บท 13: The humanoid creature (3)

Listening to Lance's plan, Ramie was impressed.

"This might actually work!"

It was really a well thought out plan, giving him a pleasant surprise.

It was very simple plan; basically, they sneak their way to the harbor and then find a boat or anything that can float, and use it to go to the east side of the city via the sea. Off course, they wouldn't do that in one go, as they had no idea what kind of creatures was lurking outside. Instead, they would scout the area first, and move to another place. Then scout… and move. And repeat the process as many times as it needs until they reach the harbor.

Also, there was no set time line for this plan.

However, it wasn't exactly risk free plan, as they had to make their way to the harbor through the city streets safely. And then find something to carry them to the east side, via the sea.

So, even though this plan involved getting out of the building into the streets, Ramie still agreed to it. As after weighting the pros and cons, he concluded that this was the best available course of action for him, considering the situation. After all, they can't just stay in this apartment for ever, especially when considering that a beast could sneak on them at any time.

Ramie had many reasons to agree to join them. And the prime one among them was food and water!

It had been proven in the earlier confrontation with the creature; this building was not as safe as he believed it to be, and not mention later on, he was hungry already. As the small meal he had was far from satisfying his hunger.

So, whether it is now or later, he would have no choice but to leave this apartment looking for these two necessities.

And considering that, was there any way to guarantee that he wouldn't run into one of these things?

Of course not!

And even if was lucky enough and didn't. Sooner or later, the remaining food would be used up and he'll find no alternative other than leaving this building, and search for food in the nearby stores!

So, how is this any different from what they are suggesting to him right now?

At least with them, he wouldn't be alone.

As if he was unlucky enough to run into one of these things by himself, then death really is a sure thing. At least, with these two policemen, he'd have a fighting chance.

Besides, he still didn't know what his artifacts could do, as opposite to the real power that Lance could use anytime, or the potential that Neil's spell might have according to its description.

Also, if the earlier fight with the creature taught him something, then, it would be; with numbers comes safety, or at least, a better surviving chance!

It also taught him that being with Lance is a hell lot better than being without him!

Because, when Neil was in critical moment, he dashed to face that fearsome creature all by himself!

And that action spoke a lot of his character, depicting him as man willing to put himself in a danger for the sake of others.

So, even if Lance wouldn't necessarily do the same for him, but considering that he might be in this situation with the likes of the fellows that wanted to shut the building door on them, leaving them to the ferocious creature outside; ending up with these two policemen was a world apart better.

So, considering all of these factors, he probably would have gone along with them even if he didn't have anyone he knew in the camp!

Beside, even if going for the camp wasn't risk free, but it sure seemed a lot better to take that chance rather than to stay here starving and surrounded by man-eating predators.

After discussing things for a while, the direction of the discussion moved to another crucial mater.

"We have to find more food!" Lance spoke grimly.

The earlier two sacks of noodles were nowhere near being enough to sate their hunger.

At the mention of food, the atmosphere intensified in the living room where they were sitting right now, and became heavy.

They knew that solving this issue means another possible encounter with a ferocious creature!

Though there is a chance that they wouldn't encounter anything at all. But after the earlier live and death struggle, they weren't feeling very optimistic in this regard.

There was also a chance that they might even face a worse creature, or even multiple ones.

Ramie's heart turned heavy at this line of thought.

But he knew that there was no evading this.

Food was an absolute necessity, and they had to do this today, as they had some energy, rather than tomorrow, when they are weaker.

Before making sense of the situation outside in the streets, and whether it is safe for them to leave the building, they would have to spend some time staying in this building for now.

This meant that for this while, they'd have to acquire their food from inside the building, as they take their time to understand the situation outside, and determine the best route for leaving.

Taking a deep breath, and steeling his heart, Ramie made up his mind.

At least this time, they weren't as hungry and weak as before.

…

They prepared themselves to go out and search for food on other apartments.

