Chapter 9: The Community (1)
Because I was sleeping for a day now as Stephen had said, sleep evaded me tonight. I sat up from bed and examined my leg muscles.
'They are working perfectly fine.' I thought to myself.
I remembered what Doc had said a while ago. I think it really is surprising that I was able to move without difficulty after waking up from my eight year coma.
'To think that my muscles could recover fast.' I thought. 'And the connection I had with that monster, or daemon as they call them. It was undeniable that creature and I had some kind of connection when our eyes met.'
I looked at my hands and examined them carefully. I opened and closed them, but I did not feel anything out of the ordinary.
'It might be just my imagination.' I tried to give an explanation to myself. 'Maybe I am just overthinking.' I sighed deeply and stood up.
I walked towards the door and carefully opened the knob. I took a peek outside, as if I was a prisoner trying to escape.
"Why are you peeking like that?" I was startled when I heard Stephen's voice.
"O-Oh Stephen… it's you." I replied awkwardly. "W-Well I thought I could use some fresh air outside. I do not know if I can go and take a walk."
"Of course, you can." Stephen replied with a smile. "You are not a prisoner here Claudia. You can take a walk whenever you like. But it would be best if I accompany you, if that is okay? I can be your guide."
"S-Sure, if you are not busy." I replied with a smile.
"I came here to bring you some fruits to eat." Stephen replied. "You can eat an apple along the way, if you like." He handed me a red apple.
"Thanks." I took the apple with gratitude and took a bite. "Hmm… it's yummy and juicy."
"I am glad you like it." Stephen said. "We grow some fruits here in the community. Because of food shortage, we started raising some crops and fruits in our territory that can help feed the people in our community. Jelly will surely be happy to hear that the fruit of the trees she has been taking care of was enjoyed. She takes it as a compliment for her efforts."
"Then please tell her that her trees bear good apples." I smiled.
"Why don't you tell her yourself. I will introduce you to the others tomorrow." Stephen replied.
Stephen and I walked out of the small building where the room I was in a while ago. It looks like the small building serves as a small hospital for this community.
It was night time and some lamps illuminate the path we are walking it. I looked around to see the place I was in right now.
"You have electricity?" I asked out of curiosity.
I know that after humanity's downfall some things are difficult to maintains such as electricity, transportation, food manufacturing and the likes.
"We have solar power running the electricity in the community." Stephen replied. "We were lucky to be able to scavenge solar panels in one of our patrols out of the community."
"You go out often?" I asked thinking that I can have a chance and venture outside.
"Yes, we do. But only out of necessity." Stephen replied. "And only those who have title as warriors are able to go out. As you know, it is not safe to go out without the weapons we use."
"Is it safe here in the community? Doesn't those daemons attack here?" I asked in curiosity. "And your weapons, how did you acquire them?"
"Hahaha. You have so many questions." Stephen laughed out.
"A-Am I that noisy?" I scratched my head embarrassed.
"Oh no, you are not. I understand your thirst for knowledge. I can't even imagine waking up in this kind of world. You can ask me any question. I just hope I can answer all of them." Stephen smiled. "Well to answer your first question, the land this community is standing is regarded as a safe zone. We are not sure why daemons do not come near safe zones. The researchers were not able to finish their study before humans lost the war. The remaining human communities around the world are standing in safe zones, and this is one of the reasons for human conflicts right now."
I remembered what Doc and Stephen said to me, that bad people emerged from the collapse of the law system. I believe that safe zones are now a necessity in this apocalyptic world. Those who wish for power would covet these safe zones to control.
"It is a relief to hear that it is safe here." I replied.
"Yes, and you can stay here if you like. We would welcome you if you wished to stay." Stephen said.
"How are you sure that I am not a bad guy that will try and insert myself in this community?" I joked and laughed.
"What, like a spy?" Stephen also laughed at my ridiculous notion. "Well, I am not really sure that you are not a spy. But my heart says that you are not." He flashed a sweet smile at me that made my heart skip a beat.
"W-Well I promise that I am not a spy, so you need not think about that." I replied, feeling a blush on my face.
"We had some conflicts with rogues, but at least we guard our community well and chase them out." Stephen reassured. "Our warriors are quite experienced in battle. Some are ex-soldiers and marines, like me."
