"Let's talk outside. The living room."
Ashrik walked ahead of Lucille, seemingly not waiting for her to follow. But his steps were slow, as if silently telling her to move on her own pace.
As she stood up from the chair, Lucille trailed after Ashrik. She was pleased to feel how smoother her flow of movements was. A faint smile crept on her lips.
Once again, she thought of the calming aura she sensed from the stream, the shower and the food. Even though she didn't know the truth yet, she believed in her instincts and thoughts.
Lucille tilted up her chin, landing her eyes on Ashrik's broad back. Still unable to leave the pool of nostalgia, her mind would inadvertently remind her of the past.
Even back then, he gave off a reassuring vibe, like a sturdy century-old tree people could lean on. At the same time, he was usually calm like a lotus pond.
Now, he projected an aloof, oppressive aura she had yet to familiarize herself with. But she didn't find it repulsive.
Four long years and different experiences had separated them until now.
Still, he was the same reliable elder brother figure from her fond memories, no matter how many people branded him a villain.
Once they reached the living room, Ashrik gestured at one of the chairs. Lucille lowered herself onto the one next to the open windows. Then, he sat across from her.
The living room was small and simple, but tidy.
Aside from a few single chairs and one two-seater, it also had a small table and a tall bookcase. A few books were lined up on it, but most of the shelves were bare.
For a moment, Lucille imagined how vibrant the bookcase would be if the flowers in the yard adorned the racks. Seeing the colorful petals, something she hadn't experienced for the past few years, reignited her love for spring.
"Brother Ash," she began, her eyes returning to the man opposite her. "This greeting came late. I'm glad to meet you again. Thank you for saving me."
From the time she regained consciousness, she hadn't properly extended her gratitude. She should have done it sooner, but had missed her chance.
Before Ashrik explained the mysteries, Lucille believed that she should thank him first. Regardless of what she would hear, the two facts remained true.
One, she was genuinely glad to be reunited with him. Two, she was grateful for his help.
Ashrik didn't immediately reply to Lucille. He leaned comfortably against the back cushion as his dark gaze assessed the lady before him.
In four years, her air of maturity became more apparent. She had transformed from a youthful girl to a young lady. Her palms were coarse and scarred, bearing the evidence of her survival.
As colors had returned to her face, she looked better than yesterday, no longer as pale and weak. He also sensed no instabilities from her core. It was calm for now, much to his relief.
Despite having a long way to go before her full recovery, seeing the glimmer of life in her eyes lifted the stone weighing on his chest.
The thought of having to deliver bad news made Ashrik uneasy. He had to remind himself again and again that Lucille was no longer the naive girl from his past.
She might have retained a part of her innocence, but she was still one of the survivors. Blood had dirtied her hands, as had the majority of people in this apocalyptic world.
Many had killed family, friends and acquaintances who turned into zombies to ensure their survival. With no end in sight to this war, the lines between good and evil had blurred significantly.
"Lucy," he began, his initially monotonous tone softening. "I've never wanted to meet you like this, or drag you into this mess. It's too late. You're their victim now."
"Their? Do you mean... something about the strange relic? Is it really related to Deputy Commander Jia of my base?"
As she caught the keyword, Lucille tensed up. She quickly recalled the horrifying death flag she barely escaped in the underground cave.
Ashrik could tell that this question had been pressing on Lucille's mind. Her intuition was sharp, almost accurate, as she linked the mission to Captain Gao's betrayal.
"You've heard of me destroying labs and bases before, right? Enough for me to be a criminal."
"I heard news." Lucille nodded, brows furrowing as she stated seriously. "But I believe you have your own reasons."
Stunned, Ashrik froze for a moment. The evident belief in Lucille's tone washed over his heart with helplessness.
He couldn't deny how relieved he was.
From the beginning, Ashrik had already determined to avenge his sister, Violet. He didn't care what people thought of him, except for one—Lucille.
He tried to be indifferent, but fear still sprang up in his heart whenever he imagined her condemning him like the rest. At the same time, he couldn't afford to let go of his goal.
Now, her prominent trust in him had faded his fear into nothing.
"This is a long story," Ashrik resumed. "As I've said, this might crush you. It's also related to Vivi's disappearance right before the apocalypse began."
Lucille's eyes flung open. She unconsciously balled her hands into fists. Dread crept into her heart as she thought of the worst.
"Brother Ash, did you... Did you find Vivi?" she asked, her voice and heart quivering. "...where did she disappear to? Who kidnapped her?"
Please...
Don't tell her that the worst nightmare about her friend was true.
She might have been thinking of the worst outcome, but she still had a shred of hope that she was wrong.
Ashrik paused, then nodded albeit imperceptibly.
"I knew who abducted her. They're also responsible for what happened to you. That's why I brought you here. You'd be in danger if you returned to your base."
Lucille's breath hitched, and her face grew pale. She hadn't expected to hear a connection between her incident with Violet's disappearance.
"Then... tell me," she said, almost pleading. "As much as you can. Please, Brother Ash."
The sky was clear and bright outside, but dark clouds loomed inside the small cottage by the sparkling, gently flowing stream.