Hiro: "Hey, Ace, you see that?"
Ace: "See what, Hiro?"
Hiro: "Over there, by the bus station. I spy something green!"
Emi: "Ooh, let me guess! Is it a tree?"
Hiro: "Nope, guess again."
Ace: "hm... I think I see it! Is it a sign?"
Hiro: "Bingo! You got it, Ace! It's a green sign with 'bus station' written on it."
Emi: "Can we stop, Ace? I got to go to the bathroom."
Ace: "Sure thing, Emi. We pulled over, and Emi stepped out of the car to check if it was safe. She scanned the surroundings for any sign of danger before quickly darting behind a nearby bush to relieve herself.
Then in the meantime Hiro's voice broke the silence. "So, Ace, where are we headed?" he asked, his tone laced with curiosity.
Without considering the weight of my words, I blurted out, "I'm trying to find my family. Haven't seen them since this all started." My mind was fixated on the hope of reuniting with my loved ones, oblivious to the pain it might stir in Hiro and Emi.
Hiro's expression shifted; his eyes clouded with sorrow. Memories of his own family flooded his mind, stirring up emotions he had long suppressed. "Yeah... I remember when Mom and Dad took us to that gas station," he began, his voice faltering as he recounted the events.
As Hiro's words trailed off, Emi returned to the car, her face drawn with concern as she noticed Hiro's tears. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice trembling with worry.
Hiro's voice trembled as he continued, his painful memories threatening to overwhelm him. "Mom and Dad... they left us in the car when they went to get supplies. They said they'd be right back," he explained, his voice choked with emotion. Emi's eyes filled with tears as she sat beside Hiro in the backseat, her heart breaking alongside her brother's.
Realizing the impact of my inadvertent revelation, guilt washed over me like a tidal wave. I had dredged up painful memories for Hiro and Emi, reopening wounds that had never fully healed.
"They didn't come back...." Emi's voice trembled with the memory. "We waited and waited for what seemed like hours, hoping they'd return."
"And then... then they came back," Emi continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "But they weren't the same," she continued, her voice trembling. "They were... they were monsters, Ace. Flesh-hungry zombies, trying to get into the car all night to eat us."
The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of dread. I could see the fear and trauma etched on Hiro and Emi's faces as they recounted the harrowing ordeal that unfolded that day. My heart raced as I listened, the vivid imagery painting a terrifying picture in my mind.
Curious, I asked softly, "What did you guys do?"
The siblings exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them as they remembered that fateful night. "We had to get out of there, Ace," Hiro said, his voice filled with urgency. "Those... things were banging and scratching the car window aggressively."
Emi nodded; her eyes wide with fear as she recounted the chaos. "So, we made a run for it, Ace," she explained, her voice trembling with the memory. "Through the streets filled with screams and shadows, dodging those creatures hungry for flesh."
Hiro reached out for Emi's hand, their fingers intertwining as they held onto each other for strength. "But we weren't going to let 'em catch us, right Emi?" he said, his voice determined. "We were like a team in one of those adventure games."
Emi nodded, her face set with determination. "We ran as fast as our legs could," she said, her voice gaining strength. "Jumping over debris, slipping through alleys, doing whatever it took to stay ahead."
Hiro's eyes sparkled with a slight excitement as he recalled their daring escape. "And then we did we reached it, Ace," he said, a hint of awe in his voice. "The gas station"
Emi grinned, the memory bringing a sense of relief. "We dashed inside, Ace," she said, her voice tinged with excitement. "Barricading ourselves in the back room, praying those things wouldn't find us."
Hiro nodded, his face serious. "And you know what, Ace?" he said, his voice filled with determination. "We made it. Together. Like a real-life adventure."
The thought of innocent children faced with such terror at such a young age was almost too much to bear. In that moment, the full weight of the apocalypse bore down on me. Wrapping my arms tighter around Hiro and Emi, I held them close, offering whatever comfort I could in the face of such unimaginable horror. They had endured more than anyone should ever have to, and yet, they remained resilient, their spirits unbroken in the face of despair.
As Emi and Hiro's tears began to subside, I racked my brain for a way to lift their spirits. Suddenly, an idea sparked in my mind.