The wave of refugees that had come from other cities had probably stayed in this building for a while after the original inhabitants were moved to the east side of the city, thus, their current chances of founding food or water were very slim.

But, before they go out to the nearby stories out in the streets, they had at least to make sure that there is no food in the entire building, and only go out as a last resort.

After all, as dangerous as the interior of the building might be, it was still safer from out in these streets.

At the moment, Neil was busy fixing a knife with broken handle that he found in the kitchens drawer on a wooden stick. Without the handle, it was only blade, but that what made it ideal to turn it into a short spear.

As for Lance, he was trying to get used to the life energy that was vigorously coursing through his body.

Ramie on the other hand was standing next to the window, peering through a small opening and observing the streets below.

As he stood looking, he was feeling terribly uncomfortable. Just a week ago, these streets were vibrant and priming with liveliness and activity. And almost all the time, a continuous stream of passing cars could be seen pacing back and forth… people going about their businesses… children noises… But now, these streets were desolate and devoid of any trace of life and movement, which brought about a chilly atmosphere that could render anyone anxious and fearful.

the blowing wind and the deathly silent made it as though this city was ghosts haven.

As Ramie looked down to the street below, the voice of Lance snapped him back to his senses.

"We're moving now!"

…

Walking up the stairs, the three reached the third floor, but they did not stop, as they had already faced creature in this floor. Thus, this floor became forbidden land for them from then on.

Besides, the had no idea if there was another creature sneaking into that apartment or not.

Thus, they opted to search in the rest of the floors and forsake this entire floor.

As they reached another floor, as usual, Lance signaled them to stay still at the entrance, while he moved to check things first.

He moved silently, holding a large sized knife, alertly, and preparing to respond to anything that might happen.

He walked along the corridor, rotating the handles of the doors, to see which is unlocked among them.

He tried the first apartment, second, third…

But so far, all of them were locked.

At the entrance of the floor, Ramie stood alert, as he watched Lance reach out to the handle of the forth door. Neil too was standing beside him.

Suddenly, a terrible outburst of frosty chill ran down his spine like a shock electricity, as an imminent sense of crisis exploded in his heart.

He felt indescribably sense of alarm flickering violently in his soul!

It was as if a malicious shadow had locked onto him, wanting to devour him.

RUN! RUN! RUN! RUN!

At once, and even before he could react, his survival instinct that he didn't even know he had, took over, instantly, prompting him to explode in motion!!

In a heartbeat, the muscles in his legs burst with strength, propelling him forth, toward Lance that was few meters away inside the corridor of the floor!

Grabbing Neil's hand, he charged ahead with all of his might.

His mind wasn't even given the chance to process the situation!

In fact, even he himself didn't exactly know what made him react in such intense and violent manner.

However, he had a strong sense that if he didn't get away from the stairway as fast as possible, then something extremely terrifying would befall him!

Thud!

Ramie heard the sound of something heavy lands on the ground behind, at the spot where he was standing. But he didn't stop, and kept pulling the staggering Neil with him.

Lance who was about to check the forth door, heard the noise, and looked back at Ramie's direction.

His expression changed immediately.

In no time, he processed the situation, and charged toward the two in haste.

Seeing Lance ran toward them with intense look on his face, Ramie immediately understood the situation!

His heart skipped a beat.

They had just left the apartment, and now they were already in another life or death confrontation!

However this time, Ramie didn't allow panic to overwhelm his heart.

Gritting his teeth, he kept running toward Lance.

Neil too, seemed to understand the situation, as he picked up the pace and ran toward Lance, just few steps behind Ramie.

Like a speeding car, Lance reached them. He then forced himself to stop, and faced the direction of the stairway!

After meeting Lance halfway, Ramie and Neil also stopped, moved behind Lance, and brandished their sharp weapons toward the floor entrance. Ready for the confrontation!

Unlike before, this time around, they were ready for the fight that will decide their life from death!

…