As Lysandra stepped inside the house, ready to share her findings, she was met with an unexpected sight. Wearing a scowl that could rival a thunderstorm, Kevan stood there in annoyance. Being aware of her delayed journey home, it seemed her return wasn't going to be as smooth as she had hoped.
His brows furrowed deeply as he demanded under her breath, "What took you so darn long, Lys? We've been waiting here, worried sick and I'm not in the mood for games. You know we can't afford to have you wandering around for hours like that. Anything could happen out there."
She shot Kevan a hushing glance, signaling him to keep quiet. Gesturing for them to move towards the bunker, she waited until they were safely inside before delving into the details.
The secret bunker was cleverly tucked away within the vast expanse of their estate, blending seamlessly into the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside. Accessible only to the Mullendore family, it remained hidden from prying eyes, hidden amidst the lush gardens and tall trees that adorned their property.
To reach the bunker, they followed a series of winding pathways that meandered through the estate's lush gardens and manicured lawns. Tall hedges and towering trees provided ample cover, shielding the entrance from casual observers and ensuring its secrecy remained intact.
To reach the bunker, they followed a winding path through the estate's gardens, the soft earth beneath their feet muffling their footsteps. The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers and freshly-cut grass.
As they approached their destination, the scenery changed, giving way to a secluded clearing hidden from view. Here, nestled beneath the ground, lay the entrance to the bunker—a simple hatch disguised by a clever arrangement of shrubbery and foliage.
With practiced ease, Kevan revealed the hidden entrance. With a creak of hinges, the hatch swung open, revealing a set of stairs leading down into the darkness below. They descended into the cool depths of the bunker, leaving behind the worries of the outside world for the safety of their underground refuge.
As they entered the bunker, Lysandra's eyes scanned the dimly lit space until they settled on her father, sitting with his notebook open in front of him. There was a furrow in his brow, a sign of deep concentration as he pored over his notes. Her shoulders heaving from the weight of the situation as she walked softly toward him.
"It was almost! It's like a scene from one of your research papers, Dad," Lysandra remarked with a wry smile, trying to catch her breath. "Except this time, we're living it, not just reading about it."
Kevan, ever curious, couldn't contain himself and blurted out, "What the heck happened out there, Lys? You look like you've seen a ghost or something. Spill the beans, what's the scoop?"
Upon hearing her words, Ronan peered up from his notebook and probed, "What did you find out there, dear? Is everything alright?"
"Lemme catch my breath, Dad," Lysandra panted, taking a moment before launching into the tale. With a nonchalant tone, she began recounting her findings, revealing the mysteries she had unraveled during her time outside. "Well, everything's alright... in the sense that we're still breathing. But seriously, you won't believe what I found out there. I stumbled upon something big. Lurking near the street from my hiding place, there's this guy, they call him the Lord, and he's orchestrating chaos in the city. His motives are still unclear, but he's definitely not someone to mess with. I watched him give some ruthless orders to them, and then he disappeared towards the mountain."
"What's his deal?" Ronan's brows knit together in concern as he sought more information.
"He's got his goons doing his dirty work, clearing out the city with brutal efficiency," Lysandra replied, her tone growing more serious. "And there's this captive they're interrogating, and the way they're treating him... it's not good, Dad. It was brutal. It's like they're playing by their own rules."
"I believe there's something fishy going on," she added. "Like, seriously shady. They're up to something, and we need to be on our guard. It's bizarre, and I'm not sure what it all means."
Ronan's eyes narrowed with concern as he processed Lysandra's account. "This Lord character sounds like trouble. What else did you find out about him? Anything that could give us a hint about his motives or plans?"
Lysandra leaned against the bunker wall, running her fingers through her damp hair. "The Lord, he's not just some thug. He's like a manipulator in some grand scheme. But motives? Plans? I'm still in the dark on those."
"He ordered some dirty works. Hangings their victims, threaten people, the whole works," she added. "And there's something else. When he pulled back his hood, I saw his face–not what I expected. Handsome devil, you'd never guess he's the mastermind behind all this chaos."
"Damn! What's his endgame?" Kevan clenched his fists in frustration.
