Preparing for the Worst

As they stayed at the church, the group was keeping an eye out for any updates on whether you or your friend have finally made it. Though as usual, they don’t hear anything and as time moves on, so does the sun as it was slowly moving towards the other side of the sky.

Neku was looking near the direction of the sun as the sky was also starting to shift from blue to orange. ‘If they don’t make it by the time the sunsets…’ He thought just as he felt a presence and saw that Kate was approaching him.

“I haven’t seen Rai or Rachael yet.” he stated, just as he saw her opening her mouth. Periodically, she would look for him or the others to see if they had made it to ask that question, and like before when they answered, her face lowered.

“There’s still some time. They can still make it.” Neku stated.

“Y-Yeah…” Kate muttered as she started to walk off. Neku watched her head off to where the children would gather and play.

‘Even she can’t rebound after so many times she heard the same answer…’ he thought as he looked at the sky. ‘Can they make it through the night if the worst comes to pass. The infected are growing stronger and if they don’t find a secure place…’ He let out a sigh in order to not finish the thought as he got up and left the resting area.

As he walked, he noticed that Nina was walking into the church library, while Felix was walking around the statues, looking at them before he started to admire the garden. The Zoroark walked into what was refurbished into the resting area. It was filled with makeshift beds with an extra one being formed on the top so one can sleep above the other. He can see a pair of Kabutop and an

Gligar was there. When he arrived, they shifted their gaze towards him as he sat down. Neku paid them no mind as he placed his bag down.

When he did, he realized just how bad his bag looked. “Dammit! Why didn’t I ask for another bag before you left?” Neku grumbles as he tries to cover the holes once more, ‘Hope this can hold until we get back.” He looks inside to see that he still has something special of his before he lifts himself up from his bag. He took a peek and saw that the two just barely shifted their gaze when they saw Neku turn his head towards them. ‘They were watching me the entire time. Can’t blame them.’ Neku thought as he then felt something near the door. Neku braced himself as it opened and out there was a Jinx, one of the church members.

“Just wanted to let you all know that dinner will be ready at nightfall.” She spoke before turning around to leave, moving to the side to let the Croconaw inside.

“I thought you would be walking around more.” Neku stated.

“Nah, not too big on churches, and there’s not much fun to have around here. At least, not unless you are a child.” He sat down near Neku. “Kate’s doing okay, other than being worried sick about her brother.”

“No surprise there.” A voice spoke out and they saw Felix entering as well. “It’s just the two of them right now, and if things don’t get better soon… Well, not every family’s gonna make it out of this whole.”

“Hey, this is already bleak enough as it is! We don’t need you making it worse.” Vargus spoke.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to be so bleak.” The Grovyle stated, looking downward.

“What happened to your folks?” The Croconaw asked as the grass type shook his head.

“Not sure, I was raised in an orphanage until one day I left. I don’t know where they could be.” He answered, moving the stem around in his mouth.

“Oh…” Vargus muttered, shoulders lowering after hearing that. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring bad memories.”

“I’m alright, thank you. Though honestly, I don’t really care about where I was.” He stated, “I’ll make my life on my own. Though I never figured anything like this.”

“I can imagine many never expected this.” Neku stated as the door opened once more and they saw Nina entering the room to see the others.

She looked at him, Felix and Vargus for a moment before starting to speak. “I suppose none of you have seen the others yet have you?”

The others were silent when she asked that question.

“I figured as much. Kate asked me moments ago, hoping that I’ve seen her brother and her friend. This is a terrible time for her.”

“There’s more you want to say about it. Is there?” Neku asked, seeing her expression changed when he asked that.

Nina blinks a few times before sighing before sitting down on a stool. “I know we want the best for them, I feel the same. However, there is a possibility that they won’t be able to make it here. Not just before the deadline, but not at all.”

Vargus grumbles at the words, while Felix and Neku remain quiet.

“If by chance, the worst comes to pass…” Nina paused for a moment, building the resolve to add, “Who could take care of her?”

Felix looked away from the fox. “Taking care of myself is already strenuous, and that was before this pandemic that we’re going through.”

Vargus scratches the back of his head sheepishly. “I’m an only child in my family. I’ve never had a brother or sister, plus I may-”

“Fair enough.” Neku interrupted him as he added. “I’ve studied about parenthood before this started, I could take care of her.”

“Have a partner?” Vargus asked curiously.

“Had a partner...” he stated in a low tone.

“Oh… what happened?” He asked before he felt an elbow jab his side. “Oof!”

Felix had a stern look on his face, giving him a sign to stop pursuing.

“If that’s what you want, alright.” Nina stated, tail resting against her thigh as she added. “They won’t let us stay for long after the morning comes. What will we do then?”

“We’ll hang close by in case they show up on the church grounds. If the sun reaches the south direction, we’ll leave for camp then.” The others were silent in accepting those terms as they decided to rest for the time being.

Outside, Kate was at the side of the door, listening in without their knowledge, stiffening a whimper at what she heard before she left without a word..