Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 86: Might As Well Invite Monsters To Join The Feast.

Chapter 86: Might As Well Invite Monsters To Join The Feast.

The survivors’ gazes soon landed on Scarlett, Garvin, and Louise, who were pushing wheelbarrows filled to the brim with food toward them.

Even Maya and Larry stood frozen, their mouths hanging open in shock and utter disbelief. It was as though their minds couldn’t fully grasp the sight before them.

"Where did they get so much food from?" one of the survivors whispered, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"How is it even possible for this much food to still exist in the world?" another survivor chimed in, his voice tinged with suspicion. "Only Victor has the power to provide so much food. How on earth did they manage to get their hands on such an amount?"

"Unless..." an old man interjected, his voice trembling as his thoughts raced. "Unless they also have powers like Victor? Do you think they’re like him?"

The absurdity of the idea caused a ripple of murmurs among the group. "Powers like Victor? Seriously?" someone scoffed.

Their gazes followed Scarlett, Garvin, and Louise as they pushed their wheelbarrows straight into the group’s hidden refuge.

The survivors eyes narrowed in suspicion. "How did they even know where we were hiding? We haven’t told anyone about this place."

Maya’s chest tightened as she listened to the whispers. She exchanged a quick glance with Larry before forcing a smile onto her face.

"We don’t have powers like Victor," she began, her voice steady despite the lump in her throat. "But we got the food from people who do. We’re not like Victor, not at all. But we have... allies..friends with powers who are willing to help us. They gave us enough food to last a lifetime, and we want to share it with you."

The survivors blinked at her, their mouths still open in disbelief. Slowly, they began to nod, even though the shock lingered in their wide eyes. Their attention shifted to Scarlett, Garvin, and Louise, who were now making their way back to fetch more wheelbarrows of supplies.

"Just be grateful," Larry said, stepping forward, his tone calm but firm. "Stop asking so many questions. We’re Good Samaritans, here to help you survive this apocalypse. That’s all you need to know."

The survivors nodded once more, their skepticism giving way to gratitude. One by one, their expressions softened as they processed Larry’s words.

"Thank you," someone whispered, their voice quivering with emotion. "We don’t have to worry about foods anymore in this world."

"Thank you so much, saviors," another added, dropping to their knees. Soon, the entire group followed suit, bowing low before Scarlett and her team. Even those who were injured struggled to kneel, their determination fueled by overwhelming gratitude.

Scarlett, Garvin, and Louise halted mid-step, startled by the sudden display. They exchanged uneasy glances before Scarlett stepped forward.

"It’s okay, everyone," she said gently, walking closer to the kneeling survivors. "Please, get up."

She reached down, helping some of them to their feet while the others rose on their own. Even as they stood, their heads remained bowed, their faces filled with awe and admiration.

"Let them keep shouting," Kato’s amused voice echoed in Scarlett’s mind through the link. "Might as well invite the monsters to join the feast."

Scarlett ignored his remark, her attention fixed on the weary faces before her.

"Truly, it’s okay," she said again, her voice soft yet firm. "We’re only doing what we’re meant to do."

One of the survivors, a woman with tear-streaked cheeks, spoke up, her voice shaking.

"We never thought... we never thought there were others like Victor who weren’t evil. We believed they were all monsters like him. That’s all we’ve ever known." She paused, her shoulders trembling. "I lost my newborn baby because I couldn’t produce milk. I had nothing to eat myself. I never thought I’d see this much food again." Her words dissolved into sobs as she crumpled to the ground.

Scarlett’s heart ached as she stepped forward, pulling the woman into her arms. She held her tightly, allowing her to cry on her shoulder.

Another man stepped closer, his voice low and heavy with sorrow.

"The monsters took so much from us. But honestly, hunger has done worse. We’ve lost more people to starvation than to them. Some of us barely survive on the little water we can find in the caves. But not everyone is strong enough to endure. So many of us..." He swallowed hard, his voice breaking. "So many of us have lost everything. And children... they don’t even stand a chance."

Scarlett tightened her grip on the sobbing woman, she couldn’t even cry to prevent monsters from appearing suddenly. After several long minutes, the woman’s cries began to quiet. Scarlett released her gently, brushing stray strands of hair from the woman’s tear-streaked face.

