Everyone was ready to attack... but they stopped dead in their tracks when they saw that it wasn't an infected person or some other threat. It was a woman, covered in dust and wearing somewhat worn clothes, but clearly human.
—What took you so long to open up? —sked the woman, with a slight tone of annoyance.
Elion blinked. He recognized that voice. He took a step forward.
—…Delma?
—Yes, it's me —she replied without hesitation.
As soon as she heard that, Althea ran out of her hiding place and threw herself into her arms.
—Delma!
Delma hugged her tightly, closing her eyes with relief.
—I finally found you, Althea...
Looking up at the others, she noticed their tense postures and the weapons they had not yet lowered. She frowned, somewhat amused.
—Why are you all like this? Were you going to attack me?
Ashamed, they all slowly lowered their weapons. Elion cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure.
—Come in… — he invited, stepping aside.
When the tension dissipated and everyone settled back into the room, Althea spoke up, smiling.
—This is Delma, my father's friend. I've been meaning to meet her since all this started.
One by one, they all introduced themselves. When it was Elion's turn, he bowed his head respectfully.
—Sorry about earlier... we thought you might be infected.
Delma smiled understandingly.
—Don't worry, it's understandable.
She adjusted the backpack on her shoulder and sighed, as if she could finally breathe easy. She had arrived. At last.
After several hours of conversation, night fell, and the house was enveloped in a gentle calm, broken only by the occasional creak of wood under her tired footsteps. Elion gathered everyone in the main room. His upright posture and calm voice conveyed control, despite the obvious exhaustion on their faces.
—Let's split up into the four romos —he said, crossing his arms—. That way we'll rest better.
His words fell softly, like an order wrapped in understanding.
Stella, sitting in one of the armchairs, raised her hand calmly.
—We should rule out the room where Arika is. —Her gaze was firm, but her voice was soft—. It's better for her to rest alone so she can recover in peace.
There was a slight murmur of approval. Everyone nodded in agreement without needing further explanation.
—Perfect —Elion continued—. So, Althea, Delma, and Max will stay in the other room on the second floor. Stella and Reize will share the one on the third floor, on the left. Ethan, Koen, Hael, and I will be in the one on the right.
Reize frowned slightly, her concern evident in the way she fiddled with the sleeves of her jacket.
—Will they be okay? There are too many of them for one room.
Elion smiled slightly, easing the tension that was beginning to creep in between them.
—We'll be fine. That room is quite large, we'll fit in without any problem — he said confidently.
Reize nodded, visibly calmer. With everything agreed upon, they slowly began to disperse. After a light and silent dinner, each headed for the stairs.
Before going up, Koen paused, his voice barely a whisper:
—I'll take some food to Arika.
Without waiting for a response, he climbed the stairs with measured steps. He opened the door carefully; darkness enveloped the room. Arika was fast asleep, her slow breathing tracing a steady rhythm. Her face, more serene than the day before, was slightly illuminated by the dim light from the window.
With gentle movements, Koen placed a small cookie and a bottle of water on the nightstand. Then he took a folded piece of paper and a pen out of his pocket.
"I brought you some food in case you wake up hungry. —Koen"
He placed the note next to the food and, after staring at it silently for a few seconds, left the room, closing the door very carefully.
When he reached the room assigned to him, his eyes widened slightly in surprise. Elion was right: the room was huge. The bed dominated the center, large and soft. To one side was a sofa accompanied by a low table; at the back, a solid wardrobe and a spacious bathroom. The walls were adorned with antique paintings, giving it an elegant air, reminiscent of the rooms of an ancient castle.
Hael was lying face down on the bed, laughing softly with Elion, who were talking in whispers. Ethan was folding sheets, organizing them meticulously.
Noticing Koen, Ethan looked up and smiled at him.
—Welcome.
Koen responded with a slight smile before approaching. Soon, the four of them settled into the huge bed. It was so large that none of them felt cramped. The sheets were soft, and the mattress gave just enough under the weight of their bodies.
Ethan lay on his back with his arms behind his head and let out a long sigh.
—I didn't think I'd ever sleep in a bed like this again —he murmured, staring at the ceiling, his voice laden with a nostalgia that needed no explanation.
Hael, who was lying on his side, turned slightly toward them.
—It looks like a king's bedroom... —he commented with a half-smile, although his eyes still retained that restless gleam that rarely left them—. I'm even afraid to move too much, lest we break something.
Elion laughed softly from his corner of the bed, his tone calm, almost comforting.
—Don't worry, Hael. If we haven't broken anything in all this time, this bed isn't going to give way so easily either.
Koen, his arms crossed over his chest, allowed himself a brief smile.
—Although I admit I can't get used to it either... —he said quietly—. It almost feels... like we're in another life.
—Or like this is all a dream —Ethan added, his gaze lost—. Sometimes I wake up expecting to hear the gunshots again.
A brief silence fell among the four of them. It wasn't uncomfortable; it was one of those shared silences, full of understanding. No one needed to say aloud what they all remembered.
It was Hael who, after a few seconds, murmured in the lowest voice, almost like a confession.
—I'm glad we're together... Even though the world is falling apart.
Elion reached out and ruffled his hair gently, a brotherly gesture that made Hael grimace.
—And we'll stay together. No matter what comes.
Koen nodded, his expression serious but serene.
—Whatever happens... we'll face it.
Ethan turned his head slightly toward them and smiled.
—I can't think of a better team.
This time, the smiles that crossed their faces were a little more sincere, a little warmer. As if that little conversation, those few words exchanged, had reinforced what they didn't dare say out loud during the day.
After that, the words began to fade. Only soft breathing remained, the occasional muffled laugh, and finally, the weight of exhaustion took over. Little by little, one by one, they fell asleep, enveloped by the stillness of the night.