Chapter 3: Tradegy
Nothing eventful occurred during the night as they took turns keeping watch. The next morning, they consumed some of the food they had gathered from the convenience store near the gas station. Once their bellies were filled, they resumed their journey on foot, trekking for half a day.
Amy had become visibly fatigued. She couldn't help but voice her exhaustion. "Souta, we've been walking for hours. Are we there yet?"
Souta chuckled in response. "We're pretty close. Let's have lunch and then continue our journey."
After enjoying their midday meal on the big tree they rest on, they pressed on for another hour until, finally, they reached their destination.
"We're here!" Souta exclaimed.
Relieved, Amy sighed, "Thank God we're finally here."
To their surprise, they found themselves standing in front of a magnificent mansion that Souta had brought them to.
Steff questioned Souta, "What are we going to do, Souta?"
"I happen to know the owner of this mansion, and he's kind enough to let us in," Souta replied.
"Is that so?" Steff replied, seeking confirmation.
Souta raised his voice and rang the doorbell. "Hey! Can you let us in? It's me, Souta!"
However, no one responded to their call. Amy's keen observation led her to spot someone inside the mansion.
"Hey, isn't that the owner?" Amy pointed towards the window.
Souta and Steff struggled to see. "Where?" Souta asked, confused.
Amy clarified, "Over there, can't you see him?"
Steff joined in, "I don't particularly see anything."
Amy stopped pointing and suggested, "We should probably climb the gate."
Although Souta and Steff were bewildered by Amy's sudden change in tone, they didn't dwell on it and decided to follow her lead.
They assisted Steff in climbing the gate, as she was lighter. She successfully made it over and proceeded to unlock the lock, allowing them to enter.
Souta and Amy entered the mansion while Souta secured the gate. Amy had been quiet for a while, but Souta and Steff didn't think much of it.
Souta immediately made his way to the door and knocked. "Old man, it's me, Souta!"
To their surprise, the door was unlocked. Souta entered the mansion and headed straight to the room where Amy had spotted the old man.
As Souta opened the door, his eyes fell upon a grim sight—the old man had taken his own life. Hanging himself on a rope tightened on the ceiling. The shock and devastation consumed Souta.
"Why? Why?! would you choose to end your life when you have the most desirable house here!? huh!? you should have to wait for me to come!"
Souta cried out in anguish as he fell on his knee on the floor.
The two girls rushed to his side, embracing him tightly. Steff offered comfort, assuring him, "It's okay, Souta. You still have us."
Amy echoed Steff's sentiment, "She's right, Souta."
Souta wept as the girls held him, feeling the weight of the loss. The old man had been like a father figure to him, treating him with kindness and generosity. The realization that the old man had chosen to end his own life left Souta devastated.
Suddenly, a loud shout broke the somber atmosphere. "Open up! I know you're there!"
Souta and the girls stood up, peering through the window. They saw a bald old man at the gate, demanding entry with force.
"Who's that?" Amy asked while Steff suggested to take caution, "We should probability take cautious"
While Souta is still on a devastating state, he have no choice but to decide whatever let the man in or not, "We should go and see him" Souta said wiping his tears with his hand.
Steff and Amy are worried about him as the man who is like a father to him just died, he can't handle another problem at the same time with that kind of state so Steff suggested to not approach the man and let him think that weren't inside.
"We should just let that man be, He can't break the gate nor climb into that large gate of the mansionp by himself. We will take turns watching over him," Steff stated
Her worries even got worser when Souta replied, "We can't just let that man be, if he wanted to he would, he might bring us trouble if we don't settle this immediately" Souta said with a bad mood
Amy and Steff just closed their mouth and followed his lead to not anger him more than he already was. Souta and the girls approached the gate, drawing closer to the old man.
As they neared, the old man shouted, "Open the gate!"
Still grappling with his emotions, Souta questioned, "Why?"
"Because I said so!" the old man retorted.
"Is it wrong to help an old man, a fellow human?" the old man continued.
Amy interjected, "Hey, why not open it up? He's not one of them, after all."
"Yeah, why not open it up?" the old man chimed in.
Steff remained silent, gripping her baseball bat, unsure of what to say, and scared to anger Souta.
Souta's mind was clouded with confusion, but he decided to follow Amy's suggestion, unable to think straight in that moment.
He unlocked the locks and opened the gate. As soon as he did, the old man forcefully pushed Souta to the ground, strangling his neck with both hands.
"HAHAHAHAHA! You sure are an idiot. I'll kill you now and have my way with your girls later!" the old man jeered.
"Did you really think I would let you live after seeing you three climbing on the mountain!?" The old man continued
"I know you, you were the man that the owner of this mansion treasures, he care for you and loves you, so of course he would let you in! But things have changed you, naive man! I have the power. I'm on top! After killing you, kukuku, I'll be having non-stop sex with your friends later! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" The old man said all his devilish plan
Souta fought desperately, struggling to free himself. In a courageous act, Steff stepped in and swung the bat to the old man in the stomach, causing him to release his grip and fall to the ground.
