Chương 77: [77] Departure
There was a grim determination in the air as we moved to bind the men together. Kaya ripped some long strips of fabric from the curtains, using them as makeshift ropes to tie their hands and feet. Yan-Hua helped, her hands steady despite the palpable tension that hung in the air. Hazuki kept her pistol trained on them, her normally soft eyes hard and unyielding.
I watched Cassidy, her sports bra and underwear still on, her athletic form moving with lithe efficiency as she helped corral the men into a tight group in the center of the room. She handled the situation with a grim sort of grace that was both impressive and terrifying. It was clear these men had underestimated her - we all had.
Once the men were tied up securely, we left the cabin and made our way towards Al's white van. Cassidy and I opened the gas tank, dousing the vehicle in fuel. Then, with a single match, we lit it up, the flames casting a flickering, hellish light against the night sky. We watched in silence as the van became a roaring bonfire, a beacon in the darkness that was both terrifying and strangely mesmerizing.
Leaving the burning van behind, we moved towards the men's jeep parked nearby. The engine roared to life under Hazuki's skilled touch, the headlights cutting a swath through the darkness as we prepared to set off.
As we drove away, I took one last look at the fiery scene we left behind, the flames dancing like specters in the night. It was a hauntingly beautiful sight - a reminder of the world we once knew, and the hell we were now living in. But we had survived yet another day in this apocalypse, and as long as we stuck together, I knew we could face whatever came next.
"I am never doing that again boss." Cassidy said grudgingly, though there was no ill will in her face.
"You don't need to tell me twice." I let out a sigh as we drove into the distance.
***
The night was cold, and the headlights of the Jeep illuminated a small patch of the road ahead of us. We pulled over at a quiet, remote spot off the main road, the hush of the wilderness around us acting as a serene backdrop to the drama we'd just left behind.
Turning off the engine, Cassidy was the first to step out, her blonde hair gleaming under the moonlight. She made her way towards the back, her every movement radiating a kind of fierce determination that made me feel safe.
"Let's see what we've got," she called out, pulling open the trunk.
Hazuki joined her, her soft yet firm nurse hands carefully rifling through the contents of the trunk. Yan-Hua and Kaya remained by the car, keeping a watchful eye on our surroundings.
I stood by Cassidy, our shoulders brushing. She picked up one of the energy bars, turning it over in her hands. "Not the best meal, but it'll do," she commented. Her tone was light, but her eyes were serious.
Yan-Hua nodded, her voice just as serious as she said, "Food is food. We can't be picky in a situation like this." She looked at each of us in turn, her gaze lingering on Kaya's still-bandaged side. "We need to eat and regain our strength."
Kaya, always the optimist, flashed a grin. "At least we won't starve, right?"
Meanwhile, Hazuki had picked up one of the guns, her fingers tracing over the metal with an apprehensive touch. "We have more firepower now," she stated, her voice steady despite the anxiety lurking in her eyes. "This will help us in the long run."
Cassidy took the gun from Hazuki, inspecting it with a practiced eye. "A few more guns, some ammo," she listed off, her gaze hardening as she looked at the rest of us. "We've got more than we started with. It's a win."
"I am going to hunt for some game. That way we can trade it in for other goods." Kaya said, as she slung one of the rifles over her back.
Kaya's voice cut through the air like a blade. We all turned to look at her, seeing the determined look on her face and the gleam in her eyes. It was clear that she wasn't going to take no for an answer.
She had slung one of the rifles over her shoulder, her slender fingers gripping the worn leather strap tightly. She was clad in her stripped down combat fatigues and boots, looking every bit the soldier that she was, even in this foreign, rugged wilderness.
"I'm going to hunt for some game," she repeated, her tone firm but soft. "We need more than energy bars to keep us going."
Cassidy was the first to respond, a thoughtful look in her eyes as she met Kaya's gaze. "It's a good idea," she said. "But are you sure you're up for it? With your injury..."
Kaya shrugged nonchalantly, dismissing the concern with a wave of her hand. "It's a scratch," she said, a fierce gleam in her eyes. "I've had worse."
Hazuki frowned, her eyes full of worry. "Kaya, you've lost a lot of blood," she said. "You should be resting, not..."
"I'm fine, Hazuki," Kaya interrupted, her voice soft but final. She gave the nurse a reassuring smile. "I'm not going to do anything reckless. Just a quick hunt."
"I'll go with you," Yan-Hua said, standing up and dusting off her jeans. "Two pairs of eyes are better than one."
I watched the exchange silently, taking in the determination and resilience that shone through each woman. I felt a wave of admiration wash over me, and I knew then that no matter what, we would make it through this.
"Be careful," I finally said, meeting Kaya's eyes. "And don't push yourself too hard."
She gave me a nod, her lips curving into a small smile. "I won't," she said. "We'll be back before you know it."
And with that, Kaya and Yan-Hua set off into the wilderness, their figures gradually disappearing into the darkness.
Once they were gone, Cassidy turned her gaze towards me, her sapphire eyes glimmering under the dim light of the car. She raised an eyebrow at me, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"So," she started, her voice soft and a touch uncertain, "I've never actually dated before... how does this whole boyfriend-girlfriend thing work?"
Q: Have you been in a relationship before?
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