"IN MY OPINION, I don't think we need to practice more, with the reason of what's the point? We had our training within the military. And if we stay here any longer, who knows if we're too late to save those who remained alive outside?" Zeon speaks after a minute of silence, answering his question with his opinion.
"Surviving for a long time with fear of dying or losing food could be harsh to our mental health. Though, it's just my opinion. The majority's decision would still be followed," dugtong nya at nagkabitbalikat.
"I agree with him. Makakapagpractice na rin naman tayo sa oras na makalabas tayo ng eroplano. All we have to do is to remain cool and target their head. Sounds easy even I know it'll be hard. Masasanay rin naman tayo, tama?" Tumingin ako sa labas kung saan unti-unti ay sumisikat na ang araw.
"Maganda ang lugar na napaglandingan natin, at siguro, kakaunti lamang ang mga zombies dito dahil malayo tayo sa siyudad. And with that, we could practice while advancing, right?" Tumingin akong muli sa kanila at nakitang karamihan ay tumatango, taimtim na nakikinig sa aking sinabi.
"After all, we got each other. We will protect each other and we have weapons. Ang poproblemahin na lang natin ay ang lugar na mapagpapahingahan natin, at ang mga pagkain sa oras na lumabas tayo rito."
"Or we could stay in an abandoned house or a hotel for a place. We'll double-check it if it's safe," suhestiyon ni Zeon na aking nasa tabi na ikinatango ko.
"Again, rest. Because tomorrow morning, at the same time today, even the sun hasn't risen yet, we'll go," ani Zeon at kahit kagigising lamang namimg lahat ay bumalik muli sa kaninang pwesto upang matulog.
Kahit ako'y hinila ni Faye papunta sa hinigaan nila, at masasabi kong ang kasama silang matulog sa isang maluwag na pwesto ay talagang masaya.
The day passed like a blur, and tomorrow, when everyone's wide awake, even the sun hasn't risen yet just like what Zeon said, I'm already on my way to get my weapons.
Maaga akong nagising, dulot na rin siguro dahil halos buong araw akong tulog dahil sa pagod na aking naramdaman kahit wala pang gaanong pangyayari, at kahit ang mga kasama ko'y mga pagod rin, idagdag pa ang malamig na temperatura at ang katahimikan, inakit ako ng antok sa buong araw na iyon.
Suot ang extrang uniporme, maingat akong naglalakad sa tahimik na sala dahil kagagaling ko lamang sa kusina upang magkape, at tulad ng nakagawian ay nag-iwan ako ng mainit na tubig para sa susunod na magpupunta sa kusina at mag aalmusal dahil maaga pa naman.
Habang naglalakad ay hindi ko maiwasang mapaisip. Today, we're going to get out from this safe place and start our exploration, which means I must also prepare myself for the outcomes, of what might happen to our group.
It's dangerous to go outside, the reason why we were trained with the best of our abilities so that once a time like this happened, we know how to survive even without depending on others.
Sa lalim ng iniisip, hindi ko napansing may tao sa aking harapan, at nalaman lamang iyon nang marinig ko syang magsalita.
"You're late."
Halos mapatalon ako nang marinig ang malalim at malamig na boses na iyon, at nang mag-angat ako ng tingin ay bumungad sa akin si Zeon na nakahilig sa nakabukas na pinto papunta sa mga armas na balak kong puntahan upang mamili ng dadalhin.
His toned arms are crossed on his broad chest, with a waist that, from the black fitted T-shirt he's wearing, the formation of his abdomen shows how perfect his body structure is, even though he's wearing dark outfits. His skin is in honey color, yet looks light with the dark clothes and his sharp hazel eyes became more dominant as to how light they looked even at the darkness.
Umayos ito ng tayo na ikinagising ng diwa ko. I cleared my throat, realizing that I was staring at him for so long, and remembering him said something about me being late, I decided to answer.
"You just got here ahead of me," sagot ko at nilagpasan sya.
Naramdaman ko itong sumunod sa aking likod, at ang natural nitong amoy na hindi nakakahilo ang umokupa sa buong kwartong puno ng armas na nakasabit sa dingding.
"Is there something we need to discuss?" Tanong ko habang inililibot ang paningin sa paligid.
Countless guns are here, which are on their safety's on, and with complete load-outs. On sides are different sizes and kinds of suppressors, scopes, laser, ammunitions, underbarrels, and rear grips could be seen under a glass container of this place just below the weapons hanging on the walls. From the smallest, pistols, SMGs, Assault Rifles, Shotguns, and even Snipers.
My eyes stopped at a certain gun yet it's too big to even bring in a shoot and run plan.
"I looked at the map and realized that we're on Zaragosa, where the famous Harrison Bridge that's dividing the countryside and the city. Passing that bridge itself could lead us closer to Hirane."
I looked at him and saw that he's watching for me. "Maybe someone's waiting for us to reach that place," he added, yet I decided not to answer him and ignore what he said.
Because it means I'll be hoping for it, which is the worst case that might happen in this apocalypse.