Souta regained his footing, coughing as he caught his breath. He pulled out the gun from his pocket and aimed it at the old man.
"W-Wait! It was just a joke, right? You can't kill a human here!" the old man pleaded.
Souta laughed bitterly. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Yes, you're right. You're human, but I don't like humans like you. Greedy like the others only wanting what they desire and don't consider others' thoughts, you're one of those human trash, eh? are you proud? that you have your own kind!?"
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! this is crazy! what a crazy world we live in! to think I didn't think of the possibility that you are a trashy human! I was naive! really, really naive as you said to yourself, I'll stop doing that. If you were to come back to life again, good luck surviving this hellish world! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"
"You-" You fcking demon! Eekkk" as he saw Souta's face the old man was scared to dead, what he saw was not human, those zombies aren't nothing compared to him, he's... a fcking monster.
With a menacing glare, he pulled the trigger, and a single gunshot echoed through the air. The old man fell lifeless.
Souta approached the gate, securing it once more. He then walked back into the mansion.
The two girls, still stunned by the shocking turn of events, stood at the gate for a moment before deciding to follow Souta inside.
Inside the mansion, Souta only said one word, "Help me burry them," said with a lifeless emotion
"It's my fault, isn't it..." Amy said, blaming herself
"Amy that's-"
"Stop it, Steff. I know it fully well that it's my fault. If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have to... do that"
Souta walks towards her, Amy trembles with fear, not knowing what Souta will do to her, "Amy... you did nothing wrong, I'm was going to open the gate anyway, and besides, if nothing is done to that trashy human, he might bring some of his friends and let them know we're here."
"So stop blaming yourself," Souta said, comforting her. "Help me burry the bodies, you did nothing wrong"
Amy and Steff just followed him. In the garden, they found a shovel. The three of them digged a graveyard for the two bodies, and right after they had finished, it was already dark.
Souta led them to where the shower is, "This is where the shower is, you can also take a bath if any of you wants too, I'm going upstairs there is also a shower there, I might not come back downstairs and go straight to sleep you two can eat whatever you want here, then goodnight" with that Souta left the two of them alone.
"Hey Steff, do you think Souta will be okay?" Amy asked in concern
"I don't think so... he lead us to a safe place knowing what is happening to the world, finding out that the man who treat him like a son suicide and killing someone, If I were on that kind of situation, I will lose myself" Steff stated her thoughts
"Then what should we do?" Amy asked
"There's nothing we can do and just hope his mood can be okay by tomorrow," Steff said
Amy looks upstairs with concern on her eyes, "You aren't taking a bath?" Steff, "I'm going in, " Amy replied
In the middle of the night, Amy woke up, but she didn't find Steff by her side, "Steff!?" worriedly she rushed outside the room, there she saw Steff upstairs standing on front of the door of Souta's room.
Amy immediately rushes towards Steff and
whispered hesitantly, "Hey, what are you doing?"
"Amy? Why are you here?" Steff asked in a whisper voice
"That was supposed to be my question," Amy whispered back
Steff sighed, "I'm going to comfort Souta," she replied boldly.
"Huh? how?" Amy didn't get it and questioned Steff.
Steff responded, unwavering, "With my body."
Amy protested, "What!? No! That's indecent!"
Steff's resolve remained firm. "So? How else are you going to comfort Souta? The old man, who was close to him, committed suicide, and he killed a human. If nothing is done, he might lose his mind."
Amy grew increasingly nervous. "But engaging in such acts is meant for lovers only."
Steff met Amy's gaze seriously. "I love Souta."
Amy paused, considering Steff's words. "What about me? I also love Souta."
Steff proposed a solution. "Then let's both become Souta's girlfriends."
Amy hesitated, concerned about the legality of their actions. "But isn't that illegal?"
Steff countered, "But the world is already on the brink of destruction. Why should we adhere to rules? We've already resorted to stealing, and Souta has already taken a life."
Though Amy felt a moral conflict, she ultimately made up her mind. "Alright! I'll also become Souta's girlfriend."
With their decision made, the two girls stripped down to their underwear and made their way to Souta's room.
The following morning, Souta awoke, feeling the weight of something heavy in his hands. Confused, he looked down and saw Steff and Amy, naked, their heads resting in his hands.
He carefully removed their heads from his grasp and realized that he, too, was unclothed
. Slowly, the memories of the previous night flooded back, and he let out a sigh.
"So, I did it, huh?"
He got out of bed, dressed himself, and headed to the kitchen, deep in thought. Unaware of the passing time, Steff and Amy, now dressed, joined him.
As they approached, Amy began, "Hey..."
