At the same time Kael met his sister's group, a figure suddenly appeared before the door of Alice and Natalie's room.
The figure was a girl, though she appeared ragged. Her lips trembled constantly, and her eyes were raw and red from tears. Though she looked downcast, she didn't resemble one who had gone through the apocalypse; her clothes were dirtied but still whole.
"Sister..." Natalie suddenly turned to her sister, but Alice quickly motioned for her to remain quiet.
"Shh!"
They had seen the girl long before she appeared, so they weren't surprised by her arrival. Alice wanted nothing to do with such a person, so she opted to keep quiet. She expected the other party to receive the message and silently leave.
However, she was greatly mistaken.
- BAM! - BAM! - BAM!
The knocks this time were more forceful and violent. They weren't loud enough to attract zombies yet, but they were dangerously close. Alice merely narrowed her eyes, a cold glint flashing within their depths, while her sister tensed.
There was a moment of silence before the knocks came again, but this time they were loud enough to draw the undead. It was as if the girl wanted to tear the door down.
- BAAM!
- BAAM!
Before the hand could land again, the door suddenly whooshed open. Alice stood there, a barely restrained killing intent flashing in her eyes.
"What do you want?"
Her usual impassive look had given way to a frosty glare, enough to chill one's soul. The girl flinched at the aura oozing from Alice, but once she read the text above Alice's head, hope returned to her eyes.
"I have been knocking..." She started with a nervous smile. "...Is there a reason why you didn't open the door?"
Alice didn't answer immediately. Just as the girl moved to continue, Alice's response came—cold and sharp.
"Just like you did to the others who wished for your help. I was simply following in your footsteps."
The girl flinched as if caught in the act. She laughed helplessly, her eyes darting around the dark hallway. Still, she mustered her strength and continued as if she hadn't heard a word.
"I have food and water with me..." She clung to the bag in her hands, her knuckles white. "Can I stay with you for the night?"
Alice didn't even spare the bag a glance. Her answer was quick and cold.
"No need."
She was about to shut the door in the girl's face when a scream suddenly resounded through the quiet hallway.
"If you don't let me in, I will return, shout, and make sure I draw attention to you!"
The closing door abruptly whooshed to a stop. Alice lowered her head, her gaze locking onto the girl.
"I-if you don't let me inside, I swear I will bring everything down, even if I have to die!"
A hint of madness flashed in the girl's eyes, her fear swallowed by a desperate determination to survive. She knew she couldn't last on her own. She had to rely on someone.
As the sound of approaching footsteps drew closer—a direct result of the scream—Alice's voice drifted into her ears.
---
Kael froze the instant his eyes fell on the girl behind Claire. While Claire and Sophia struggled to recognize him, the same couldn't be said for Rose. Her eyes widened in surprise before joy filled them—a joy that quickly turned to pain when she saw his missing limb.
"Big brother!"
The little girl who had not cried once during the apocalypse—the same girl who hadn't shed a tear when she took her first life—suddenly broke. Her body rushed past Claire before anyone could react, her restrained sobs echoing in the tense room.
"Big brother..."
Kael moved toward her, two lines of tears quietly sliding down his face. He didn't spare a glance for the others or the zombies standing guard. Luckily, the undead seemed to recognize him; they shifted slightly, clearing a path.
The distance closed as Rose threw herself against his chest. Her small hands clutched his shirt tightly, trembling.
"You... you came..."
Her voice was muffled, but the relief was unmistakable. Kael placed his good arm gently on her head.
"I will never leave you..." He lingered for a moment before continuing. "Thank you for staying alive... truly."
The joy in his eyes was clear, but Rose's muffled voice came through her tears.
"W-what happened to you? Your arm..." She couldn't finish the sentence, her cries increasing in intensity.
"Foolish girl..." Kael muttered with a wry smile. He knew his sister well. She would have cried seeing him regardless, but this outburst was fueled by his injury.
Still, Kael didn't care. He was just happy to have her back. If he had to go through it all again just to see her, he wouldn't hesitate for an instant.
Alas, the reunion was cut short as a voice sliced through the room, the flickering torchlight landing on them.
"You there," Ben said, studying Kael. He had seen Nathan, who had entered the room behind him, but he ignored the boy for now, ordering his scout to watch him.
His focus was entirely on this newcomer. There was something unusual about him. Ben's eyes shifted to the space above Kael's head.
Nothing. No text. No class. No level.
'He doesn't have a status? How is that possible?'
Despite Ben's attempt to catch his attention, Kael gave no reply. His focus remained entirely on his crying sister.
Ben's brow twitched. "I'm talking to you."
Still nothing. A vein pulsed on Ben's forehead as his next words came out as a barely restrained shout.
"Hey!"
This time, Kael's gaze slowly shifted. Ben could have sworn the boy's eyes glowed a faint, predatory golden for a split second.
*****
AN: Thanks for reading!