus licking my face.

Day 5

"Morning Zeus, you just came in huh? I forgot to close the door huh? Come here." I said as I pulled him to a hug. His tail still wags as I hug him closely. I looked at the time and it reads 6:00 AM. Like clockwork my radio buzzed.

bzzt*

"Sky? You up? A lady is here. She said she was sent here, hello?"

bzzt*

bzzt*

"Oh right, this is Allan."

bzzt*

I answered the radio and I said I'm coming down. I equipped my usual loadout and I headed down with Zeus. I walked up the catwalk and I saw a HUMVEE outside the fence though it's painted black. A woman older than me by a few years, with an athletic figure, long legs, blonde hair on a bob haircut with blue eyes, dressed in a leather jacket, camo pants and tactical boots is standing outside just staring at me from below.

"It appears that you are Sky, correct?" she said.

"Russian?" I said to myself as I detect a faint accent.

"Yeah, that's me. You are?" I said.

"Smirnov, Tatiana Smirnov." she said.

"Ishiyama, Sky Ishiyama." I replied.

"Very well, can I come in Mr. Ishiyama?" she asks.

"Sure, wait a while yeah?" I said as I walked over the fence to open it so that her vehicle could pass through. She parked her HUMVEE perfectly and she takes a quick look around the place and her eyes landed at me.

"You are the leader here, correct?" she asks.

"Yeah, I-" before I even get to finish my sentence, I saw a heel coming towards me. I saw her lifting up from the ground then she spun around, kicking with her right heel.

whoosh*

I leaned my head backwards and dodged it though I feel a gust of wind from it.

"That's full force!" I said to myself.

After she landed, I made a sweep with my foot but she quickly somersaulted forwards and her foot is aiming for my head. I quickly rolled sideways while I lifted myself with my hand as I make a diagonal slice from below with my leg.

swish*

She bends her body in an impossible angle as she dodges the slice. She followed up with an elbow from my left side while I countered with a right straight. I caught her elbow with my left hand while she tilted her head as I scratched the tip of her ear. She gives a grin and I saw her right knee going straight through my groin. I was about to block the blow with my right knee but she suddenly jumped and she wrapped her body on my right arm and her legs locked on my neck while holding tightly on my fist.

"F.u.c.k!" I exclaimed in my head.

She hung on my body as she began to try to straighten my arm to lock it so I had no choice but to flex my arms hard to prevent it from happening. We held the position for a moment as we lock into each other's eyes. I began to push her with my weight towards the ground. She's slowly losing the strength-check so she let go and then she stands with her hands and she twisted it hard so that her legs would perform a motion of a helicopter with four kicks. I jumped back to gain some distance and I stretched my sore arm while she stands in position. She's just grinning at me from the distance.

"I'll show you something…" I said with a grin.

I lifted my fists up in an orthodox position while my legs are planted on the ground. She quickly moves in and when she's close to the range of my right foot, I did something that she did not expect.

If you're on the orthodox position, theoretically, people would think that your weight is on the left side if you're going to kick with your right foot. So, I led her in thinking that. As she thinks she's still out of range with my right, I shifted the weight to the other side of my foot in a way that's unnoticeable and kicked with my left.

knock*

A quick upwards kick hit the tip of her chin cleanly and she started to wobble after a few seconds, it won't do much physical harm like a bruise but it would definitely knock you out by rattling your brain. After a moment, the stance she held was broken and she fell to the ground unconscious. I sat down as I was exhausted and not expecting that fight out of the blue.

"That's why he said 'be ready'." I remembered the words of the president from the call yesterday.

The people watching us just managed to exhale as they were holding their breaths the whole time.

"Damn, kid. What did you do?!" Oscar runs towards her and he tries to wake her up.

He opened a small bottle and he let her breathe it in. Once she opened her eyes, she tensed and quickly looked around. She saw me sitting on the ground with a smile as I wave at her. She gives herself a disappointed look as she looked at the ground.

"I apologize for attacking without warning, I just wanted to make sure I'm in the hands of a capable fighter and a strong leader. You're also in the Army, correct?" she said.

"No."

"Ah, Navy?"

"No."

"I see, Marines?"

"No."

"CIA?"

"No."

"MI6?"

"No."

"… Where are you from then?" she asks curiously

"No military affiliation, I'm just a civilian. Oscar there is a veteran though, US Military. I did have basic training for half a year." I explained.

She looked at me in shock. She checked my face if it would change expression or would end a long joke but nothing.

"No, you must be kidding, correct?" she still tried to confirm.

"Incorrect, I'm not kidding at all but thank you for the compliment." I said with a straight face.

"Impossible! The way you moved! I can't even remember how I got knocked out. Secret Service?" she confirmed again.

"Hah! It's possible to be just a regular guy though, I just trained a few things here and there and I assure you I'm not whatever you think I am. It would be really cool if I am though." I said while I scratch my head.

She's still holding doubts in her mind but I just smiled and I helped her stand up by offering a hand. She gave a firm grip though her blue eyes just keeps on scanning me.

"She really thinks I'm from somewhere, I'll just have some fun with it." I said to myself.

"Army? Russia, right?" I said as I let go of her hand.

"Correct. We came from a ship; the rest of the team were mainly dispatched in your other island group while a few of us we're deployed here." She said.

"I see, how many of your team are in this region?" I asked.

"We are four in here, one of us is sent to scout the camps that are running while two are tasked to infiltrate the camps that have gone AWOL. I was however, sent to this place, the commander-in-chief said I will be accompanying a person from a special unit where a person named Sky is in charge. The rest of the group is in Davao City." She explained.

"What do you think of the place so far?" Oscar asked.

"It's different. I thought of a more militaristic or covert base but this place feels like… a home." She said.

"I did tell you I'm a civilian, so, why did they send you here? Any missions? Goals? We could help if you tell us." I said.

"Umm, your president actually told me to follow your orders sir, he said to do anything that you asked and never leave your sight. He said that you'd know what to do." She said with a straight face with a hint of concern.

She can't see Oscar but he's giving a look that he won from a lottery. I really do hope that she could be an ally. The rest finally woke up and I saw my aunt signaling me that the food is ready.

I looked at Tatiana and I said, "Okay then, first order of the day…"

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 51: 51

She straightened her posture and she looked at me.

"…come eat with us! You must be tired. I'll introduce you to everybody." I continued.

Her body relaxes and I saw her tired face, she must've been driving for a few days. As I walk towards the pool area where we eat, I noticed that she's keeping a distance of exactly an arm's length behind me.

"Great. I have a chaperone now." I said sarcastically in my head.

The rest comes to eat and they all gave surprised looks at her. I introduced her to everyone and the kids are starting to circle over her.

"Wow~ Sky! Her hair is gold! So pretty!" Aya said.

The other kids also exclaimed as they pointed at her.

"It's called blonde." I said while Aya slowly nodded.

I handed her a plate and even though she was about to refuse, the growl on her stomach says it all. She blushes for a moment as she accepts the plate.

Kaley is next to me though she gives a weird expression.

For our breakfast, we have scrambled eggs with eggplants and banana ketchup for the dipping sauce. It is paired with fermented fish paste and eaten over rice. They also made coffee for everyone.

Kaley nudged at me to look at Tatiana and we were both amused. She ate very voraciously, a strong contrast from her look and her name. My aunt happily gave her seconds which Tatiana also devoured.

"Did she have no food on the way?" I said to myself.

She looked at me and she said, "Is this all of you?"

"No, we have more people still on their own houses. We're gonna clear the last stretch today so we could focus on rebuilding the place. We…" I told her the plan and she listened very attentively.

As we finished eating, I said, "Rest for an hour guys two teams of three later will head inside while four people stays at the road. First team will be me, Kaley and Tatiana. Second will be Oscar, Mark and Jared. The people waiting at the road will be Jenny, Dong, Zardon and Arnel."

"Allan, get Nicole and Alicia. Have them take Jenny's place for watch today. Just radio in if anything happens. Tell them they can't come today since we need more people guarding here." I concluded.

Russel raised his hand then he said, "Dad said I can come with you guys today."

I looked at my uncle and he nodded.

"Okay, stay with the group on the road. The squatter area has tight spaces and we need to move with a small number inside while a few stays back at the road in case something happens. The houses there are just built very randomly and with very light material so watch your step and always keep your eyes open. Rest up yeah?" I said as I finish my cup of coffee.

Raphael walked towards me and he said, "Bro, Oscar said you have some work for me?"

"Yeah, can you mount an M134 to that SUV over there? We'd like it to come up from the roof window and could be attached and detached at will. Also, Oscar said that he'd like the guy to be manning the gun to be able to turn but I'm asking if it would be possible to be operated from the driver's side so it could rotate 360?" I said.

His eyes widened but he places his hand under his chin and he began to think. "It's theoretically possible but I'd need more data let me see the gun and the SUV first, measure the dimensions and make a blueprint for it to see if it's feasible. It's gonna take a few days but it's possible if we have all the tools. I'll make a plan for it first bro, okay?" he said.

"That's great, tell me if you need anything." I patted his back.

I then looked for Tatiana and I saw her a few feet behind me. She seemed to have finished eating and she's awaiting her next set of orders.

"Tatiana, you could pick anywhere you wish to stay, we still have a few rooms available." I said.

"Okay sir, I'd like to stay closest to your room as much as possible for your security." She said.

"Oh, okay then, it's safe here though. Can you bunk with someone?" I said.

She nodded.

I looked for Rin while Tatiana followed close. I saw her still eating with Olivia and Kaley as they talk. I approached them and I said, "Hey Rin, we're talking about our room assignments. You said yesterday-". Then she cuts me.

"Of course, Sky, I-" she agreed already so I cut her too. Yeah, I'm still immature after everything else.

"It's decided then, Tatiana will bunk with you." I concluded.

choke*

"Ghrk!" I saw Rin choke on her food and then she began to cough. Olivia handed her a cup of water and she began to stabilize.

Rin looked at Tatiana and then at me. Tatiana gave an understanding look and she said, "I understand if you're scared of me from what you've seen earlier. I just did that to test him."

"Well if you say so, we could I guess." Rin said.

"Okay, that settles it, I'll be in the first room Kaley and Olivia in the second-" I said as I was cut again.

"Sorry for interrupting, but I suggest to be next to your room." She interrupted.

"Why though?" Kaley asks, she seems to be a bit annoyed.

"Orders from the higher ups. I must ensure the survival of the person named Sky. Any threat to his life must be dealt with accordingly. Also, I've sworn to carry his burdens and follow his every command." She explained.

"Then why do you keep on interrupting me?" I said in my head and I still sense that she's hiding something from that sentence.

"Fine! I'll stay in Sky's room, you at the next one then my sister and Rin on the third, happy?" Kaley said as her annoyance is slightly showing in her voice.

Tatiana looked at her from her head to her toes and she said, "That works for me, are you his partner then?"

"Yes! I am! Are you interested in him?!" she silently shouted.

Tatiana was taken aback and I said to myself, "Why is she getting jealous now?"

"Miss Kaley, you must understand, your partner is a good-looking man, strong too and very intelligent, but I don't interfere with anybody's business until I was told to. Also, just an FYI, I'm not interested in a romantic relationship with anyone though I go both ways with the flesh." She gave a smile and she winked at Rin.

Kaley calmed down for the moment though she blushed at the remark while Rin is red through her neck.

"Just as I suspected." I said to myself.

"I believe this to be a fine arrangement and I hope we get along really well, well some of you I hope much closer." She said.

"Oh boy." I said to myself.

"I hope to get closer to you too." Olivia said.

Tatiana's eyebrows raised and she patted her shoulder, "Young lass I think you're getting the wrong idea."

Realization dawned on Olivia then she began to be silent, though her eyes are wide open.

I looked at Kaley and her lips are pursed to a smile and I'm not sure at what she's thinking. Rin guided her to her room and I helped on bringing some of her gear up and I cleared a cabinet for Kaley.

"So, we're sharing the same room huh?" she said.

"Yeah, I snore though just a heads up." I said.

"I know, I move around a lot. I might hit you; I doubt you could dodge them in your sleep." She said with a smile.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 52: 52

"Hah! You saw that earlier eh? Want me to teach you? It's gonna be tough though." I explained.

