Shem's eyes were stuck on the corpse, ensnared by the gory sight, his face dropped, the smile he wore turned into a serious face.
He heard Lorey speak up but her words came in one ear and out the other, his gaze still placed upon the horrid display of Duma's body.
No thoughts ran through his head as he continued to stare, emotions blank. Feeling a tug on his hand Shem was led away, his glazed over eyes glued to the body declining the option to look away even while walking.
The next few minutes were a fever dream for Shem, he briefly remembered Lorey pulling him out of the store, making him get onto the bike and forcing a helmet on his head before she grabbed his hands to make sure he was holding her correctly.
About halfway through the ride Shem's eyes grew focused, he was staring absentmindedly at Loreys hair barely holding on to her.
'Wh-where am I?'
Letting go to Lorey because of the sudden gain in consciousness Shem leaned back a dangerous amount, a panicked expression shone from his face as adrenaline coursed through his body.
'SHIT!'
Luckily, by a hair's length, Shem managed to wrap his arms around Lorey once more, this time extremely tight as his visage changed to one of extreme relief but quickly shifted to one of confusion.
Due to the increase of vehicles on the road as the time reached 5:00 pm, Lorey had to abide by traffic laws and Shem took advantage of the upcoming red light to ask the burning question on his mind.
"Lorey … What happened in the store?"
A long silence passed and the light turned green before Lorey responded, she slowed down so Shem could hear her.
"Shem, do you remember what happened to mom and dad?" She asked lightly, her voice soft.
'Why didn't she answer my question?
Now that I think about it all I remember is that they died, my memories are really fuzzy about what actually happened.'
"I remember their death, after all it was this morning but I don't remember anything else. Why?"
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(Lorey POV)
Shem spoke, his voice a bit somber but still inquisitive as he responded to her question.
"I remember their death, after all it was this morning but I don't remember anything else. Why?"
Sucking in a barely audible breath Lorey felt the clues connect in her head.
'That's why he has not been too affected.
He was always caring and a bit weak to violent things …
He must have experienced extreme trauma that has caused him to forget or not fully realise what he saw.'
A wave of sadness coursed through Lorey's body, dejection over Shem's state started to affect her mind.
Responding in a cheery tone refusing to let any of her anxiety and sadness leak into her voice Lorey lied, "No reason, just curious. Anyways we just got all of the necessities in the store before leaving, you must have been pretty tired and started daydreaming or something."
Waiting for his response Lorey's shoulders tightened hoping he would accept her words and give her affirmation. Instead all she got for an answer was a simple, "Huh, I see.".
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(Shem POV)
'Lorey lied.
I might not remember the details but I know we encountered someone dead.
She must not think I am mature enough for what happened which pisses me off.'
'She must have a good reason, always looking out for me even though I am not a kid anymore.'
Sighing deeply Shem looked away from Lorey and turned to watch the muted city pass by them as they sped off back to the military shelter.
They were almost there when their conversation ended so the last bit of the ride finished rapidly.
Parking half a block away from the now dubbed "Task Table", the siblings walked towards it, neither speaking to lighten the uncomfortable mood.
From afar Shem noticed Corvo rolling his head in circles after sitting for so long and catching sight of them. Lightly waving at the he shouted, "You guys finish the task?".
Shem, who was walking in front of Lorey just nodded as they reached the table.
Corvo had a smirk back on his face and his eyes danced in amusement.
"Task slip." He asked while extending his hand.
Shem, who had the task slip, reached into his backpack to grab it while his eyes wandered on the items behind the table.
'Food, water, some people even cut down trees.' He thought absentmindedly while handing the slip over.
Checking it out, Corvo then stated; "Seeds." while once again extending his hand.
Giving him the seeds Corvo wrote their names on the paper that would be sent to the kitchens and kept the task slip.
"You guys are good to go, food is served at six, the Kitchens are located on the tent wall closest to us."
Lorey nodded at his words and noticed that Shem was staring into open space at the other supplies. Realising a small sigh she tapped Shem's shoulder and gestured to the tent entrance.
Making their way to the Kitchens the siblings noticed a fairly large line had formed of people who presumably already completed their tasks. About 100 individuals stood in front of them, all of them patiently awaiting food.
Time passed quickly as they waited and more people began to line up behind them, about one or two people per minute. Finally the Kitchens opened, the Kitchens in this case was a canteen like the ones seen at beaches that the military commandeered.
Shem's stomach rumbled at the smell that wafted out of the canteen, he hadn't eaten all day and was hungry.
Unfortunately, before the first person even received food, a voice rang out from speakers placed across the entire tent roof.