"I think he's got some grand vision, something beyond just taking control of the city. There's a method to his madness, but I couldn't figure it out fully," she explained her findings. "We're dealing with a merciless bunch here, and whatever they're up to, it's not good for us. We need to be careful, play our cards right. This city's turned into a warzone, and we're caught in the crossfire."
"What else did you find? What's the situation like in the city? And the zombies?" Ronan probed further, delving deeper into the details.
"Well, Dad, the city's a mess. Buildings in ruins, streets deserted except for the occasional group of survivors trying to scavenge for supplies. It's like a warzone out there," Lysandra replied, her voice heavy with concern. "The Lord's got his minions terrorizing the streets, and the zombies... they're still lurking around, adding to the chaos. It's a nightmare. One thing's for sure–we need to be cautious. The Lord and his gang are the puppeteers pulling the strings."
"Tell me, how did you manage to evade the zombies?" Ronan probed, his brow furrowed with worry.
"I stayed away from the public spaces where the zombies are swarming. Instead, I went foraging and fishing near the upper reaches of the Lourgus River, right at the foot of Mount Chibouris," Lysandra explained. "It's a bit of a trek, but it's worth it for the safety and the abundance of resources."
"Smart move, Lys," Kevan responded with a nod of approval and a chuckle. "Taking risks, but staying safe. You always manage to find a way to keep us fed and safe. We're lucky to have you."
Ronan glanced at her, his eyes softening with pride. "Indeed, you've proven time and again that you're resourceful and brave."
Blushing slightly at their compliments, Lysandra shrugged modestly. "I just followed the protocol, Dad. Evade the zombies, steer clear of survivors and raiders or bandits, and find the safest path to gather supplies," she explained. "It's all about being cautious and staying one step ahead of the dangers out there. It's not easy, though, but I'll do whatever it takes to keep us safe and well-fed."
The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the soft rustle of papers as Ronan flipped through his notes. After a moment, he looked up with grave look. "We need to start thinking about sustainable food sources," he announced firmly. "We can't rely on scavenging forever as it's very dangerous to go outside. It's time we consider planting our own crops, even if it means starting from scratch."
Lysandra's brows furrowed in thought as she processed her father's words. "Planting our own crops? But how do we do that, Dad? We're not exactly seasoned farmers, and with the current state... is it even possible?"
Ronan nodded thoughtfully, considering her concerns. "It's a valid point, Lys," he acknowledged, rubbing his chin. "But we have options. There are methods we can consider like vertical farming or greenhouses. We could also try a roof garden or explore hydroponics and aeroponics for indoor farming, using whatever space we have available. We have to find a way to secure our food supply for the long term."
Kevan leaned forward, his brow furrowed with concern. "But Dad, how do we even begin? We don't have the resources or knowledge for something like that," he pointed out, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "And what if it attracts unwanted attention? We've managed to stay hidden so far, but if we start growing crops or hunting, won't that make us a target?"
Ronan sighed, his expression grave as he met Kevan's gaze. "Unfortunately, we don't have many better options. There are risks involved in venturing out for food, especially with the presence of raiders and the Lord's minions lurking about. But we have to weigh those risks against the necessity of securing our food supply. It's very dangerous out there, but we can't afford to sit idly by and hope for the best."
"I get it, Dad," she said, her voice tinged with concern. "But planting crops will take time. We can't rely on that alone to sustain us in the short term. We need to find immediate solutions to supplement our food supply while we work on longer-term strategies like farming."
"You're right, planting crops will take time," Ronan conceded. "In the meantime, we can still explore alternatives like foraging for edible wild plants or setting up traps for small game like what you did today. But we need to do it with caution. Venturing into the wilderness brings its own set of risks, but with careful planning and vigilance, we can minimize the dangers and gather additional food resources to sustain us until our crops are ready."
Kevan scratched his head, his brows furrowing in thought. "I guess we don't have much choice, do we?"
Lysandra glanced between his father and brother with a nod. "No, we don't," she replied. "We'll need to be smart about it and stick together. We've faced tough situations before and we'll figure this out, one step at a time."