"Sure, that looks really cool. This tanto too, I've never used it and I don't know how to use it like you did." She said as she draws it.

She handed it to me and I played with it. I spun it around my hands and I let it snake through my fingers. She just looked at wonder then I gave it back to her by sliding it in the sheath in her hip.

clink*

"Let's strap up, you could bring the AR out now." I said as I opened the door to the locker.

She finished on moving her stuff and she left her M70 inside while she slung the AR on her shoulders. I handed her an extra clip for it and her M9.

I contemplated on bringing another AR but I just brought more magazines for the Glock. We went to the next room and I knocked.

"Come in." I heard from the other side.

When I turned the handle and pushed the door, her back was facing us as she was slowly lifting her pants up. I caught a glimpse of her panties as she pulled her pants up and I noticed multiple scars and a huge tattoo on her back.

"Gunshot wounds and scars? That tattoo? Isn't that? Hmm…" I said to myself.

She faced us with her bare chest and though they're smaller, you could see how fit she is based on the contours of her muscles.

"Hey!" Kaley pulled me away.

"Oh, Miss Kaley, It's fine. I don't mind, I'm pretty comfortable with my body." She said.

"That's not the point! Cover yourself next time!" Kaley exclaimed.

I heard a shirt being worn so I stepped near the door again. She's wearing Kevlar and I inspected to see the weapons in her case that is open.

She has a variety of them, each one is different from the other but she picked up an M4 Benelli shotgun, an FN Five Seven pistol and a combat knife.

"I believe this is enough for the mission, correct?" she said.

"Correct, though I have an order that you should follow at all times. Don't just protect me, protect her too and everyone else's life here. In return, we'll do the same to you." I looked at her straight in the eye.

She has a solemn expression though I saw a smile slowly forming in her lips.

"Thanks, I appreciate that. But I still would prioritize your life over everyone else here." She said.

"Why me though? Is there a reason?" I asked.

"Is that really a question? You're the one who runs this place, you're their leader and you want me to treat each of your lives as equal? If you're gone, they all are. To be frank, I get that you would want everyone to be safe but when the time comes that you would need to make a decision over which life is more important than another is when we'll see if…" she trailed and she stopped speaking.

"If what?" Kaley said.

"I know what she means, or an idea of it. One of the roles in being a leader is making the hard decisions. It's a huge headache actually. In my ideal world, I would like to save everyone and I want to be treated as an equal being with everyone else. The moment I decide which life is more important than another is the time the idea of being equal to one another in my ideal world is shattered. Doing that doesn't only mean that I have decided that there is a ranking in which lives are more important but that also makes you the life that is the most important since you're the leader who makes such decisions. It's hard to hold the ends of the ideal one and the realistic one, finding the trick to do it is very hard and this is just a simple analogy of it, it gets deeper and deeper the more variables are put in place." I said.

"…"

"…"

The two were just staring at me.

"Umm, I was just about to say that if you don't make the hard choices, you won't be fit to be a leader. Turns out you have thought of it more than I did. It was always the choices that makes it difficult." Tatiana said.

"I think I kind of understand what he means." Kaley said.

"Do tell." Tatiana said.

"In simple terms it's doing the best you can at the moment. Completely bringing the two states together will be next to impossible and short of being a paradox." Kaley said.

"Realistically and frankly speaking I think that I'm the most important chess piece here for now, Kaley's the Queen and everybody else has their own roles in the board. The reason that I want to protect and save everyone else is even if you call them pawns, all of them will have the potential to be other pieces when they evolve or reach the end of the board in chess terms. Another King could appear, we never know. It's almost an hour, we'll discuss more if you like later." I said as I looked at my watch.

"I understand your view, smooth calling her 'Queen' though, you just snuck it in there, correct?" Tatiana said.

"Well, it's not wrong per say." I said while grinning.

Kaley gave me a slight jab while we head towards the gate with everyone.

"Before we leave, check your equipment first. We will be heading to the last part of this place before the dead end, the canal system. Yesterday when we cleared the 2nd court even after all that noise, nothing came up from the squatter area or even from the radio station, that could mean that the sound was not carried that far, there were no zombies from that point on or some of them might still be stuck somewhere so we need to be careful when we enter that area. It will be small houses from left and right, my group will take the right while Oscar's group will take the left. The rest will stay at the road and serve as backup. We will be scanning around 15-20 houses strewn about and past that will be a few big houses where three of them might have people still living inside and after that is the canal system."

We started to walk outside while the rest continued on with their assigned tasks. We walked by the court, the fishing area, and the radio station. A few more minutes of walking by, we reached the squatter area. I pulled from my pocket four of the alarms for cooking and set it on the ground while we wait for it to rang out.

countdown ticks*

ringing noises*

After it rang for a while, we waited for a moment to see if there were any movements or sounds coming from the area. I shouted after a while when nothing happened, I said "If anyone is still living in here, come out now! We'll start on clearing the place and we don't want to mistake you of being one of them if you suddenly pop out! I'll wait a minute and we'll head in!"

Not even a few second passed before we heard rustling a few meters in front of us, the group tensed and readied their weapons. One… Five… Thirteen… Twenty-Seven… Forty-Two… I never bothered to count when I counted past the answer to the ultimate question. There were a lot of them, we slowly backed away to prepare a proper formation on dealing with them. I counted the rounds I brought in my head and if I accurately hit everything in sight, I would just have about enough.

"Shoot while we're slowly backing away. We'll kite them slowly but avoid shooting the ones near the edge to the fishing area, it might contaminate it. We'll slightly hug the right side of the road so that most of them will approach us while they walk away from the fishing areas. Do the honors Kaley." I signaled.

Oscar and Tatiana just looked at me and nodded while Kaley aimed and fired.

psshew*

psshew*

psshew*

psshew*

psshew*

psshew*

psshew*

The suppressor helped a lot and she managed to shot down a few before the rest of the small herd notice what's happening. The zombies started on turning their heads towards us while some of them had started running while a few slowly paces towards us.

"Remember the trick yeah?" I said.

We started to slowly retreat while a few let their guns loose. A few gunshots rang in the air while we slowly whittle them down. A few runners that got near got blown to bits by Oscar and Tatiana who were using shotguns. The rest are carefully aiming their pistols before they shoot. A few shots miss but it's understandable since they don't have real training though the same could not be said from the experienced ones.

BOOM*

BOOM*

Bang*

BOOM*

psshew*

Every few gunshots we back away and reset the position, I told Kaley to aim for the ones farther to make them fall in a line and not in a clump when they approached. Everything is going smoothly… then it happened.

I saw three figures standing still and one of them started to make a running stance and then they all sprinted at break-neck speed.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 53: 53

whoosh*

tap* *tap* *tap* *tap* *tap* *tap* *tap* *tap* *tap* *tap* *tap* *tap* *tap* *tap* *tap* *tap* *tap*

The sounds of their feet hitting the ground is concerning. They began to close the distance and it would reach us in a few seconds. The rest were surprised seeing the gap get shorter at an alarming rate and I shouted at everyone, "AIM FOR THOSE THREE FIRST!!! DON'T LET THEM GET NEAR!!!"

"What the f.u.c.k was that?!" a few shouted.

"KID?!" Oscar exclaimed

"JUST F.U.C.K.I.N.G SHOOT!!!" I yelled.

A few of the guys flinched but Kaley started taking shots while Tatiana and Oscar started to unload their guns on the ones approaching. The nearest one got peppered with bullets and it fell down immediately. The second one pushed a few zombies aside before it reached us but Oscar blew it's head off before it got close. I aimed for the third one coming close but when I squeezed the trigger, it tilted its head and I missed.

"What the f.u.c.k?! Is that an irregular like in the bakery?! A Special-Irregular?!" I shouted in my head.

What's more surprising is that it began to bob its head and it suddenly leapt towards Oscar with its knee first. He guarded with his shotgun but we heard a metal bending.

creak*

BOOM*

Oscar fell down on the ground and Tatiana managed to blow it's head off before it slashes its arm at Oscar. He's still laying down on the ground, awake and groaning but the rest of them are starting to get closer so I pulled my blade with my left hand and placed a pistol on my right hand then I rushed forward.

"DRAG OSCAR AT THE BACK FIRST AND TAKE A LOOK AT HIM KALEY!!! TATIANA ON ME!!!" I shouted as I started a massacre, gunshots and slashes could only be heard. Tatiana quickly followed and she also used her pistol because its rate of fire is faster than the shotgun while Jenny served as backup on the back with a few others.

shhck*

shhck*

slash*

bang*

BOOM*

chop*

slice*

bang*

bang*

I kept on waving my wakizashi like there's no tomorrow and I'll only take a break when I hear the gun clicking empty. I would reload quickly and trade the position of the magazine in my hand and the one in my hip. I then would slide the action and continue on pulling the trigger when it's reloaded.

Bang*

Bang*

Bang*

Bang*

Bang*

There were a few times where I would need to kick a few down since they are in a clump. I saw Mark swinging the fire axe down on the ones that I knocked down. We nodded at each other and I continued on. Jenny takes careful shots with her gun and she downs a few.

The zombies coming in is shaped like a cone, we're slowly killing them while a few of the guys at the back take careful shots on the sides so they don't hit us three.

psshew*

psshew*

I heard the suppressed sound of the AR and I surmised that Oscar has been checked already and Kaley is already taking shots. The small herd began to get fewer and the slow ones are now left. I holstered the gun while the others also used their melee weapons to each one of the few remaining. I tried to flick the blood off the blade after each kill since the blood on the grip is making me lose my hold on the weapon. Good thing that I placed it in my left since my right hand still has the wound from my nails last night.

"I might need to clean this thoroughly later." I said to myself.

shhck*

I pulled the blade from the last one and I looked behind me. Bodies are strewn about and a pile of gore and bloody mess littered the road. Dismembered heads and arms coupled with bits I can't even recognize is the only thing you'll see. I ran towards Kaley and Oscar and I saw him sitting in the ground with a disgruntled expression,

"You good old man?" I asked.

"See this kid?! The f.u.c.k.i.n.g runner broke it!" he bellowed as he raised the SPAS-12.

"More concerned of the gun than your life huh?" I said.

"Hah! If I was younger, I would've shot the three first and would never have to block!" he exclaimed proudly.

I looked at his shotgun and it was bent beyond repair. I tried to look for that zombie's body and I found it laying sideways with a huge hole in his head. I looked at its knee and I called Oscar over.

"Damn, that thing lunged so hard its body couldn't take the damage." Oscar said.

Its knee is bent backwards and it's a mangled mess, good thing that the few bones that are jutting out never managed to reach Oscar's chest.

"You alright old man?" I said.

"Yeah, good thing I blocked in time; it would've torn a hole in my chest if I didn't. My hands felt the force of it and it's like getting hit with a sledgehammer. Damn shame on the gun though." Oscar said while he opened his shirt to breathe a little easier.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and we rested for a moment.

Tatiana handed her shotgun over to Oscar as we pulled him up. His eyes lit up and he said, "An Italian shotgun eh? I'm starting to like you, thanks for the save earlier." Tatiana just smiled and just reloaded her pistol.

"Could that be all of them?" my uncle asked.

"Maybe, but we still need to check every house. Be very careful and focus on the sprinters if you see one. Can you still lead the other group old man? Tatiana can take over for the time being." I said.

"Hah! I'll break your bones if you wouldn't let me." he said immediately.

"Hah! Says the one who almost got knocked out!" I retorted.

The group gave a laugh and we started on slowly checking each house. Tatiana was in front while Kaley is in the middle, I guarded the rear in case they didn't notice anything from behind. We rattled a few doors, checked each corner and found a few zombies trapped inside a door but we easily killed them silently. I marked each door and I taught Tatiana on how each one works and she remembered them after a while. We took mostly an hour in checking from our side and when we meet the group in the road, they were all there just waiting for us.

"You kids done there? You took your sweet time there eh? Everything there is barren and we only found a few supplies worth taking. We could in the future dismantle all these materials for a better use since most of these was just hammered in." Oscar said.

"Same on our side. We could do that gradually after we decide on the place to put miscellaneous building materials." I said.

He nodded and Russel suddenly spoke, "Hey, why aren't we going for the shops outside first? There would be a lot to take there right?"

