Chapter 11: Voice of the Wind

Behind us, gunshots roared through the night. I could hear the faint sounds of demons wailing as bullets pierced through their bodies. Those soldiers, with their MK16 rifles, were strong. There was no doubt about it.

I was glad that Jerry and the rest of the group agreed to move to the foot of the mountains, despite the offer of protection from the nearby military camp.

—or so I thought.

“This isn’t right,” a familiar voice said. She stopped in her tracks, then looked at the direction we came from. Despite the smoke shrouding the streets, we could see the muzzle flashes from the soldiers’ rifles.

I stopped and asked, “Franchesca?” There was a hint of uncertainty within my voice, for I somehow knew the next words she was going to say.

“Chase, I’m sorry.” She looked torn. “But I really think it’s safer to stay with them. With those soldiers.”

For a few seconds, I stood there like a statue. I was expecting Jerry to be the most hesitant of this decision, but to think that those words would first come out of her mouth – my chest tightened a bit from the thought.

And the next words she uttered struck me right at the chest.

“And… I’m not sure I can trust you,” she breathed. She looked at Jerry, as though seeking affirmation, then back at me. “You… you killed people before. Please understand… right now… I can’t trust you.”

I was unable to retort to that. Why was it that whenever she was involved, I felt weak, helpless, as though all strength in body had vanished into wisp and smoke?

She approached Jerry. “I’m going to the military camp. Come with me. Your sister will be safer there.”

Knowing Jerry, this was probably the last push he needed in order to separate from me. Well, I could probably not blame him. After all, any sane person would choose to be protected by armed soldiers than a single man and his sword.

But his reply was unexpected.

“I’m coming with Chase,” he simply said. Within those large, bulging eyes, I saw affirmation and determination. “And I’m taking my sister with us.”

I was taken by surprise by this sudden development. I opened then closed my mouth.

Jerry breathed in then sighed. “I’m really confused right now. I don’t know what to do!” the last part escalated into a shout. “Where should I go? Who should I trust? I really feel that it would be safer to seek refuge in the military camp… but!”

Jerry looked at me, his eyes pleading for answers. “Chase, you said before that it’s safer in the mountains.” His voice felt forced, almost choking. “That’s… that’s true, right?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

Jerry closed his eyes for a moment, then turned to Franchesca. “I’ve known this guy all my life. I trust him. That’s why, despite the odds, I’m coming with him.”

I was at loss for words. Somehow, tears started forming at the corner of my eyes. I willed them back.

Franchesca bit her lips as she stared at me. Her shoulders were quivering, as though she was suppressing her emotions from coming out.

After a few more seconds of silence, she finally spoke, “I’m sorry. But I’ll stay with the soldiers.”

My eyes widened after that remark. Myriad of emotions washed over me.

But then, I realized that it was only a few hours since we first met. Jerry and I have been friends for over a decade, but she and I were definitely mere strangers.

Franchesca shook her head. “I’m really sorry,” she said. And she began running towards the direction of military camp.

Slowly, her figure started to vanish amidst the clouds of smoke. Jerry and I stared at each other for a moment, and without uttering a word, he understood my intentions.

I began running after her. “Wait!” I said. Behind us, the sound of gunshots had finally died out. Did the soldiers kill the demons? Or was it the other way around?

Franchesca afforded a glance at me, but did not say a word back.

We kept running, until eventually, we reached the military base.

We halted in our tracks as we stared at it in awe. It was beyond my expectations.

A small wall, probably six meters tall, surrounded the area. Three large watchtowers made of wood, which easily passed the ten meters mark, stood proud near the entrance. Despite the smoke that continued to twirl up into the sky, I could see numerous silhouettes of soldiers at the top. On top of the walls, barbed wires were latched.

You could say that this military camp was as large as half the town itself, and I started to wonder why back in the previous timeline, I failed to notice it.

I was probably too busy trying to survive back then. Maybe, that was the reason why.

“Why did you follow me here?” ask Franchesca. There was no spite within her voice, only surprise and confusion.

“I’d rather die that let anything bad happen to you,” I replied in a heartbeat. Cliché line, but it was the truth. For a moment, her eyes stared straight into mine. “If you’re not with me, how can I protect you?”

“But!” she said. “You told me that the mountain—”

She stopped midway her remark when a voice was heard near the entrance of the camp. I could feel that numerous scopes were aimed at us.

“Stop right there!” said a deep voice. I immediately knew what he was so cautious of.

I stepped in front of our group. “We’re humans!” I said. “We’ve met some soldiers along the way, and they told us that this camp is still accepting refugees!” At the corner of my eyes, I could see that Franchesca was staring at me. “Please, let us enter!”

The sound of men murmuring was heard. A few seconds after, the metallic gate slowly creaked open. An elderly man in camouflage went out. A platinum badge dangled on his chest.

“I see,” he said with a soft smile. I noticed that his eyes were looking at Kristine. Most probably, this old man was fond of children. “We still have enough rooms for a few more people.” His eyes scanned my group. From Kristine, to Jerry, to Franchesca, then finally me. “Go inside for now.”

