Chapter 27: 27
I looked at the female highschooler and it tells me that she got this kind of princess complex going on. The short skirt, heavy make-up, painted nails and that fake extensions say it all. I don’t even need to see her appearance, just that short sentence she blurted earlier reveals it.
However, I know that some of them only have that outer shell you need to break to see who they really are. I’m having a sense that it’s just a strong front looking at the black marks on the back of her hands and the traces of eyeliner fading out in her face sideways.
“She must be crying a lot, without notice from him. It’s still troublesome to deal with this type though.” I said to myself.
Looking at the guy, he looks like a very simple dude, aside from that machete on his hand.
He gave a long sigh but he continued, “Sir, her family is away and we don’t have a place to go to, we’d also contribute at your place since she doesn’t want to go to the DDR camps. I’d do her part too, as long as you take us in.”
“Just lost her mom but he’s still thinking about her?” I said to myself.
“No! We’re staying at this place!” she exclaimed.
A few of the crowd is showing disdain towards the girl as she keeps on running her mouth. I looked at the guy but he just shows concern towards her.
“You guys dating?” I said flatly.
The girl glared at me while the boy scratches his head.
“No sir, we’re just childhood friends.” he said.
I was about to take the two as well since I think could manage somehow but I pondered for a bit and I tried to test the waters.
“I’ll only take one of you. Choose.” I said.
The group inside stared in shock. The two highschoolers were visibly shaken from my statement.
“Take her please! I’ll go to the camps by myself!” he immediately answered.
His voice trembled and his knees are shaking but he still stood upright. The girl was also trembling but her face showed a hint of worry.
“Good answer, there was nary a pondering moment.” I said to myself.
“I changed my mind, how about you leave her here? Well, she did say that she wants to stay here and there’s a lot of supplies here, right? I’ll give you a gun too, how about it?” I said with a cold look. I even pulled the Glock out and placed it on the table.
“Sky, I think that this is too much.” Allan said.
I turned my head around Allan and then I signaled with a wink. He gave me a look of understanding and he immediately stopped talking. He even placed his hands in a position that says ‘alright, I won’t interfere.’
“I, ah- please take her instead!” he said again as he took a huge bow towards me then he started to kneel down, he’s now shaking all over. The girl is now trembling and she’s biting her lips and I’m seeing tears flowing in her cheeks but the guy is oblivious to that happening since he’s in front of her.
“Is she a bitch deep down? Does she need one more push?” I asked myself.
“T-take him please! Just leave me here!” she blurted out. She then began to start bawling in front of everyone. The guy then looked behind and saw her crying her heart out. He stood up and started he started hugging her tight. It’s like a cheesy movie that is so over the top, I almost cringed though I was relieved.
“As I expected the first time, kids these days.” I said to myself.
“I’m sorry Chris, I’m still being this bitch that everyone hates, I’m sorry… I-I’m-” she said.
“It’s gonna be fine, we’ll stay here if you want.” He said.
“You know that’s the only truth that came out of your mouth today.” I said to the girl.
“What?” the girl stared at me as she said.
The crowd also has this mixed look of confusion in their faces. Though a few gives a nod of understanding.
I approach the two as I crouched down.
“The world has gone to shit and you still maintain this tough exterior. Though there’s nothing wrong with that, I’m your best shot out of here. If you don’t trust me, fine, I get it, but I just stayed here for all of you. I could’ve just taken my friend here and took off earlier and leave you all behind but I didn’t. In my book, I think that means something.” I said as I look at her.
Her head droops down and I continued, “Your friend here still sticks to you despite what you’re saying to him, I think he knows your true self and that’s rare. I would’ve slapped you 10 times so you stop what you’re doing. I have more problems to think of than putting up with that and that’s why I tried testing you two. Clean yourselves up and pack up like Allan here, not just that on your small backpacks. Are you okay with bunking up with a few people or do you need a room together at my place?”
Chris smiled as he looked at me and he bowed once more while the girl stared at me with confusion. She wiped her tears and the remaining pattern on her eyes and on her hands confirmed my hunch.
Allan then guided them through the aisles and told them what to bring. As they walked away, I saw her turning back towards me and she gave me a small bow. I made a small salute as they continued on.
I grabbed a few cans of coffee with a few snacks then I headed on the roof while Juan and Jenny stayed near the door below.
Day 3
I stayed guarding the whole night and when my clock reads 2:00 AM, I saw something very different.
I saw a figure sprinting straight in the highway. It’s still very dark so I can’t quite make out its features. I tried looking at my scope but it easily covered the distance and was already out of my sights. Good thing I pointed my helmet at it to at least capture a bit of footage.
“What the f.u.c.k was that? Is that a person or a zombie?” Allan said.
“A mutation? F.u.c.k! Is it perhaps evolving much faster or is that a special one?” I said to myself.
I kept watch till the morning while Allan dozed off from time to time. We talked about a few things like what the compound was like and that Ken is also there. I looked below a few times and it’s significantly fewer than yesterday, which would make the job later much easier.
I left Allan after waking him up and I started to cook for everyone below when it was almost morning. I still cooked the same thing as yesterday but I made a lot more. I also added pancakes for the kids. A few of them woke up to the smell and was already drooling from it. I woke all of them up and I told them that it was time to eat breakfast.
All of them were thankful for the gesture and we all for once started eating together.
A few moments before we ate, a girl approached me. She has short black hair and she looks very unfamiliar.
“Hmm? What is it?” I asked.
“It’s me.” The girl said.
“Huh?” I said.
I saw Chris behind her and he’s scratching his head. “Umm sir, it’s Charlotte from yesterday. Surprising huh?” he said as he smiled.
“What?” I said, then realization struck.
“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!” I laughed so hard while the others also revealed looks of surprise.
She droops her head again but she has this embarrassed look on her face. I definitely prefer this look than the one yesterday. She actually removed the dye on her hair and everything else. She’s at her natural look now.
“So, Charlotte is your name huh? I’m Sky. I really like this look. Grab a plate, I cooked for everyone.” I said as I grabbed both of them a spoon.
“Thanks! This look amazing sir!” Chris said.
“Thanks too…” Charlotte said.
“Pfft! Please stop! I really can’t handle the 180 turn!” I said as I eat.
She harrumphed but she still remained docile while eating heartily.