"True, I plan on going runs outside after this place is secure." I said.

"No, I mean we have the compound there, we should've got more supplies outside after the broadcast, other people might've taken some of the more important stuff." he explained.

I saw some of the guys nodding in agreement with Russel.

"That's true but there's a problem in doing that at that time. I think only Oscar and I could go outside on the time it hit." I said.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Mark asked.

"Don't move." I said.

I drew my pistol and pointed it at Russel, he flinched and the group threw worried gazes at me.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 54: 54

"Could you kill a living person then?" I gave them a chilling look as I say it. Although the gun is pointed at Russel, my trigger finger is in the trigger guard and the magazine is completely empty since I've counted how many I've shot.

They gulped and they stood still.

"If we go out there at that time, people will be mad on looting everything they could by any means possible. They would stab you for a can of sardines if that's what it takes. When I went out to pick up Allan, that's what exactly is happening on the way there. I'm not saying that you can't do it, you might eventually if this thing goes on in the future. But let me tell you that the first one is the worst of all. Ask these two, they've served, they're all too familiar with it." I said as I holstered my gun.

"The kid's right, it sounds harsh but it's the truth. Killing these things is one thing but the living is another ballgame." Oscar said.

Tatiana just nodded and she seems to be mulling over something.

"But this group, if there ever comes a time you do it, make sure that it's quick and never hesitate." I added.

The group had serious expressions but then I started to walk forwards.

"Let's go now, yeah? Few more hours and it's lunch time." I said as Kaley catches up to me.

"Are you ok?" she asks.

"Hmm? I'm good. Got worried for a second for Oscar there but once I eat, I'll be good as new! Good shooting by the way." I said as I smiled at her.

She just bumps me with her shoulder as we walked for a while to reach some of the houses.

Before we reached the first house, the gate opened and a person came out waving at us. He seems to be in his forties and he looks like a typical guy and we approached him.

"Oh my God! I can't thank you guys enough! We've been meaning to leave but there's that small herd in that squatter area. We heard the gunshots and we saw you guys gunning them down, it's like an action movie I must say!" the man said. He has a certain softness in his voice and Kaley's look that she's giving me have just confirmed it.

"You're welcome, if I may ask, where do you plan to go?" I asked him.

"Oh! We're going deep in the Bulacan area, I lost contact with my family there and me and my partner are planning to go there. However, when we're about to head out on the 3rd day, we heard screams from the squatter area. We didn't want to risk it so we stayed inside our house but we can't leave. Thanks to you guys we can leave now." he said as he places his hand on his h.i.p.s.

"Where's your partner then?" Kaley said.

"John~! Come outside they want to see you~ oh fudge how are my manners, I'm Quinn." he said as he shakes Kaley's hand while she introduces us.

Another guy came out their place while opening the whole gate. They have a small car and it's packed with different bags that you could see through the windows.

"You guys sure about leaving then? It's dangerous outside." I asked them both.

"Oh, honey, thanks for worrying about us but we're good. We'll be going to a chicken farm my family owns." he said.

"Okay then, we have built a fence near the 3rd road, just tell them that you've already met me and you need to go outside. Look for Allan, he'll let you out. Do you at least have guns?" I said as Quinn pointed at her partner.

We shook hands and we let them pass through. When they are very far, we entered their house and I opened the locks. They still have plenty of supplies here though there are no food and water left. I marked the door accordingly and we went to the next house. We went to three more houses that has no one in it and we processed them as well, we reached the second house that we suspect that still has people inside.

It was a two-story house enveloped by a wall. Its lights are still on despite the time. I looked at the gate, it says 'Santino Family.'

"You think they are still there?" Kaley asked.

I pressed their doorbell a few times and I saw the curtain move. I was about to yell something out but I stopped when the curtain was suddenly pulled down. Two figures are in front of the window where the curtain was before and they are moving erratically. I then looked inside the gate to see if there is something hidden behind the gate just in case. There was nothing then I reached for the handle on the back of the gate to open it.

We checked the perimeter inside the walls first and at the back of their house was a parked minivan with other mechanical tools. I then readied my blade as I signaled for Dong to open the door after I picked it.

crash*

snarl*

growl*

The door swung open and the two slowly walked outside while I quickly dispatched the first who came out and Tatiana the other. I knocked on the door a few times checking if any more would come out. We entered the house and we checked each door. I then went upstairs to their bedrooms and I saw two of them.

"They have a kid here, watch out if it has turned." I said below.

I picked the door to the kid's bedroom and saw nothing.

"Where could it be?" I said to myself.

I placed my foot inside and I heard a sound from the cabinet. I readied my wakizashi as I opened it abruptly. I saw a little boy probably four years old sleeping inside the cabinet. I saw a few snacks and bottles of water inside. I tapped him with my scabbard then he flinched but he is looking at me very calmly.

"Hey, can you hear me?" I said.

He just nodded.

"Have you been here all this time?" I said.

He nodded again.

"Hmm? Can you speak?" I asked.

He shook his head.

"I see, he's probably mute." I said to myself.

Kaley found me eventually and she saw the kid I was speaking to. The kid just responded by just nodding and shaking its head to our questions.

"We could take him to Andrew's house." I said.

"I agree, they could teach the kid ASL or he's just in shock." Kaley said.

"Want to go now and double-back?" I asked.

"Let's just ask someone to do it, I'm kinda annoyed with Esther." She said.

"Yeah, she's a bit too…assertive. When I taught them how to use firearms she asked if I was seeing someone, when I said yes, she said she's okay with it. Her brother dragged her to their house before she said anything more." I said.

"What?! She said that?! That little…" Kaley trails.

"Hah! We need to introduce that girl to someone; Andrew is a good man but I feel that he's too strict on his kids. Not our business though but they are the right age, keeping them on a tight leash might make it worse in the long run." Oscar chimed in when he walked inside the door.

I looked for my uncle and Arnel and asked them to take the kid to Andrew's house while we search the remaining houses.

We went inside five more small houses and then we reached the last house that might still have some people inside. The last house was uneventful because it's another case of the light being left on. We did the necessary precautions and before we left, I saw some fishing gear left with a few baits, bobs, fishing lines and a harpoon gun.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 55: 55

"We could use those for fishing with the other poles, right?" Jared said.

"Yeah, we could defer on bait if we use this too. Anyways, let's head back and loot the place after we eat, it's been an action-packed day and we almost lost somebody. Let's head back for now." I said.

I saw Oscar at the end of the road looking down at the canal system.

"Kid, I think we should fence this place too. There's a few of them floating in the water and if the water rises, they might come through from here." Oscar stated.

"I agree, though in the future, we could place the boats at home at this place, make a small pier. Just in case when shit hits the fan." I said.

"Oh, where does it lead though?" he asked.

"Anywhere, we could go to a few places and if we have a better boat we could sail in the ocean. However, using the boats we have won't get us far due to its limited capabilities." I said.

"That is a good option though I wouldn't want to leave our place. It's our life's work, right?" he said.

"I agree, we'd only leave that place only when it's really beyond saving. Anyway, your daughter contacted you yet?" I asked.

"Bah! I think she's still mad at me for me selling the house, I tried ringing her but maybe she's tasked somewhere where she can't come here." He solemnly said.

"Would be nice to have a warship. I thought you'd hook us up with one, so disappointing…" I joked.

"Kid?! Always dreaming crazy stuff… but yeah, that would be nice. I hope she's in one though, she'll be safe there." He agreed.

"C'mon old man, I told you to drag her here if you have to. Where did the skills where you knocked me out like you said before? You should've done the same to her or something when you had the chance." I added.

"Bah! Too late for that now!" he bellowed.

"Don't worry, she'll pull through." I said.

"…" Oscar.

We made our way back and we finally completed the mission of clearing this area. One burden has been lifted off my shoulder when I sprayed the last symbol on the last door.

I had an idea and we invited the people who are still in their houses for dinner tonight. It would be a good time to celebrate for a while after a huge goal was reached.

We reached the gates and I could already smell what's cooking. It's beef curry, the smell of the spices assaulted our noses and we hurriedly went inside to clean ourselves before we eat.

I felt the morale pretty high as they've also felt some weight off their shoulders. We ate happily and I saw Tatiana just devouring bite after bite and asking for seconds.

"So, she just eats a lot, I thought she was really hungry last time." I said to myself.

We ate happily while we talked about starting our building phase.

Raphael listened and he asked, "Why don't we increase our territory from the left side too?"

"Because from this place, going to the area where we burn the bodies is a choke-point. We could have a single gate for defending the place, if we reclaim more from that side, we'd need more people guarding each entrance. If we have more people, we could do that." I said.

He nodded for a few times and he said that they'll work on the farm first before the SUV.

I then went up to my room as I finished eating to clean the wakizashi. I grabbed a few tools to remove the grime that has seeped through the handle and the other parts of the blade.

"What are you doing?" I saw Tatiana from behind hawking me.

"Oh, I'm gonna disassemble it first. I'm gonna clean this properly." I said as I grab a few cleaning tools for the blade.

I wiped it off first with the rice paper to remove the old oil that has been on it and a few remnants of blood. I then laid it down a soft cloth as I slowly remove each part like the hand guard, spacers, pommel, handle and the silk wrappings etc.

I wiped the blade again for a second time and I included the other metal parts and the bone handle.

I grabbed a small ball for powdering it and then I wiped it with another sheet of paper to remove the excess powder and I inspected it for rust. There seems to be none present and then I dropped a few oils in it and wiped it again to make a thin film of oil covering the blade. When everything is dried up, I reassembled the blade and I cleaned the scabbard as well.

I placed it again in my hip and when I turned around, Rin, Olivia and Kaley along with Zeus is watching me as well.

I looked at them with confusion then Tatiana spoke, "That's weirdly fascinating to watch. He's really good with his hands, correct?" She then looked at Kaley.

"Yeah, he is good at many things. It's fun to watch him work." Kaley said.

"Sky, show her how you do it with guns too." She added.

"Oh! I believe a challenge is in order." Tatiana said with a grin.

I'm fired up so I pulled both my Glocks and I disassembled both of them quickly and placed each part on the table neatly.

"Want to wager?" I said.

"Oh? You might regret that. You're good at hand-to-hand fighting but I won't lose in this case." She said confidently.

"Hand-to-hand is my worst skill from ranged weapons and melee weapon fighting though." I said to myself

"What do you want then? I'll do anything within reason." I said with a smile.

"Even letting me f.u.c.k you?" she said with a sly smile.

I was taken aback and Kaley glared at her but I replied with confidence. "Well, you won't get the chance to though, is this to the death then?"

"Everything is to death now I must say." She looks at me seductively.

"Alright then, I agree to the wager. I'll let you have me for a night if you win, but if I win you tell me…" I leaned close to her ear and I whispered.

Her eyes widened and she's looking at me with a frown for a moment before it turns to normal again.

"You know about that huh? Interesting. Fine, let's do it!" she exclaimed as I told Olivia to do the countdown. The girls watching gave nervous expressions.

As the countdown started, I winked at Kaley and I mouthed, 'watch this'.

Though she seemed angry that I agreed to the wager a look of curiosity still remains in what I whispered to Tatiana.

"GO!" Olivia shouted.

Tatiana started with the bullets first while I started with the frame and the action. Several parts joining together is the only sound you hear and when everything clicked perfectly, I grabbed a round and placed it inside the chamber. The action closes and then I pointed the gun at her after it clicked. She was just about to finish loading the magazine when she saw me.

"Sky, Isn't that cheating?" Rin said.

There are 18 more bullets in my side of the table with the magazine laying down. I looked at Tatiana and she stopped moving her hands and she said, "You win."

The girls were surprised then Kaley said, "Why? Sky clearly hasn't followed the rules."

"He did, I did say that it's to the death. Why are you defending me? Want me to f.u.c.k him that badly? I'll oblige if you say so…" she said while looking at Kaley.

"But! No, I- Ahh!" Kaley stammered.

"It only takes one bullet to kill a person in this situation, you win. Though I'll only tell you that in private." She said as she finished on assembling the gun.

"That's fine by me." I said while I finish loading the bullets in.

"Where did you learn that trick though? I think we could tie if we assemble them normally but doing it that way when you only need to shoot in a hurry could be crucial in some situations." She inquired.

