The table was set. The dishes on it gave off a delicious aroma that filled the house with a comforting warmth, a stark contrast to the cold that still beat against the windows. The candles burning on the table cast a soft, flickering light, creating an intimate atmosphere.
One by one, they took their seats. Ethan set his backpack down against the wall with a sigh and a weary smile. Delma collapsed into her chair as if she were carrying the full weight of the day on her shoulders. Elion was the last to arrive in the dining room, after putting his things away. He greeted everyone with a calm smile, though his eyes scanned each person's face as if to make sure they were truly all right.
Reize stood in front of the children, who were already at the table eating dinner, clean, combed, their hair still damp. Althea had sat between Koen and Arika, and Hael next to Elion, though without looking at him much. Max, calm and asleep, had settled down on a blanket.
It was only then that Ethan frowned, looking more closely at the children.
—Wait… when did these two take a bath?
—And they smell like soap — added Delma, leaning in a little toward them—. Do they always smell this good after a day in ruins?
—You're just noticing now—murmured Reize, smiling—. When they got here, they were so exhausted they didn't notice a thing.
—We found some clothes in one of the romos —Arika explained, serving herself a little more stew—. A locked closet, with sweaters and small pants, as if someone had put them away for later.
—And soap, too, so we heated up some water from a bucket —Hael added, without looking up—. Max took a shower, too.
—And here I am, smelling like sweat and dust from an old building? —Ethan joked, feigning indignation—. How unfair.
—You can take a shower tomorrow, if nothing bad happens before then —said Delma, patting him on the shoulder.
Everyone laughed, including Elion, who let out a sigh as he sank into his chair.
—That looks delicious —Ethan remarked, serving himself—. I didn't know anyone here could cook this well.
—Arika made it —Koen announced, with an air of exaggerated pride—. I was just her clumsy assistant.
—Don't exaggerate —Arika murmured, letting out a light laugh—. You were a big help… even though you did lose a few potatoes in the process.
The laughter continued, light and sincere. For the first time in a long while, it felt as if they were truly a close-knit group… a little family.
—So, how did it go? —Reize asked, as she helped pour water for the children.
Delma stretched her arms and yawned.
—We found maps. Several routes marked before the outbreak… and some that seem to have been updated by hand. We don't know by whom.
—And radios, too —Elion added—. Three that work. At least until the batteries run out.
—That's great! —Reize exclaimed.
—Yeah, though we almost didn't make it back —Ethan added, resting his elbows on the table—. Sometimes it feels like the city itself is trying to swallow you whole.
—Are you okay? —Stella asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
—Good enough to ask for a double serving —he joked, winking at her.
—Luckily, Delma found us before we strayed any further —Elion added, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.
—I actually stumbled upon you —Delma corrected, shrugging with a calm smile Don't blame me for having a little fun while I clear the path.
Koen raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
—And what are you guys doing here? —Ethan asked, chewing—. What did you do besides making paper figures?
—We played a little, looked after Max, helped out in the kitchen… —Koen summarized.
—It was a quiet afternoon, actually —Stella added, casting a subtle glance at Koen.
Delma observed the group's dynamics more closely than it seemed. She noticed how Elion looked away when Hael watched him. How Koen and Arika shared silences. How Reize looked at Arika intently, and his brow furrowed slightly when he saw the bandage still on her arm.
When everyone had finished eating, Ethan stretched again with a long sigh.
—We should have dinners like this more often.
—If we survive this week —Delma murmured.
—Don't say that —Althea protested—. We'll be fine.
—You're right, sweetie —Elion said, handing her a napkin—. We'll be fine. I'm sure of it.
After a few minutes, the dishes began to pile up in the kitchen. Then Ethan offered to wash them without hesitation.
— Leave it to me —he said, rolling up his sleeves—. You guys cooked, so it's only fair that I wash.
— Are you sure? —asked Delma, already on her feet.
— Yes. Go rest, General—he joked, winking at her.
As some began to disperse, Reize approached Arika, who was still sitting at the table. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
—Come on, you should rest. I'll help you upstairs and change your bandages, okay?
Arika froze for a moment. Her smile faltered slightly, as if she didn't know how to react. She blinked slowly before answering.
—Ah… okay —she said, in a low tone, without much inflection.
Reize began to help her stand up, carefully supporting her by her good arm. Just then, Koen appeared from the hallway, his eyes on them.
—Where are you going? —he asked, trying to sound casual.
—Upstairs —Reize replied—. Arika needs to rest. I was going to help her with her wounds.
Arika looked up at Koen. She didn't say anything, but her gaze lingered on him a second longer than usual. Koen got the message instantly.
—I'll do it — he said right away, stepping closer and taking Arika's other arm—. Arika's heavy… I mean, it would be hard for you to carry her up; I'll take care of her.
—Heavy? Don't be silly—Reize retorted with a slight pout—. She's as light as a feather. And even if she weren't, I'm her friend—I'd help her anyway.
