Chapter 15: Cold Realities
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Discord Server Is Up! CHECK THE AUXILIARY CHAPTER FOR THE LINK. ALSO MY PATREON IS UP FOR THOSE WHO WERE ASKING ABOUT IT!
(A/N: Is that a Power Stone I'm sensing? You should leave it here for safekeeping. Don't worry, I'll take good care of it.)
Word Count: 2536
Taking a silent, deep breath, Nagi expelled all the tension from his body, visibly relaxing and returning to his usual demeanor. 'There's no point in getting worked up over something I can't control,' Nagi reminded himself, maintaining his characteristic stoicism as he walked into the kitchen.
"Why are you and the others dressed so poorly?" Nagi asked, his confusion evident. There shouldn't be a reason for such a thing, considering there were plenty of female clothing options within the household.
Taking hold of her apron, Saeko responded, "Oh, this? There wasn't any clothing that fit me. I'll only be wearing this until the laundry finishes. It's truly shameful. I apologize."
Shaking his head, Nagi commented, "It's alright. I was just curious, though you seem to be much more sober than the others right now. I was going to check this floor to make sure 'they' haven't gotten in, but with you being here, it shouldn't be much of a problem."
"Fufufu~ Is that supposed to be a compliment, Nagi?" Saeko asked, amused. "I'll let you interpret it as you'd like," Nagi simply replied, placing the alcohol and bandages from his bag onto the table.
Sitting down, he gestured towards them and asked, "Do you mind helping me with this? Shizuka was supposed to, but she's asleep."
Saeko chuckled softly as she walked over to join Nagi at the table, wiping her hands with a cloth. "Of course, I'd be happy to help," she replied, her eyes glancing over the items he had placed on the table.
"Alcohol and bandages, huh? It seems your injuries are more serious than we initially thought," she commented. Despite her lack of overt worry or concern, her eyes betrayed a different story. However, a hint of curiosity lingered within her gaze.
Shaking his head, Nagi reassured, "It's nothing major. Just a few cuts and bruises. However, I do need you to clean and re-bandage them properly since I couldn't do it well without a mirror."
"Yeah, I can see that," Saeko chuckled, retrieving a clean cloth from a nearby drawer. "It makes me wonder what exactly happens to you during your time in the city. You know, you never answered Saya's question on the bridge. Did you intentionally avoid it?"
"Who knows?" Nagi simply replied, observing Saeko's approach.
"Come on, Nagi. Do me a favor and indulge me, won't you? After all, I'm doing you a favor," Saeko bargained, her hands carefully unraveling and removing Nagi's bandages.
Nagi remained silent for a moment, his sharp orange eyes locked with Saeko's cool blue gaze. They stared at each other, the intensity of their gaze lingering in the air, until Saeko broke into a small smile.
Exhaling softly, Nagi nodded. "Go ahead and ask me any question. Although I'm not particularly skilled at answering them, I will do my best to provide a response," he stated in his usual monotone voice.
Saeko's smile widened as she appreciated Nagi's willingness to open up, even if just a little. She dipped the cloth into the alcohol, soaking it lightly before gently dabbing it over Nagi's wounds. He winced slightly but remained composed.
Saeko began with a calm and inquisitive tone. "So, tell me, what exactly occurred when you were in the city? I expect an honest answer. As Saya pointed out, these bruises indicate that you were injured, likely from a fight."
Nagi contemplated the situation, realizing that withholding the truth any longer would serve no purpose.
Saeko, with her intelligence and distinct inclination towards sadism, was the most composed and capable of rational thought among them. 'Well, it seems there's no reason to keep it a secret any longer,' Nagi thought.
"While I was in the city, searching for a vehicle to reach the bridge, I heard the sound of a truck approaching," Nagi recounted, his tone devoid of emotion.
"I quickly sought cover on top of a nearby building to observe. It was then that I comprehended their intentions. They were planning to kill me," he explained, feeling Saeko inadvertently tighten the bandage, resulting in a wince and an annoyed expression on his face.