"You were a soldier?" I asked in surprise. Looking at Stephen, he had a good physique. I just realized now after hearing that he was an ex-soldier that his body has well toned muscles. The black long sleeved shirt he was wearing could not hide his proportioned muscles underneath.
"Yes, I was a lieutenant in the US Army and was assigned in the middle east in my first years of service. When the war with the daemons started, I was called back here to fight." Stephen replied. "And that takes us to your next question about the special weapons."
I was also anticipating hearing the story about these special weapons that can defeat a daemon. As I have seen with my own eyes, normal weapons do not work with these creatures.
"Even after scientist and researchers have done their best to manufacture better weapons that can damage and kill daemons, they always failed." Stephen explained. "But at the sixth year after the war started, a multinational company was able to manufacture effective weapons against these monsters. I think you have heard the name because they were famous for being successful in many kinds of businesses. It is called Wilhelm Corporation."
"Isn't that the famous corporation that has businesses in major industries such as pharmaceutical, technology and the most recent was weapons manufacturing?" I asked in surprise.
"Yes, that is the one." Stephen replied. "At first, I felt there was something fishy, knowing that Wilhelm Corporation just started in the weapons manufacturing industry ten years before the war broke. But when leaders of nations saw how effective the weapons they manufactured against the daemons, they looked past the shady things and let Wilhelm corporation supply them the weapons they need."
"But like you said the weapons had a flaw, correct?" I asked.
"Yes, the recoil of the power that the weapons unleash was so strong that a normal human body cannot withstand continues use. That is why the special armors were manufactured as well to go with the weapons. But even with that, the use of the weapons is limited and cannot be used in their full potential." Stephen sighed. "This is what happens when you use it without the armor."
Stephen pulled up his sleeves and I saw terrible burn marks from his right wrist. The scar was something that anyone would flinch after seeing. I could not imagine how painful it was when he had the burn.
"Oh my…" I was shocked.
"The scar extends until my right shoulder. I got it when my armor reached its limit and broke, but I was still fighting the daemons using the weapon." Stephen had his eyebrows crunched while remembering this. I can just imagine how horrific it was. "I was lucky that I made it out with my life, but I got this terrible scar as compensation."
"Just think of it as a gift from God." I held his right arm with the scar, trying to comfort him. "Maybe it was not yet your time back then, and you still have a mission you need to do. Like guarding this community for instance." I smiled.
Stephen looked at me with warm eyes. I think my words had at least comforted him from that grave past he was remembering.
"I never had thought about that." Stephen said to me. "You have a point. Maybe I still have a mission that I must accomplish here. Or maybe there is someone that I still need to meet in my life." He smiled sweetly at me that made my heart skip a beat once more.
Stephen was a good looking guy. Maybe that is why Anna has the hots for him and is getting jealous because Stephen is taking care of me.
"Um Stephen… can I ask another question?" I asked, planning on something.
"Of course, you can." Stephen replied.
"You said that only warriors can go out of the safe zones, right? Can anyone be qualified to join as warriors or only ex-soldiers and marines can?" I asked.
If only warriors can go out the safe zones, then I needed to be one. I also do not plan on going out of the safe zone without any weapon. Going out without having means to protect myself is utter suicide.
"Well… no, not really." Stephen looked at me questioningly. "The weapons we have are a handful and some unfortunately had lost their previous owners in battle. We make it a top priority to retrieve these weapons in worst case scenarios." He had a sad face remembering his fallen comrades.
"Then… can I join?" I asked. "I mean, I have some combat skills thought to me by my father. I am sure after some training I can be of help to you. I also want to give something back to the community after I join here." I reasoned out.
"Really… you decided to stay?" Stephen had a happy face all of a sudden. "Ahem… I mean that is good you decided to stay. But do you really want to join and become a warrior? I mean, you can do something else to benefit the community."
"No, I really want to join." I said with a determined face. "Please let me."
"Okay." Stephen sighed. "I will introduce you tomorrow to the other warriors. But before you can join, there will be a physical test. Of course, you can't be a warrior without passing it."
"I understand." I said with determination. "At least I can try."
I smiled knowing that I have a chance to become a warrior. If ever I cannot pass the first time, I can try and try until I can go in. I am determined to become a warrior, not only to be able to go out and search for my family but also to give something back to the community that took me in.
Edited by: nalyn
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