Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 128: Let’s Kill Her.

Chapter 128: Let’s Kill Her.

Scarlett nodded solemnly. "Exactly. But now isn’t the time to judge her. She has gone wild and the other survivors see her as a threat, hence they’ll want her dead. They don’t know the full truth, but they’ve seen her kill. We have to figure out what to do before this situation spirals out of control."

The group fell silent, each lost in their thoughts, grappling with the weight of Scarlett’s revelation. The air in the cave was thick with tension, and the flickering firelight cast long shadows across their faces.

Hunter was the first to break the silence, his voice low and measured. "We need to understand what’s happening to Maya. Is this... transformation permanent?" He hesitated, as if searching for the right words. "To be honest, this is the first time I’ve seen a non-Chosen suddenly become one. And now, she’s not just Chosen, she’s a monster. Is this condition something that can be reversed?"

Scarlett exhaled heavily, her gaze fixed on the group. "I’m afraid it’s permanent," she replied, her voice tinged with sadness. "When a Chosen becomes SS-ranked, that is, half-monster and half-human, there’s no going back. Even if they have a change of heart and decide to stop killing, they’re still a monster at their core. The best they can do is suppress their killer instincts, but that’s almost impossible. Most end up feeding on animals instead of humans, but even then, it’s a constant struggle."

"Let me go you fools!" Maya yelled as she struggles to free herself from Scarlett rope. "I’ll kill you all." She added as her once receeded nails had started growing again.

The other survivors who gathered together away from Scarlett and Maya couldn’t help but panic in fear and terror.

Ryder’s voice cut through the air, sharp and unyielding. "Then we kill her," he said coldly, his words sending a ripple of shock through the group. His serious tone left no room for doubt about his intentions. "Don’t give me that look. If she’s going to be a threat, the only logical solution is to eliminate her. The other survivors saw her kill. They don’t feel safe knowing she’s still alive."

Scarlett’s head snapped up, her tone firm and unrelenting. "We’re not killing her," she said, each word weighted with conviction. "Maya didn’t choose to become a monster. It was humanity, our cruelty that drove her to this. Now that she’s like this, it’s up to us to show her that not all humans are the same as the ones who hurt her. We need to show her love, compassion, and care. This is the only way to prove to her that there’s still good in this world."

Ryder scoffed, crossing his arms as he leaned against the cave wall. "That’s a waste of time and resources," he argued. "A monster is a monster. Trying to save her is a fool’s errand. Killing one life to save many others is the only sensible option. Protecting her, knowing she could harm us all, is outright stupidity."

Scarlett’s expression hardened, her emerald eyes blazing with determination. "I’ve already said it, and I’ll say it again: we’re not killing her. I won’t allow it."

Kato interjected immediately, his deep voice adding weight to Scarlett’s argument. "She’s right. Killing Maya without giving her a chance is wrong. This is the time to show her that she’s not alone, that we care about her. Like Scarlett said, maybe, just maybe, she’ll find her humanity again if we give her a reason to."

Ryder let out a frustrated groan, glaring at the others. "You’re all going to get us killed with this blind optimism," he snapped. "Do you really think the other survivors will sit back and let you keep a monster alive? A monster that’s already claimed innocent lives? If you protect her, you’re putting a target on all our backs."

"Enough!" Larry’s voice cut through Ryder’s protests like a knife. He stood, his expression one of barely contained frustration. "Scarlett wouldn’t have told us the truth about Maya if she didn’t trust us to handle it. Yes, she’s a monster. Yes, we’ve seen what she’s capable of. But Scarlett’s given her command, and if you can’t handle it, if you’re so scared that you’re shaking in your boots then maybe you should leave. Find another cave and save yourself the trouble."

The tension in the cave was palpable, the silence that followed Larry’s outburst deafening. The group exchanged uncertain glances, their convictions wavering in the face of their shared fear and guilt.

"You..."

"Enough, guys," Scarlett cut in sharply before Ryder could finish his statement. Her voice carried an authority that silenced the group immediately. "It’s been decided. Maya will remain alive, but she will stay bound by my magical rope. This way, she won’t be able to attack anyone. We’ll also keep a close watch on her."

With that, Scarlett rose to her feet, her posture commanding despite the exhaustion evident in her eyes. She didn’t wait for further protests or arguments. Instead, she turned and made her way to the bus they now called home, leaving the other Chosen members behind to process her words.

Inside the bus, the air was thick with the scent of antiseptic and the hum of medical machines. Scarlett walked over to Garvin’s bed, her expression heavy with sorrow as she sat down beside him. She reached out, her fingers grazing his face gently, tracing the contours as if trying to anchor him back to reality. The steady beeping of the monitor confirmed he was alive, though still unconscious just like Louise, who lay on another bed with similar machines keeping him stable.

"You have to respond to treatment, Garvin," Scarlett whispered, her voice trembling as she fought to hold back the tears pooling in her eyes. "There’s still so much we have to do. And remember, you promised me. You said you’d make it up to me for all the times you were rude. You can’t go back on your word now, can you?"

Her voice cracked slightly, and she took a deep, shuddering breath. "I meant it when I said that if you die, I die too. And if I die, then everyone on Earth will die because of us. It sounds insane, doesn’t it? I don’t want to believe it either, but this apocalypse world has proven that even the most unbelievable things can be real."

She leaned down, resting her head gently on Garvin’s chest. The steady rise and fall of his breathing offered a small comfort, but it wasn’t enough. "Just wake up, okay?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Please."

The bus fell silent, save for the rhythmic hum of the medical equipment. Scarlett closed her eyes, silently praying for a miracle.

_____________

The moon hung high in the sky, its pale light cutting through the darkness. The sound of heavy rain pounded against the earth like a relentless drumbeat, interspersed with the distant rumble of thunder.

Victor stood under a large black umbrella, his coat soaked from the journey despite its protective fabric. Hope slept peacefully in his arms, oblivious to the chaos of the world around them. Beside him, two guards stood at attention, their eyes fixed on the dark forest before them.

"Do you think we should head in, boss?" one of the guards asked, raising his voice to be heard over the downpour. "We’ve been traveling for days now. It’s strange though. How can normal humans stay in a forest like this without worrying about monsters showing up?"

"Exactly," the other guard chimed in, his brow furrowed in confusion. "How can they sleep so peacefully out here? And they’re naked, too. No normal human would just strip like that."

Victor smirked, his gaze unwavering as he studied the forest. "That’s because someone powerful, someone like me, is among them," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "I can sense it, an S-ranked Chosen. That’s probably why those people feel safe enough to stay here."

The guards exchanged uneasy glances but remained silent, awaiting further instructions.

"We’re waiting for your orders, boss," one of them finally said, breaking the silence. "Should we go in now, or is it not worth the effort?"

Victor’s smirk widened, and he shifted his gaze to the forest entrance. "We wait," he said, his tone decisive. "Let them fall asleep first. Then, we move. Even though I haven’t found the Queen of Monsters yet, there’s no reason to let these other Chosen live. But before we strike, we observe. We interact. And if they don’t give us the answers we need..." He trailed off, his smirk turning into a menacing grin. "Kill them all."

"Yes, boss!" the guards chorused in unison, their voices filled with unwavering loyalty.

Without another word, the guards crouched low in the bushes, their sharp eyes fixed on the forest entrance, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The rain continued to pour, masking their presence as the night stretched on, heavy with the promise of bloodshed.