Harem in a zombie apocalypse

[64] Campfire

We camped around the outskirts of Coutts. We set up a campfire, with Cassidy and Ms. Yan snuggling up against my right and left arm.

The crackling fire set a warm glow on our faces as we sat around it. The darkness of the night was kept at bay, allowing for a sense of safety and comfort amidst the wild unknown.

"Why Banff?" Hazuki asked, her soft voice breaking the comfortable silence that had settled amongst us. She was seated across the fire from me, her hands folded in her lap. Beside her, Kaya was cleaning her rifle, her sharp gaze focused on the task at hand.

I turned my gaze from the dancing flames to meet Hazuki's curious eyes. "Banff is known for its breathtaking landscapes, and it's not heavily populated," I explained. "It has a fair amount of wild game and the mountains could offer a natural defense against zombies or any other potential threats."

The others fell silent, considering my suggestion. Kaya's fingers paused in their meticulous cleaning of her rifle, her eyes thoughtful. "That sounds like a sensible idea," she finally admitted. "The natural defenses and resources could be beneficial for us. Plus, being isolated from large population centers might help us avoid any remaining raiders or hostile groups."

Cassidy looked over at me, her green eyes glinting with interest. "Yeah, I like that," she murmured. "A bit of peace and quiet in the mountains... sounds heavenly compared to what we've been dealing with."

Ms. Yan, leaning against my arm, nodded. "And it would be a good place to gather our thoughts, and plan our next move. But... we also need to consider the harsh winters. Can we survive it?"

I turned to her, giving a reassuring squeeze on her hand. "We'll have to be well-prepared, but it's doable. We just need to gather enough supplies and find a good shelter. We've survived this far; we can handle a Canadian winter."

***

The others went to sleep inside the car first, it was just me and Ms. Yan.

Sitting by the dying embers of the campfire, I was with Ms. Yan in a comfortable silence, the crackling fire being the only sound that punctuated the still night. The air had grown cooler as the darkness deepened, causing us to huddle closer together for warmth.

She had her head resting on my shoulder, her soft breaths tickling my neck. Looking down at her, I could see the soft light from the embers dancing in her eyes, giving them an almost ethereal glow. I noticed her lips were slightly parted as if she wanted to say something, yet unsure how to voice it out.

"Ms. Yan..." my lips parted.

"Don't call me Ms. Yan anymore...Just call me Yan-Hua." she said with a soft sigh.

"So...Yan-Hua," I began, testing out her name. It felt strange calling her by her full name. After all, I had gotten so used to referring to her as Ms. Yan, but there was an odd sense of intimacy in using her full name. She looked up at me, her eyes twinkling in the firelight. A soft blush crept up her cheeks, and she nodded slightly, indicating she liked the sound of it.

"I wanted to thank you," she said, her voice barely a whisper in the cool night air. "For saving me back in Pocatello... for being there."

I felt a pang in my chest. It was clear that she had been holding onto this gratitude for a while. "Hey, don't mention it," I replied softly, pulling her closer to me. "We look out for each other. That's what we do."

"If we make it to Banff alive...I...I don't mind joining this harem of yours..." Yan-Hua's voice trailed off.

In the soft glow of the fire, I could see Yan-Hua looking at me, her eyes wide with a mixture of vulnerability and anticipation. She bit her lower lip nervously, her gaze locked onto mine. The suggestion that she was considering joining the unconventional family we had created was unexpected, to say the least.

"For real?" I asked, my eyebrows furrowing slightly, searching her face for any hint of deceit or jest. But all I could see in her eyes was sincerity, laced with a hint of fear. Fear of the unknown, of what she had just proposed, of our unusual arrangement, and of the consequences it could bring.

She nodded slowly, her dark eyes never leaving mine. She looked as if she was struggling to come up with the right words. "I mean... if it means I get to stay with you guys... I think I wouldn't mind," she confessed softly, her voice barely audible against the backdrop of the night.

I was taken aback by her honesty. It was a significant thing she was suggesting, a lifestyle choice that wasn't for everyone. And yet, here she was, considering it. I couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for Yan-Hua. Her courage was commendable.

Her confession sparked a sense of determination in me. "Well then," I said, grinning broadly at her, "I guess I better make sure that happens, don't I?"

Her face softened at my words, her features lighting up in a shy smile. The uncertainty in her eyes slowly replaced by a glimmer of hope. We sat there, side by side, our fingers gently entwined, the lingering warmth of the fire and the promise of a better future making the night a little less cold.

"I promise, Yan-Hua," I whispered, my voice carrying the conviction that her words had inspired in me. "I'll make sure we get to Banff. All of us, together."

Q: Do you go camping often?