Hearing his story, he felt his heart stopped beating for a second. The girl was crying her grief out. Of all the things he heard from her mouth, the only thing which kept resounding in his mind was, 'What did we do to deserve this punishment?' These aren't words meant for a young girl in her teenage. The only mistake they ever made was listening to his awful advice.
His head pained more when he thought about it. Compared to what they faced over the last few weeks, this girl faced it in the last few days. Even their struggle against the horde near the museum in Evergreen city was relatively easy because of Mark's quick thinking and skills. But these two didn't have that, and the people who were with them became sacrifices for them to live.
His eyes became watery when he thought about both their lives. He clutched his hair with the guilt in his heart. His only aim was to save people. That was what he did before the apocalypse, what he is doing now, and what he aims to do in the future. But those unnecessary thoughts were the reason others died.
"I was at least able to show the grief by the way I acted. But Dereck, he forced himself for me the past few days. If it wasn't for him, I would have already taken my own life. But it seems like Dereck can also not hold it in when he sees you."
"In the end, we also became orphans because of one way or another, like many people in the camp right now. We can only survive by relying on each other." She sighed with an empty look back on her face. She poured all her rage out and didn't have it in her to continue the conversation. In the end, whatever she says from there would only be self-pity and that was the worst.
David remained silent after hearing her words. His heart bleeds every time he hears her sorrow. As she said, orphan, he remembered his own daughter. A daughter who already lost her mother and was his only remaining family. The sweet girl wouldn't take it like Gwen in front of her if she sees him die with her own eyes. She ain't strong like him and would do things she shouldn't.
"I just want to ask you something. Only one thing. Please, if you do not want to answer, it's ok." He took all the courage he had left only to lift his head to look at her and ask a question. Gwen looked back at him and nodded, waiting for what this man wanted.
"Do you know who those people who sabotaged you guys in the city are? Please tell me." The only way he was at least able to express his sincerity was by destroying them. Those people strike when their group is at its weakest. He couldn't do anything about the zombies but that group. He decided to beg Mark and destroy them. He had confidence in Mark. Mark created miracles, he had power. He trusted that power.
Gwen looked into the man's eyes, trying to figure out why he asked the absurd question. He could see the rage in them, something which she didn't think she would from a guy as soft as him.
"And why would you want to know? Tell me one reason why?" She dryly laughed and looked him in the eye.
David didn't reply. He just continued staring at her. He didn't want to talk anymore and just wanted to do things. He realized things weren't the same as before. Mark told him many times but deep inside he still thought the people were still the same even though the world was different. But now he realized it the hard way. People changed and were crueler. He was naïve and needed to change.
Gwen looked at the silent David before leaning back on the seat. After a few more minutes of silence, she finally said, "The military people said it was some underground gang which made its base in the city. Their base was supposed to be near the city highschool. They also said these people were doing these kinds of things a lot. Now tell me, why?" She still wanted an answer.
David's eyes went wide at hearing her. It was the same group. The same group took Suzie. The same group Mark was about to attack with the soldiers and them. David started to smile after thinking it through. Thus was great. This made it easier to explain it to Mark. He knows Mark would not say no because it wouldn't waste much time.
"This is great." He slowly murmured unconsciously.
"What did you say? Great?" Gwen almost blew up again after hearing him.
David shook his head and said, "This is the same group we are going to attack the day after tomorrow. This is great. I'll destroy them. Wait." And looked at her.
"Do you want to destroy them with us?" Looking at her. He didn't know what was going through his mind when he said these words to a teenager. But it seemed right. These two teenagers needed a proper outlet for their emotions, and attacking the people responsible for their situation was a good idea.
Gwen's expression got twisted when she heard his words. She thought, 'What did he just say? They are going to attack them in two days? He wants to take us with them?' and slowly smiled at the thought of destroying their base. She unconsciously wanted it.
'Those bastards are part of the reason we are like this now. I'll destroy them with my own two hands.'
"How can you be sure the military would allow us to take part in this exercise? Can you guarantee it?"
"I can't speak for the military, but I know a person who can. You guys also met him. He might be able to do something if I ask him."