"Really?" Elijah couldn't help but swallow hard, seemingly drawn in by Gavin's description of the future.
"Of course it's true, Quentin. Let me tell you, this place is freaking amazing. I was in a survivor community before, just over a dozen of us, and we got wiped out by a mutated zombie. I was the only one lucky enough to survive. Then, you know what happened? Some people from YLK Group passed by and effortlessly took down the mutated zombie!"
Gavin recounted, a mix of fear, gratitude, and admiration in his voice.
"So I decided to follow them back here, determined to become an Awakened."
"These people here are really something. I hope I can become Awakened too!" Elijah chimed in.
The two continued chatting for a while until Gavin checked his watch and announced, "It's about time for dinner!"
Just then, Wendy returned and nodded at Elijah. "Everyone, gather in the lobby. Once we're all here, we'll go to the cafeteria for dinner."
"Got it, Wendy!" Elijah replied promptly.
"Dinner time, let's go!" Gavin eagerly dashed towards the hotel lobby.
Elijah followed closely behind, while Wendy continued knocking on other doors. Soon, people started coming out of their rooms one by one, gathering in the hotel lobby.
Elijah noticed the group of survivors who had arrived earlier that morning, including the bespectacled man. They all seemed in good spirits, but something struck Elijah as odd.
"Where's Finn, the college kid?" Elijah wondered aloud. "I remember he came with this group. He's the only Awakened among them." Experience new stories on m v|l e'-novelhall.net
Before Elijah could dwell on it further, Wendy stepped forward to address everyone. "Alright, now that everyone's here, follow me to the cafeteria for dinner!"
After Wendy finished speaking, she walked ahead with everyone following closely behind. Elijah went along with the crowd and arrived at the cafeteria. At the entrance, Elijah noticed something unusual—four robust, seemingly Awakened men stood guard there, their eyes casually scanning the crowd.
Instinctively, Elijah switched to Lillian's perception ability and immediately sensed that all four men glowed a vivid red.
Now, faced with not just any food, but succulent meat, they couldn't resist. They rushed to the carts, grabbing handfuls of meat and bones.
"Except for a few, this is the first meal for most of you here at YLK Group. So, we've prepared a lavish dinner for you all! As long as everyone works diligently here at YLK, such feasts won't be uncommon!" Wendy announced warmly, then stepped aside.
The new arrivals eagerly rushed to the carts, some grabbing meat and bones by the handful. Elijah's tablemates joined the frenzy.
However, Elijah didn't move. He stared at the meat on the cart, his expression one of disbelief and suspicion.
"What the hell kind of meat is this?" he thought to himself.
"It's been nearly a month since the apocalypse. Without electricity for refrigeration, where did all this meat come from, and why are they giving such large quantities to a group of newcomers?" Elijah couldn't fathom it.
"Unless they found a continuously powered cold storage or some livestock farm nearby. But that's unlikely," Elijah reasoned internally.
"Firstly, for a cold storage, I doubt any backup power could last a month after the main supply went out. Secondly, there aren't any large livestock farms near Neoville City. It's unrealistic to transport such quantities from neighboring counties," Elijah reasoned further.
"So where did this meat come from, and what kind of meat is it?" Elijah's suspicion deepened.
Just then, Gavin returned to the table with two trays, each holding several pieces of meat and bones. He enthusiastically pushed one tray towards Elijah.
"Why aren't you digging in, Quentin? Luckily, I brought some over for you. Dig in!" Gavin encouraged, grabbing a piece of meat and biting into it, the juices running down his chin.
"Mmm, tastes amazing!" Gavin exclaimed.
At the same time, the other two at their table returned with meat and bones. They wasted no time in devouring their portions.
Elijah glanced at his plate and the bones and meat on it, growing increasingly uneasy.
"These bones... why do they look so odd?"