Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Conspicuous Visitors
During the apocalypse, not everyone could reach the human base or had heard of its existence. But they formed a shelter with other survivors and struggled to survive in the perilous situation.
Or simply joining a settlement where people gathered.
The moment they entered the supermarket, numerous pairs of eyes cast vigilant glances at them. The recent visitors’ clean and fresh look was very conspicuous among the dirty-looking people.
They hadn’t bathed or cleaned themselves for weeks.
Meira was still clinging to Laziel’s side, sticking to him like an octopus. Zerra didn’t miss the slight surprise in the survivors’ eyes when they saw Meira.
They were sitting or standing in groups, among the long gondola shelves that had become disorganized. Some items remained on them, but most of them were gone.
Darren swept his gaze across the room, and they picked a spot with less crowd. They didn’t stay in the car because it was easier to watch over everyone when they gathered together. If someone were to break the car window when they were asleep, it would have been dangerous.
At this moment, they keenly realized that they had become the center of attention. Before they entered, they heard many voices of people rapidly discussing something. Now, the silence was unbearable.
Silently, they sized up Darren’s group, who had settled themselves on the floor. Their thoughts were unknown. But one thing that emerged in their minds for sure: those people have supplies!
Eyes full of greed and calculation locked on them. Darren and others were unfazed; like they hadn’t noticed the ulterior motives in the survivors’ eyes.
After they settled down, retrieving some kind of cardboard from somewhere to cover the cold floor, Laziel asked Meira with a tone full of concern. "Are you hungry?"
Zerra swept her eyes toward the survivors, noticing that they didn’t have a particular leader. A few families huddled together; they were also some men gathering, and a few weak looking women.
Some sat or stood alone, away from the crowd.
She counted that there were at least seven people who were ability users here. The highest was level three; there were two people at this level, and the rest were at level two.
Because of the fog, humans, zombies, plants, and animals alike received a boost in their power. Their power level increased rapidly even without absorbing crystal cores.
Even she could sense that soon she would level up to the next level. Judging from how she currently could explore more areas in her inner space, she might unlock some more abilities soon.
Zerra’s eyes landed on Meira again.
She appeared thin. Her cheeks sunken, and the light in her eyes filled with desperation. Still, she possessed more beauty than other women in this place. In the apocalypse, beauty was trouble–it would invite people with malicious intentions.
"Y-yes..." Meira stuttered, clearly a bit embarrassed. She lifted her head and accidentally caught sight of Laziel’s dirty shirt.
With a stunned look, she immediately apologized with great remorse. "Sorry, I dirtied your clothes."
Tears still hung in her eyelashes, making her look pitiful that people wouldn’t be able to blame her. It even evoked a sense of distress.
Laziel, who was the closest to her, immediately assured. "It’s nothing. You must have been hungry, right?"
Then, he caught sight of her dirty hands. He didn’t mind her smearing his clothes, but when it came to food, Laziel always maintained his hygiene.
He clutched Meira’s hands, who was about to scoot further from him, and whispered, "Let’s freshen up a bit, shall we?"
Still carrying his backpack, he helped Meira to stand up and then guided her toward the bathroom.
This place was full of suspicious people, so Darren had told them in a small voice that they should refrain from showing off their power. Hence, Laziel brought his backpack as a disguise of his water power.
Seeing this, Zerra inwardly shook her head. Meira’s scheming nature... with Laziel’s brain, if he didn’t use it anytime soon, he would suffer.
The person Meira coveted — it wasn’t him. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have clashed with Nyra.
"What are you thinking that makes you have such an expression, Zee?" Isryn lifted her eyebrows. When she was in a normal mood, Isryn was a lovable person. Sometimes strict, but mostly because she cared.
Zerra subconsciously touched her face. "What kind of expression? You aren’t making fun of me, are you?"
Then, she realized Isryn was handing her a few pieces of bread with her outstretched hand. Her face flushed a bit.
Isryn giggled. She took Zerra’s hand and put the bread on it. "Here, have some."
Not far from them, Nyra was distributing some biscuits and bread. They didn’t take out any conspicuous food, mostly the bland ones.
Most of the food supplies on the gondola shelves were gone. Those people and their groups had taken them. Some managed to grab more, and the rest with less.
The chatter of the survivors slowly returned, but the atmosphere on their side wasn’t as warm as Zerra’s group. They would still receive people occasionally glancing at them, which was then followed by a discussion in whispered voices.
Not long after, Meira and Laziel came back, more refreshed. She had changed into clean clothes. Her face seemed more fresh. Spirit returned to her eyes.
"Sit down." Laziel told her. When he remembered her injury, he grasped her hand and exhorted, "Be careful."
After they sat down, they received the biscuits that Nyra had distributed.
The light slowly dimmed, and the sky turned an orange hue. The people closed the doors of the supermarket. From the worried look on their faces, and some even tinged with anticipation, Zerra had a vague guess.
They seemed to be waiting for more people to come to this shelter, maybe even their loved ones who were lost...
Their faces were weary and filled with exhaustion; anxious about what they should do as their supplies diminished.
Zerra hadn’t seen the people who had chased Meira earlier in this place. So, she guessed they must have been newcomers like them.
"Where are you going?" Laziel stood up and helped her. Meira was walking toward a small group near them.
"I am full, Azi. Can I give the biscuit to others?" Her tone held sincerity, and usually, such selfless acts made others hard to dislike her.
Laziel felt his throat stuck, but he eventually nodded. "Of course."
He guided her as she walked to an unkempt woman. There were two little ones on each side, her hands circling their waists. Her daughter and son were sobbing quietly, muttering about how they were hungry.
Meira gave half of her share to them.
"Thank you, Miss... Thank you." The woman thanked her immensely, with gratitude in her eyes. She stuffed the biscuit she received into her children, who stopped sobbing.
Others watched this scene silently, and something shifted in their eyes.
After Meira went back, she apologized to the group, realizing that her action might have been presumptuous. The food wasn’t hers to begin with, and she had received their kindness.
With remorse on her face, she said, "Thank you for your help. I realize that my actions might have crossed the line too, since the food isn’t mine to begin with... it’s the result of your kindness."
She looked over at Nyra when she said this, recognizing her. "Their family was the first to save me and brought me here, but then her husband died from the zombie attack. I hope that Miss Nyra doesn’t mind...?"
There was a look of expectation on Meira’s face. Zerra clicked her tongue at how fast they clashed with their first conflict.
Now, a lot of people were secretly looking at Nyra and waiting for her response, whose face was now became increasingly displeased.