After their feat of laughter, Damian's face returned to his calm, nonchalant, and apathetic state. Even his laughter wasn't too exaggerated; calm and reserved.
They fell into a bout of silence before Damian broke it with his calm, bone-chilling voice with a question, "Won't we be needing firearms in the future?"
He knew they needed such things if they wanted to stand against the demons, at least the ones of the lowest level.
Mark seemed to be in thought before he spoke up, "Yes we do, but we can't possibly raid the police headquarters."
"You're right. The officers that were at the police station at the start of the 1st phase would try their best to keep their only means of survival intact."
"I don't think so, they would keep them and try to form a resistance. That's why I haven't considered going back to my colleagues. I'm already doing something similar, so it's like we're dividing the labour."
Damian was silent. He didn't believe Mark but he didn't rule out the possibility of there being such good officers, although it was nearly impossible. This disaster was unforeseen, most people will lose their calm and rational way of thinking and start thinking only about their survival.
"So how do we acquire what we need?" Damian asked.
"I know a guy." Mark said. He was a police officer, he likely had one or two informants.
According to the time, it was the early hours of the evening. They had snacks for dinner and went to bed after a few hours passed.
* * *
In the early hours of the morning, about 2 hours after the sun had risen.
David got ready and announced to his group members that they were to depart by 8:00 a.m. sharp and they shouldn't forget anyone or anything behind. He wanted to close up to Damian as soon as possible.
Harry was being superbly wary of his father for reasons unknown to him also. He just didn't feel there was something right with his father.
Stephanie, the easily convinced and gullible vibrant teenage girl was looking forward to her father's plans to rid the world of this apocalypse that was brought upon by Damian Cross.
She ignored the fact that he helped her because she felt that it was one of 'his' devious plans that had a deeper, ulterior motive that she couldn't fathom.
The number of the group members totalled 32, plus children.
After all their preparations were met, they finally advanced.
They were 'walking' all the way from Cranberry Street to Brooklyn Bridge - City Hall Subway Station, using the same method Damian and company used.
* * *
Damian, Mark, and Arthur got up early and made necessary preparations so they could meet Mark's 'friend'.
Mark said he was at Houston Street. A bit far away from Brooklyn Bridge - City Hall Subway Station. They could likely run into any problem with demons and people who were seeking rings on their way there due to the distance, so they formed a counter-measure.
"Arthur, you'll have to stay here and guard the base, while I and Mark go visit a friend." Damian said in the most heart-warming way he could but his default apathetic look betrayed him. He could act but not when he didn't deem it necessary.
Arthur didn't respond. He just stared blankly at the air in front of him. Then after a few seconds, he raised his head to look at Damian.
"We won't be gone for too long. Besides, I think David Dolan's group is probably on their way here and I need someone to welcome them." Damian put the silver wrist watch he got from that demon back at the basement of the apartment building at Cranberry Street in Arthur's hand.
Arthur lowered his head to look at the watch.
"I need you to record exactly 'when' they arrive. Can you do that for me?" Without waiting for a reply, Damian stood up and straightened his back. He had run out of 'heart warming' things to say.
They were to head to Spring Street Subway. Damian walked up to meet Mark who was waiting for him up ahead.
"You're surprisingly talkative when it comes to that kid." Mark chuckled as he spoke.
"Don't you think it isn't safekeeping him here alone?" Mark couldn't help but ask.
"There's a higher level of danger above. There's danger everywhere, even here." Damian didn't say more, all he needed to say was already said.
In the world, it was survival of the fittest. The dangers were lurking everywhere one cast his gaze upon and even in the shadows. Even if Arthur followed them, they wouldn't be able to guarantee his safety, much less theirs. Him staying behind was to protect him and also protect them.
"Oh, I forgot something." Mark said and ran back to Arthur then reached for his right led then pulled out a small gun and handed it over to Arthur.
…
Damian and Mark finally got to Spring Street Subway and exited the subway lines.
The streets were desolate and quiet.
The demons flying around the sky didn't seem to be too much in this area.
Damian and Mark decided to walk all the way there since using the subway shortened their distance to a considerable walking length.
They passed a clothes shop that showed a male looking mannequin dressed in a blue tuxedo and other suits through the glass display pane.
Shrrrr!
Suddenly, a blinder rolled down inside the display and covered the glass pane.
Damian was quite relieved to see signs of other people but he knew that that person was not quite experienced. He/she rolled down the pane even though Damian wasn't able to see him/her. It was just like saying, "I'm here, come kill me."
They walked a few blocks, and apparently, no demon disturbed them.
Vroom!
The sound of a car engine rang in the surrounding area and a black mini-van drove past Damian and Mark from behind.
The mini-van was black and had graffiti on the door facing Damian and Mark, written "The devil's cradle."
The door of the mini-van opened and a fat man with a bushy beard, wearing a black gothic jacket with tiny silver cones stuck on them, and tight black leather jeans with various chains hanging from his waist shouted, "Y'all are pussyos! Devil's descent into the earth is inevitable! Hahahaha!"
Damian just looked at the man with an apathetic expression filled with disgust and contempt. 'That idiot was probably one of those insane people that revere and worship the devil.'
"Hey! We need help! Can you give us a ride?!" Mark shouted but the mini-van was moving fast.
Damian and Mark could see the next t-junction of the street up ahead.
Boom!
Just when the mini-van got there, a ball of fire came from the right diversion and blew the mini-van up.
Damian and Mark instinctively knew who and what that was so they quickly ran the opposite way even though their destination was up ahead.
Huff...Huff… They gasped for air in the alley they found close by to hide.
They would occasionally peep to see if those warrior looking demons had passed.
After about an hour, when they were sure the armoured demons had passed, they continued their journey.
…
Upon getting to a gas station, Mark surveyed the area then signified to Damian that it was safe to enter.
Damian unsheathed his knife and Mark held his iron baseball bat.
Grrring!
The sound of the bell above the door rang as they entered the gas station's store. But nearly immediately, a figure rose from under the counter.
"Put your hands up in the air!" The fat man with a bald head, long brown beard, a pair of blue eyes, a chiselled nose, wearing a sleeveless black jacket, said as he pointed a shotgun at them.