"Oh, that? I'll tell you if you join us for a movie later." I said.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 56: 56

Her eyes shot up and she nodded.

"That's a deal, maybe you could really tell me where you've trained." she said as she looked at me.

"She still thinks I'm Spec Ops or something." I said in my mind.

"Well, you'll see later." I picked up the pistols and holstered them, then I cracked my knuckles.

"You like cracking your bones, correct? Please lay down, I'll do something." She said as she motions to the bed. I was curious on what she would do so I laid down.

She moved me in a position and then it happened.

crrrackkk*

I feel several bones at my back cracking one after the other. I grunted with pleasure as each bone cracks with every change in position.

Olivia opened the camera and started on recording me. I never stopped her though since I'm enjoying the free massage.

"You're muscular but still very flexible, a perfect balance." She smiled as she traces her hands across my body.

"Kaley, you should try this…" I said with a euphoric smile.

Tatiana stopped moving her hands and she motioned for Kaley to lay down to take my place. I got up feeling refreshed while I pulled Kaley down.

She seemed reluctant to partake but Tatiana already got her in lock and she then started moving her hands. She felt it and then she let out m.o.a.ns that made Olivia uncomfortable. After a while, we noticed that Kaley is already asleep. Tatiana gave a proud look and she looked at Rin.

"Wanna try? I have a bed in my room…" she winked at her.

"Alright, Olivia, let's go down first yeah? Let's let them have their moment while we let your sister sleep. Tatiana stay here since we'll just be scavenging the other places and I need someone here yeah?" I dragged her down.

"But! Ah-" she tried to retort but I carried her like a sack of potatoes.

I just heard the door at Tatiana's room opening and closing then I went down.

"Sky! Let me down! She's just gonna give Rin a massage too, I just want to tape them do it since it's funny seeing your reactions!" Olivia said.

I sat her down and said, "You never had that talk yet eh? It's like this…". I carefully told her about the birds and the bees.

"I know about that! But they're girls, they wo- oh… I see…" her cheeks began to redden and she just nodded continuously.

"We just let them have their privacy, yeah?" I said as I ruffled her hair.

"Okay, stop ruining my hair!" she exclaimed.

I laughed it off and I heard Jared knocking on my open door.

"Sky? Everyone's ready now, you coming?" he said.

I just nodded and I got up.

"Where's Kaley and Tatiana?" Oscar asked. He's holding a new shotgun in his hands.

"They're resting for now; I think we could do the heavy lifting for them." I said.

We're driving past the house where Andrew's family was then Jonathan came out and decided to help with his sister. We passed by Alex's house and she also decided to help with his dad.

We reached the squatter area with the truck and the four who joined us were shocked at the scene.

"You guys did all these?" Alex said.

"Yeah, I'd like you guys to join us for the meeting later after we all eat with our families and friends. It's safe in this area now so you guys could walk outside without trouble." I told the four then they nodded.

"I'll tell my wife later. I believe my daughter haven't introduced us yet, my name's Arthur. I'm a PE teacher while my wife Amanda is a TLE teacher, we could contribute a lot to your group but we need a few days' worth of food. Can you help us with that?" he said.

"Absolutely, I can give you guys a few days of rations but I would like it if you could come it with us every day to save on gas and every other thing, resources are finite and it will be more efficient if we could prepare food at a single place and pool all our resources." I said.

The rest of the group started on piling the bodies and Oscar started on burning them with a controlled fire.

"That sounds good but I'd like it if we could just trade food and water for our contributions. Also, a gun for each of us would be good, for a start." Arthur said.

I raised my eyebrows and I looked at him sideways.

"This guy? A start?" I said to myself.

"Dad! That sounds like a great deal already, why are you being stiff? We already have guns at home though you wouldn't even let us use it." Alex said.

"This is none of your business Alex let me do the talking. We're talking business here." he said.

Alex gave a frown and she shook her head. She headed to the group searching the houses with Esther and Jonathan.

"Okay, business? Let's talk business." I said.

"Good. I can offer our services for food, water and guns." he said with a smug face.

"Asshole." I said in my head.

"Well what services do you offer?" I said with a straight face.

"I'm a PE Teacher, I could train you and your people. I know a lot of different exercises that could improve your physical bodies." he starts.

I looked at his potato body and I shook my head.

"What?" he said as he saw me shake my head.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and I looked behind, it was Kaley pouting.

"Why didn't you wake me up?! Where's Tatiana?" she said.

"Oh, you were sleeping soundly, wouldn't want to disturb you. Tatiana is with Rin." I said.

"Hey! I'm still talking to you, aren't I?! Kids these days have no respect for the older people." he said with a frown.

"No." I said as I looked at him.

"No what?" he seems irritated now.

"We don't need a physical trainer; I can already do that for my people." I said.

"You have a degree for it too?" he said.

"No. I have this." I just pointed at myself.

"Laughable! I bet you're just a gym maniac who never does legs!" he shouted.

The rest of the group started on hearing our squabble and they are starting to gather a few meters away from us. Kaley has a frown on her face and she's looking at me seeing at what I might do next. Honestly, I'm starting to get annoyed by this guy. My friendship with Alex is the only thing keeping me from smacking his face physically.

"Gym maniac? That's new, look at yourself first before you blabber bullshit next time yeah?" I said.

"What?! I'm 50! I can't move the way I used to!" he tried to defend himself.

"I still don't think I need your 'service' for me, anything else?" I said.

He was taken aback, he said "M-my wife! She's a TLE teacher, she could teach you how to cook and plant and s-stuff."

He's starting to stutter as his bullshit is slowly crumbling in himself.

"Nah, we have a great cook and an awesome girl with a green thumb. Next?" I said.

He's shaking and his head is getting redder from anger, he looks at his daughter and he looks at me.

"How about my daughter? She could help you in many things, she's very athletic a-and she's smart too…" he said as he trails off.

"Asshole." I said in my mind again.

"She could help a lot; she beat me in basketball. I need able-bodied people in my group though what about the things you owe me?" I said.

"What things do I owe you for?" he asked.

"I made this place safe for your family, you could go out safely now. Kaley said you have a gun and you're willing to help our group last time in exchange for food, though where were you earlier when we cleared this small herd of zombies here? I almost lost a friend and though I doubt you could have prevented that from happening, you could have presented yourself to help us earlier if you're so eager to 'help' or is that bullshit too?" I said while looking at him straight in the eye.

"I-I…" he stammers.

Everyone was just looking at him shaking in frustration.

"Am I right? Did I hit the nail in the head? I extended my hand to everyone here so we could benefit each other. I get what you're doing, you're asking for 'more' help than what I've been giving everyone. I understand you're trying to give your family the best. I understand you trying to oversell yourself so you could get a bigger cut of the cake but that never works for me with what I'm seeing here. I never asked anyone here to thank me since we're helping each other and that's what family does. Some of them are not related to me by blood but I still consider them as such." I said.

The group was silent though they have bright eyes. However, he never stops shaking in anger.

"W-well, what the f.u.c.k do you need from me then?! I'm here aren't I?! How much do I owe you?!" he bellows.

"Dad! Stop being an asshole and apologize!" Alex shouted.

"SHUT UP!!!" he exploded.

"I really don't need much from you, I never really charge anyone for helping them. But for an asshole like you, that Glock 26 concealed in your hip will be fine, 'for a start'." I threw his words back at him.

His eyes widened and he almost choked. His hands are clenched tightly and it's slowly creeping on his hip.

"Dad?!" Alex shouted.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 57: 57

I faced him eye to eye and there's only a small distance between us and I could feel his heavy breath. I closed the distance immediately so I could react if he does something. Being in a gun fight where the shooter could freely do what he wants is very dangerous.

"Don't do anything stupid yeah?" I just looked at him.

"Heh! You think I can't shoot you at this distance?" he said smugly.

"I could punch you at this distance, you stupid f.u.c.k. You should've tried something when I was farther from you." I said to myself.

"You can certainly try." I said with a grin.

We're just having a stare down and he suddenly drew his gun and he pointed it at me. I looked at it and I almost shook my head at what I saw.

"Sky?!" The group shouted and Kaley drew her M9 and pointed it at him. Alex started on shouting at her dad to lower his gun.

"If you're gonna point that at someone, make sure you will shoot it dead or you'll regret it later." I said calmly.

"Dad?! Put that thing away!" Alex shouted once more.

"DIDN'T I TELL YOU TO SHUT THE F.U.C.K U-" he looked at her for a moment and then I moved.

whoosh*

crack*

I aimed at his balls while I pulled his hand downward. He lets out a cry while I twisted his hand so he lets go of the gun. It fell to ground then I picked it up. I saw the guys clenched their thighs when it happened. Alex immediately ran towards her dad and she gave him a hard slap while his dad is still clutching his groin.

SLAP*

"I told you he's a good guy, didn't I?! Why do you have to be stupid?!" she screamed while tears are flowing in her face.

I checked the gun and I removed the magazine and cleared the chamber then I holstered it in my pants. I then crouched at him and said, "Mr. Ramos I don't like guns being pointed at me. You're lucky I know your daughter or you won't be breathing right now. I don't like wasting bullets, you see? I could use this instead on you if you want?"

I pulled out my wakizashi and I let him see it closely. I'm staring at him dead in the eye as he shifts his gaze and sweat starts to form droplets in his forehead.

He shuddered.

"If you point a gun at someone, don't expect the person to stay still. I'm keeping this for now and all the other guns in your house. Your daughter will take me there and you will comply. I've given you plenty of chances and you blew it, this is the last one yeah? One more slip, if you gave even one of my group here a look I don't like, or even if you shout at your daughter or wife again without reason, you'd wish you were dead. Do we understand each other? One radio call from your daughter and I will snipe you from my house using my Barrett. I just need the exact XYZ coordinates and I'll fire with the black tips to be sure I hit you." I said.

He just nodded but he didn't say anything.

"I'm sorry Sky, and thank you for not… you know." Alex said.

"Was he always like this?" I asked.

"No, he suddenly changed after the broadcast aired." she said.

"Alright, we need to go to your house now. He's not in the right state of mind to carry guns. I'll keep them for now in storage and I will make a list of everything I took. I'll give them back to you if I think he's okay. Can you carry him on your shoulders?" I said.

"Yes, I understand. I'll carry him." she said.

I then told Oscar to continue with the scavenging and I went to their house with Kaley and Jared.

Alex pressed the doorbell and after a while, her mom came outside and welcomed us. She welcomed us with a smile and then she saw her husband then she became worried.

"Did something happen?" she said.

"Dad happened. He tried to shoot Sky." Alex said.

Her mom was surprised then she glared at Arthur. She places her hands on her hip and she started on berating her husband in front of us.

"ARTHUR JEFFERSON RAMOS!!! I kept my lid closed after you changed when the broadcast started but this is too much! Trying to shoot a person?! Are you out of your mind! I'm gonna take your guns and throw them away! Handling them is not safe!" she shouted.

Arthur shrinks into a ball.

"Mom, Sky will keep them for us for the time being, can we at least come inside first?" Alex said while readjusting her dad's arm on her shoulder.

"Good. You can have them all. It's the least I can do to apologize. Come inside, I know where they all are." she said as she lets us all in.

Arthur still seems to be in pain after all that so he was given some painkillers by his wife. He seemed docile now but I still kept my guard up.

I told Jared and Kaley to watch him while I went with his wife to get his guns. She pointed to a locker and she opened it with her keys.

"I think this is all of it." she said.

She handed me a duffel bag and I began to place everything there. He has two more pistols, one an M1911 while the other a .38 Special. They both have 3 boxes of ammo for the 9mm and the .38 though the box for the special is the only one that has a few bullets missing. I also picked up a Mossberg 930 with three boxes of slugs, buckshots and birdshots with a few clay targets on the side.

"He's Skeet Shooting?" I said to myself.

"Mrs. Ramos, are you sure that this is all of it? I'm just making sure because I don't want any accidents. Do you mind if I check the whole place?" I told her.

"I'm not really sure, he usually just keeps them all there but I wouldn't mind you checking the whole place. Please, call me Amanda." she said.

"Thanks. I still would like you all to come to my place tonight, I suggested that I will have food prepared there every day and you are all welcome to eat there to save on resources. However, I would give you a few days rations nonetheless." I told her.

