~ Third Person's Point of View ~
* At Baraque Hut, Five Kilometer Away from Billy's House *
Cartlon, Billy, began to search for any survivors at the midst of the quiet and creepy surroundings.
Crow were eating human flesh that was abandoned everywhere as they walked by the usual routes.
"Ohh! What a dreadful smell!" Cartlon exclaimed when a strong wind blew up.
Billy covered his eyes with his arms. Strong winds brought the dust into the air that is not good for the eyes. "Oh! My eyes!"
He asked. "Can I?"
Billy didn't get what he meant. Yet, he hesitantly looked at him and said, "Of course!"
The swordsman steps closer to him and blows his eyes.
According to the elders, blowing someone eyes is the perfect and best way from not getting irritated and sore.
Cartlon touches his sword at his side. He exclaimed, "We need to hide, Billy!"
Billy replied, "But why?!"
"There's someone coming!" Cartlon grabs his arm and hides without Billy's approval.
It must be a survivor or a walking dead, Cartlon's thought. He must be alert and cautious because even survivors can be their enemy too.
"We must trust no one, Billy. Instead, we should concentrate on our quest." He uttered and move his head to watch who's coming.
Billy shook his head as he listened to him. "I don't want Alice to be dishearten and frustrated because we failed to achieve it."
Cartlon stared at the five men searching and looking out around the place.
All of them are carrying an ordinary kind of swords and gear.
Three of them were around the forties and the rest seems like juveniles like Billy.
"We need to hurry up! We need to look for a safe and prudent refuge!"
One of them exclaimed. He was tall, black-haired and his face was covered by beards.
"Stop! I think this is a perfect spot to rest for a while, Morgan."
Cartlon tried to see what's going on. The black-haired man, throw his things into the ground and looked around.
"Morgan, the place is clear. Zombies will stay in a populated areas, not here."
Morgan said, "Secured the area, forthwith! Hatius, Phoax, looked for something that can be used as a blockade, now!"
"Perhaps, The man named Morgan is their leader. Am I right, swordsman?"
Cartlon shook his head back and forth. He's thinking how can they escape without the strangers knowing.
"You're right, but as I notice they belong to the middle class."
Billy and Cartlon was hiding at the baraque hut, one kilometer away from five them.
However, Cartlon felt uneasy and anxious upon observing the strangers. "Swordsman, I think there's nothing to worry about. They are safe and no one of them is infected."
"Stay here, Billy. I'll talk to them."
Billy grabs his warm hands and said, "No! I'll come together with you, Swordsman. Don't worry, I am always ready."
"I can't allow putting your life into the edge of a mountain, Billy. Not for the second time."
"But–" Billy tried to convince him that he can handle himself.
But Cartlon couldn't guarantee to relinquish special people anymore.
"Stay here for a while, young man. I'll be right back!"
Billy has no choice but to let him go by himself. "Don't break your promise, swordsman."
Cartlon shook his head and walk slowly from him.
**
~ At Prince Zeln's Hideout ~
Princess Shaotzie looks for a bottle of wine, while Zachary seated on the bench waiting for the princess.
"I am sorry swordsman, but I didn't find something to clean to your wound. Don't worry, I have found a herbal medicine that can heal your wound fastest."
Zachary bowed to the princess and replied, "You don't have to do this, your majesty. I can handle it by myself."
He tried to stand up and get the medicine from the princess but he was caught off guard and fell over, enduring his bleeding gut.
Shaotzie run over to him and said, "Let me help you, swordsman. I may not be a good cook but I can be a healer."
"I shall serve you with all my life, your majesty. From this day, I will be your guardian philanthropist."
Shaotzie helped him to sit back and said, "Princess Alice will get mad if I refuse to accept your offer."
The princess walks into the side table and puts everything she needs. "I have to clean your words. Can I?"
She was referring to his outer garment that was full of blood-stained.
Zachary folds up his upper frock and let the princess cut off his plain shirt beneath his warrior's robe.
"Ohh! You got a deep wound but don't worry, it will heal in two days."
Princess Shaotzie rinsed his wounded gut with warm water. Then, she pulverized the leaves of the "healer plant" and put it directly to his wound.
She pressed it into the wound and said, "It may be painful but it's effective and beneficial."
"I even endure the sharp blade that touches into my vulnerable skin, your majesty. This pain is nothing compared to my previous wound and scar."
Princess Shaotzie was stunned and amazed by his story. She stood up and clasped her hands.
"Stay here and rest, swordsman. I'll get something to devour."
Zachary, for the nth time, lowered his head as a sign of respect and gratitude. "I shall obey your command, your majesty."
The young and innocent princess help him to lean on and take a quick rest. It would be better if he will close his eyes and gain enough energy and strength for their next voyage.
"Sleep now." She uttered.
Zachary felt weary and drowsy all of a sudden. As if like he was enchanted by the princess's soft and mesmerizing beauty and voice.
"Where are you?" She uttered as she walks quietly, away from the sleeping man.
She reaches a small dirty kitchen that was full of bread, fruits, and vegetables.
On the right side, there was an open window. She then slowly walk closer and tried to see what's going outside of that window.
"Who's that coming?"
Shaotzie put her hands on it, trying to recognize its face.
"Waaaaaaaaah!" But, in a glimpse, she saw something that makes her frightened and scream loudly.
"Heeeeeeeelp me!"