Getting Kindling

You were the last one to leave the room and you never looked back. You spotted the others who were waiting for you and you all started to rush towards the exit Melanie mentioned, hoping to arrive before the church members can… Well, almost everyone…

The hidden door that led into the church opened and a Zoroark stepped through. No one was around, though he could hear banging at the door. ‘I don’t have much time…’ Neku thought to himself As he was about to take a step forward.

“Hey there.” Neku heard a voice behind him and saw a familiar Grovyle.

“Felix? What are you doing here?”

“I saw you sneaking back towards the church.”

“Well I am, now head back with the others. I won’t be-“

“You’re up to something. There’s no reason for wanting to head back knowing the circumstances.“ Felix spoke before Neku could finished, “And if you try to say about warning survivors, I expect him to tell you that, but that wouldn’t be enough for you to go back here.”

The Zoroark grumbled at how perceptive he is, but he knows he won’t budge and this isn’t the time to argue. “I’m going to look for kindling and a means to start a fire,”

“A fire?… Wait, you mean you intend to burn the church down!?” He asked, shocked at thinking about the idea..

Neku was silent at the question, but then he responded with, “It’s a terrible thing to do, but yes.“

Felix blinked a few times upon hearing that. “Why would you do that?! Help me understand that!”

“It’s really a bad time to fully explain, but if we just leave now, what happened back there will continue!” He explained as he looked at the banging door before he opened his mouth. “Now I need you to head back! This place is dangerous!”

Felix was quiet as he looked at the door, then thought about the incidents that lead them to the current situation before he stares Neku in the eye. “Does Rai know about what you’re doing?”

“Yes, he’s allowing me to do this.” Neku answered. “Though he wasn’t very pleased with the idea as well. Now please return to the others. After this is over-“

“If you’re doing this, I want to help.” Felix responded, cutting him off and surprising him. “It’s drastic, but clearly the intent is good. Plus with my help you’ll have a better chance of getting it done before they break in.”

Neku was about to argue, but he heard the banging on the main door and knew that it wasn’t the time to argue

“Fine, if you want to help, then I would ask for you to warn those who are still here and might not be aware of what’s happening to gather here and wait for me or you to guide them through the tunnel, including the psychic types. I’ll look for and gather anything that would catch fire. Once this place is lit, and I’m back in a little while, I’ll come back for you. If not, leave without me.”

The Grovyle curled his palms into a fist tightly as he heard the instructions. “Alright, but try to be quick. What about those who try to fight back?”

“I’ll do my best. If they do, fight.”

Felix nodded as he headed off. Neku doesn’t waste time and heads off in a different direction. He approached the door and opened it to see he’s in the kitchen. He sees a fireplace with a large pot over the fire, boiling contents within that gives off a rather appetizing scent, a cabinet with various items which he would believe to be herbs, spices and sauces.

He also noticed some cloth and wood nearby, probably for cooking purposes, but they could work to start a fire so Neku went and gathered them, placing them in a bag. He did start placing a few of them around and was about to light one until he started to hear a creaking sound.

He turned towards the door he came from, but it remained closed. He saw another door which he assumed was just for containing more shelves was the one opening with someone coming in. His body tensed up as the figure spotted him before he was able to try to hide.

“Hey! What are you doing here?” A male voice spoke up as the one entering was a Darmanitan. His body was short, but muscular as he wore a chef hat on top of his head along with a bit of its attire.

Neku blinked a bit as he took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding, “What are you doing here?”

“I took a moment to check on our stock before getting ready to finish the stew.”

Neku listened carefully and while he heard the faint thumping from what he expected to be the infected banging, so he probably can’t have known about what’s really going on… especially if he isn’t informed.

“Now again, what are you doing here? Dinner’s not ready and you’re supposed to gather at the dining area.”

“I…” he paused as he was about to make an excuse to leave until he remembered you asking to warn anyone Neku found about the situation. While the Darmanitan doesn’t appear to be in the know, there’s no telling what he’ll do. He could attack him, run or anything. Though he recalled the Gardevoir mentioned that most only follow out of fear of the infected, and he knows you’ll want to know if he followed through.

“Listen, this place is going to be overrun with infected soon. You need to head to the bookcase in the library.”

The Darmanitan looks confused at the warning, “What are you talking about? I was told the infected wouldn’t approach here.”

“Listen to me, you have been lied to.” Neku explained urgency. “There’s a large horde of infected currently surrounding the church grounds, banging at the doors and barricaded windows. It’s only a matter of time before they break through, and everyone not infected still around will be in danger.”

The Darmanitan stares at him, with Neku noticing his eyes trembling as he debates whether to believe him or not until his eyes start wandering around the area, noticing a bit further of wood and cloth scattered in a small pile.

“Why are they in a pile?” He asked, staring at him and noticing the Zoroark holding a piece of wood,

“Oh, w-well I-“

“What are you planning to do with that piece of wood in your hand?” He asked as well before Neku could answer the first question. He even noticed how close the Zoroark is to the pot with the active flame with the wood close to it.

Neku sweated as he realized that the fire type connected the puzzle pieces to what he was planning. The two locked eyes for some time before the Darmanitan…

Grabs him and demands an explanation!

Spew hot flames at him!