Roy led Kai to what looked like a warehouse. There were a lot of crates and boxes lying around. On the ground were some simple, improvised beds made of blankets or carpets. They had actual pillows and sheets. They most likely have taken those from nearby houses or from their own. But why were they even living in a store?
"Hey, Roy."
"Yes?"
"Why are you guys living in a store? Couldn't you just stay in your houses?"
"Well, after experiencing the first purple mist and after he didn't get to shelter on time, James decided to gather other people that also didn't get there fast enough and form a group for higher chance of survival."
"Then we decided that it would be best to just make base inside the store, instead of having to make trips here every time we need something, since it's dangerous outside. Although the monsters aren't as active and violent at day, they are still a threat." Roy continued, with unusually grim look on his face.
"We only have three people capable of defending themselves, the rest are old people or kids. So, it's better to defend this place than to make trips and leave others without protection. To scavenge nearby houses only one person is enough, because the buildings aren't that big and there isn't much to take." He concluded.
"I see." Kai answered.
After a moment of silence Roy looked at Kai with sad eyes.
"I actually wanted to go find you." He said suddenly.
"What?"
"But all this was just so sudden, so in the beginning I didn't even have the chance to think things through. When the Violet Day happened, I was already in the city. In just a moment a lot of people went missing and some weird monsters appeared, it was really scary."
"I managed to survive the first night, because I fortified myself in classroom with other people. Then the military, or at least what remained out of them, announced that we should hide in shelters. The people I stayed with ran straight to the shelter, but I remained. I wanted to go back to look for you, but I never expected them to just close the shelter like that. When I was trying to go to the Outer Neighbourhood, I met James. He stopped me, saying that it was dangerous to go outside the city and that we should stay together."
"In the end I listened to James and stayed here. I'm sorry." Roy looked like he would burst into tears in the next moment.
"You have nothing to apologise for. You already threw your chance to get into shelter just to find me. What James said makes sense and you just made the right choice for your survival." Kai truly felt that way. He was grateful that Roy even thought of him in such times.
"I'm sorry." But the fact that he didn't go look for Kai in the end seemed to weight quite heavily on Roy.
"I said don't worry about it. I only checked your house, when I saw you weren't there, I already assumed you were dead."
"Haha." Roy just chuckled sorrowfully.
After another moment of silence Roy went back to his cheerful self.
"Come, I will show you further in!"
We then went to some kind of cabin. It was pretty small, but it had a kettle, a sink, some cups and plates, as well as some tea bags and ready-made food.
"This is our kitchen! Fortunately, it seems that electricity is still working and water is still running, so we can boil it."
"It's pretty small."
"Yeah, we usually have two people prepare meals for everyone here. We divide the work amongst ourselves. Everyone has a role they play. For example, I take care of the elderly."
"And I will be on guarding duty."
"Yes." Roy looked a bit worried.
"Don't worry, I know how to defend myself. I even killed one of those hounds."
"Wow! Really?"
"Yeah."
"That's amazing! How did you do it?"
"That's not important."
"Aw! Come on, tell me!"
"You don't want to know."
"Yes, I do!"
"Sigh, fine. When the purple mist first appeared, I stepped outside my house and was attacked by it. It bit me in the arm but I stabbed it to death." Kai decided to tell half-truth.
"Is your arm okay?"
"Yeah, it's better now."
"That's relief."
Kai felt somewhat weird having someone genuinely worried about him.
"Okay, now I will show you to the toilet."
"Alright."
"The first one is here." Roy led Kai to the door opposite of cabin they were just in.
Then they went back a bit and left the staff only area.
"And the other one is here." Roy pointed at the door next to the one we just left from.
"Now, let's formally introduce you to the rest."
Kai just nodded and followed Roy.
"Everyone! Once again this is my friend Kai and he will be staying with us from now on. He will be on guarding duty."
When Roy said Kai will be guarding, everyone's gazes softened on him a bit.
"Nice to meet you all." Said Kai.
***
Kai then spent the next few hours getting to know everyone. Just as he was talking with some of the kids, James came back.
"Kai, come I will now explain what you have to do."
"Alright, I'm coming."
Kai nodded at the children he was talking with and went towards James.
"Kai." James said looking him straight in the eyes.
"Yes." Kai answered him.
"Our job is very dangerous, but is also very important. I want you to know that."
"Right."
"You will mostly have to guard entrance at day and stay inside, watching the front door so that nothing slips inside at night. But don't worry we have shifts so you will have chances to take a break and sleep. Sometimes you will also have to go to the houses to look for things we might need."
"Sounds about right."
"Now, since it's getting dark, I want you to watch over the door. I will change with you in few hours. Your partner will be Wayne."
"Partner?"
"Yes, partner, because it would be too dangerous to keep watch alone."
"That makes sense."
"Right, then see you in few hours."
"See you."