Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 37: Surviving Together.

Chapter 37: Surviving Together.

As the children hugged Scarlett, warmth surged through her heart, filling her with determination and an overwhelming sense of love. She held them close, silently vowing to do everything in her power to keep them safe and reunite them with their parents, if they were still out there.

"Thank you, miss," Golden whispered, her voice trembling with gratitude.

Just then, Hope stirred in Scarlett’s arms, blinking sleepily before offering a tiny smile.

"Aww, look at that precious little smile," Rose said with a soft laugh. "Her mother must be so grateful, wherever she is, that someone like you is taking care of her daughter."

"Wait, Scarlett isn’t her mother?" Louise asked, his eyes widening in surprise. "I just assumed..."

"No, Scarlett found her. She helped Hope’s mother deliver her safely, and, well, she entrusted Hope to Scarlett," Rose explained, her smile turning wistful.

"Well," Mrs. Anderson said thoughtfully, "since her mother is gone, Scarlett is her mother now. She’s been caring for her as if she were her own. Scarlett is Hope’s mother in every way that counts."

"That’s true," Garvin added, nodding as he looked at Scarlett with a warm gaze. "You’ve always wanted a child, someone to call your own."

"Yeah," Scarlett murmured, holding Hope even closer to her chest as she gazed down at her tiny face. "And somehow, in this twisted apocalypse, I got one. Maybe she’s my reward, my little miracle." Her voice softened as she brushed a finger over Hope’s cheek. "She’s beautiful, isn’t she?"

The group murmured their agreement, watching Scarlett with admiration as she cradled the baby.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a comfortable rhythm, with laughter and conversation flowing freely. They shared stories and cracked jokes, easing into a rare moment of peace. Across the room, other survivors looked on, their expressions a mix of curiosity and hope, watching this close-knit group with something akin to awe.

Meanwhile, Ethan stood across the room, leaning against the wall with his arms folded. His gaze lingered on Scarlett and her group, studying them quietly. A flicker of thought passed over his face. She’s not the baby’s real mother? he mused. Then... is she married? Maybe to that guy? His eyes lingered on Garvin before shifting back to Scarlett.

"Sir, would you like to review the list now?" asked a man in a neatly pressed suit, his dark hair slicked back and his expression respectful. He held a clipboard and pen close to his chest.

Ethan straightened, his attention snapping to his assistant. "Liam, I already told you we’re not rushing the list. I don’t want us to miss anything important. Also, prepare to introduce the new arrivals to the group. Make sure security is briefed and that we have someone trustworthy on watch tonight. No mistakes. If anything goes wrong, it could mean our lives."

"Understood, sir," Liam replied, nodding as he followed Ethan into the office, closing the door behind them.

_________

Night fell swiftly, casting a warm, orange glow over the church sanctuary where the survivors had gathered. The group felt at ease for the first time, their laughter and shared stories filling the room. Scarlett found herself leaning into the comfort of their company, knowing it wouldn’t last forever, but grateful nonetheless.

As the evening deepened, Ethan reappeared at the front of the room, his expression serious but warm. Liam stood at his side, clipboard in hand, ready for the nightly briefing.

"Alright, everyone," Ethan called, his voice steady and commanding, carrying through the candle-lit room. "Gather around for tonight’s briefing."

The survivors drew closer, their faces lit by the soft glow of lanterns, casting long shadows along the walls.

"I know you all noticed we got new members here, and it seems introductions have already been made." He paused, smiling as the other survivors cheered in agreement, their voices raised in happiness. Scarlett’s group exchanged glances, bewildered at the enthusiasm filling the room.

"Do they have nine lives or something?" Rose whispered to Scarlett, her eyes darting around. "They’re going to attract monsters with all this noise."

"Relax," Louise replied, patting her arm reassuringly. "This room is soundproofed. Ethan took every precaution to keep us safe."

"Oh, thank goodness," Rose sighed in relief, turning her attention back to Ethan.

Ethan smiled, waiting for the room to settle. "Since you all seem to know each other already, I’ll keep this brief. I have some good news. We’re fortunate to have another person among us with powers like mine, a protector who will work alongside me to keep us safe." He turned, gesturing to Scarlett. "Mrs. Scarlett Jenkins."

The crowd’s gaze shifted immediately to Scarlett, their faces lighting up with joy and excitement. Scarlett felt a wave of nervousness, but she met their gazes steadily.

"Scarlett and I have discussed some important plans," Ethan continued, his voice full of encouragement. "For now, just know that we are doing everything possible to protect you all. But above all, I want us to live in harmony, supporting each other through whatever comes next."

A wave of applause rippled through the crowd as they clapped and cheered, their spirits bolstered. Ethan offered a final nod, then stepped down from the makeshift altar and headed toward his office, Liam close behind.

"He’s like an angel, bringing hope to this terrible world," murmured a woman with fiery red hair and striking green eyes. She gazed at Ethan’s office door with something like reverence before lowering her gaze to her leg, which rested awkwardly on a stool. The group followed her gaze and watched as she removed a prosthetic, revealing the scarred stump of her amputated leg.

"I thought I was done for when I lost my leg," she continued, her voice low and full of emotion. "But Ethan saved me. He saved all of us. He gave us hope again when I thought there was none left."

Rose, unable to resist her curiosity, asked softly, "If you don’t mind me asking... how did you lose your leg? Was it here, or... back on Earth?"

The woman gave a gentle smile, waving off Louise’s concerned glance as if to say she didn’t mind. "It’s alright. I was bitten by one of those creatures, and to keep the poison from spreading, the group I was with had to amputate my leg. If we’d known about Ethan then, maybe I wouldn’t have lost it. He has powers that can remove poisons, after all." She looked at her leg, running her hand over the scar. "But by the time we met him, the leg was already gone. He saved us from other dangers, though, and treated my wound. It’s healing faster than it would have on Earth, thanks to him."

Scarlett offered her a warm, sympathetic smile. "I’m so sorry you went through that. I’m glad you’re safe now."

The red-haired woman smiled back, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you. I’m just happy Ethan has someone else with powers now to work with him." She bowed her head to Scarlett with respect, and Scarlett returned the gesture.

As night deepened, the survivors gradually settled in, preparing for sleep. Scarlett lay between Jaden and Golden, the children huddled close for warmth and comfort. Hope lay peacefully in her crib, sound asleep after a warm bath and a bottle of formula, her tiny breaths steady and soothing.

Scarlett lay back, staring at the ceiling as her mind churned with thoughts. Tomorrow’s another day. I just hope everything goes as planned. With a final, steadying breath, she let her eyes close, drifting into a much-needed rest.