"What do you guys say we go to get some ice cream?" I suggested, a hint of excitement creeping into my voice. "There's nothing like ice cream to cheer you all up."
Their eyes widened with surprise, a glimmer of hope flickering in their gaze. Without waiting for a response, I revved up the engine, determined to bring a moment of joy amidst the darkness.
We arrived at the ice cream restaurant, the familiar sight of colorful flavors and sweet treats bringing a sense of nostalgia to the air. But as we stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted, replaced by an eerie silence.
Summoning Reaper and my remaining undead soldiers, I directed them to clear out the place. Emi and Hiro watched in awe as the zombies sprang into action, swiftly dispatching any lingering threats with ruthless efficiency.
As the chaos unfolded before their eyes, a sense of relief washed over them. For a brief moment, they forgot about the horrors of the outside world. We sat down to enjoy our ice cream amidst the aftermath of the undead onslaught, a sense of camaraderie filled the air. Emi and Hiro looked at me with newfound respect, their eyes shining with gratitude.
"Thanks, big brother," Hiro said, his voice filled with admiration. "This taste is amazing!"
Emi nodded in agreement, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yeah, you're the best, big brother Ace."
Their gratitude warmed me up big time, and I couldn't help but feel like I was doing something right. So, I just went in for a big old' bear hug again with Emi and Hiro. Promised myself then and there, I'd protect them no matter what.
Then, a brilliant idea struck me "why not make this moment extra special?" So, I bolted to the kitchen, feeling all pumped up. With a quick move, I tapped into my space storage abilities and bam! I had all the pancake-making stuff right there. Bags of flour, bottles of syrup, you name it. And guess what? The kids were totally freaking out, eyes wide open like, "Whoa, how'd you do that?"
Emi was like, "Seriously, where did all this stuff come from?"
I couldn't help but chuckle at their reactions. "Just a little trick I know," I said, giving them a wink. "Space storage ability. Pretty cool, huh?"
The kids were hyped, buzzing with questions. "Can we see how it works?" Hiro asked, all eager.
I flashed them a grin, loving the excitement. "Of course! But let's cook up these pancakes first. Today, we're living large!"
As we whipped up the pancakes, cracking jokes and having a blast, I leaned in and whispered, "But hey, remember, this space storage is our little secret, okay? If anyone finds out, no more pancake parties!" They nodded like, "Got it, Ace," and we shared a sneaky grin, knowing we had something awesome just for us.
Gathering around the vibrant table, each bite of the fluffy pancakes sent a burst of flavor exploding in my mouth. The warm, buttery pancakes melted on my tongue, infused with the sweetness of maple syrup that danced on my taste buds. It was like a symphony of flavors, a perfect harmony of textures and tastes that brought a sense of warmth and comfort amidst the chaos of the world outside. The laughter and chatter around the table filled the air, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and joy. It was as if for just a moment, all the troubles and worries of the world faded away, replaced by the simple pleasure of good food and good company.
As I took a bite of the delicious pancakes, I couldn't help but smile, grateful for this little slice of happiness in an otherwise chaotic world. It was moments like these that made life worth living, even in the midst of the apocalypse. In that moment, surrounded by friends and loved ones, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. Despite the uncertainty of the future, these moments reminded me of what truly mattered—the connections we shared, the memories we created, and the bonds that held us together.
As the kids started to tire out, their energy waning after a day filled with excitement and adventure, I could see the telltale signs of exhaustion creeping into their faces. Emi let out a soft yawn, while Hiro rubbed his eyes sleepily, their small frames slumping in their chairs.
Feeling a bit mischievous, I decided to play a little prank. "Hey, guys," I whispered, leaning in with a grin. "How about we spice things up and sleep under the stars tonight? It'll be our very own camping escapade!"
Their eyes widened in surprise, and then lit up with doubt at the suggestion. "Outside? Really, Ace?" Hiro asked, his voice filled with eager anxiety of the thought of it.
I grinned, nodding enthusiastically. "Yep, outside! We'll make a little campfire, roast marshmallows, and sleep under the stars. It'll be fun, I promise!"
But to my surprise, Hiro's face fell, his excitement replaced with a hint of apprehension. "Outside? But... isn't it cold and scary out there?" he asked, his voice wavering slightly.
