Chapter 5 V

Kristoff's POV:

"Hurry up! For sure, there are more guards, so let's get off before they notice our presence."Antonia shouted.

We left the bodies of those in PPE and got into Ash's car. I quickly got into the passenger's seat and swallowed hard.

Terrible, the intensity of the events. I thought it could only be seen in the movies. Now it's happening in real life.

"Damn, I guess I should get used to the killings by now. It seems normal now," I said softly.

"Oh, sure, it should be! When you refuse, I'll leave you on the way."Ash shouted nervously.

I even bumped into the side mirror because of Ash's speed. I almost fainted; luckily, I stopped it. She's in a bad mood; I might be thrown out. I'm only tagging along.

"Greetings! I'm Antonia. What's your name? I look so haggard; it's so stressful outside! There are so many opponents! I'm glad I saw you," Antonia said, annoyed.

"Thank you; I'm Ash. My sister, Lilly, is next to you. How did you and Kristoff meet?" Ash asked Antonia while driving.

"Oh, I'm also from prison, dear. I used to be with Kristoff in Kosa Minor, so we know each other. That's the only reason we survived," answered Antonia.

"What crime did you do, Antonia?" I asked.

"Murder, but I was just accused, okay? I'm not a murderer. Is that Ash? I think I heard your name in jail. You're so arrogant," asked Antonia.

"I hacked something, got traced, and then went to jail. If there hadn't been a pandemic, I wouldn't have been able to escape. I was in jail for three days, and I was aware of what was happening, so I tried to save Lilly even though I was in jail. There is a place I also know where we can be safe," Ash said.

"I thought you were going to help me find my siblings. Where is the DHWO you speak of?" I wondered.

I have to save my brother and sister, no matter what. I already lost my father; I will not lose Ricky and Cristyt either. How is Tobi now? Is that dumbass still alive? I don't know where they are, and I can't find any leads. The only one who can help me now is Ash.

"First, we need to go to a safe place; I located it in Marfa. They might even help us, those other survivors, find your brothers. It would be better if there were more of us to fight," replied Ash.

I just nodded, but I was still not reassured. I'm a man; I can stand on my own two feet. But even so, I still need to use my brain and not just be arrogant. It's dangerous now, and even if I'm strong, I can't survive a gunshot.

We were all silent as we drove down the road. Antonia is the one who's looking at Ash's laptop, and the road has no guard. I just scratched my head because there's nothing I can do right now. I'll be more helpful next time.

The surroundings are really quiet and cold. We were also running out of gas, so we had to stop at a nearby gas station to fill up. We will also get food from the store later, so we can have a lot.

I'm sleepy, but I need to stay awake. I'm a man, but I have nothing to contribute. I still have to keep an eye on them because it looks like Ash is a wimp. When there is an enemy, he cannot fight. What a man, tsk.

Ash turned on the radio, and we listened. The signal is a bit poor, and the speaker is muffled.

"Let's turn it off. We'll just wait for the next gas station where we can find a signal to listen to the news. We need to be aware of what's going on. Maybe someone is still broadcasting, and we need to catch up," said Ash.

I'm impressed with that one. She seems to be smart for a thin man. She looks like a tomboy because her facial features are soft for a man.

Why am I so judgmental? Tsk, I guess I've been infected by our gossipers and nosy neighbors.

After a while, we passed a gas station. We stopped there and parked the car. I thought we would just stare at the road.

"I'll get the gas, take some food inside, or something. Also, check if there's anyone. Don't come near other people because of the virus," I instructed.

"Okay, thank you. Can you do the gasoline?" Ash asked and got out of the car.

"Sure," I answered.

Ash's POV:

I'm here at the mini-grocery at Seashell Gasoline Station. Here, I can see Kristoff putting fuel in our car.

His hand was leaning on the roof of the car as he bent over. His other hand was holding the gun-like fuel outlet that was inserted into the car's tank. He looks like a model being photographed for a pictorial.

I suddenly stood up straight when Kristoff turned in my direction. He smiled sweetly and greeted me. I almost jumped because of him.

I awkwardly smiled and waved at him. I turned around and entered the mini-grocery. Why do I often look like a fool in front of him?

"Silly little dear, falling in love."

"Oh frog!"

I was surprised by Antonia, who was on the side. He was smiling at me, and his bulging shoulder muscles were still showing because of the shirt he was wearing.

"You surprised me," I said while holding my chest.

"Dear, I know that Kristoff thinks of you as a man. I can smell you; you are a girl. I can also smell that you are looking at Kristoff; you like him. Making love in the middle of a crisis," Antonia pissed me off and slapped me lightly with the frozen footlong he was holding.

"Leave him be; that's fine, so he won't be bothered. Besides, I don't like him at all; he should be ashamed of himself. I am so beautiful," I refused.