The woman looked up at Scarlett with trembling lips and whispered, "Thank you... thank you for saving us. Thank you for giving us hope again."

Scarlett offered her a soft smile and nodded.

"We’re just glad we could help," she replied gently. "But you must keep holding on to life, no matter what. There is still hope, even in this darkness. I believe that with the food supplies we’ve given you, all of you will be able to live well for some time."

"Just remember, don’t leave the safety of your cave. If Victor’s men discover you, it will mean trouble. That’s why we’ve also provided weapons. I trust that the men among you are strong, and the women, no less capable. You must protect yourselves and continue surviving with the hope that one day, we’ll all escape this cursed world."

Her words carried a weight that settled heavily on the survivors’ hearts. Yet, as Scarlett spoke, the light of determination began to kindle in their eyes. Slowly, they nodded in agreement, their fear giving way to resolve. They now felt a renewed sense of purpose. Scarlett and her team had ignited a spark of hope that they couldn’t let die.

Suddenly, Kato’s voice echoed through Scarlett’s mind via their telepathic link. His tone was dripping with sarcasm.

"You’re really good at this whole ’hero’ thing, Scarlett. But don’t get too comfortable. We’ve still got a long way to go before we reach our destination. Now that you’re done playing the savior of the downtrodden, can we leave already? Daybreak’s almost here."

Scarlett sighed but chose to ignore him, her focus still on the people before her. Meanwhile, far from the crowd, Kato paced restlessly, his fangs elongating involuntarily. Hunger pressed on at him, the primal urge to feed on flesh and blood clawing at his restraint. For years, he had survived on the essence of humans, but now, suppressing that hunger for Scarlett’s sake was the most torturous trial he had ever endured.

Scarlett straightened her posture and addressed the survivors once more, her tone tinged with both urgency and compassion.

"Alright, everyone. We’ll be taking our leave now. Please, return to your cave immediately and stay vigilant."

A wave of sadness swept over the group at her words at once. One man, his voice thick with emotion, asked,

"You’re leaving? So soon?" His face twisted with disappointment, reflecting the sentiment of the others.

Scarlett’s expression softened, and she nodded.

"We have to. There are more people like you who need saving," she explained, a warm smile on her lips. "But don’t lose heart. Remember, you have everything you need to survive, and you are not alone in this fight. Hold on to the hope we’ve given you and use it to keep moving forward."

Despite her reassurance, the sadness lingered. Sensing this, Garvin stepped forward, his deep voice resonating with quiet authority.

"This is our mission," he began. "There are countless others out there, just like you, who are clinging to the hope of salvation. We are their only chance. You are fortunate that we found you, and we’re grateful we could help. But now, it’s time for us to continue our work. Somewhere out there, another group of survivors is waiting for their miracle."

Larry chimed in, his voice steady and kind. "The world needs people who refuse to be like Victor. People who, instead of hoarding power, share it to give humanity a fighting chance. That’s why we’re doing this..spreading hope and resources to everyone who needs them. You’re part of that hope now."

Scarlett heart ached at the constant mention of the word ’hope.’ She couldn’t help but to think about Hope and Jaden.

’Are they fine?’ She thought as she tried suppressing her emotions.

The sadness on the survivors’ faces began to fade. Determination took its place as they realized the truth in Scarlett and her group words.

One man, his bald head gleaming under the faint moonlight, bowed low in respect.

"Thank you, saviors," he said earnestly. "We’ll survive. We’ll protect ourselves and hold on to hope. When the day finally comes to leave this hellish world, I pray we’ll see each other again, alive and victorious."

The others echoed his sentiments, their voices rising in unison.

"Be safe, saviors! Please, stay alive!"

Scarlett and her group nodded in acknowledgment, their hearts heavy yet resolute. As they turned to leave, Maya lingered a moment longer, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Go to your hiding place now," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "Stay safe. We will do our best to help humanity, I promise."

The survivors nodded solemnly, then dispersed into the forest, vanishing into the safety of their cave. Scarlett and her team busied themselves, ensuring every trace of their presence was erased before resuming their journey.