Hoping for people to save you even the truth is, only you could save yourself.
"Have you eaten, Zeon?" Tanong ko na lang na dahilan upang mapatitig sya sa akin.
"Sorry?" He said, confused at my question.
I smiled at him and turned my back from his gaze.
"Maybe you should eat first. Let's wait for them to wake up and you tell what you said to me."
He didn't answer, which is why I took that as a sign to proceed.
It's just that, I don't want to hope for something that I might get disappointed again.
"Kaaga nyong gumising." Ang boses na bumungad sa amin nang matapos maghanda ng kanilang pagkain.
Zeon put down his glass of coffee as I removed my apron and faced them. "Food is ready."
Inalis ko ang pagkakapusod sa aking buhok at hindi sinasadyang nabaling ang tingin kay Zeon na nanunuod sa akin. In front of him is another cup of coffee but isn't like what he's drinking that's black, that one looks creamy.
"Is it okay to cook foods this many?"
Nabaling ang aking atensyon sakanila nang sila'y nagsalita. It was Shidria who asked while looking at the foods on the table.
"It's the last time we'll use a stove, why not use it thoroughly?" I smirked. "Let's eat," ani ko at tsaka umupo sa upuan sa gilid ng pinakadulo, malapit kay Zeon.
Inusog nya ang baso ng kape sa aking harapan na ikinatingin ko sa kanya, ngunit ang kanyang atensyon ay nasa pagkain. Nagkabitbalikat na lang ako at tinanggap ang kanyang inaalok kahit nakapagkape na ako kanina.
Sa gitna ng pagkain, nag-angat ng kamay si Ira na ikinabaling namin ng atensyon.
"I have a question."
It was Zeon who answered, "Spill."
His voice is really authoritative. Ira hesitated to speak a little but I nodded my head at her, the reason why she nodded her head and smiled at me before showed to everyone her brave face.
"Aren't we going back to this haven once we get out?" I'm already expecting someone to ask this question.
I nodded my head and answer her question. "We won't. Because this time, we'll move forward." All we need to do is to keep moving forward, right?
"So we, are never ever ever, getting back together?" Tricia sang which made everyone paused for a little before they chuckled. Kahit ako'y muntikang maibuga ang kape na iniinom, mabuti na lamang at napigilan ko at nasamid lamang.
At doon nagsimulang gumaan ang napaka-tense na paligid kanina.
Hindi nagtagal nang matapos kumain ang lahat. At dahil ako ang nagluto, sila ang nagpresentang maghugas ng pinagkainan na hinayaan ko lamang. Inilatag ni Zeon ang map sa lamesang kanina'y pinupuno ng mga pagkain na dahilan upang maglakad ako palapit sa kanyang gilid at sumilip.
"This is where we are," He pointed at a certain location on the map. "And this is the famous Harrison Bridge that we must pass."
"Let's just hope that it isn't dangerous to pass the bridge, though once we get stuck, there's no going back," ani Adrianne na ikinatango ko nang sikreto.
Because if a horde of monsters cornered us, we don't have any choice but to fight or maybe, jump to the water.
And the idea of jumping through the ocean is really terrifying.
"Don't worry, I've marked some alternative ways to get at the city." Then Zeon pointed at some locations and explained. I remained listening while gazing at him who's so serious and I've only realize how competent and hot he is.
"Right, Harper?" Nag-angat ito ng tingin at mabilis na bumaling sa aking nanlaki ang mata sa pagkabigla. What? Ano ang sabi-
"Our leader will agree, Sergeant Parkinson. You've planned it perfectly that we don't have any say." Thankfully, Faye got my back.
Zeon smirked. He looks satisfied with Faye's answer that I sighed heavily in relief.
"Alright. Now, go get your desired weapons and let's all meet at the living room to brace ourselves."
Nagtanguan ang lahat sa kanyang sinabi at nagtayuan upang kumuha ng kanya-kanyang armas. Nagmamadali akong lumayo sa kanya at sa aking utak ay ang sarap sampalin ng aking sarili. Seriously, Harper? Tinitigan mo imbis na makinig. Anong napala mo sa pagtitig mo sa kanya, eh bawal nga magkacrush at lalong bawal magkaroon ng relasyon sa kalagitnaan ng misyon!
This exploration is between life and death! There's no time to make landi!
"Kumusta ang pagtitig? Solve na solve ba?" Bulong ni Faye na biglaang tumabi sa akin kahit todo ang aking iwas. Sinamaan ko sya ng tingin kahit ramdam na ramdam ang pamumula ng aking pisngi.
Tumawa ito nang malakas. "Damn, if only you've seen your face. Priceless," mahina nyang sabi at tanging kami lamang ang nakakarinig. Umirap ako sa kanya.
"Shut up."
"Our leader is finally reaching adolescent for having her first crush." Natatawa nitong pang-aasar na ikinairap ko at mabilis na naglakad palayo. Damn it!
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I just found it cute to put my reader's names as characters in this story huhu.