"Oki, that's what you want me to believe! Baby Lilly is over there at the counter, getting some candy. Just go. She seems to be enjoying herself," said Antonia, and she went back to what she was doing.

I walked to the counter. I saw Lilly poking the box on the counter. She pretends to swipe the candies through the scanner. She's playing.

I smiled and handed Lilly a chocolate bar. She smiled and swiped it through the scanner.

He lends out her hand as if asking for a payment. I pretended to hand her money.

She was typing something on the keyboard, and suddenly the cash register opened. My eyes widened when I saw a lot of money there.

I was about to take the money that was there but Lilly hit my hand. She used sign language saying that I was about to do something bad. I scratched my head.

I smiled at Lilly and waved sorry. Lilly smiled and took some plastic from the cabinet. I'm just happy with my sister.

He put the candy he took in the plastic. She said goodbye to me and pointed to Antonia, where she was going.

I nodded. I waited for Lilly to leave before holding my breath.

I entered the counter and slowly took the money. My hands were still shaking as I put them in my pocket. I still feel guilty.

"Get used to stealing too. The killing you did in the past is even worse. I guess in this day and age, the illegal is becoming legal."

Suddenly someone spoke behind me, so I suddenly jumped in shock. I looked at Kristoff badly.

"Don't surprise me. Besides, why do you care to mind your own business? Go away," I said, annoyed.

I closed the case and went straight out of the counter. Suddenly, someone pulled my arm.

I was hit by Kristoff's hard chest. When I looked at him, he smiled at me. What the hell is wrong with him!?

I swallowed while staring at him. I have never felt this before; do I like him? Love at first sight? Why is my heart beating so fast?

It's like my heart is racing with its speed. I almost fainted when Kristoff grinned. He looks like a Greek god with his good looks. When the beauty exploded, he built a dam to catch all of it. Maybe the beauty I got was from the ones dripping from our roof.

"I'm going to think you're gay, don't look at me. You're giving me goosebumps, man," said Kristoff, bringing me back to my trance.

I took my arm back and looked at him sharply. Do I look like a man? After all, my hair is short, and I haven't been blessed with breasts and a buttock. But even so, I have a good look somehow. Others say I'm beautiful. But once in a while, my confidence gets affected.

"You're the one who suddenly pulled me. What do you need from me, huh?" I asked arrogantly.

"You're already in a bad mood, tsk. If only we could spend the night here first. I'm also a bit tired and haven't slept well. I was hoping we could have energy for the trip tomorrow," he answered.

He's right; I'm a bit tired too. After we ran earlier and walked for a long time, it was tiring. Add the stress; even before I escaped from the prison, my nervousness was sky-high.

"Alright, let's spend the night here. I'll just hide the car there in the garage because DHWO disciples might pass by; it's difficult," I said, passing Kristoff.

"Alright, be careful! I'll get some food here! Just call me when you need something!" I heard Kristoff shout, but I didn't turn around.

I got out and immediately got into the car. There, I decided to park it at a changing oil station so that it could be mistaken for being abandoned by civilians.

After I parked, I went back inside. I heard something break so I ran inside.

"What's going on here?" I asked.

"Go away! Go away! This is my territory! I own it!" shouted a dirty and losing man.

I think he is either a beggar or a madman. His clothes are dirty, and his hair is messy. I can also see the wounds on his body that are oozing and others that have pus. He looked like he was about to die.

"Ash, don't go near him! He seems to be infected with a virus."Kristoff shouted, so my eyes widened.

The beggar looked at me. He was about to approach me, but I knocked down the shelf and ran in the direction of Kristoff.

Lilly, who was on Antonia's side, hugged me. I kissed my sister on the top of his head.

"Stay away from us; don't come any closer! I will hurt you the moment you touch us."Kristoff shouted.

"You guys leave! Ahhh, this is my territory! Leave, ah!" he cried out.

Suddenly we heard the sound of a car outside. We're at the far end of this grocery store so we can't be seen. It looks like someone is already outside.

My eyes widened when I saw it was a DHWO vehicle. I immediately pulled Kristoff to bend down.

"I will report you!" cried the madman.

He runs out and screams, 'Ahh!'. Those wearing PPE saw him while getting out of the car. Fortunately, he is far away from us, so he cannot infect us.

"Help me-"

I almost screamed when he got shot in the head by those wearing PPE. Some people wearing PPE came out with a big ice box.

They put the body of the madman there and then closed it. I cursed when I saw that leader, who looked like he had signaled his disciples to go around.

"Let's hide in the storage room; hurry up. We can find more places to hide there," Kristoff whispered.

We crawled and quickly entered the storage room. Just as we entered, I heard the door of the grocery store open.

The four of us hid behind the boxes. I was so nervous because there were so many of them. What will happen to us when we get caught? They might kill us!

I can see the shadow of the man who is coming close to us. I closed my eyes when I felt the box behind my move.

Shit, we're doomed!