Chapter 142 - Conditions

"So, what kind of work is the military asking you guys to do?" Mark asked both Daisy and Ray. He knew the old man wouldn't let them sit idle and still eat properly. So it is natural for him to ask them to work their food and stay in the camp. 

Ray leaned back and said, "Nothing much actually. I and the other people mostly do miscellaneous stuff. You know, like patrolling the place a few times and helping them fight against the zombies in the border of the sizable area, the military controls now." 

"They ask you guys to fight?" Mark raised his eyebrow. 

Ray nodded and said, "Yeah, naturally. They give a few people who have experience with guns a few bullets to fight, while the others get weapons like bats and sharp objects to fight back. Overall, it's not a dangerous situation to stay. I and my gang are always together so we have each other's backs and could survive." he hurriedly explained at the end when Suzie glared at her father. She was obviously worried about him.

"Dad, you aren't young anymore. Don't go out there and fight. Your body won't be able to keep up." Suzie sighed. The man was already nearing 50 and wasn't as athletic compared to when he was young. 

Ray laughed hearing her worry and simply reached out and patted her head before saying, "It's ok. I know my body the best. It can keep up for a bit. And they don't send me often, either. Only when the situation gets critical, I am there to fight. So, don't worry too much about it." while flexing his muscles a bit. 

Looking at him, acting young, made everyone laugh. Ray was always a stubborn man. He always had a thirst for adventure and would go on hiking trips to the mountains every once in a while. 

"So, how are you keeping up? Did you find someone else?" Mark asked, making everyone go silent. Ray looked at him as the smile he had disappeared. He knew Mark meant nothing when he said that and only asked if he had moved on after his wife's death. Suzie, next to him, gripped his hand. He slowly shook his head before giving her a reassuring smile.

"I'm fine. She was the only one for us. I'm sure she is looking after us from above. For now, keeping Suzie safe is the most important for me." 

Kevin giggled hearing that and said, "You don't need to worry about her safety at all. She isn't the small and helpless little girl anymore. She is probably the strongest in our group right now." making everyone confused. 

Suzie looked at Mark, asking for permission. He looked at the people in the room and nodded. She stood up and said, "Alright, what you guys are now going to see, is completely confidential. So please do not let anyone know." she particularly asked her father and Daisy. 

Both of them nodded, and she made her way towards the television before simply ripping it off the wall with a single hand. Ray's and Daisy's mouths went wide open. Suzie giggled seeing them and said, "I have super strength right now. I can lift a car if I properly tried. So you guys do not need to worry about me at all. Now, do you guys understand why we shouldn't spread the information?" 

Both of them nodded again before Ray finally gained his senses. He exclaimed and said, "Wow, my weak baby is now very strong. She doesn't even need her father to look after her anymore." while he flicked fake tears off his eye. 

Suzie smiled and sat beside him once again. Daisy was now very curious after seeing that and turned towards her father with an expectation in her eyes. As a father, David understood the meaning behind her look but he shook his head and said, "I don't have any superpowers like that."

Daisy nodded and Mark asked her, "So, how are you in the past few days?" He was slightly concerned because she was a female and even though he knew Donald would look after them, he still decided to ask. 

"I am fine. I am living in the female dormitories they made, which is only 4 apartments over. It's mainly for single or weak women. Who lost their family and such. They placed me there so I wouldn't feel lonely and so it was nice."

"As, Ray said. There isn't a free meal and So, I help out with the food-related department in the base." she shrugged. 

"How do they supply food to these parts of the camp, now that it is so big?" they possibly couldn't go around and supply cooked food every day. 

"They give us portions for two days. It's sufficient for 3 meals a day.."

Mark nodded and felt it was alright. He looked at Kevin, David, and Suzie and said, "We have two days of rest before we finish business in the town. So take some rest."

All three felt elated hearing his words. They were just too fatigued to even continue after the journey and wanted rest very badly. Daisy and Ray were happy to hear him as they could spend time with their family. 

Ray clapped his hands and said, "Alright, there are three rooms in this house. The girls will take one, you young boys one, and while I and David one." Making them all nod. 

Daisy's and Kevin's stomach made noises and both of them looked down. Suzie checked the time and noticed it was already lunchtime. She stood up and said, "Alright then, I'll make a quick lunch. You guys go and freshen up." she pointed towards her teammates. 

Mark and Kevin stood up and walked down the hallway from the living room and came to stop as it was a dead end. They looked to the right and saw the kitchen and dining table. To the left were three rooms down the hallway.