She took me to the living room and I sat on the couch. She signed her apologies as she saw the news of my friends death. She hopes they found peace. After a quick shower and a change of clothes I went to sleep and woke up see she had brought me a piece of grilled chicken, some biscuits and a glass of juice. I just picked up the chicken leg and I saw red juices on the plate. For a brief moment I was transported back to the moment my friends were found dead. I remembered burning flesh and I wanted to get away. I placed the chicken back in the plate but she told me to eat or I will pass out. So I reluctantly ate everything and she let me help her with chores. All of a sudden she looked at the door with terror. So she tentatively opened it. On the other side was a man with a rounded belly dressed elegantly in a suit. He was grinning at her like he had won a lottery. If my lip reading was correct he was hoping she would sell her land. She refused and tried to shut the door on his face. As he pushed the door open his eyebrows furrowed.
The man looked like he was trying to figure out how to inflict bodily harm when a firm hand gripped his shoulder. He was shoved aside and I saw a stern faced man in military garb. As he came inside I saw the insignia on his upper arm. It was a medieval sword with two yellow thunderbolts forming an X in front. This was what all of the haulers had painted on their uniforms, vehicles and bags. He had the usual buzz cut and ramrod straight posture. The suit tried to follow him in but he told him to get lost or be arrested and the suit left without further question. Another man walked in and he had an eagle on fire insignia on his upper arm. This man was part of the Slayers. They were those who would hunt down and kill vampires. He looked he had aged a hundred years even though he looked like he was in his early thirties. He stared at me blankly for a few seconds and he started to use sign language to communicate with me.
He explained that he is the Chief of the tactical division. I should call him Chief Wilson. He is here because he heard I am special. He is hoping I would consent to help him find vampires. I explained that I am just ordinary. I have nothing to offer. My friends just died and I would like to mourn in peace. He frown for a second and faced the other guy. They stared at one another. The other one used sign language and told me not to wander off since the vampires were getting bolder. They broke the treaty with the gangs and now things are getting ugly. If I am going out I better have a legitimate reason or I could get arrested or placed under house arrest. The old lady told them to leave and they walked out. Both stared at one another speaking without words and agreeing that they had overstayed their welcome. They walked towards the door and the younger one held in open for the older one. He turned around with a gentle expression. Like he was handling an injured bird.
The old one made it clear that he is not the enemy. He is tired of losing all his friends. He is sorry for my loss. He hopes I recover and make the right choice. He would be back in a few days and he hopes hear an answer he would pleased with. I shook my head and replied politely that he shouldn't hold his breath. He huffed before he walked out of the house. He said something to a someone and slammed the door shut. I stuck my head out and saw the people I had saved waiting for those two to board a hummer so they can leave. Mrs Husband kindly explained that he is leaving drones to spy on me so they can nab when I escape. I answered that I will stay as long as I am welcome. I will leave when her husband gets here. He has issues with my friends so I won't cause any sort of trouble. She agreed and I helped her with clean up. He will be here in a day or two. So I have time. I can move from place to place and help the farmers as I go along. I just need to avoid certain places to stay alive.
She asked me to hang the clothes to dry and I was walking back afterwards when I felt a vibration. I ran as fast as my legs would let me. She told me to hide in the secret compartment under near the kitchen island. It was a trapdoor leading to a cellar that she uses during hurricane season. The door opened and I saw her husband Mr Husband. He didn't look annoyed to see me. He looked tired. He ushered me out and his wife explained how the soldiers had tracked him down and explained the situation. They told him that I am staying here as part of the relocation project. If he has a problem he should deliver me to the center for repatriation committee. He decided that I can stay till dinner and leave. I agreed to his terms and I helped his wife cooking before she filled my bag with a few canned goods so I won't go hungry. She even replaced my cast iron pan with a new one which was properly seasoned.
After dinner I asked permission to use the trapdoor path to leave the place. The mean man just opened the front door and told me to walk. His wife told him to shut up and he obediently closed the front door as she opened the trapdoor. I climbed down and tried to recall the tunnels. If I go the wrong way I will have to turn around. I have all the time in the world so I switched on the headlamp and walked forward. The tunnel was one single path for several hundred yards. Then it splits into three path. One leads to a dead end. One leads to a pantry and the last one leads to fresh air. I kept walking till the path lit up. I had assumed I found the exit. But I was wrong. I saw a cupboard filled with frocks. A table filled with sanitary napkins and tampons. The end of the tunnel was a cavernous room decorated to look like it belonged to a teenager. As I went to investigate I saw two young girls chained to a bed. They flinched and tried to hide when they saw me.
I pulled out a small notepad and wrote that I am not here to hurt them. I will help them escape. It took them a minute to take it in. I pulled out a multi tool and cut the chains loose. Then I took them with me as I went looking for the exit. The second try landed me in the pantry. I snagged a few things before leading them to freedom. I escorted them to the outskirts of the city and I walked back into the forest. The girls waved goodbye and gave me a hug before they walked towards the only door that allows people in. They knocked on it and the soldiers let them in. I walked a different path to a meadow and I spend a few minutes crying before I went looking for the next safe point. I was by myself so I had to be extremely careful. I was high alert. When things vibrated I was ok. When it was silent I hide. I found the abandoned factory and searched the place for booby traps, other people or soldiers. Then I stoked a fire and made my meal.