"That's very kind. I'll take a look at him again while I tell Alex to help you check the whole place." she said as she leaves.

I started on checking each shelf and each cabinet. I then looked behind picture frames, bookshelves and a few cupboards. I knocked on a few floor tiles and I heard a dull sound. Alex looked surprised and I asked her to grab a hammer and a chisel.

"You found something?" she asks.

"Yeah, your dad is something else I tell you. He's cautious for the wrong reasons though." I said.

She came back after a while and then I slowly whittled the cement on the tiles on the sides.

tick* *tick* *tick* *tick* *tick* *tick* *tick* *tick*

When I removed it, I saw a bag covered in plastic and I went to the living room. He's looking in shock when he saw what I was carrying.

"Hey! That's my bug-out bag!" he exclaimed.

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Chapter 58: 58

"It's a bag you prepare just in case something happened so it could be easily carried when you need to leave the place you're in. It contains essential items for survival. This is a big one though, have a gun in here?" I asked.

"Of course it does! That's why it's called the bug-out bag!" he shouted at me.

I glared at him then he piped down. I opened the bag and I found another Glock 26 inside with an extra magazine and a folding knife. I placed those in the bag and he's visibly upset.

"Don't worry, these are still yours. If you clear your head, I'll give them back, maybe. For the moment, just be thankful that you don't have a hole in your head yeah?" I said.

"U-uh, sure. I-I apologize, I think it's stress from all this." He said.

"I understand, you could clear your head if you all come tonight. We'll have booze though we won't go too hard." I said.

"For real? You have alcohol?" his eyes lit up.

"Hah! Booze is what it takes to get this guy under me?" I said to myself.

"Only a bottle for you dear, I'll only allow one bottle." Amanda said.

He nodded and then I still double-checked the place but found no more hidden spots. Alex still came with us towards the houses. I handed her the .38 Special and the folding knife from her dad's collection and then she looked at me.

"You're giving me this?" she asked.

"It's easy to use, just point and shoot, the other one just stab and pull. I'll teach a class every now and then so you should be there. Shoot your dad in the foot if he acts up again." I said.

"I will, I definitely will." she said while nodding a few times.

We four laughed as we walked towards the truck in the far distance.

We met the rest of the guys and then we helped in looting each house from things that we need. Kaley found more fitting clothes for them while I just grab anything that catches my eye along with the essentials. Then I got to thinking, "Could there be more hidden spots like the floor tile in the other houses?"

I kept that thought in my mind though it is highly unlikely to be more on the houses that were already abandoned, I figured they will take those with them. I just made a mental note on the house where Oscar met the family with a cop, finding a single pistol there doesn't add up.

We loaded up everything and then I stayed behind the house I was mulling over and then I went inside with Kaley.

"What are we doing here Sky?" Kaley said.

"I just think that we might find something more here." I said as I started knocking on the walls and the floor.

"Oh? Like in the Ramos' house? Let me see!" she said as she excitedly did the same.

I checked each cabinet, floor board and even under the carpets. I laid on the bed to think it over.

"You're not gonna sleep there are you?" she said as she saw me.

"If Oscar did say that the guy who lived here was a cop, I figured that he would have more guns here. If it was me, I'd stock up on it since I will be home with my family. I'd take a few more from my station if I have access to it but what's weird is that he only has a pistol that we found." I said.

"What if that really is the case? Don't you think that you're just overthinking it?" she said.

"Maybe, what else have we not yet checked? At least a box of ammo would be nice." I said as I mull over.

"Have you checked under the bed?" Kaley said.

I slide myself over the mattress and then I tried to feel underneath.

"Hmm?" I said.

"What, found something?" she shone a light under the bed and she saw nothing from that angle.

"It's cold!" I said.

"What?" she's confused.

I removed the mattress from the bed and then I smiled from ear to ear. There's a gun locker hidden in the bed, good thing the metal felt cold to touch below otherwise I would've missed it.

"Jackpot!" I cackled hysterically as I picked the lock.

We hurriedly opened the door to the locker and we found several guns placed neatly and a riot gear with the shield and an expanding baton on one corner. I saw an M16 Assault Rifle, a Remington 870, two M1911 pistols, two Tear Gas Grenades, two Flash Bangs and several boxes of ammunition.

"We got a lot of guns today!" Kaley said as she smiled.

"I really ate my words when I told Jared that we wouldn't get as much as a revolver in this whole place. Luckily, we found several and the other bag we'll still return to their owners in due time, maybe." I said.

"You're really gonna return those guns? Isn't it enough that you didn't kill the guy?" She said while looking at me.

"I would, but it would be a long time before it happens. He wouldn't be able to kill me that time though." I said.

"Huh? I'm pretty sure he would've if he pulled the trigger." she asked confused.

"I think the guy is just rattled; stress took over him. His hand is shaking all over, his finger isn't even in the trigger. Even if the Glock 26 has no manual safety, even if he dropped it on the ground, it won't discharge. He just pointed it at me just to see if he would scare me. Too bad it just ticked me off more." I said.

"I would've killed him that time you know…" Kaley trailed.

"I know, thanks for looking out though. I would've done something to him already if I didn't know Alex. Oscar would've shot that guy on the spot. If Arthur died then, we'd have to worry about Alex and Amanda too." I said.

"You could just teach Alex to use them and give the guns to her or her mom, not her dad. I'm still upset about that guy…" she said.

"That's a good idea. I think I did more damage to him though; I just ended that guy's legacy; Alex will be the last of their generation…" I said while scratching my head.

"Pfft! That serves him right! Did you see the other guys' reaction?" she starts to smile.

"Hah! That was funny now that you mention it, it's almost 4:00 PM let's head back after packing this." I said as I started to place them all in the bag.

"How about those?" she pointed at the riot gear.

"I'll wear the helmet! I'll help you wear the others." I said.

I then placed the helmet on my head and I helped removed the motorcycle gear from her. I strapped her with every piece and I took a look at her. She made a pose while holding the AR-15.

"Damn, you look really hot now." I said with a grin.

"Hmph! Stop teasing me!" she exclaimed.

I looked for another bag to place the gear and the other boxes of ammunition and I saw Kaley trying to remove the chest piece.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"It's a little tight here." she said.

"Well, you know… those are in the way." I gestured with my hands as I looked at her.

She harrumphed and then she threw it at me though I caught it.

"I'll wear this then, though I have a few of these at home. I'll try to find you a vest that fits you." I said.

I made one more look at their house and said to myself, "Luna family, thank you for the equipment. These will be in good hands."

We started to walk back to the compound. I carried one of the bags while Kaley has the other, the shield is in my other arm while I wave it around while we're walking.

"Can that block bullets?" she asked.

"Uh, no. It's a different kind. This was mostly for rocks or any other people in riots throw or smash at the police. This could be good for people at the front for pushing zombies that are too much to handle. Hah! I'll give this to Oscar and tell him about the one that threw a flying knee at him!" I said.

"That thing, those sprinters. Will there be more of those?" Kaley asked.

"Considering that I saw one last time? There could be probably more, I think that it's still evolving. The last one who got Oscar is more different from the two." I said.

"How were they formed though? Is it varying from person to person?" she said.

"Well, that I don't know. We need to wait for the news on the people researching it. It sent chills on me when it dodged my bullet and it started to bob its head. The good thing is that its body has no reinforcement of some kind, it's still a normal body, you shoot the head it's dead. We'll talk more of this in the meeting later." I said.

We reached the compound and we saw Allan, Jenny, Nicole and Alicia just chatting from the catwalk. I waved them over and they opened the gate for us.

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Chapter 59: 59

"We found more guns! This too!" I pointed to the guns in the bags and I knocked on my helmet.

"Sweet! Can I have one?" Allan said.

"No, every gun that I hand over is still mine, I lent you the HK416, why would you want this?" I said.

"Well, this gun really looks sick, nevermind." he replied as he goes back to his station.

I handed the riot shield to Oscar and when I said the intended use for it is for him to block flying knees, he lost it. We just started to laugh off the incident earlier and we helped them unload the stuff from the truck though they will be coming a second time for a few more houses in the back. Rin was busy tallying everything but she seems more relaxed now and I could see that she's more… happy? I can't put it into words but something is different. Then I saw Tatiana next to her then I realized what's going on.

"Well, as long as they're happy I'll support whatever they do." I said to myself.

"Damn kid. Are you sure you're not a hound or something? Where did you smell that from?" Oscar said as he saw the weapons at the bag.

"Hah! I found this on Gilbert's house, sweet huh?. Technically Kaley led me to it, good thing I placed my hand under the bed. Turns out, there's a locker beneath it." I explained.

"Good catch, where's my cut then?" He holds his hand up.

I looked and him and said, "Your cut? Hah! Stop pulling my leg old man! If anything, Kaley should have half of these."

"Yeah, yeah just trying if you're gonna fall for it." he said while giving a hearty laugh.

"Not in a million years old man." I said laughing.

We placed the guns on my armory first and I waited on the living room for the next broadcast.

It got a bit late today since it started at 4:10 PM, not the usual time they did. The message was still the same updates from before. We can't really accomplish that much in a few days and for everything to progress would require much time. We just noticed a few more foreign people around and I thought that they must be a few of the people from other countries that was sent here.

However, they revealed to the public the sprinters that we saw. It was caught in one of their helicopters and it recorded a few of them making a beeline away from the city. They said that they plan on capturing one alive for further studies but those things are too fast. They haven't given news on the ones staying still and with a few words of encouragement from the president, the broadcast concluded.

I then grabbed the remote when the survival videos are being broadcasted. I was about to turn it off but Tatiana spoke.

"Sky, that person there, doing the guides, it is you correct?" she said.

The group then turned their heads toward me as I rubbed my glabella.

"Where?! I didn't see him there though." Olivia said.

"No, if you pay attention. The guy with the gloves cleaning the guns looks really familiar with his technique. I saw that earlier today when Sky is disassembling the guns, correct?" she said.

"Hah! Looks like they found you out kid!" Oscar laughed.

I just shook my head though I gave a smile after.

"Yeah, that's me. After this is all over the president will owe me royalties for using some of those videos." I said.

"That's really you?!" Olivia said.

"I knew it! I just didn't say anything!" Kaley added.

"Yeah, I wore gloves and a mask to hide my voice and the tattoos. I started on making a few of those videos with Oscar but I ended up doing it all." I said.

"Hah! You're much better at speaking than me kid!" he defended himself.

"Well, you had the idea but you could've at the least helped me with something!" I said.

"What? Editing? I'm not as tech-savvy as you think! Well, telling the man that you're the one who did some of those helped us since he sent Tatiana over here." he exclaimed while laughing.

"Reasons. To be honest, I was surprised when I saw my videos after the broadcast, I never told anyone since I cringe whenever I hear my own voice." I said.

A few of the group laughed at the thought.

We finally turned the TV off after a few minutes of talking. I then asked a few in the group to pick up the other people still in their houses to get ready for our small celebration later.

They brought the car out for Andrew's and Arthur's family.

I headed to the gym for a workout while a few joined me. I saw Kaley getting training from Tatiana so I just did things on my own. They started on stretching while I ran on the treadmill first. After I finished my daily workout Tatiana approached me.

"Sky, I'm still curious to how I got unconscious when we sparred earlier. They told me you kicked, correct?" she asked.

"Yeah, correct." I said.

"But how? I was out of range from your right foot." She asked again.

I then showed her the movements I did and she watched attentively while Kaley is doing the exercises Tatiana told her to do.

"The trick for it to work is the shift in the weight should be unnoticeable. Every small movement can be detected quite easily so you either divert the attention from your legs or make another way." I explained.

"Another way?" she said.

"Well, that's up to you. I never needed to find the other way, I just trained for the normal way to work. I don't know everything you know." I explained.

She just stood up and tried to practice the movements though I still saw her legs moving when she switches the weight to the other side.

"Thank you for teaching me. I'll repay you someday." She said.

"Just train Kaley for me, that's enough. Your body's flexibility is something rare. Your training might be more suited for a woman's body. I'd be scared seeing her with a muscular body." I said.

She smiled while she started to stretch her own body again. Kaley was slowly trying to do a split as she slowly adjusted her body to slowly spread apart.

