100 Systems Invasion

14. The Looming Death

Seth didn’t always spend time watching TV; he was more of an outdoor boy. He liked to play, pretending to be a hunter in the wild, flaunting his slingshot at everyone he passed.

His late father had made it for him, saying he had to train with it first before he’d take Seth on a real hunt when he was in high school. Sadly, he passed away before that.

After that, Seth spent his day lazying about. Sleeping late and waking up at noon. Then he plays a puzzle game on his phone or watches cat videos online.

So, when Amy said, “It’s like we’re in a game where participants are given big money to spend on a limited time,” Seth didn’t know what she meant.

All he knew was that the infection was spreading and the infectore could be anywhere close. They had to get their supplies and move fast.

“Shit, what do you want? Fanta or Sprite?”

Seth halted dumbfoundedly on his step. “Seriously? That’s your top priority here? What about fucking diapers so you don’t have to pee behind a bush?”

“Damn it, you’re right! Where’s the tampon?”

They went in like a blur, each with a plastic basket in their hand. Seth rushed to where he could get thick clothes, spare underwear, and blankets. Knife, torch, lighter, some socks, and ropes. He took some ducktapes, a utility tool, small shovel. Then, he moved to get bug repellents, soaps, deodorants, band-aids, and a roll of bandages. He went to swipe some over chocolate bars and coffee candies.

He was sure that Amy would get food and drinks, so he headed to grab two bags from the back aisle instead. Izuka’s store was diverse and almost had anything he could think of; it was a wonder. It even had a sports aisle, where he took a metal bat from it.

Seth called the blond sales girl over, “You got food?”

She nodded, blond strands swaying in her face. “And drinks too. You?”

He showed his haul while checking what else Amy got. Frying pan and a pot. She didn’t pick an outdoor portable gas stove, so Seth dashed again to grab it. “What about Wade?”

“He’s fine,” Amy said, “By that, I mean he’s not struggling to get out of the trunk. Hopefully he’s still alive. I don’t know what I’d do if he die like that.”

Seth didn’t share the feeling, so he merely urged her to move into the car. They carefully put their freebies in the back seat so they wouldn’t fall on Marnie’s still sleeping form. Before they got in the front seat, he cast one last glance at the store, then at the second-story house owned by Izuka, their kind benefactor.

“We have to tell her,” Amy said from his side, pleading. “It’s the least we can do for her.”

“She will get out of her anyway.”

“Yes, but if the invasion starts in the populated area, she’d head there, right to her death.”

The door suddenly opened from inside. Izuka was in her travel attire, with sunglasses on her head. “Ah, I hope you get everything you need.”

“We do,” Seth said, faltering momentarily before considering what Amy had been telling him. “Can we, um, I want to talk to you about something … if you have a minute to spare, I mean.”

The bespectacled girl nodded immediately, “What do you want to talk about?”

“Have you see the news?” Amy stepped in for him.

“Not today, but I usually watch news to get some inspiration for my novel. What about it?”

Seth fired to the point, “Big cities and populated area is not save anymore. There is an unknown infection spreading rapidly–“

“Oh, that,” Izuka hummed to herself. “I think I remember that one.”

They frowned at her easy response. ‘Remember that one?’ was not exactly what someone would say given this information.

However, before Seth could ask her about it, Izuka continued. “Don’t worry though, I won’t be anywhere close to the big cities. Holiday, remember? Tropical islands and beautiful valley, that’s where I’m going. I don’t the infection will get there in a day.”

They sighed but silently hoped their benefactor would be saved from the infectores.

“Is that all?”

Amy looked like she was about to tell her things, but Seth chose otherwise. “That’s all.”

“You sure?” Izuka teased then, smiling broadly as she pulled her suitcase along. “Don’t be shy, I’ll get you guys some souvenires if you want. Just come back here, maybe in a month or so. I’m sure I’d be home and we can exchange stories, then?”

“We’re fine,” Seth said again. “Thanks for the help.”

They watched as a cab pulled over right on time. “Ah, that’s my ride. See you guys around, hmm?”

 The driver greeted. “I’m here for miss Himeyaka Izuka.”

“Ah, it’s me,” the Asian girl raised her hand, smiling at the cab driver, who picked up her suitcase.

They watched silently as Izuka got in, slipped on the back seat, and got comfortable. Her smile was bright, but there was a kindness to her eyes, which made Amy’s heart ache at the realization that this might be the last time they see her.

With the infectores and infection rate out there, it would be a miracle for the Asian girl to survive it. Hopefully, her flight took her out of the States before the infectores arrived.

As Izuka waved her hand in goodbye, Seth said one last time. “Please be careful out there.”

Amy was right; it was the least he could do for the one who gave them food and many free supplies. Saying it wouldn’t hurt him.

However, he didn’t expect that Izuka would call out for him.

“See you later, Jet Lynx.”

Seth froze upon hearing that. No one should know about the nickname he used for the System.

“Oops, I shouldn’t call you that. My bad.”

Before he could ask her, the cab drove away, dragging the question inside his head.