It did not escape my notice that he momentarily stared at my sword.

“Let’s go,” I said. Honestly, I really believe that coming to this place was a bad decision. There was no doubting my knowledge that back in the previous timeline, this place was turned into ruins by the hands of monsters.

But for now, ensuring Franchesca’s safety was top priority.

With the old man in lead, we went inside the small gap created by the opened metallic gate. As soon as we entered, it shut closed, creating a deafening bang.

I immediately scanned my surroundings. Dozens of soldiers armed with rifles. A smaller wall not far from us, definitely serving as a second line of defense, stood. A watchtower to our right, and below it was a few armored vehicles that resembled tanks. If I had now known better, I would have been on the impression that this place was impregnable even against those demons outside.

A soldier approached the old man and whispered something to his ear. The old man nodded once then turned to us. Like before, he was wearing a gentle smile.

“Welcome to Camp McArthur,” he said after clearing his throat. Numerous soldiers nearby attentively spectated. “I am Lieutenant McMillan, third-in-command of this military base.” He nodded to the nearby soldiers, and they immediately approached our direction. “We’ll need to check your belongings. Anything dangerous will be immediately confiscated.” He was looking at my sword as he said the last part of his statement.

I suppressed a groan. I knew that this would happen.

“Sir, we’ll be taking that sword,” said one of the soldiers.

He was about to grab my beloved partner when I defensively pulled it back.

“No,” I said in a decisive tone.

The soldier looked at Lieutenant McMillan.

“Honestly, a lot of our soldiers have died during the last few hours,” said the Lieutenant. His frizzy white hair dangled as he approached me. He stopped and stared straight into my eyes. “Our duty is to protect the citizens and to uphold public order. We need to confiscate all weapons of civilians. Precautions. Please understand.”

His stance was understandable, but letting go of my beloved sword was out of the question. It was the partner that stood with me through the worst of times back in the previous timeline.

“I can’t,” I held my ground. “I can’t give this to you guys.”

The lieutenant groaned. He looked at me as though I was a kid who could not understand what was happening around.

“We can’t let you enter then,” he warned. “Those are the rules—”

“—Let this one slide, Old man,” interjected a young man, probably in his late teens. He emerged from the platoon of soldiers near the second gate. His clothes were that of a civilian: Baggy jacket and faded jeans. His red hair was neatly combed to the back, his eyes droopy.

“M-Master Nostra!” said the Lieutenant.

Immediately, everyone, including the old man, made a staunch salute.

Who was this young man? Judging by his attire and physique, he was no soldier. There was no way he would be accepted in the military with those twig-like limbs of his.

Nostra chuckled, his eyes dancing as he gazed at me.

“Interesting,” he whistled. “You know something about this apocalypse, don’t you?”

My eyes widened. My instinct screamed at me that this young man was not merely guessing around. He knew.

“Who are you?” I tried to shadow out the wariness within my voice.

Nostra broadly grinned. He pulled out a small talon from his pocket. It was silver with patches of gold. And I immediately recognized what it was.

“Your expression tells me that you know what this item is,” said Nostra. He placed the talon back inside the pocket of his jacket. After looking up the smoke-filled sky, he said, “The wind told me to let you guys enter this camp. That one of you—” he looked at my direction. “—is strong enough to stand by my side.”

“What’s this kid talking about?” whispered Jerry. I ignored him.

“You… why do you have that item?” I said, my expression stern.

That talon was definitely from that mini boss monster. Considering that only a few hours had passed, there was no way he could have obtained that item. But reality was stating otherwise.

What was happening?

Nostra chuckled at my question. He spread both his arms wide. “I killed that beast, of course.”

I was stunned at his declaration. There was no way that was possible.

“You can’t believe something even when the truth is right before you, eh?” he said in mockery. Once again, he looked up the sky. “Ahh~ the wind is telling me that I should go back to that place.”

Nostra said to the Lieutenant, “Old man, give those three the permission to enter the camp. There’s no need to confiscate their weapons.”

Lieutenant McMillan bowed his head. “As you wish, Master Nostra.”

“Also, that man over there,” said Nostra as he pointed at me. “Let him go in and out of this place as he wishes. If the Captain complains about it, tell him that I permitted it.”

Once again, Lieutenant McMillan bowed and conceded.

A voice whispered at me. “You plan on going to the foot of the mountains, right? I heard your conversation before, back when you guys were still outside the camp.”

My eyes were wide as I stared at Nostra. He was a good distance away from me, his eyes dancing and his lips crooked into a grin.

As far as I remembered, we were hundreds of meters away from the military based when that certain conversation transpired. And he still heard that.

There was no doubt. This young man possessed that certain skill after killing the Mini Boss Monster.

Who was he? How did he kill that beast?

So many questions ran through my head, but I had no way of answering any of them.

And he once again whispered. “I’ve made things easy for you. Do not disappoint me.”