David and Damian both wore grave expressions on their faces. They had been staring dead into each other's eyes for the past 10 minutes.
Mark suggested that they share an equal amount of information, but then the problem lay on who would start first. David sent Stephanie away to check on the status of the group members.
David said he knew something about the apocalypse and Damian said he had plans to make a haven. They both had things that were being risked by telling the other about what gave them an upper hand in the apocalypse.
"So why don't we stop the staring contest and move forward with this meeting?" Mark understood that the sudden apocalypse got everyone on edge, so them trusting each other was going to be very hard.
David just sighed and spoke, "You must have already noticed that smartphones now have a new operating system. This new operating system is most likely a helpful tool in this apocalypse. It has 5 tabs. The first shows your stats, the second shows the current phase detail, the third is for messages and notifications, the fourth is an inventory but it's locked until you get to a certain rank, and the last is the 'store'."
Damian was a bit impressed with the functions of the operating system, but he suspected David.
...The stats, special powers, rings, upgrade points. It's something that's exclusive to each person for 'individual' survival. A bane to any group in this apocalypse...
He looked around the room and found a box full of phones on the last shelf of the bookshelf just across from him, which confirmed his suspicion.
"Since you confiscated their phones I assume they don't know about what you're telling me right now." Damian smiled gently with his weak eyes slightly closed.
Damian now had something he could use against David if he and his group ever end up following him to the abandoned station.
David just ignored what Damian said and continued, "Of course this operating system has many other functions but I can't possibly tell you every single detail right?" David paused, then switched gazes between Mark and Damian, then continued, "And also... it seems this apocalypse was predetermined, because it was also 'prophesied'."
"What?!"
Damian didn't shout but the sudden change in his calm and nonchalant way of speaking didn't go unnoticed.
How was it predetermined? Wasn't it his wish gone wrong?
Mark and David looked confused. For them, its prediction
shouldn't come as a surprise or something unexpected, but it was for Damian. Is it that he expected it to happen out of the blue? Or like some natural disaster? They just didn't know.
Damian noticed their confusion and didn't want them to suspect him so he immediately cleared his throat and repeated the question, "What?"
"...I can't explain much but I will tell you where you can gain insight on this matter. Now tell me yours," David said.
Mark looked at Damian, who in turn just nodded softly, telling him to go ahead.
"Ok. We're planning to hide underground."
"By underground, you mean?"
"An abandoned subway station. And we'll also use the subway tracks to move things around the city."
David suddenly became quiet as he sank into his thoughts.
"That's a brilliant idea!" David said, "When do you plan to commence with the plan?"
"Later today," Damian was the one who answered this time, "So where can we get the information about the apocalypse?"
"I will tell you… but as you can see this place is becoming too small for our growing numbers, so promise you will take us with you and every information about the apocalypse is yours." David had a wide smile on his face like he just hit the jackpot.
"This apartment building has many floors, doesn't it?"
"I'm sure you also know the dangers of staying here."
Damian was silent for a moment before he spoke, "Fine then. But we'll only tell you where we're going. How you get there is none of our business."
"...Ok then."
Mark let out a sigh of relief that the conversation between them went well.
"Now tell us." Damian didn't want to waste any more time so he immediately demanded.
"There is an old man on the last floor. He was considered crazy due to his rant about a coming apocalypse and was called 'The Prophet' as a form of sarcastic mockery but things played out differently, didn't they Go to him for your answers…. but I have to ask, why do you want to know the prophecy of the apocalypse even if it isn't needed? Besides, we've already been told how to end it."
"Our business here is done." Damian stood up and left the apartment while Mark followed suit.
David still sat where he was. He suspected Damian but he didn't know what for.
"I'll keep a closer eye on you, Damian." He muttered to himself. Right before Stephanie came running in.
* * *
Damian and Mark made their way to the 8th floor using the stairs as usual.
On their way, none of them spoke to each other. Mark wanted to ask Damian why he was so eager to know more about the prophecy even though knowing won't be useful, but Damian was just on his phone. He had been trying to switch off his phone.
He repeatedly tapped the home button, pressed the power button and even tried to remove the battery but it was built-in; plus, he wasn't sure removing the battery would do much since it didn't look like he needed to charge his phone in that mode, which meant it was most likely non-reliant on the battery.
They got to the door of the last floor but there was still stairs leading up to the roof.
Mark stayed behind Damian so what happened earlier where Damian left him won't repeat itself.
The floor was empty. Pieces of paper, tin cans and other types of trash were lying on the ground but it didn't seem the place was inhabited.
"Did that guy lie to us?" Mark asked himself.
They walked forward calmly and soon stopped in front of the third apartment's door. David gave them the exact apartment number that the 'prophet' was in, so they didn't need to check the others.
Damian opened the door and was met with an awful stench. Upon entering, the walls were filled with papers and pictures that were connected with red and blue threads.
All the apartments in the building had the same structure. A living room was seen immediately one enters, a small kitchen further down and a dining table beside it. The bedroom door was behind the living room in a small cut in. Everything will seem inverted depending on the location of the apartment, whether it was on the left part of the building or the right.
That was how all the apartments were but this room was entirely different.
The window blinds were closed and only slim rays of light could pass through.
Damian and Mark heard slow but steady footsteps coming from the bedroom, and soon enough, an old man wearing a white singlet with numerous stains with half of his face burnt and grey hair came into view.
As for an old man, he still stood upright and it was obvious he was somewhat muscular when he was younger. His height was just slightly above average.
"I have been waiting for you. My name is Ivan Adolf Grigorovich, and it is a pleasure to meet you… Damian Cross." The old man smiled, showing all his teeth, looking like a total maniac.