Souta noticed their presence and immediately stood up, ready to apologize. Bowing his head, he uttered, "I'm sorry! I let my anger and frustration affect both of you."
The two girls exchanged glances and giggled.
"Don't worry about it. We had time to think it through," Amy reassured him.
"She's right. We want to be your girlfriends," Steff declared.
Shock and Surprised, Souta regarded them seriously. "What? But... I'm confused. What do you mean by this?"
"After doing something to us like this, you aren't going to marry us!?" Steff said in a loud voice,
"But..."
"I'm just kidding. Of course, you can decline if you wanted to," Steff said
"But, Steff..." Amy worriedly look at Steff
"It's fine, It was my decision that you have also gotten part of this crazy thing," Steff
"This feels wrong, in any way, but I have no right to say that after what is happening to the world and what I have already done, I'm sorry that you two have to experience this, but to my reply, Yes, I too both love the two of you, but are you sure about this? Loving the same man, sharing with me?"
Excitedly, they both replied, "Yes!"
"Souta has been my childhood crush ever since the day we met. Day after day, my feelings only got stronger, I love you, from the bottom of my heart!" Amy said happily
"I too, I admire you for who you are, for how brave and amazing you are, you may say that you are like the other boys we can see around, but you're wrong! A normal high-school boy can't immediately make a decision on that very moment scared and not sure what to do yet you keep deciding like it is nothing, I also love you Souta, please treat us equally with your love" Steff said her thoughts
Souta smiled, "I'm happy that the both of you have chosen me, I love you both." They then hugged each other
After their heartfelt conversation, they sat down to have breakfast.
"What should we do now? We have acquired a stronghold for us to stay, but that itself is not enough, " Steff said
"Eh? Why? Can't we just plant some vegetables and live here by ourselves?" Amy asked
"True that we can be self sufficient with the water well and the generators, but that itself isn't enough, it takes time for the vegetables to grow and by that time we have already died from starvation, our first move is more likely to search this mansion for any useful items, after that we'll plan our next move"
They both agreed to Souta, so after they finished Souta walk towards the graveyard and offered a prayer for the departed souls, "We may not be blood related but for me, you're like a father, I will treasure all the memories we had and till I die I won't disappoint you, I will do it, I will survive this apocalypse!" Souta said, determined
Steff and Amy are watching him from a distance and smile. "That's the man that we have devoted to, and the man we both love," Steff said with a smile.
Souta walk to them, "Have I kept you two waiting?" Souta asked, "No, you didn't, " Amy replied
"Should we explore the mansion?" Steff suggested, "Let's do it, "
they explore the mansion, searching for useful items.
In the kitchen, they discovered knives and other cooking utensils. "As we are staying here, these cooking utensils will be useful for us," Souta said
In the living room, they came across two pistols and a displayed katana sword. "Weird, why are there katana here?" Amy asked just thinking about the katana.
"It's weirder that you think that having guns is normal," Steff said
Souta just giggled as he already know the katana part, "He said that it was a gift from the time he visit the famous Japan, It might be a tough sword, so this will be useful"
The backyard yielded an axe for woodcutting.
In the garage, they found a pickup truck and a motorcycle, complete with keys. They also discovered a shovel and tools for vehicle maintenance.
"I found the keys!" Amy said
"Where did you find them?" Steff asked
"It's inside one of the drawers. Can I drive it?" Amy asked with sparkle on her eyes
"We aren't still going anywhere," Souta said
"Awww," Amy said with a down voice
"Souta said 'still' didn't he? This means he will let you drive once we're going out." Steff tried to lighten her mood
"Yeyyy!!! Really, Really!?" Amy immediately runs to Souta, asking if it's true.
"Yes, learning how to drive is also essential," Souta said while focusing on searching
"Yeyy!!" Amy being loud as usual, and this is already normal for them
Having completed their search, they gathered in the kitchen to discuss their plans. Seated around the table, they engaged in conversation.
"We found some useful items, including kitchen knives, pistols, a katana sword, an axe, vehicles, and more." Souta said, starting the conversation
"The food here will last us a week at most. Our goal is to stay here as long as we can. To ensure our safety, we need to train our bodies, improve our stamina, and learn self-defense to at least protect ourselves from zombies." Souta continued
"Kill or be killed. We will train for six days and then head to the gas station to steal all the food, Any questions?" Souta asked
Amy raised an idea. "What if we go to the mall or a supermarket? There could be a lot of food there."
Souta replied, "Malls and supermarkets are likely full of people, possibly even zombies."
"Why do you call them zombies?" Steff inquired.
"In movies, they bite people, and then they turn into one of them," Souta explained.
Steff nodded in understanding. "I see. Well, let's rest today and start our training tomorrow morning."
And so, their journey in the mansion continued, with Souta, Steff, and Amy preparing themselves for the challenges that lay ahead.