Sasha, Devon, Stephen and I all rendevouz at the gate entrance. We were wearing our special armor and they are carrying the special weapons assigned to us. Stephen is using a rifle like weapons, while Devon has gauntlets and Sasha had a lance like weapon in use. I on the other hand always carry the Japanese sword that was entrusted to me and the twin pistols that is a special weapon. We also packed some provisions that we need on the road ahead.
"Are you all ready to depart?" Stephen asked.
"Yes." The three of us reply in unison.
"The trip will not take long." Stephen said. "In my calculations, can make it there before the sun sets if there are no problems along the way."
"That is, if there are no problems." Devon repeated with a smirk.
"Let us just hope for the best." Sasha said while adjusting her weapon on her back. I nodded with her words.
What we need right now is to make haste. We need to get the medicine that is needed for Jelly to make a full recovery. My business in the community only comes second.
The gates in front of us open and we depart to our mission at hand.
**
The journey to the community was uneventful to our surprise. We did not encounter any daemons along the way and we were able to arrive at the community without any problems.
"Halt." A guard on the wall shouted. "What is your business here?"
I looked atop the wall and saw several guards pointing normal weapons at us. I felt my body tighten in alert. Having others point a gun on you is rather nerve recking. We had our hands up just in case they think we were enemies.
"I am Stephen from another community in the south." Stephen replied. "We are here to get some medicine supplies. I believe Doc had already sent a word."
The man above the wall that looked like the one in charge gestured the other men to lower down their weapons. He called for another person and had a conversation with him. They were conversing and nodding until they are done talking to each other. The man who was in charge looked at us from above.
"Your identities have been cleared. You may enter." The man said. "Open the gates and let them in!" He ordered.
Not long, the big gates in front of us opened little by little. Guards were also stationed at the entrance holding special and normal weapons. They let us in while being cautious of the surroundings.
We walked slowly inside but still on guard. Many eyes are upon us. A man that looked like in his late forties or early fifties was walking towards us. He had a smile on his face.
"Welcome to our humble community." The man said with a huge smile on his face. "It has been a while since I saw you Stephen. How have you been? You have never once visited us here, your mother will be happy to see you in person."
"Hello father." Stephen said with a blank face.
I was surprised to know that Stephen have living family here in this community. I looked at Sasha in confusions and she just blinked at me.
"It is complicated." Sasha whispered to me. "I am sure Stephen will explain it to you." I just nodded.
"What brings you here and your unit?" Stephen's father asked. "Oh, there is a new face."
"We are here to get the medicine that Doc needs to treat a patient." Stephen replied. "We are planning to spend the night and go back out early in the morning. Oh, and this is Claudia. She is also here for some personal business."
"I see." Stephen's father replied. "Then I will tell the others to prepare your rooms. Why don't you go to your mother and say hi. I bet she will be delighted to see you."
"…thanks." Stephen said with a glum expression.
The man that was in charge on top of the wall was walking towards us with a serious expression.
"My name is Glenn." He introduced in a curt way. "I will show you to your rooms. Follow me."
Sasha, Devon, and I followed the man named Glenn while Stephen followed his father somewhere else.
After we were sent to our rooms and left alone, we took off our armor and weapons to change into normal clothes and took a shower one after the other.
"Hah, that was intense." Devon said while we are all lounging.
The room had two bunk beds. Both Sasha and I took the bottom bed while Devon and Stephen would probably take the upper ones. Sasha and I were sitting besides one another in my bed while Devon was standing up, towel drying is hair.
"Do you know Stephen's dad?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Yes." Sasha replied. "He was out superior and commanding officer in our unit when we were in the army."
"Oh…" I replied. I nearly forgot the the three of them were all in the army together in the past.
"He is a strict one,, even to Stephen his own son." Devon said. "I still remember the intense training we received from him. It still gives me the shivers remembering it." He gestured.
"Well, as you can see in the interaction between father and son. They have some bad blood going on between them. It is not my story to tell, so. I can't tell you what's going on between them."
"Oh no, it is fine." I shrugged my hands. "I am not that curious." I replied.
I cannot pry on other's relationship. I too have some problems with my relationship with my mother, and I understand that prying eyes can't be good for the person that receives them.
*KNOCK KNOCK*
"Come in." Sasha said.
The door opened and Stephen was standing there with a middle aged woman. She was rather beautiful even with her age.
"Good evening ma'am." Sasha and Devon stood up to greet her and I followed doing the same.
"Oh, no need to greet me like that." The woman said. "I am just happy to see that you are living well."
"Claudia, this is my mother." Stephen introduced. "Mother this is Claudia. The one I am talking to you about."
"Hello Claudia." Stephen's mother greeted and extended her hand and I took it immediately to shake.
"H-Hello." I greeted awkwardly.
"I heard you searching for your family. Maybe I can help you with that." Stephen's mother said.
"Really?!" I beamed after hearing her words.
"Yes, well I have heard the names of your daughter and brother that Stephen had mentioned." Stephen's mother had said. "Let us talk in my office."
"O-Of course!" I replied enthusiastically.
At last, I have a lead on my family.
Edited by: nalyn