Bab 45: Her Resolve

It was only an hour later when Sissa finally calmed down a bit.

"Thank you, Nile." Sissa said as she wiped the tears in her face.

"Were you the one who put him to rest?" Sissa continued.

Nile nodded his head. "I'm sorry."

"No, it's alright. I'm extremely grateful for what you did. Seeing my boy becoming a zombie is more hurtful than seeing him resting in peace." Sissa said as she stood up.

She glanced around and plucked some white flowers on the surrounding before she put it on the mound.

Sissa continued as she pointed at the Acacia Tree. "Nile, could you write the name of my boy there?"

Nile nodded his and said. "Of course."

He drew out the katana from the sheathe and waited for a while.

Sissa found a piece of rock and started to scribble on the ground.

After she finished writing on the ground, Nile nodded his head as he started to transfer the letters to the Acacia Tree.

She was using some strange characters, but Nile somehow understood it.

"Crispin."

That was the name of Sissa's son.

Sissa got curious and asked Nile what had really happened.

Nile recounted the story on how he met the kid. He omitted the part on how he killed the zombie, of course.

Sissa asks if Nile also saw her husband inside. Nile answered that he only saw the kid.

There are bodies everywhere, but he really did not have the time to inspect them one by one.

Nile proposes that they should go to the Kanor Department Store and search for her husband's body, at least.

Sissa agreed.

As the zombie's around the area are already cleared by Nile, their journey was rather uneventful.

Still, if there are zombie's wandering around, Nile will not have a problem neutralizing them.

When they arrived at the Department Store, Nile thought that Sissa might not be able to see things here as she was just a half-step Level One° Human.

Nile guided Sissa as they arrived at the upper floors. Before the search, Nile decided to search for a flashlight first.

He then realizes another problem. Will the flashlight still work?

He contemplated a bit and remembered that the flashlight that Ombit and others were using was still working.

Nile suddenly felt confused. If the batteries are no longer useful, how come the flashlight could still be used?

After a while, Nile found a small flashlight the size of two fingers at most.

When Nile tried to turn it on, it indeed was still working fine. Although the light was dim, it was acceptable compared to seeing nothing.

Nile gave the flashlight to Sissa.

Nile got curious. Because there are still many of that kind of flashlight, he decided to pick at least three.

The two are back-ups in case the flashlight Sissa is using will suddenly turn off.

The remaining flashlight, he opened the butt-cap and took out the battery on it. There is only one battery on there. Its size did not reach two inches in height and only a finger size in width.

There is also salty-like powder on there, but it was miniscule.

Nile arrived at the guess that maybe smaller things only have a miniscule effect for now. Maybe the reaction the System said mainly occurred on some 'big' things, while the 'smaller' things are only accidental casualties?

Well, Nile did not have something to prove it, so this thing remains a guess for now.

...

Unbearable stench keeps on assaulting Sissa's nose. Sometimes, she even had the idea to just puke her guts out.

But she persevered. She at least wanted to see her dear husband's body.

Nile helped in her search. Because of the effect of the mask, Nile did not smell something unpleasant.

After an hour of searching, they still did not find the body of Sissa's husband.

Sissa's shoulder is dropped down, on her hand was the last flashlight Nile brought as a back-up.

Nile could see that Sissa is ready to give up at any moment. Tears are forming in the corner of her eyes.

Nile suddenly thought of an idea.

"Sister, follow me!" Nile said as he beckoned to Sissa.

Sissa nodded and followed Nile.

After a while, they arrived at the Toy area again.

They have already searched this area from earlier. But Nile thinks that they might have missed some spot.

That spot was the area where the arcade ride was located.

The arcade ride was at the very corner of the room.

Nile walks closer to the arcade ride and approached to its backside.

Indeed, there is a body of a man in there. It was lying face down to the ground.

Sissa's eyes became hopeful.

Nile flipped the body over. Although the face could no longer be recognized because of the grievous wound on it. Sissa still nodded her head in confirmation.

That was her husband, there's no way she could be wrong.

Seeing the state of her husband, Sissa could not help but wept again. This was the man she loved the most. This was the man who gave her a happy life. This was the man who married her. This was the man who dearly loves her. This was the father of her son. Her lovable husband had been reduced to this state.

Nile thought that Sissa's water reserve was exceptional. She was crying all day long, but she could still produce this amount of tears right now.

Sissa wept and wept. She could not help but think how cruel the world is to her.

She is the only one left. Two months ago, they were living quite a happy life. But within an instant, it was all gone.

While still sobbing she said. "Nile... won't it be better if I also died and became a zombie that time? Would it all be better if I die now?"

Nile was tongue-tied with this question. He really did not have an answer to this.

If she also became infected at that time, will she no longer have to suffer this way? If she decided to end her life right now, will the suffering really end? Or will she experience another form of suffering instead?

But Nile knew that it was wrong to commit suicide. Nile knew that suicides are not the correct answer. It might be on some cases, but it is clearly not on this one.

After a while Nile said, "Sister, you know. Your family must really be happy seeing that you are still alive. Do not live your life in sorrow."

Sissa gained a moment of clarity in her eyes. Her eyes are finally full of resolve.

"Nile, I want revenge." She said resolutely.

"You are strong right, lNile? Please, I'm begging you, teach me how to become one. I'm willing to do anything you want. Just make me strong." She continued.

Nile widened his eyes. Not because of the 'I'm willing to do anything you want' statement, of course. His eyes widened because of how determined Sissa is to take revenge.

Nile nodded his head. "I will teach you. I don't want you to do anything. But I only have one request."

"What is it?" Sissa said eagerly.

"Survive!"

Nile said seriously as he stared straight into Sissa's eyes.