"Gymnastics? Yoga? Right, flexibility." I said to myself.

"Very well, trading pointers is what it's called, correct?" she said.

"Yes, wanna spar again?" I asked.

We sparred for five minutes though we avoided head-shots now. The rest was just watching us throughout the fight. I think we tied though I feel her movements are restrained since she's still guarding from that kick.

"It left a mark in her head huh?" I said to myself.

Her body was still incredibly flexible as she threw a couple of kicks from impossible angles and the way she catches you off-guard with some of her joint locks.

"I hope Kaley quickly learns what Tatiana knows. It would be for the best if she would learn a few things for defending herself aside from guns." I said to myself.

We all finished our training and then I showered on the 3rd floor with a few people though some of them did in their designated houses. When I was putting shampoo on, there was a short commotion where Tatiana entered the shower area n.a.k.e.d. She entered with nonchalance and showered with us.

I heard Kaley screaming for her to leave that area but all she said is that 'it's just skin, what's the problem?' I stole a glance and she's just acting normally. I'm used to co-ed baths from Japan's hot springs but in here, it's a different custom.

The rest of the guys placed their towels on themselves and finished quickly while the two of us is still there. A few moments later, Kaley stormed inside.

"Tatiana! I did tell you to show a little…you know! It's very different here! You might get… and Sky! Why are you just here washing yourself like it's nothing!" Kaley said.

"Oh, I was here first. I was already covered in soap. It's very steamy here though, I could barely see her." I said.

"That is correct, we are very far from each other and we are here just for the purpose of showering. I think you should join us too, correct?" Tatiana said.

"But!" Kaley protested.

"It's just us here though? Sky is there and he's your partner and I'm a woman like yourself. I see no problem at all." Tatiana explained.

"I think Kaley just wants to shower with you, I'm about to finish though." I said.

"That's not the point! Argh! F.u.c.k it! Don't come close to this side okay!" Kaley exclaimed.

Due to the steam, I can only see an arm's length around. I just heard Kaley undressing and turning another shower on. Even if it's a big shower room, there are still dividers for each shower head with a small groove for placing soap and shampoo.

"…" Me.

"…" Kaley.

"…" Tatiana.

We just continued on showering without any noise and I just finished earlier than they did. I just came outside covered in a towel while my clothes are in a clump. They did as well after a moment though they have an additional towel for their hairs. Kaley was still red in the face while Tatiana is just nonchalant. We entered our rooms to change and I just remembered that I was sharing a room with Kaley now. Tatiana entered her room while we entered ours.

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Chapter 60: 60

"That was… different." She said embarrassingly.

"Why? We already showered together." I said innocently.

"Well, I felt really tense." She said while she took off her towel.

"Well, you don't seem so tense now." I said.

"What I mean is that there's a lot of s.e.x.u.a.l tension there, you felt it right? I thought something was gonna happen there." She said.

"What? There? With Tatiana? Hah! You know I'm with you right?" I said.

"W-well you know how she acts; Sometimes I don't know what she would do, I haven't told you yet but I'm, y-you know…" she stammered.

I just raised my eyebrows while I grabbed my clothes and placed it on my lap.

"I kinda like girls too…" she trailed weakly.

I gave a chuckle then she got mad.

"What? Why are you laughing?!" she exclaimed.

"Sorry for laughing, I was just surprised. Nothing wrong with that though. Are you attracted to her then?" I said while I held my hands up helplessly.

She gives a complex expression.

"Won't you get upset at me?" she said while looking down on the ground.

"For what? Admitting that someone is attractive? I find that hot knowing that you're attracted to women even though I'm straight. She looks a bit rough or ragged but I could see your point, she's beautiful as well. See, I also admitted that I find her beautiful. Are you gonna get mad at me?" I replied.

"I-it's complicated." she replied.

"You know, you act really normal but sometimes you have this switch that makes you different when we're together." I said.

"I guess there's nothing wrong if you put it that way. What switch are you talking about? Like the one you have when you go dark last time?" she asked as she dries her hair with a towel.

"She's currently with Rin though. What? Are you gonna be like Esther? I don't have the 'stamina' for that you know?" I joked while she kicks me and her b.r.e.a.s.ts jiggle.

"Be serious." she pouted.

"Hah! Also, I'm not talking about my switch. When we're just alone you act more open with me, you get a bit wild though. However, I find it very attractive." I added with a smile.

She exhales while she rolled her eyes and she said, "That's what's being in a relationship is called you doofus!"

"Oh." I said innocently.

She then laughed hysterically while clutching her stomach. Her skin glistens from a few droplets of water that is still not dried with the towel on her hands.

"What?" I asked with a confused expression.

"You've really never had a girlfriend before?" she asked.

"Never, had a few 'interactions' with women but never something serious, or romantic to say the least." I said as I just shrugged my shoulders and look at her.

"Well, you have me now. Congrats!" she said while making an exaggerated movement.

"Aren't I the luckiest man alive then?" I said with a smile.

She looks at me and her eyes darted to my towel covered with the clump of my clothes. She knelt down and she reached underneath and she felt me while she's looking at me with a grin.

"Hmm? When did this start?" she said while she held the thing inside.

"I'm not sure, there's been s.e.x.u.a.l tension earlier in the shower… I'm a simple man, I see someone beautiful like you, I, uhh, stand proud heh." I joked.

She squeezed it tight and I almost winced.

"Really~? How come you didn't do anything about it then?" she said while she's grinning.

"That's why it's called s.e.x.u.a.l tension don't it?" I explained.

"Hmm, why is this still going strong though? Hmm?" she said as her hand slowly moved.

"I don't know, maybe because a very beautiful woman is in front of me n.a.k.e.d and moving around touching other people's meat scepter?" I replied.

"What?! Why do you call it that? Hahahaha!" she laughed but she kept a tight grip. She's biting her lower lip and her other hand went inside as well.

"Well, that made you smile and laugh. You having that expression is something I could look at all day." I said with a smile and I kissed her on the lips.

"…" Kaley was silent but she's staring intently.

She blushed for a bit after then she gave me a seductive smile. She removed the towel from my hip as I was sitting in the bed. She tugged it for a while before she devoured it whole. She's making eye contact while she does it and doing that makes it harder on me. She removed her hands holding it and her head now is doing all the work. She started on massaging her mounds as she pleasures me. I didn't even last long since I've been keeping it in for a while.

She stood up from her kneeling position and she laid on the bed while her legs slowly spread apart. I dove in head-first and pulled her closer then her legs immediately clamped on my head. I saw her hands on the back of her head while she's biting her lower lip. Her back arches and she gives out muffled m.o.a.ns for every playful bite I did with the small piece of flesh just above her nether regions. I feel myself ready for the second round after a while of doing it. She removed her legs that were wrapped in my head and she raised my head by pulling it up with her hands.

She just looked at me but I already know what she's implying.

I crawled on top of her and we're now face to face.

I kissed her on the lips while I starts to touch her chest. Her h.i.p.s are starting to get impatient as she rubs her lower body against mine. Her legs are wrapped on my back while I'm on top of her and the smell of her body and the way she looks at me is making me go crazy. I positioned myself perfectly as I slowly went inside. Her body responds well as she licked her lips and looked at me straight in the eye after a thrust.

She wrapped her arms around me and she pushes me closer to her body after I went inside. I feel the warmth enveloping me and her nails are slowly digging in my back. All my weight is pressed against her while I'm kissing her. She started to tighten around me and she held me closer and her legs wrapping on my back pushed me closer to her. I gave a concerned glance but she just whispered 'don't worry' in my ear so I continued on.

She started on shaking a bit as I feel her squeezing me harder as her eyes rolled over and her lips curving to a euphoric smile. I never stopped though; I just moved my h.i.p.s continuously. Her bright smile is slowly changing to a messier look as she struggles with the sensitivity that she's feeling. Her hands that's wrapped around me is getting tighter and tighter. All you'd hear was just flesh against flesh and the pleasurable sounds with our m.o.a.ns and grunts. I finally reached the end of it and we laid on the bed panting. I saw her chest moving up and down while she catches her breath.

She gave a smile and then she laid on her side as she places her hand on top me. I held her hand and we stayed in that position for a while.

"Hey, remembered back then on our field trip to the amus.e.m.e.nt park?" she said.

"Yeah on the 2nd year, right? What do you recall?" I said.

"When we rode on the Ferris Wheel." She replied.

"Oh, that? I remember that." I said.

"What were you about to tell me then?" she said.

I remembered the scene. We were four in the pod with our friends. I was about to tell her something then one of her friends started to get lightheaded and she vomited on the floor.

"Oh, I still remember. What I was about to say was…" I trailed.

Her eyes looked at me, expecting to hear something with a gleam in her eyes and then I continued.

"…hey Kaley, I think Claire is about to vomit." I said honestly.

"…" she stayed silent and the gleam in her eyes disappeared. She looks really annoyed now.

"What? I saw her pale face that's what I deduced." I said.

"Y-you could've told me something sweet…it's just anti-climactic." she pouted.

"If I did that, you'd know if I lie, right?" I said.

"C'mon, don't use that against me!" she exclaimed.

"HAHAHAHAHA!!!" I cackled and she hammered a light fist on my chest.

We talked for a while and then we cleaned ourselves up. We both went to the bathroom for a quick shower and then we changed our clothes. We went to the armory and we kept our usual loadout. She just placed a bandage on my right hand since there's still a small cut that needs to be covered. I wore finger cut gloves on top of it so no once notices it like before.

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Chapter 61: 61

We headed down and we saw that everyone was there. My aunt made a nice spread of food and a container was filled with juice and on one corner, a keg of beer was placed with a few bottles of hard liquor. A few beer bottles are on a cooler with ice is also prepared by her husband Conrad. I finally met Andrew Sr. And his wife and the kid we found on the last house was also there. The kid's name is Peter and he slowly introduced himself to me by signing with his hands. I also introduced myself slowly so he understands. He made a small bow after and then he went back to Andrew's family.

Arthur's family was present as well and Arthur is more docile now as he greets me when I came close to him.

"H-hey, sorry for earlier." he said.

"No worries, remember our deal yeah? For the meantime, just enjoy yourself and get to know everybody here." I said as Oscar walks up to me.

"Hey, everyone is here, should we start or…" Oscar said to me.

"Yeah, we could just start eating." I said.

"Don't we need to say something first?" he said.

"Nah, up to you if you want to say something." I said.

"Okay kid, let me have a few words." he replied.

"Sure old man, don't get to poetic since you can't rhyme for shit." I joked.

He's holding a beer bottle and he clangs it with his knife. He has a nasty grin but I let it slide.

Clink* *Clink* *Clink* *Clink* *Clink* *Clink*

Everyone's attention was piqued on the sound and all of the eyes are on our direction.

"Everyone, now that I have your attention, Sky has something to say to all of you." Oscar said with a grin.

"This old man!" I said to myself as I gave him a glare. Kaley was laughing silently on the side when this happened. Everyone is now looking towards me while I made an impromptu speech.

"Well hello everyone, nice of you all to be here for our small celebration. I'm just happy to say that having our own safe area here is a huge weight off my shoulders. It took us a few days but we did it! We still got lots more work to do but, in the meantime, I think a celebration like this is in order. We made a slightly large meal for everyone and we brought out some alcohol. But please pace yourselves. To those who are drinking, I'll be keeping your guns for now in case an accident happens. I-"

"You won't be drinking Sky?" Jared asked.

I continued, "No, sorry. We still need someone in their proper minds to be holding guns and keeping order. Just a reminder though, I'll be keeping watch on everyone here. If someone makes a ruckus from drinking too much, you'll know that you caused a ruckus because you'll feel something tomorrow when you wake up, okay?" I said menacingly.

Some of the group gave nervous smiles and some who didn't were laughing at the ones who did. All of the guys surrendered the guns I lent them since they already have a bottle in their hands. Surprisingly, Tatiana just stood behind me and didn't drink along with a few a.d.u.l.ts and the kids of course. Kaley reluctantly gave me her weapons as I start to place it all on my room. The small celebration then started and everyone is having fun while someone brought out their speakers and started on playing music. A few of them swam on the pool while me and Tatiana grabbed a plate of food for ourselves.

