Chapter 15: Chapter Fifteen - Curry Night
The main property had eight bedrooms and three bathrooms on the 1st floor, another two bedrooms, a games room and a shower room in the loft space and there was even a small apartment above the large twin garages off of the side of the house. And that did not include the large spaces upon the ground floor. There was plenty of room for a rootless squad to move into, especially seeing as the owner himself did not seem to mind it at all.
Paul hummed to himself quietly in the kitchen as he opened a tin of chicken curry, a tin of mixed beans and another of chopped carrots and poured them all into the large pot, mixing them a little before igniting the gas on the campfire stove. These had all been discovered as they made their last raid in town before… he sighed. No point dwelling on that. The squad was safe. Better than that, the squad had discovered a rare treasure in the middle of nowhere, a garden filled with growing fruit and vegetables and a youth with the skills to produce them.
Now if only they could find a decent chef to cook them in the future..
Paul's skills were in the region of stir fries, boiling pasta and rice as well as a few simple meat dishes. But the only meat available now was what was stored in tins and he doubted it would be long before they would have to live without. He stirred the heating mixture, while trying to suppress a loud yawn.
"Hey," Harry called out as he entered the kitchen. "What's for dinner?"
"Curry," Paul replied. "Win found a few beers in a small fridge in one of the rooms. Probably the private stash of one of the workers."
"Aw sweet," Harry's taste buds were already tingling in anticipation. How long had it been since anyone here had last cracked open a can? Dex had always discouraged the squad from bringing any back to the base, not wanting to cause rifts with the other squads or those who had to remain behind and wanting to prioritise food and essentials over something unnecessary to their survival.
"What are the others up to?" Paul asked.
"Dex is on the roof, checking out the area," Harry told him. "He wants to be sure we know what we are dealing with before we see whether to hold up here or secure more of the village. Patrick is with Ren seeing if he can get himself some powers." Paul rolled his eyes heavenward. If that was possible, surely the rest of them would have tried something by now as well! The only ones to gain powers were those who got sick like those who succumbed to the virus. Those who stayed well, didn't get nada.
"Tyler?" Paul asked.
"Having a shave I suspect," Harry replied.
"Does he even grow facial hair?" Paul asked, scornfully.
Harry just shrugged. "He seems to think so. You know, he was a lawyer before the end and a little bit obsessed with his looks. I think not being able to shower everyday and lack of grooming products is what transforms him into a little bitch."
"If you say so," Paul yawned again.
"Tired?"
"Didn't get much sleep last night," Paul replied.
"Yeah, I can imagine," Harry sighed, softly.
"What about that kid?" Paul asked, glancing into the steaming pot and appreciating the aromas. It all may have come from a tin rather than be made of fresh ingredients, but his growling stomach did not give a damn. He lifted up another good sized pot and filled it with water from a jug that Tyler had left for him.
"Disappeared back to his cottage," Harry replied. He paused. "Do.. do you think that there is something a bit… different with that kid?"
"Looks like he might be autistic," came a response from behind them. Tyler was standing there, a towel about his shoulders catching droplets of water from his wet hair. His shower had been a cold one, created by his own ability, but he felt a lot more human because of it. "I worked with a woman on a discrimination case once on behalf of her daughter. He reminds me a little of what the girl was like, though not as extreme. I invested a fair bit of time into researching the condition, but I could barely scratch the surface of it."
Harry and Paul glanced at each other and the former carefully said; "If that's the case, I think you might owe the kid an apology."
Tyler's face became stoic and he gritted his teeth as he replied; "I am aware."
Paul rolled his eyes, before swapping the pot of curry for the cold pot of water, in order to boil rice. He placed a lid upon the curry sauce to keep it warm in the meantime. "I saw some tupperware in the cupboard, I'll put some of the dinner aside for the kid. Maybe you could take it over to him?"
Tyler's eyes narrowed, but he gave a curt nod of agreement.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Ebonsolaris
Ebonsolaris Just a short chapter, let you know I have not forgotten this book!
I came fourth in the competition by the way! Not bad for a late entry.
Congratulations to LonelyLittleMiss with Miss Idol, I love you for winning the competition prompt.
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