Sebastian Crawford walked out of the study, holding a radio.
The radio looked ancient, but its insides had been modified, and it worked perfectly.
Sebastian Crawford placed the radio on the living room table. "There's no internet and no TV signal right now. If the government has any announcements, the radio is our only option."
At his words, everyone turned to look at the radio, their eyes burning with intensity.
Sebastian Crawford wasted no time and switched the radio on.
A CRACKLE and SIZZLE of static filled the air, but no one complained.
They all stared at the radio with desperate eagerness, wishing they could go up and tune it themselves instead of Sebastian Crawford.
After Sebastian Crawford flipped through several channels, a human voice finally came through.
"...CRACKLE... SIZZLE... All survivors, stay indoors as much as possible. Do not go out! Keep your doors and windows shut tight, and beware of Aberrant Beast attacks!"
"This sandstorm is a global event. The cause is currently unknown. The sandstorm has contaminated water sources, buried farmland, and restricted travel..."
"There is a type of Aberrant Beast in the sand, which experts have named the Dunescrawler. Dunescrawlers typically appear in swarms. If you are caught by them, you'll be devoured down to the bone in seconds. Dunescrawlers are afraid of fire! If you encounter them, you can light a torch for defense and get away as quickly as possible!"
"Besides the Dunescrawlers, the sandstorm has brought other Aberrant Beasts. For your safety, we urge all survivors to remain at home..."
At first, everyone in the room had been full of anticipation.
But as they listened, the expression on every face changed.
"They just tell us to stay home, but what about food and water? How are we supposed to solve that?"
"Why haven't they mentioned a rescue, not even once? Does that mean they have no intention of saving us?"
"We pay so much in taxes every year, and now that something has really happened, they don't give a damn if we live or die!"
"What's the use of saying all this now! The government isn't doing anything. Are we supposed to just sit here and wait to die?"
As they spoke, everyone's gaze turned to Sebastian Crawford.
It was Sebastian Crawford who had gathered them. They figured he must already have a plan.
"You've all seen the situation. It's dangerous outside. If we can avoid going out, I suggest we do."
"Easy for you to say! If we don't go out, are we supposed to starve and die of thirst at home? I don't have a single drop of water left at my place!"
"Who has any water? Yesterday, when I turned on the tap, sand sprayed out. Today, not even sand comes out!"
"If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have thought water coolers were so tacky. I would've gotten one and stored a few jugs. That would have lasted a while!"
"What's the use of saying that now? Who could have predicted this? If I could have, I would've filled my entire house with supplies!"
Listening to them talk endlessly about 'if only,' Sebastian Crawford's brow furrowed.
He hadn't gathered these people just to listen to their regrets.
"Everyone, listen to me!"
Sebastian Crawford cut them off, drawing everyone's attention back to himself.
"What we need to do now is get through this together! We should learn from the past, unite, and face this crisis as one. That's how we increase our chances of survival. We might even be able to hold out until an official rescue comes!"
"Sebastian Crawford, at a time like this, stop beating around the bush. Just tell us what's on your mind!"
"Yeah! Just spit it out! If what you say makes sense, we'll do as you say!"
Sebastian Crawford stood up. "Alright! Since you all trust me, I'll tell you what I'm thinking. My idea is actually very simple: we pool all the supplies we have now and ration them. Then we figure out a way to get more supplies. We survive one day at a time. What do you all think?"
Hearing Sebastian Crawford's words, the crowd just looked at each other. No one was the first to speak up.
Of course, they were willing to consume other people's supplies.
But no one wanted to give up their own.
Seeing their silence, Sebastian Crawford wasn't surprised. He took the initiative. "The government didn't say it outright, but I think this is the apocalypse. Otherwise, how could there be a global sandstorm? How could there be an Aberrant Beast like the Dunescrawler?"
"You all heard the broadcast. The Dunescrawlers aren't the only Aberrant Beast out there. It's going to be very difficult for anyone to survive alone. Of course, if you're really unwilling to cooperate, that's fine. I won't force you. Anyone who doesn't want to work together can leave right now!"
Sebastian Crawford told them they could leave, but instead, no one did.
They didn't want to admit it, but they had to: Sebastian Crawford was right.
In the current situation, it would be incredibly difficult for them to survive on their own.
The best way was to stick together.
After a few minutes, someone finally spoke up.
"I agree!"
With one person taking the lead, others followed.
"I agree, too!"
"Me too! I'm willing!"
Just as Sebastian Crawford was about to speak, another man stood up. "I agree we should stick together, but why should we listen to you? What gives you the right to be in charge of rationing the supplies?"
The man who spoke was named Troy Lowell. He was dressed in a tracksuit.
But the clothes couldn't hide his muscles; his bulging physique made it obvious he worked out a lot.
Troy Lowell's words voiced what many of them were thinking.
If they really had to pick a leader, why should it be Sebastian Crawford?
'Why not me?'
Sebastian Crawford didn't answer immediately. Instead, he sat back down.
The corners of his mouth slowly curved into a meaningful smile.
"Because... of this..."
Sebastian Crawford held out his right hand, and as he opened his palm, a ball of fire materialized above it.
Seeing the flame, everyone jumped in shock.
Troy Lowell was the first to recover. "What is this? A magic trick?"
"This is... a Superpower."
Sebastian Crawford's voice wasn't loud, but it reached every person's ears clearly.
"Now, you can choose. Stay, or go."
Troy Lowell, who had just been challenging him, was the first to sit back down after hearing this. "Now, hold on. Like I said before, I agree with Mr. Crawford's proposal! From now on, we'll be counting on Mr. Crawford! With Mr. Crawford here, we'll definitely be able to survive!"
The others snapped out of it and nodded repeatedly.
"That's right! Mr. Crawford has a Superpower, so what do we have to be afraid of?"
"As long as we follow Mr. Crawford, we won't have to be afraid of the Dunescrawlers anymore!"
"Mr. Crawford, when are you gonna lead us out to find supplies?"
Just as Sebastian Crawford was about to speak, Mandy Sinclair slowly stood up.
"Going out to find supplies is so dangerous! Actually, there are plenty of supplies right here in our building!"