「More than a year ago.」
"Son, you have to hold on!"
"Ming, even if Mom and Dad aren't around anymore, you have to be strong, you hear?"
After speaking to their bewildered young son, the middle-aged couple, each holding a cup of water, exchanged a look and resolutely downed the contents of their cups.
"Dad, Mom, what are you talking about? Didn't we agree to hold on together?!" The young man looked at his parents, confused, not understanding why they were saying such things.
After the Fire Thief announced the first of the Apocalypse Rules, the family of three had managed to stay awake for over forty hours, constantly monitoring, reminding, and encouraging one another.
But the exhaustion was plain on all three of their faces, especially the middle-aged couple's. They were nearly at their breaking point.
A minute ago, they had asked their son to pour them each a cup of water. After saying what sounded like parting words, they drank it.
