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.