"Why didn't you drink though?" I said to Tatiana.

"Ah, alcohol is something I avoid. It dulls the senses and someone has to help you keep others in line, correct?" she said.

"Correct, I'd just keep them in a lock or break a few bones if they get too rowdy. I did tell them to pace themselves though. Hmm! This food is good! My aunt really knows how to cook." I said as I took another bite.

"I agree it's been a while since I tasted food that's cooked by a mother, it's always the best and I can't help but take seconds." she said.

"A mother's cooking huh? My mom was the best though." I said to myself.

"How can you eat so much and not gain weight though? I had a hard time doing that." I said.

"I really don't know. A metabolism thing maybe? So, you mean to say that you didn't look like that before, correct?" she said.

I pulled out an old picture from when I was a teen and showed it to her.

"This is me a few years ago when I was in gradeschool." I said.

Her eyes widened and she looked alternatingly at the picture and me for a few times. She said, "Well that was really surprising, you look so young and innocent there…and round, really round." she said.

"Hey! Is that your old photo? Let me see!" Kaley said. She has a plate of food and a plastic cup with beer on it.

"When was this?!" Kaley exclaimed.

"Sixth grade, it's when I participated on a folk dance at my school. That's why I was wearing a Barong Tagalog." I explained.

The three of us were sitting on the catwalk and we saw Oscar has a few bottles in his hand approaching us.

"Here, kid." he hands me an opened bottle.

"Sorry, I think I wouldn't be taking anything from you anymore." I said.

"What? Why?!" he exclaimed while I noticed that he's trying to act.

"Well, you did admit that you got me piss drunk to hook me up with women and you also said that you dropped a few pills on my drinks! I'm a little worried you'd do the same thing again." I said with a smile and my eyebrow is raised.

"Hah! That was before you refused to be with anyone! You have someone now! Just a bottle wouldn't hurt! C'mon kid! You have two beauties left and right, have some fun!" he negotiated.

I looked at Kaley and Tatiana and they just laughed it off though Kaley is blushing since she had a few drinks already.

Kaley said, "It's just a bottle, right? Let's just avoid the hard liquor and we'll be good."

"I agree with them, you deserve a little drink." Tatiana said.

I contemplated for a while and said, "Give me the closed one though."

I looked at Oscar and he paused for a while. He sighed and he hands the other bottle.

"Tsk!" Oscar clicked his tongue

"What does that mean?!" I exclaimed.

"Nothing! Here!" he said as he threw me the closed one.

He then went back to the pool area with the others. I popped the cap off and I took a sip. Kaley lifted her cup and Oscar went back to the pool area to get some more; Kaley took my plate and she said that she would refill it also with Tatiana's other plate. She walked down the steps and went straight in the pool area. It was just the two of us for a while.

"So, are you gonna tell me about that prison tattoo?" I asked.

She flinches though she kept on eating the food on her plate. Yes, she brought two.

"It's a rose with a dagger piercing it, you also have a skull baring its fangs underneath the first one. If I'm correct, that means you were in prison before 18 and you have a deep-seated hatred in the authorities. How did you become a soldier though?" I asked.

I was seating on top of the wall facing the pool area while she's in a chair facing the other side.

"Why do you know so much?" she asked. This was the first time I saw her with a melancholic expression.

"Photographic memory, sorry. I read a lot in my free time. Only need to see something once and I remember it forever." I said.

"I see. That's really impressive, out of all the memories I have, this one is always on my mind. It's the worst out of all my life." she said.

"What happened then?" I asked.

"I never told this story to anyone after I joined the military, you're the first one to hear it after all this time." she said.

"I'm a lucky man then, I love hearing stories." I said.

"Hmph! It's something I always try to forget though; I'll only tell this once okay?" she said.

I nodded and then she places her plate on the wall I was sitting on. She asked for my bottle of beer so I gave it to her. She took a huge swig before she opened her mouth.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 62: 62

"I was born inside a prison. I was taken care of inside the prison walls until my mother died inside. I was then sent to a next of kin somewhere in Russia when I was very young. I was at a very young age when I discovered that life was truly unfair. My relative sold me to different men for… pleasure. I never had an idea what was going on until it happened. At first, I refused to do it. They beat me up at first and they would not feed me until I obliged. Feeling the hunger in my stomach, I just shut down and let them ravage me." she said as she took a gulp from my bottle.

"The abuse happened for a few years until I decided for everything to stop. One night, after my deed was done, I grabbed his pistol when he was sleeping. I pointed it at his head and I pulled the trigger. The whole neighborhood got awake and I got sent to prison." she said.

"Wait, they would have sent you to a center for minors first yeah?" I asked.

"That was supposed to be the case but it was a different case for me. There was little to no investigation and they just thought that I was a petite p.r.o.s.t.i.t.u.t.e that killed her employer since I was taller than most people. Even my relatives denied that I was related to them. I was put to jail as an a.d.u.l.t for murder. I was so mad at everyone for treating me like this. The inmates there discovered my real age and they gave me my first tattoo, the rose with a dagger on the back. Just a few days after, the police who arrested me came to visit and he had the gall to say that I'm a lying cunt when I said that I was being abused. I leapt towards him and smashed his head against the table. A few correctional officers handled me and I got sent in isolation for a time."

"After leaving isolation, they gave me my second tattoo, the skull baring its fangs. You're right in what it means and the ones who inked it said I should have that one. I was supposed to be rotting in hell right now but I was saved. A college student studying law was making a dissertation and she found me while doing her research. I don't know the exact details but she managed to convince the court to free me after 5 years."

"5 years? That's still a lot of time." I said.

"I was grateful for it. I really thought that I was gonna stay in prison for the rest of my life blaming everything." she said.

"What happened to the girl who saved you though?" I asked.

"Oh, we just met for a few more times after I got free but she's already married to someone. I just decided to myself that she's the only one I would have feelings for." she said solemnly.

"Immediately after leaving prison, I asked for her help so I could join the military. That country would need more competent people to serve it if it means to be one. Well, that's my story of the tattoos, I'm free of the wager now, correct?" she said.

"Of course, thanks for telling it." I said.

"Thanks for listening, telling it to someone makes me feel really… light." she said.

"It really does." I nodded.

"Sky, you won't really consider letting me f.u.c.k you, correct?" she said straightforwardly.

"Ack-, please stop with that. I already have someone. I thought you were with Rin though?" I said as I almost choked.

"Well, yes. She's still haven't you know… done it yet. We just kissed for a while and some light touching when you left earlier. Remember the offer is always on the table, you could tell me to do 'anything'." she explained while I notice that she has finished the bottle and her cheeks are a little red.

"Please spare me the details yeah? It's hot hearing it, but I still feel uncomfortable hearing it." I said.

"Very well, I'll just tell you the details if you ask me, correct?" she said nonchalantly.

"Sure, that's good." I said helplessly.

"Does a weird sense of humor really come from people like us who have suffered something before? Well, I just do it as a coping mechanism, her case is a lot more different than mine. Bah! I'm not a shrink, I'm not equipped to ponder about this stuff!" I said to myself.

Kaley was wobbling for a bit when I saw her carrying a few plates so we helped her take it to the catwalk. She's looking tipsy now though she could still be spoken to. A few zombies were at the gate so I just went down and killed them with my blade. I just pulled myself up with the rope and I sat at my usual spot at the wall. The small celebration comes to a close, no one got piss drunk since I've only allowed a few bottles of hard liquor to be brought out. A few of them are red in the face though. I asked few of the guys who were not drunk to drive Andrew's and Arthur's family back to their homes. Everyone cleared up and a few people who were still able to keep watch was on the schedule. I was on the 12:00 MN Schedule while Tatiana was in the 3:00 AM one. A few people like Alex, Esther and Jonathan volunteered to keep watch as well since they didn't partake in the drinking.

I guided Kaley up the stairs and I saw the girls gathering to my room for the movie. I saw Tatiana waiting for this too since I told her where I learned the trick when we were assembling the guns earlier. I played a movie by J. Chan; the title was the 'The New P. Story' It was an action and a dramatic movie. A few of them cried at the opening scene and when Tatiana saw the trick at the last part, she shook her head in disbelief.

"You got that from a movie?!" she exclaimed.

"Well I beat you, didn't I?" I said.

She was still in disbelief after she replayed that scene a couple of times. I was laughing my ass off while she does it and she nods her head a few times before heading back.

Kaley was already asleep so I turned the TV off after and I tucked her in while the rest leaves for their rooms. I turned the lights off and set an alarm for my watch in the catwalk. She was deeply in sleep so I just gave her a hug and I slept beside her.

My alarm went off and I got ready. Kaley was still asleep and I just headed down to switch with the other guys. Nicole, Esther and Alicia were watching the catwalk. I went up to them and I saw Jonathan walking alone towards us while I heard a door opening from behind me and saw Chris walking out. We greeted each other and we continued our watch. A few small talks along with deep ones lingered in the air and the steam of coffee is the only thing you'd see. There's no more light in the right side of our place though there are a few isolated ones on the left side onwards. The DDR camp is still alive and running and you could see the occasional helicopter flying.

Now that our watch has ended, the following guys made their way into our place and we switched. I just laid myself on the bed and continued to sleep when I went upstairs.

I woke up curled to the side while Kaley is hugging me from behind. I slowly removed myself from her then I felt a grab and a pull.

Day 6

"Morning." she said.

"Hey, I thought you were asleep." I said.

"No, I've been awake for a while. I'm just watching you sleep soundly." she said.

"You're weird. Ahaha…" I chuckled while I hugged her back.

"Compared to you?" she rebutted.

"Well, you got me there." I said.

"Wanna do something quick before we go down?" she looked at me with her eyebrows raised.

She's already holding me with her hands and she's leaning over me.

"Do I have a choice?" I said sarcastically.

"Well, no." she giggled as we did a quick round.

We then headed down afterwards and I saw the rest of the group a bit hangover from yesterday's small celebration.

My aunt just made a simple breakfast for today. Just scrambled eggs with pancakes and a few sausages with coffee. We ate while making conversation with each other and the families from the other houses joined us for breakfast while they brought some of their food.

"What's the plan today kid?" Oscar said.

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Chapter 63: 63

"The building team need to build another fence on the edge of the canal system and the farm next to our compound should be completed now and seeds should be planted on the soil or a few seedlings on small cups. I may need someone to check the fishing area to feed the fish daily and check if some of them are ready for harvest so we could secure a stable source of food. I almost forgot, the fences we have here on the left side, find a way to reinforce them yeah? Or add something before them." I said.

"Sure." my uncle replied.

"I need four people for security detail today since I will be leading a group outside to scout and scavenge the area. We'll bring the truck so we could haul a lot of supplies in some of the areas here. We'll attach the metal frame on the front of the truck now so it's safe to ram the zombies with it." I added.

"Oh! The large thingy on the workshop?" Russel said.

"Yeah, I've been working on that before everything else started. It could push them to the side since constant impacts from them would damage the truck or would slow us down if there are too many. I designed it on a 'V' shape so they get pushed to the side instead of ramming them head on." I explained.

"Isn't it just better to kill them outright?" Russel asked again.

"Well, like I said, we could ram them but we're not sure if we crush their heads now would we? Bits and pieces of them would stain the windshield or clog the machinery below the truck so it's safer to just push them to the side and take of them with our weapons instead of the truck." I added.

He nodded pensively as he helped his dad attach it with a few others on the truck.

"That looks so cool!" Ken exclaimed.

"Hah! Well I made it that's why. I learned welding just to do this kind of stuff." I replied.

"Oh? Make one for me then!" he exclaimed.

"…" I.

"…" Ken.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" we both laughed at the same time.

"Well, I have a few plans for your wheelchair but I won't tell you those yet." I said mysteriously.

"What?! Don't leave me hanging here man! I'll roll over your foot like last time! Heh!" he shouted.

"F.u.c.k! Don't do that like last time, It frickin' hurts when you rolled over my toe." I made some distance.

whhrr*

"Hah! Just kidding man, peace! I'll head back to the CCTVs, Peanut's been restless, she like to look at monitors it's weird." he said as he drove to their designated house.

I looked at my group and I spoke.

