Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 111: You Have To Be Obedient Little One.

Chapter 111: You Have To Be Obedient Little One.

The rain continued to pour, masking the sound of Maya’s sobs. Scarlett held her tightly, whispering soothing words while stroking her hair. The others stood around her, silent but present, offering their quiet support.

After what felt like an eternity, Maya’s cries began to lessen. She pulled back slightly, her face red and puffy. Scarlett handed her a napkin from her pack, and Maya wiped her face, her movements slow and tentative.

For a while, no one spoke. The rain filled the silence, its rhythmic patter on the leaves and earth the only sound. Finally, Kato broke the quiet, his arms crossed as he leaned against a tree.

"Are we staying here all night, or are we moving on?" he asked, his tone as indifferent as ever.

Larry shot him a sharp look. "Are you blind? we’ll only move when Maya is ready," he said firmly, his eyes still glistening with unshed tears.

Maya shook her head, her voice barely audible. "No," she murmured. "We can leave now. I don’t want to hold everyone back. What if monsters show up tonight? It’d be worse to stay here."

Scarlett placed a hand on Maya’s shoulder, her voice gentle but firm. "No, Maya. If you need more time, we’ll stay. There’s no monster we can’t handle. You come first."

Maya straightened slightly, her resolve hardening. "I’m fine, Scarlett," she said, her voice steadier now. "Besides, it’s better to travel tonight. The rain and thunder will keep most monsters away as they hate loud noises. And I... I need to reach a save haven. I need a warm place, dry clothes, and proper rest. If we stay here, we’ll all catch colds."

Scarlett exchanged a glance with the others, who nodded in agreement. She stood and extended a hand to Maya. "Alright, dear. Let’s go," she said warmly, not wanting to drag the issue further.

"Finally!" Kato said with a sigh of relief as he began leading the way.

Maya took Scarlett’s hand, and Larry offered his support on her other side. Together, they guided her as the group resumed their journey through the storm.

__________________

A burly man dressed entirely in black stood beside a wide tree, a sleek black umbrella in his hand shielding him from the relentless downpour. His imposing figure remained still, almost statuesque, as the heavy rain drummed on the umbrella, the sound merging with the distant rumbles of thunder. His sharp, calculating eyes were fixed on a building in the distance, a prison that loomed like a shadow against the bleak, stormy backdrop.

Two other men, equally burly and clad in identical black outfits, flanked him. Each had a heavy backpack strapped to their shoulders and guns holstered at their waists, their postures alert and ready. The building before them was eerily silent, the type of silence that suffocates, a silence broken only by the relentless pounding of the rain. The surrounding area mirrored this stillness, an oppressive atmosphere hanging in the air.

One of the guards stepped closer to the man under the umbrella, his head slightly bowed in deference. "That’s a building, boss. Should we check it out? At the very least, we could spend the night there," he suggested, his voice low but audible over the storm.

The man, Victor, didn’t immediately respond. His gaze remained locked on the prison building, his sharp features illuminated momentarily by a flash of lightning. A soft cry soon broke his concentration, drawing his attention downward to the small bundle in his arms. Little Hope, wrapped tightly in a soaked blanket, had started crying, her delicate wails blending with the storm’s sounds.

Victor’s stern expression softened slightly as he adjusted the bundle, cradling the infant closer to his chest. "You have to be obedient, little one," he murmured, his voice unusually gentle. "I’ll feed you and change your diapers once we find shelter. But for now... shhh." He pressed a finger to his lips, his tone firm yet soothing. "We don’t want to attract monsters with your cries, do we?"

Hope’s cries subsided into soft whimpers, and Victor shifted his attention back to his guards. His voice regained its commanding edge as he addressed them. "Remember this: we are not here to fight except when needed. Our mission is to observe. I suspect there are people in that building. If there are, we won’t attack unless they’re useless. Gather information first. If they’re of no value..." He paused, his eyes narrowing. "...then we eliminate them. I have no patience for useless humans."

The two guards straightened, nodding sharply. "Yes, sir!" they chorused in unison, their voices steady and resolute. They took the lead, moving cautiously toward the building with Victor following closely behind, little Hope securely nestled in his arms.

Bang!

The door to the prison swung open with a sudden, deafening crash, its sound reverberating through the building. Inside, the survivors froze in place, their daily routines disrupted by the startling noise. The dimly lit interior, illuminated only by scattered candles, cast flickering shadows on the walls. The survivors, already tense with the constant fear of monsters, felt their anxiety spike at the unexpected intrusion.

A man, clutching a gun with trembling hands, stepped forward, his voice quivering as he addressed the intruders. "W-who are you people?" he stammered, his eyes darting between the three figures now standing in the doorway. Their black outfits, paired with the masks covering their faces, made them look like ominous specters rather than fellow humans.

Victor stepped forward, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the tension in the room. He raised a hand, signaling his guards to stand down. Slowly, he reached up and removed his black mask, revealing a face that was stern but not unkind. His piercing gaze swept over the survivors before he spoke, his voice steady and composed.

"We’re survivors, just like you," he said, his tone measured. "We’re looking for a place to stay for the night. We didn’t realize this building was occupied. We mean no harm."

The man with the gun hesitated, his grip tightening briefly before loosening. He glanced nervously at the two burly guards flanking Victor, their faces still obscured by their masks. The unease in the room was palpable, the flickering candlelight casting distorted shadows that danced ominously across the walls.

"We’re good people." Victor continued, his voice measured and calm. "Can we please stay with you? My daughter needs to get warm. She’s just a baby, and she’s already lost her mother at such a tender age."

He carefully unwrapped the blanket shielding little Hope, who was finally fast asleep after countless cries. The baby’s small face, framed by her damp hair, was exposed for all to see, eliciting a collective soft gasp from the gathered survivors.

"Oh, poor little thing! How could you bring her out in this heavy rain? She’ll catch a cold!" a woman exclaimed as she stepped forward. Without hesitation, she gently took little Hope from Victor’s arms, cradling the child close to her chest.

The woman appeared to be in her mid-thirties. Her face was kind yet lined with weariness, the result of countless struggles in this apocalyptic world. She rocked the baby gently, humming a soft tune to comfort her.

"Thank you," Victor said, his tone betraying none of his true motives. His primary concern wasn’t safety but gathering information and leaving as quickly as possible. "We’ve been on the move for days. There was no choice but to bring her out in this rain."

The woman nodded in understanding. "You’re welcome. We’ll do our best to help you and your daughter. Come inside; I’ll find you something to eat."

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