We came back to the mansion, we visit the guest room on the first floor, where Jenny was resting. She had taken a pill for her flu, and she was feeling better. She was awake when we came there, she is also hungry. That's why we had dinner together, and we shared what had happened.
We told her about the school, the pharmacy, the gas station, and the survivors. We told her about the president, the soldiers, and the girl who had pushed the boy. We told her about our choices, and our plans.
Jenny and Andy listened to us, Jenny asked us questions. She was curious, and interested. She wanted to know more about us, and our way of thinking.
"Why didn't you try to convince the military to join us?" Jenny asked me, curiosity in her voice.
I paused for a moment, chewing my food before answering. "It's not necessary. We don't need too many people on our side for now. If the military were to join us, the president's faction would be filled with weak individuals, and they would eventually perish."
Jenny pondered my response, her eyes fixed on me. "You have quite a unique perspective, Souta," she said.
"What do you mean?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You even left food for others at the convenience store," Amy chimed in.
I fell silent, my expression unreadable. I remembered the convenience store, where we had found some food and water. We had taken what we needed, but we had also left some behind because I know this would happened. We had left a note, saying "Take what you need, but leave some for others."
I had done that, not out of kindness, but out of pragmatism. I knew that there were other survivors out there, and that they might need some food and water. I knew that if we took everything, we would make enemies, and that we would have to fight them. I knew that if we left some, we would make allies, and that we would have a chance to cooperate.
I didn't tell them that, though. I didn't want them to think that I was cold, or calculating. I wanted them to think that I was generous, or compassionate. I wanted them to trust me, and to follow me.
I smiled, and said, "Well, I'm not a monster. I care about other people, too."
We woke up early the next morning, and gathered to assess our loot from the school. It was a substantial haul, and we were pleased with our results.
We had acquired:
- A military truck, which was spacious and sturdy
- A dozen of rifles, which were powerful and accurate
- Military knives, which were sharp and durable
- Eight pistols, which were handy and reliable
- Medicine, which was essential and scarce
- Walkie talkies, which is essential for communications.
Our arsenal was expanding, but I remained unsatisfied. I knew we needed more supplies, especially food and water. Guns attracted unwanted attention since we don't have silencers for these, they also consumed limited ammunition. I also knew we needed to improve our physical strength, and our combat skills.
I shared my plan with the group—we planned to loot the supermarket for food and water to replenish our stocks. Simultaneously, we would eliminate the remaining zombies in the town. After three days of preparation, we were ready to execute our plan.
Using both the military truck and the pickup truck, we set off for the town. The journey took hours, and we had to be careful not to run into any zombies on the way. We were exhausted, but we didn't let it show. We had to stay focused, and alert.
We finally arrived at the supermarket, and parked our vehicles near the entrance. The supermarket was where most of the people had gone when the outbreak happened, but they had been trapped and killed by the zombies. The supermarket was now a horror show, filled with corpses and blood.
Looting the supermarket turned out to be easier than expected. It took us less than an hour to complete the task. It seems like this is thanks to the military who tried to rescue them, they killed most of the zombies that's why this town is almost zombie free.
After clearing the supermarket, we had to move the food, the water, and the supplies, and load them into the trucks. We had to fight off the zombies, who were attracted by the noise. We had to work as a team.
As we worked, we noticed some familiar faces among the students we had saved earlier. It seemed they had taken up the task of clearing the town. They were armed with the guns and the vests we had given them, and they were killing the zombies with determination. They looked at us with gratitude, and respect. They said we were their inspiration.
I nodded, and said, "Hey, can you call the your leader here? I want to talk to her" I shouted to them, they look at each other and nodded.
The classroom president was a good leader, and she cared about them. She had taught them how to survive, and how to fight. She had given them hope, and purpose.
The classroom president arrived, with two military guards with him, looks like they are taking cautious when it comes to me.
I looked at the president, and smiled. She smiled back, and said, "Thank you, Souta. You've helped us a lot when you save us back then"
I said, "Don't mention it. You've done a lot, too, I'll cut the chase, I want you guys to have a share with the foods here as well, however, in exchange we want your people to help us load it on the truck, the share would be 50/50, deal?" I asked
She seems kinda surprised to the unfair deal that only benefits them, "umm, is that okay?" She asked again
I nodded, "yup, I'm fine with it" I said with a smile, with that, she agreed and shake my hands with her group with us we finished looting the supermarket, and checked our trucks. They were full of food, water, and other supplies.
"Alright, thank you for your cooperation" I said to the classroom president, "oh, thank you also, for sharing us these foods" she said being humble
We smiled at each other as I hop in the military truck, "I'll be going then, wish you luck" I said and left with a horn. I look at the rear mirror and they were bowing. I smiled, to think that the plan work. Having allies is much better than having many enemies.