As the Humvee drove silently on the dying wasteland. Its engine roared as it climbed a steep incline. The rough ground also often made the passengers inside sway from their seats.
But putting all that aside, the atmosphere inside the cabin was calm, too calm even. From the back seat, a boy whose head was full of curiosity, started a conversation.
"I wonder, will we be able to see a tree still standing in a place like this."
Abel's sudden question drew the attention of the other two boys sitting in the front. Meanwhile, the girls wrinkled their eyebrows, feeling strange about the conversation.
He had a reason for starting the conversation. Ever since childhood, the boy had admired freedom most amongst his peers, and his curiosity only fueled his thirst for the world beyond the wall.
Coincidentally, both of Abel's parents spoiled their kids too much. And to satiate the son's hunger, they tend to collect stories from the past or create new fiction to give the boy a ray of hope and motivation to live in a world full of tragedy.
"I don't know, but I don't think that will happen."
Cain answered half-heartedly. He leaned back into his seat, releasing all his burdens and his authority as a leader after passing through a strict environment full of surveillance.
"What do you think, Peter?"
Abel, who was not happy with the answer, threw the ball straight toward Peter, who was holding the steering wheel and glancing at the mirror hanging in front.
"Sorry to disappoint you, Abel. But what Cain said is true."
"Eh, how can you be so sure about that?"
Abel crossed his arms over his chest. His cheek bloated, a sign that he was unhappy behind his helmet's visor.
Cain and Peter looked at each other, both turning their bodies to face the sulking boy and answering simultaneously.
"From books."
The blonde boy fell silent, his gaze shifted to the side. He gazed at the endless red scenery and hoped that he could witness a miracle with the appearance of a tree in this dying land.
"Don't talk about unimportant things like that! Focus on the mission!"
A sharp protest resounded through the cabin. It came from the red-haired girl, who glared at the boys who showed a lax attitude, even though they were present in the dangerous zone.
Rika gnashed her teeth, then kicked the seat occupied by Cain. The kick sent a jolt to Cain's back, causing him to frown and be exasperated at the same time for receiving another tantrum from the fiery girl in the group.
Louise, who was sitting on Rika's left, flinched. She held Rika's shoulder as she tried to calm her down by suppressing her tone.
"R-Rika, calm down."
"Louise, you say something too."
Receiving a sudden attack from the fuming girl. Louise shrank; she glanced left and right to ask for help.
Abel confined himself to the corner because he knew very well that Rika's anger was difficult to contain. On one hand, he also felt worried about Rika, who felt like she was on edge when entering the wasteland.
He looked forward, seeing Cain who slumped his shoulders, looking helpless in the face of his childhood friend's ferocity.
'Cain, please. Do something!'
The gray-haired boy turned to the man beside him and asked.
"How long until we reach the location?"
Peter extended his left hand to the dashboard monitor. He started checking the navigation and returned to gripping the car's steering wheel.
"With our current speed. I'd say half a day!"
"Alright."
Cain nodded, then shifted his attention to the back. He faced Rika and saw her cheeks puffed out unhappily from being ignored.
The two stared at each other for a few seconds until finally, Cain couldn't help but spurt his saliva. He bit his quivering lips to keep himself from laughing.
"Pffth, why are you so tense? Relax girl."
A blue vein appeared on Rika's forehead. Her body spontaneously kicked the seat the boy was occupying again, sending a shock that slammed his consciousness.
"Be more vigilant! We are stranded on this land of death and you are still..."
"Rika, calm down. I'm sure the leader didn't mean any harm."
Louise pulled Rika's arm, and she looked next to her and saw Abel also nodding slowly.
"Louise is right, Rika. Calm down, don't exert yourself too much, it will only tire you out later."
"B-But."
After hearing that statement, Rika snapped out of her reverie. Deep down, she was aware of the situation she was in.
Rika had gathered numerous pieces of information, from verbal to non-verbal, about the outside world. She heard many good ones, but wrapped in gentle lies, and there's also a harsh, cold truth sprawled before her.
When she saw the crimson scenery extended into the horizon, followed by a blood pillar that wreaked havoc across the land, the sight was enough to shock the girl's delicate heart, although she refused to face it.
Voice started to fade, replaced by her accelerated heartbeat. It sounds like a warning signal, which awoke dread in her heart.
Yet when her consciousness was about to sink into the abyss. A hand yanked her from the darkness, forcing her attention forward as she heard the voice of her leader.
"Well said, Abel."
Rika widened her eyes. She let out a short sigh, watching her gaze focus on the rearview mirror hanging above the car dashboard. For a few seconds, she stared at Cain.
"Are you calm now?"
The girl was hesitant at first, but nodded slowly. She bit her lip, embarrassed by showing her weakness in front of so many people.
"Listen Rika, try to loosen up a little."
"L-Loosen up?"
She tilted her head sideways, gazing at the boy's black pupils that sucked her into his rhythm.
"Yeah, I know you are a serious person, even too serious as it becomes a boomerang that will strike you back."
"W-Why? Isn't it good if I face everything seriously with all my ability."
Rika unknowingly clenched her fists tight. Her pupil shrank as she saw Cain shrug his shoulders. His attitude ignited the slumbering flame in her heart.
"Yes, I won't deny that. But Rika, do you realize it?."
The girl raised her eyebrows as if she didn't quite understand the meaning behind those words.
"Right here, right now. Rika, do you realize your view is too narrow so you can't see your surroundings properly."
"!?"
"You are too focused on what is right in front of you, forgetting that our mission is still far ahead."
A realization dawned upon her like a bucket of cold water splashing her hot head. Rika let out the breath she had unconsciously held. Her red pupils sparkled, no longer fixated on the narrow world she was in, but also opened to the outside world.
'Ah, I see.'
Strength started to leave her body, causing her to lean against the seat. Her gaze was blank, staring at the metal roof, which felt closer than usual.
Silence struck the small space until Rika exhaled sharply and straightened her posture, then spoke.
"I'm sorry for showing my unsightly side."
Louise and Abel parted their lips, and both nodded happily when they saw that Rika's calm attitude had returned.
Cain, who was sitting with both arms crossed over his chest. He peeked over his shoulder and unintentionally met Rika's eyes, who gave him a sharp gaze, teeming with new resolution.
He shrugged his shoulders, then leaned back and stared at the view behind the transparent glass.
'Huff, is it this hard to fix a moody girl's feelings?'
The question sank into his mind until Cain shook his head, trying to get rid of unnecessary thoughts gnawing at his brain. He glared at his own reflection in the glass.
'Well, no point in dwelling in it. I have something to do right now.'
"ETA to the destination is five hours."
Peter's voice was drowned out by the roar of the speeding car, leaving a trail of crimson dust in its wake.
***
Beyond their line of sight, far beyond the barren red plains. Under a sky darker than night, a swarm of virus beasts began to move, crowding over the crumbling ruins that had been eroded by time.
The rhythmic thud of their steps was sharp and grinding, threatening every existence that dared to stand before them mercilessly.
The red core, their characteristic emitted an eerie glint, as if they were no longer moving instinctively but under one command, ready for a hunt.