Gazing at her as she was leaving, Nagi silently agreed with her statement. He wasn't sure if his words had enlightened her or if she was already aware of this harsh reality. It was most likely the latter, and Nagi felt grateful that he wouldn't have to explain it all over again.
Using the binoculars once more, Takashi, along with Nagi and Kohta, witnessed the horrifying scene unfolding below. It was pure carnage, a grotesque display of the undead feasting on the helpless.
People were being caught, their bodies torn apart, and consumed alive. Amidst the chaos, their attention was drawn to a heart-wrenching sighta little girl running desperately, clinging to her father's side.
"Daddy, where's mommy?" the little girl asked, her voice filled with innocence and confusion. The man gently placed his hand on her back, urging her to keep moving. "We'll meet up with mommy later. Come on, this way," he reassured her as they entered the gate of a house nearby.
Desperation filled the man's voice as he knocked on the door, his pleas echoing through the chaos. "Please! Let us in! I can't abandon my daughter!" he implored, his words carrying the weight of a father's love and fear.
Inside the house, the occupants shouted back, their voices filled with fear and self-preservation. "Go away! Find shelter elsewhere!" they responded harshly.
Undeterred, the father continued to beg, his voice trembling with desperation. "I'm begging you! I don't need your help. Just let my daughter find safety here! Please!"
Met with silence and faced with the dire situation, the man's desperation turned to determination. His grip tightened around the wrench as he clenched his teeth, his voice laced with a menacing tone.
"Open the damn door! If you refuse, I'll break it down myself!" The gravity of the situation, the imminent danger surrounding them, had pushed him to the edge. There was no time for pleasantries or polite requests.
Survival instinct took hold, driving him to take drastic measures to ensure his daughter's safety. Startled by the man's determination, the inhabitants behind the door quickly reassessed their decision.
Their voices trembled as they hurriedly responded, "W-wait! We're opening the door now." With cautious reluctance, the door creaked open, revealing a mixture of relief and gratitude on the man's face.
He eased his grip on the wrench, allowing it to rest in his hand as he exchanged a thankful smile. "Thank you so much. You really saved..." His sentence was abruptly cut short as a knife pierced his heart, leaving him in shock and disbelief.
The sudden attack caught him off guard, and as the residents forcefully removed the makeshift weapon from his body, he struggled to comprehend the horror unfolding around him.
The door closed swiftly, drowning his anguished cries in a sea of betrayal. Collapsing against the cold metal gate, he clutched his grievous injury, his life force seeping away.
In that heart-wrenching moment, his daughter rushed to his side, her tear-stained face filled with worry and despair. "Daddy! Daddy!" she cried out, her voice echoing the pain and helplessness that engulfed them both.
"Daddy's going to be just fine," she whispered to herself, her voice trembling with a mix of hope and desperation. Holding his hand tightly, she fought back tears, trying to be strong for him.
In his final moments, the father gazed at his beloved daughter with a mixture of sadness and unwavering love.
With every ounce of strength he had left, he imparted his final words of wisdom and love. "Don't let anyone find you... Find someone who can take care of you... Find a safe haven where you can hide... I love you, Alice."
"Oh no... no," she whispered to herself, her voice trembling with disbelief and sorrow. Clutching her father tightly, overwhelmed by a torrent of emotions, she shouted, "I'm staying by your side, Daddy! I won't abandon you!"
Her desperate cry echoed through the desolate surroundings, drawing the attention of the ravenous undead. With the gate door left open and her inability to defend herself, the inevitable and gruesome fate awaited her.
Takashi tightly gripped the binoculars, his hands trembling with internal turmoil. He closed his eyes, attempting to shield himself from the horrific scene unfolding before him.
Saeko's words had struck a chord within him, causing a conflict within his mind. However, amidst the silence on the balcony, a voice abruptly spoke.
"Shoot," Nagi commanded, and a glimmer of anticipation crossed Kohta's face as he swiftly loaded the sniper. "Let's rock and roll!"
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