Koen swallowed hard. He had to get her out of there, no matter what. So he resorted to the only thing he could think of.
—Ethan was looking for you. I think he needs help with something in the kitchen… he mentioned it a little while ago.
Reize glanced at him sideways, a suspicious look on her face. She moved a little closer to him, lowering her voice.
—What are you up to?
Koen hesitated for a second. Then, he whispered barely audibly:
—I want to be alone with her… to get closer. You know.
Reize narrowed his eyes. He scanned him as if trying to read his mind. Finally, he sighed.
—You could have said so from the start, you poorly disguised romantic.
Then he looked at Arika and placed a hand on her shoulder.
— Get some rest, okay? Then you can tell me if that idiot was nice to you.
And he headed off toward the kitchen.
Koen waited until his footsteps had faded before letting out the breath he'd been holding. Then he leaned in slightly toward Arika and spoke in a low voice.
— We can't let our guard down yet. Pretend you're still injured… at least until we get to the room."
Arika looked at him for a second and nodded.
Carefully, he slipped his arm around her back and helped her steady herself. She feigned the weight on her body, limping slightly as they moved forward. They climbed the stairs slowly, keeping up the act, until they reached the room.
Once inside, Koen locked the door and let out a sharp breath, leaning his back against the wood. For a moment, he let his weight fall there, as if the tension were suddenly escaping him.
—That was close… —he murmured.
Arika lit a candle and placed it on the table. Then she sat down on the bed calmly, resting her hands on either side.
—They almost found us…—she murmured, her voice low and serene—. What did you tell him so he wouldn't suspect anything?
Koen leaned on his knees, looking at her.
—I just said I wanted to spend more time with you.
Arika was silent for a few seconds, as if she needed to process the answer. She blinked slowly and looked away.
—I see… —she murmured—. Another lie. It seems to be… becoming a habit.
Koen let out a faint smile, but something in his gaze contradicted it. He sat down beside her in silence, and in his mind, a truth slipped in like a whisper:
Although… not all of them are lies.
Arika looked down and began to remove the bandages from her arm, but her hands moved slowly, with little precision.
Koen leaned toward her, gently stopping her.
—Wait… I'll do it.
He took the bandages carefully and began to remove them, slowly, trying not to hurt her. Then he did the same with her leg. The fabric was damp, and her skin looked irritated.
Koen frowned slightly.
—Don't put on new bandages tonight —he said in a low voice—. Your skin needs to breathe. They've been pressing down on it for too long… that's why it's like this.
It took Arika a moment to respond.
—What if someone comes in…? —she asked, her voice flat
—Lock the door —Koen replied—. No one's going to come in.
She nodded slowly.
Silence hung between them. Koen held her hand gently, examining her finger once more. There was no sign of the wound.
—Your wounds don't heal the same way —he murmured—. The minor ones disappear quickly… the others take longer, but they heal too.
Arika looked at him, her eyes moving slowly, as if she were trying to understand.
—But… —she said after a brief pause—. How is something like that possible? It doesn't make sense.
Koen exhaled softly.
—So was all of this —he replied calmly—. What's happening out there… the infected… none of it should be possible.
He paused briefly.
—And yet, it's real.
Arika looked down, silent.
—…It feels strange —she murmured—. As if it weren't part of me.
Koen shook his head slightly.
—But it is. Maybe you just don't understand it yet —he said calmly—. But we'll figure it out. We'll find the reason.
His words were firm, yet gentle.
—You don't have to do this alone.
Arika remained silent for a few seconds, taking it all in little by little.
—…Okay.
Koen nodded slightly.
—For now, get some rest —he added finally, rising calmly—. We'll think things through better tomorrow.
Arika accompanied him to the door, her steps soft and measured. When he crossed the threshold, she stood there, her hand on the doorknob.
—Thank you… Koen —she murmured—. Good night.
Koen turned toward her, holding her gaze in the dim light. He smiled slightly.
—Good night, Arika.
She closed the door gently and locked it. She stood still for a few seconds, her hand resting on the wood.
Something in her chest shifted at that moment. A faster, more pronounced heartbeat. It wasn't fear… but she didn't know what it was either. Just a new sensation, hard to put into words, that lingered even after he was no longer standing before her.
Her lips curved ever so slightly into an almost imperceptible smile.
It's been nice meeting you, Koen.
Then she stepped back, blew out the candle, and lay down. Exhaustion washed over her without resistance.
Koen, still on the other side of the door, lingered for a moment longer, listening to her footsteps… and then the silence. He closed his eyes with a faint smile.
—Rest, Arika…
He turned around and began walking down the hallway. His steps were slow, almost distracted, as he climbed the stairs without haste.
Even so, something inside him wouldn't quite settle. His heart was beating harder than usual… steady, insistent, as if that moment had been etched into his memory more deeply than he wanted to admit.