The Good Land: No More | TWICE & ITZY Book 2

14) Captured Citizen

All the eleven faces (those who were present at the time) leaned with a smug look as the leader ordered his group to separate the girls into three groups.
"These five." He pointed at Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana and Jihyo who were reluctant to hear his voice.
"Take them to fetch some water."
One of his followers playfully threw the buckets onto the floor as they rolled to their feet.

"These four." His finger circled the next set of girls, Mina, Chaeyoung, Dahyun and Tzuyu.
"Get them to gather wood for the fire." He then walked over the the last few girls, Yeji, Lia, Ryujin., Chaeryeong and Yuna who were slightly afraid.
He examined each one and nodded, "Let them get supplies from buildings or whatever."

With his hand, he dismissed them all at once before shouting, "And if they try to run... you know what to do."
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Four Outsiders guided Jihyo's group towards the lake nearby, softly they chuckled to themselves unaware what was going behind them.
"What are we going to do?" Nayeon asked as she fiddled with her bucket.
"We obey them, there's no other choice." Momo sighed.
"I hate Outsiders." Jeongyeon growled as she gripped tighter.
"You and me both." Sana smirked.

They eventually arrived at the lake. Nature had surprisingly kept the water clean and immaculate as if nothing had touched it. The sun setting gaze glistened onto of the water, sweet refreshing breeze hit their faces in delight. At least one thing in nature had not been corrupted or destroyed.

"How much water do you need?" Jihyo said.
"All your buckets have to be filled." One of them replied.
"That's it?" Sana questioned, hoping there was more to it than they were leading on.
"You didn't let me finish, your buckets have to be filled after every trip."
The group sniggered.
"I knew there was more..." Jeongyeon groaned.
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Near to where Jihyo's group, two Outsiders watched over the four girls who stood in a line waiting idly.
"Let's get this straight, pick enough wood or sticks and you won't have any trouble with us." The lady harshly pushed Tzuyu towards the trees.
With sticks already burdening their steps and already piles of what they have found, their backs started to ache.
Dahyun leant against a tree to rest her feet.

"Hey! Who said you could stop?" The same lady picked up her gun and pointed at her.
Dahyun quickly stood upright.
The other woman lowered her gun and shook her head, "She's just being overreacting."
"Shut up Seungjin, I'm trying to make them go faster." She scoffed.
"I... know Miyun, but calm down."
Miyun rolled her eyes, "Whatever, keep an eye on them whilst I grab us some water." She stomped her way out leaving the girls speechless.

"I'm sorry about her, just do what you can." Seungjin gave them a friendly smile.
"You are nicer than those Outsiders." Chaeyoung said.
"You seem surprised, but I get it. I'm sorry what they're doing to you." Seungjin began to bow. How polite.
She even gave them a thumbs up for encouragement and nodded, "Don't worry, you can talk whilst she's gone. I'll give you a signal is Miyun comes back."

They gratefully bowed back as they gathered around.
"How long do you think they'll keep us?" Dahyun asked.
"I don't know, but I know soon we won't be of any use." Mina whispered.
"Even that, the infected may move its way here." Tzuyu said.
"That's what I'm worried about, if that happens, that's our chance to escape." Chaeyoung said.
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On the other side of the mall, the rest of the five girls were pushed into a building, an abandoned one clearly used to be an office building. Dust and dirt had collected in the corners and within the keyboards and monitors. Hundreds upon hundreds of computers dead and useless, what will they find useful?

Only three Outsiders had accompanied them, they arrived at the second floor.
"Alright, you guys just get anything useful." They stood by the entrance, the girls knew if they step out of line they'll be dead.
They were free to search around the floor, Lia peered out of the office kitchen beckoned her friends to a spot where the Outsiders were out of ear and eye shot.