A Beacon of Hope

"What were you doing here?" You ask Neku. "Me and the others were looking for supplies to take to the survivor camp." Your ears perked up when hearing that last word. "There's a survivor camp?" You asked, sounding hopeful. "A little distance from here, but not too far. You two save my life, so the least i could do is escort you there." You thought about his offer then said, "Thank you, we were hoping to find one after what happened at home.." The Zoroark looks solemnly at them. "I can assume the worst happened there… and the reason why your parents aren’t with you?"

It was then you realized you never told him anything about what happened to you three. "Well uh..you probably can see it..." You pause a bit to prepare before continuing, "The three of us had to leave our hometown and parents as it was being attacked by the infected, and our parents on the verge of turning into one."

The black fox stared at them with an understanding look. "That’s certainly horrible to have to see, especially one such as her.” He stated looking at the squirrel who looked down with a sad expression. “Hey, do you know how infected are turning up more and more?” You asked and he shakes his head. You then went to him and whispered in his ear. “The infected rapes them. Consume their fluid and you’ll turn.”

Neku stays silent after that, looking into the Raichu’s eyes tells him that he’s not lying. “How do you know that info?” he asked. “My dad told me. It depends on the amount they take and their appearance. Since the way they look, it wasn’t enough for a fast acting one, but they can feel it.” He gritted his paws. “Goddamn…” he muttered, barely audible.

He was quiet for a few minutes before he looked at you three. “Well, as I said, you two saved my life from being food or possibly another one of those infected monsters, so the least I can do is escort you three to the camp I stay at. And considering I lost my comrades, we’ll have more room now.” You lowered your head at not being able to save his companions. “Hopefully they’re in a better place at least.”

Seeing that it gotten darker, Neku says, "We can talk more later, we should all get some sleep." You add something after he finishes, "When this mess started, me and Rachael took turns watching the surroundings-" "so we don't get ambushed in our sleep. That’s smart, that’s how we would do things too. Well to repay you a little now, I'll take the first watch." You nod, "I'll go next, then you Rachael we go by a hour each turn." The three of you nod and you and Rachel leave for a room while Neku stays behind.

Before you lay down to rest, you go to check up on your sister. Being her first actual encounter with an infected up close like that, you wonder how she's holding up. She looks up at you and smiles, "Hey Rai." she says happily. "Hey there Kate." you respond in return. You sit on the bed she’s laying in and asked, "That incident before, how're you holding up?" "I'm okay." She says, but saddens before replying, “I just... wish mom and dad are here, I hope they're okay. I mean.." You pat your sister on her head. "I know, me too." You say.

She looks at you and all of the sudden she starts to giggle. You look at her in confusion. "Sorry, sometimes when I stare at your head, I imagine something popping up behind you." "That's not funny!" you tell her at first, but when you picture it, you couldn't help but giggle as well. She stares at you expectantly. "Okay, it's a little funny." you admit looking away at her. She starts giggling again. "Okay that's enough! Time for bed."

You were about to leave until she spoke. "Can you rest with me tonight? I don't want to be alone." “I will be going on watch in an hour.” You warn her. "Please?" She stares at you hopefully. “Ok! Ok! Just enough with the face!” You fake desperation. She cheers and hops into bed. You get in after her and she snuggles next to you. "Goodnight Kate." Goodnight Rai." She answers before closing her eyes. You watch her sleeping next to you and smile. ‘Don't let this change you Kate.’ you make that thought before closing your eyes and going to sleep.

The night went by without incident.

Something happens during the night!