SPACE SYSTEM IN A POST-APOCALYPTIC WORLD

CHAPTER 7

Akim's pov

I stood up slowly, being careful not to wake the rest so I wouldn't cause a panic; last time I checked, it was only Mr Aiden and his family that were staying there, so I didn't think it was a human. As I approached where the noise came from, I saw two shadows, I cocked my gun, moving closer, ready to shoot anything suspicious. When I got close enough I saw that the noise came from Mr Aiden's kids having a late night snack.

"Hey guys, I guess you both got hungry huh?"

I retracted my shotgun and kept it at my back with the strap; these kids seem to be wary of me, especially the older one; I guess it's to be expected since I killed their mother.

"Hey"

I sat in front of them thinking of what to say; I was never great with kids, so I didn't even know what to do with them. Maybe I thought I should leave; yeah, I'm sure they are probably uncomfortable with me here. I guess I'll just leave.

"U-um sir, is mommy gonna go to heaven?" The little girl asked

My heart dropped when I heard what she said. I didn't even know how to react; I could only smile and say.

"Yes she will"

"Thank God" she smiled "I can go see her when I grow up"

"Yeah," I smiled, "what's your name?"

" Lima," she said brightly " and my big brother's name is Jake "

"Those are really cool names," I said. "You know, I found a fun claw while walking around the kiddies area. Do you guys wanna go check it out with me?"

" Yes!! " Said Lima excited "Let's go, Jake, let's go play the fun claw," she said pulling him

"All right calm down I'm coming too," said Jake

When we got to the fun claw, we found a bucket of coins near it which made the children grin. We played till there was nothing left inside the fun claw. Jake and Lima were so good at it, and I was incredibly bad, after boasting and telling Lima I would win everything for her. We finally stopped and sat on the bench near the fun claw.

"Hahahahaha you were soooooo bad hahaha hahaha," Lima said laughing

" I guess my skills got a bit rusty since I stopped playing after many years," I said pained

" Those skills? I think they are lost not rusted" said Jake

Lima and Jake continued laughing so hard at my failure in the game, making sure I knew the difference in our skills; We continued laughing and talking, forgetting about the apocalypse and just enjoying the moment.

"Oh, someone seems to be sleeping," I said, pointing at Lima, who was resting on me fast asleep.

"Oh yeah she always does that"

"We'll that's cute," I Said

Shit, the only person keeping the awkwardness at bay is asleep; now I don't know what to talk about. Maybe I should just call it a night; their dad's turn should start right about now; he'll probably be worried if he doesn't see his kids when he wakes up. When I was about to get up from the seat, Jake held my hand.

"Did she turn into a zombie?" He asked

I was so shocked by his question

"Yes..... She did" I answered

"Oh...... Well, I'm happy she didn't spend the rest of her life as a zombie... Thank you for taking her out of her misery" he said

At this point, I could not keep the shock to myself; I was so surprised a boy as young as that could think as deep as that; I thought he was mad at me for killing his mom, but it seemed it was something he would have wanted.

"Yeah.... You're welcome" I said

" I heard you are talking to Richard about gun practice. Can I join in? " He asked

What he said made me remember the young boys I met on the battlefield in Vietnam; they were kidnapped from their homes and forced to pick up guns and kill. He is a young boy who has so much ahead of him; he has to make friends, find love, make mistakes, and grow up like a boy. But thinking about it, I realize the world isn't so civilized anymore. He probably wants to be able to protect his family since he could only watch his mom get eaten; gosh, remembering that sight is making me want to puke.

"Yeah you can, I understand you want to protect your dad and Lima and I'm going to help with that," I said smiling

" Thank you but... My d-"

"Jake!"

Mr Aiden rushed towards us, panting like he had run a thousand miles.

" Oh thank God you're both safe," he said then turned to me "It was supposed to be my turn but when I looked around you weren't there and I couldn't find my kids anywhere no matter where I looked, I was so scared something bad had happened to them," he said crying as he hugged them both tight

"It's okay, everything is all right we just left for a late-night snack," I said covering up for them "and I'm sorry we got you worried"

"Well it's all right as long as they are safe," he said wiping his tears with his sleeve before carrying Lima " I guess we should get to bed now"

"Yeah," I said

By morning, everyone went on with their normal business since we already planned on staying in the supermarket for a while before we hit the road again.

I called Richard and Jake to the store room where there were a lot of unused mannequins, so we used them as target practice. I had already informed the others of what we were going to do so they wouldn't be too surprised by the sounds. Richard and Jake were both very fast learners, I wondered if it was because they were young. By the end of it, Richard left to get a snack, and Jake stayed with me to clean up.

"Thanks, Jake," I said

"Yeah it's nothing"

" You did well today, I had never seen anyone that good with a shotgun this young until I met you" I complimented you " Now you can help your caring dad protect you and your sister"

He stopped and looked at me

" What's wrong?"

"M-my dad was the one who pushed my mom to the zombie"