Emi chimed in, her voice filled with hesitant optimism. "Come on, Hiro, it'll be an adventure! We can roast marshmallows, tell ghost stories, and just enjoy being out in the open." Despite her attempt to sound brave, a flicker of fear danced in her eyes.
I couldn't help but tease them, with playful smirk on my lips. "Oh, come on, guys! Where's your sense of adventure? Besides, we'll have each other to keep warm and safe. What could possibly go wrong?"
I watched as Hiro hesitated for a moment, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. But then, with a determined nod, he squared his shoulders and mustered up his courage. "Okay, fine. Let's do it!" he declared, a hint of excitement returning to his voice.
With their agreement in place, I couldn't wait to show them what this outdoor sleepover would bring to their reaction's. Little did we know, it would be more like a 5-star hotel experience they'd never forget.
We arrived at the empty plot near the ice cream shop, surrounded by darkness and the distant sounds of the night. The kids began setting up what looked like a shabby camp, unaware of my prank. As they worked, I couldn't help but chuckle at their earnestness. But their enthusiasm waned as they glanced nervously at the looming shadows.
"Hey, Ace," Emi said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Do you think maybe we should sleep inside? It's kind of eerie out here."
Hiro nodded in agreement, casting a wary glance at the surrounding darkness. "Yeah, I don't like the idea of sleeping outside," he admitted, his voice hesitant.
I grinned, enjoying their discomfort a little too much. But then, with a theatrical flourish. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my base castle, their eyes confuse as i pulled out a small metallic cube in my right hand, and I could not help but laugh at their astonished expressions. Within seconds, the once empty space transformed into a magnificent castle, its towering spires reaching up towards the night sky. its majestic towers gleaming in the moonlight Hiro and Emi stood there, speechless, their eyes wide with wonder as they took in the sight before them.
Their eyes widened in awe as they realized the truth of my prank, and I couldn't help but laugh at their astonished expressions.
"You did this, Ace?" Hiro exclaimed; his voice filled with awe.
I nodded, unable to contain my own laughter "Yep, all thanks to a little system ability and technology," I replied, a sense of pride swelling within me.
Emi's eyes sparkled with admiration as she looked around the grandeur of the castle. "Wow, Ace! This is incredible!" she exclaimed; her voice filled with genuine wonder.
I flashed them a playful grin. "Hey, camping outside ain't too shabby, right?" I teased, enjoying their responses.
Emi rolled her eyes, her smirk playful. "You're such a prankster, Ace," she teased, shaking her head. "Just you wait, we'll get you back for this," she added with a grin, her tone promising mischief.
Hiro nodded in agreement; his earlier concern replaced by amusement. "You really got us, Ace," he chuckled, a hint of mischief in his voice. "But don't worry, paybacks on the horizon."
As we stepped inside, the kids couldn't contain their excitement, their voices echoing through the halls as they explored their new surroundings. Each of them was assigned their own room, and Hiro wasted no time in making a beeline for the big TV, while Emi followed suit, her laughter ringing out as she joined him.
But before they could get too comfy, I put on my big brother hat and halted their excited chatter with a mischievous grin. "Whoa, hold your horses, you two," I teased, beckoning them over with a playful wave. "Before we cozy up, there's something we got to do first."
"You're both filthy!" I teased, playfully commanding them to the bathroom before anything else.
While they cleaned up, I received a notification from the system. My shop rank had earned enough for an upgrade. Excitedly, I checked it out and stumbled upon something cool, a boss monster minion. It cost a whopping 10 million bad karma points, and I only had half a million to my balance.
later that night, as the tv playing softly in the background, both kids soon drifted off to sleep, their heads rolling on my lap, saliva dribbling down their cheeks. Chuckling softly, I carefully lifted them onto my shoulders, one on each side, their warm weight a comforting presence against me.
Navigating through the castle halls, I tucked them into their respective rooms, making sure they were comfortable before quietly slipping out. As I made my way to my own room, exhaustion weighed heavily on my shoulders. But despite the weariness, a sense of contentment washed over me.
Climbing into bed, I closed my eyes, the day's events replaying in my mind. Despite the challenges we faced, moments like these made it all worthwhile. With a soft sigh, I drifted off to sleep, feeling grateful for the warmth and companionship of my makeshift family.