Chapter 9 - Nasir

The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke stands for danger; the other, for an opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger-- but recognize the opportunity.

Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them. Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain, but for the heart to conquer it.

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"Collins leave them. I'm sure they'll run back when they find out their choice was wrong. Then it would be too late. " Esme announced confidently, looking at Chloe and the others with disdain.

"Do you guys know where the cafeteria is?" A sudden voice asked.

Hmm!

Hearing the sudden voice coming from their back, everyone turned their heads, looking at the young man not too far away, their mouths slackening. It took a couple of minutes for them to regain their bearings, seeing the young man walking toward them.

The young man was not too shabby nor extremely handsome. Just the normal guy you see everywhere. However, something about him differs from other young men.

Yet they couldn't wrap their heads around what was different about him. His deep blue eyes looked at the people with expressionless face.

"None of you know where the cafeteria is located, hmm?" Justin raised his brow. His stomach had been grumbling all day long. He wanted to come earlier.

On the other hand, seeing them reaching a point of choice wass a gift. He gave them privacy and also to see those people's who saw the world for what it was.

"Are you not a student?" Esme asked with a furrow.

Hearing this, the others nodded. How could a student not know the location of the cafeteria?

"Don't question me." Justin looked at Esme for a moment before averting his gaze. "If you know the direction, just point it to me. And if not, just keep quiet. "

Hearing Justin's arrogant speech, Esme snorted. She opened her mouth but was interrupted by another voice.

"The cafeteria is not too far from here. But it won't be as safe as you imagine. It's the third biggest building to your north. " Chloe stated matter-of-factly.

Looking at Chloe, Justin nodded. "Thank you." With that, Justine turned and left without looking back.

"Humph! An arrogant prick. Let's see how you run back crying for your mother. Tsk! " Collins smirked, while the corner of his lips raised a little.

Justin didn't care about what others thought or said about him. All his thoughts were on how to satisfy his hunger. Just as he was about to exit the musical auditorium. He heard a shout from behind.

"Please, can you wait?" Nika shouted, running after him.

Halting his step, Justin tilted his head a little, looking at Nika with his brow raised.

"What do you want?" He inquired flatly.

"Sorry to be bothering you. If you don't mind, we would like to join you. " "Nika said with an amicable smile on his face. Justin didn't utter a word; he kept looking at Nika's face. Seeing this, Nika becomes impatient.

"A bunch of fools," Esme exclaimed loudly.

Nika didn't care about Esme; He fixed his gaze on Justin, waiting. However, the response he was waiting for didn't come. 'Shit.' "You don't have to worry. We won't be a burden on you. That, I can assure you."

"Ok"

Hearing this, Nika breathed a sigh of relief. Others may see him acting inappropriately.

However, his thoughts were different. 'for him to want to venture to the cafeteria. He may have some skills. Besides, there is no better place than the cafeteria.' Quickly, he waves his hand to Chloe and the thin young man.

Chloe and the thin young man looked at Justin with some apprehension. Even a fool could tell something was different about Justin. Justine's eyes lingered on the two for a couple of seconds before looking at Nika.

"Why did you decide to follow me?" Justin questioned.

"Nothing. My gut feeling told me to follow you if I want to escape from this nightmare. " Nika said with his lips pursed with a smile. He knew his reason was nuts. Did he care? Certainly not! The world has already gone nuts. And only the nuts can survive.

"So you're betting your gut on the lives of these two?" Justine pointed out to the two other people.

Hearing the bitter truth, Chloe and the young man looked down. What could they do? They are not strong enough to battle those crazy zombies. "With the state of things. We only have two options. " The young man intoned.

"And which is it?"

"Fight or surrender to death." The young man looked at Nika and then at Justin. "Isn't it better to know you tried your best rather than succumb to death too easily? If I die, I will know I tried to survive. Not just sitting like a dummy, waiting for death. "

"How do you know help won't come if you find a safe place to hide?" A light smile appeared on Justine's lips, but it disappeared immediately.

"Help!" He scuffed. "If there was going to be help, it would have already arrived. If you don't know, I saw professors turned into zombies. " He sighed.

"You may think I'm pessimistic. But I don't care. Since the professor and student could turn into zombies, it won't be surprised if all those security officials turn into zombies. And if so, who's going to save our ass, hmm? "

Hearing this, everyone kept quiet. Even those that were looking at the group couldn't refute the young man's point of view. Everyone was lost in thought, thinking of the possibility of it being true.

"Hump! Stupid talk. Do you think those security officials and scientists will all die? If we could survive, then likewise they could. So, it is only a matter of time before they come to rescue us." Esme expressed her disdain. While Collins and the others in the group nodded their heads.

"What's your name?"

"Nasir."

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