"We'll prioritize food and water and medicine over everything else. Oscar, I might need you to stay here to take command while we're gone. I'll bring Tatiana, Kaley, Zardon, Mark, Dong and Jared with me. I may need some of your vests Oscar is that okay?" I said.

"Wait, what are the vests for?" Kaley said.

"Bullets of course, on this side, we've only encountered zombies but outside, we'll never know what might happen. We need to be vigilant and we need to protect ourselves. Be wary of the people that we met outside, they may not be as lucky as we are and they might do stupid things. Do any of you need a few special things outside? I might grab a few if I saw them." I asked.

The group just said nothing for now so we finished eating and we got ready.

I grabbed a vest for everyone to wear and I found a suitable one for Kaley. It matches the color of the other parts of the riot gear and I let my uncle wear the chest piece.

Our loadout is as follows:

I was carrying two Glock 19s with the attachments which are the extended magazine, suppressor, red dot sight and a tactical flashlight on my torso. I brought my AR-15 with a suppressor and a 2.5-6x45mm scope slung in my back. Never forget the wakizashi on my hip and a few extra magazines for good measure.

Kaley was equipped with the AR-15 with the square suppressor, fore grip handle and the 2-8x40mm scope. She also has the Beretta M9 and my tanto on her h.i.p.s.

Tatiana was equipped with her Kevlar vest and she brought her M4 Benelli and her FN Five Seven with her combat knife.

Jared was still carrying his Glock 19 and the Trench Knife I gave him so I gave him the M70 that Lois was hugging on the first watch before that has a suppressor and a 2-8x45mm scope.

My uncle Zardon has the riot shield and the expanding baton with a Mossberg 500 on his back that has a dozen slugs located on the straps.

Mark was still carrying the fire axe mainly though he has the combat knife and the M9 on his h.i.p.s.

Dong was also still carrying his machete and the M9 pistol that I gave them both.

They all wore protective gear and I gave them extra ammunition for their guns. My uncle drove the truck while Dong and Mark is on the passenger seat and we four are on the back side. I decided on going to Alfa Mart first near the elementary school. On the way, we saw a few zombies but it was enough to just use our melee weapons. My uncle parked the vehicle on the small convenience store where the front of the vehicle is facing the road.

"Get ready. A few are coming towards us." I said.

I immediately drew my wakizashi and rushed to the nearest ones with Tatiana while Dong and Mark went for the other side. A few zombies are far now though I asked the group to keep guard while my uncle and I went inside the store that has been broken in already. He went first with his shield up and we made sure that there are no zombies hidden. I drew my Glock with the flashlight and turned it on.

click*

I scanned it around the obscured areas and a few corners where the light can't shine through since some of the fluorescent lamps are broken.

"See anything yet?" my uncle asked.

"Not yet, watch out for the corners though." I said.

"This place was already ransacked a bit though, but a lot of items still remain." he said.

"Yeah, I hope they forgot the backroom." I said.

We moved past the aisles and we headed to the door behind the ice machine. I tried for the door on the back and it's locked. I examined the door for any signs of breaking into and it has none.

"Jackpot!" I said to myself.

I picked the lock and it opens. There are several boxes of different items at the back room ranging from different kinds of food though some of them that are perishable are already starting to smell. I called Dong and Mark to start to haul the stuff in the truck and I feel that the truck would be half-full when we're done here. We hauled 14 boxes of instant noodles, 12 boxes of assorted biscuits, 3 boxes of different ch.i.p.s, 4 small boxes of chocolates and 18 boxes of different canned goods. Aside from that, we found 5 gallons of mineral water, 3 boxes of energy drinks and 6 kegs of different kinds of soda. That's all in the backroom.

In the front part of the store, a lot of items are scattered and most of the food was taken from the shelves. Only a few items like toothpastes, mouthwash and other hygiene products were not taken yet along with a few common household supplies though I took most of the cleaning agents like bleach, detergents and soap. There was no medicine though we found a few bottles of vitamin supplements and a few jars of protein powder near the cashier. There were also a few cartons of cigarettes, condoms, lighters, matches and candies.

"You don't smoke right?" my uncle said.

"Yeah, but this is worth more than gold now. We could trade this with other people in the future." I said.

"Always a businessman eh?" he said.

A few gunshots ring out when some of the zombies got too close for comfort. I called the guys at the front with my radio.

BANG* *BANG* *BANG* *BANG*

bzzt*

"You guys okay there?"

bzzt*

bzzt*

"Yeah, we're good. There was 7 in a clump so we used our guns to thin them a bit."

bzzt*

I looked at the freezers on the side and I found a lot of melted ice cream that varies from the 1-liter packs and to the 250ml packs. There are other frozen products like fries and a few sausages in the other freezers.

"Guys, take these too! We could just re-freeze them back at home." I said.

"Take the Cookies and Cream first!" Jared yelled.

"Wait, why are they selling water in plastic bags? Don't they have bottles for this?" Dong said as he lifted a bag from the freezers.

I looked at it and I facepalmed.

"Dong, those are the tubed ice that they sell… they melted that's why." I said.

"Oh… ahahaha… didn't see the label here…" he said as he laid it back embarrassingly.

"…" everyone else.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

Chapter 64: 64

"Do we take the freezers too?" Mark said.

"Not for now, we already have several at the bas.e.m.e.nt. If we got more solar panels I'll reconsider. More electronics at home might make the panels give out." I said.

We placed everything in the truck and it was more than half-full. I gave one more glance at the store and then I placed my hand under the counter.

"HAHAHAHA!!! I KNEW IT!!!" I exclaimed.

"Shh! You're too loud Sky!" Kaley said.

"What the f.u.c.k! You found another one?!" Jared exclaimed.

"Hah! I have the nose of a hound! Still a shotgun though, I hope for something like a pistol but this thing is perfect for defense in a store like this." I said.

"I hope we find a few more in other stores." Mark said.

"Gonna be hard though. It's lucky we found this thing here. If it was me, I would've taken this when I left this place!" I exclaimed.

I found a pump-shotgun beneath the counters and I remember that it's called a Maverick 88. It has a 5 round tube magazine though there are no extra ammunition box left. I placed it behind the passenger seat and we left the place.

"Where do we go next?" my uncle said.

"Hmm? Go there. We will need the stuff there for everyone in the compound." I pointed to a laundry shop that still has the roll-up down.

We cleared the area of the close zombies first and then we raised the roll-up and the glass door of the laundry shop welcomed us.

"What are we gonna get here?" Tatiana said.

"You know, a few washing machines to help with the clothes. I only have 2 of this back home. Bringing a few more at home could help the people with the laundry. We go home with blood in our clothes and they really do a good job of removing it, this is the least we could do." I said.

"You're really kind." Tatiana said.

"Well thanks, I try." I replied.

We opened the door as the rest guarded the truck. We placed 5 more washing machines on the truck and several sacks of powdered detergents and bottles of bleach and fabric conditioners. We closed the roll up though we never locked it. We kept the padlocks and we went home. I made a mental note of other places to take from when we get back.

"That was faster than expected." Jared said.

"Yeah, that backroom was a lucky find. People would just tend to get what's in front of them first when they are in a panic. They would never bother checking the other doors." I said.

"We had a few runners but none of those sprinters." Tatiana said.

"Yeah, I hope they are rare as finding diamonds on the lower levels." I said.

"What?" she was confused.

"Oh, it's a gaming reference." I said.

Kaley once again facepalmed and the look she gave me says, 'of course it was!'

I just smiled with Jared since he knows what I'm talking about.

We reached the fences and the guys working there were surprised because we were outside for a little less than two hours.

"Good haul kid?" Oscar said.

"Yeah, more food and water. I brought a couple of washing machines too." I said.

The guys unloaded the truck while the housewives' eyes lit up when they saw the expensive washing machines being unloaded. Rin was busy tallying everything once more.

"Is that from across the street?" my aunt said.

"Yeah, you're saving up to buy one, right? Consider this a birthday present! It's in a few weeks, right?" I said.

"You little… Thanks!" she said while smiling.

It took a bit to unload the trucks so I refilled the ammunition that they used. It's only a few 5.56s and a few slugs.

"Ready for another run?" I said to them.

Everyone seems to be excited from the haul earlier and they are eager to get more again.

We took the truck for another spin and I decided where to go next. We aimed for the closest ones first where we could get the most yield. We drove past from the ones that already looked barren from anything. We then stopped to a small bakery at the left of the elementary school.

We found a couple dozen of canned goods and a few sacks of flour and a few bags of bread where some of them are already stale but still edible. 'No bread will be too hard for a hot cup of coffee' as my grandfather says. Aside from that, we also found a few cases of sodas and we took them too. We also took the two gasoline tanks that are under the oven.

"How about we bring this oven? We could make pandesal at home, right?" my uncle said.

"Oh yeah, that is good paired with coffee in the morning." Jared added.

"Let's leave it there for now. Let's consume the food that are quick to spoil first before we gather this oven. It's a good idea though, it's very easy to make those. Besides, we have a bakery much closer to our compound." I replied.

"You can bake?" Tatiana asked.

"I dabble on a little bit of everything. I can make simple pastries, pandesal is very easy to do than the ones I tried to make before." I said.

"Show off." Kaley joked.

"What is pandesal?" Tatiana asked.

"They're a fist-sized bread that is a staple here. It's made with simple ingredients and always paired with coffee. It's only made in the morning though." I explained.

Across the street is a cheap burger shop who sells burgers for 3 pieces a dollar. We opened the place up however the patties are already smelling funky but we found a few jars of different condiments like mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard and hot sauce. There are also a few trays of eggs that is still good for eating. There's a propane tank at the bottom of the stove so we loaded them up and we drove off.

A few blocks from it is a shop called CDO who sells different sorts of meat products but the place is already looted. Although, right next to it is a pet shop that has several sacks of pet food. I hauled a few sacks for our pets and I grabbed some feed for the animals we breed at home. I also took 6 boxes of treats for Zeus, Peanut, and Rio and placed them inside the passenger seat.

The aims of the guys shooting the zombies is getting better since I am hearing fewer pops than before I trained them. Them being able to do that releases us on the burden of looking after them while we are outside. In the future, I hope that we will be all side to side fighting and not this babysitting thing that we do for now.

"Experience will always be the best teacher." I said to myself.

So far, we haven't met any people outside yet. I saw the appliance store that recently opened and it is barren and a few zombies are inside. The few who got close has been dealt with the group outside and sometimes me when I let them haul the stuff while I guard outside.

"142…" I counted in my head.

We stopped next to a mineral water station. Although it's already open, we still found a few containers of water inside the office. We placed them in the truck along with the water filter in the corner.

"We're near the public market…" I said.

"Are we going inside there too?" my uncle asked.

"Not yet. Let's go for the ones by the side of the road first. Let's avoid places that we need to walk for a while inside. We might get surprised if we go inside." I said.

"Alright where do we go next?" he said.

"Let's stop for the owner of this place first." I said.

"Who?" Kaley said.

"The owner of the majority of the shops here." I said.

We stopped by a huge gate with a small one on the side. From the top of the truck, you could see three houses inside after a short drive.

"Hello? Dave, you there?" I shouted.

After a moment, I saw a head peeking out and he has a shotgun on his hand.

"Sky?" the guard said.

"Hey Dave, you guys alright here?" I asked.

"Damn, you guys are looking good! The family are inside, they are resting though, want me to call them?" he asked.

"No just tell them I stopped by and said hello. You guys still good on supplies?" I asked.

"Yes, thanks to you. Good thing our landlord believed you, we have food that could last us for a long time." he said.

"That's good. We're going now, we're gonna stop by a few more stores. Stay safe yeah?" I said.

"Sure! You too! Hey Zardon! Drive safe!" he shouted while my uncle honked.

I gave a small salute and we went to another shop.

"Who were they again?" Kaley asked.

"The guy there is Dave, he's the guard at that place for almost three decades now. The family residing there is the one who holds the titles to some of the land here. They are a cool bunch, I invited them to come to my place but they decided to build something of their own. They're filthy rich too. If nothing too serious happens, they could last until this pandemic ends too. They were the few people that believed me when I told everyone. They're the closest ones to me location-wise." I explained.

We arrived at a small pharmacy who sells OTC drugs. We slowly cleared the area first before I picked our way in.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001