𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐁𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐝

Chapter 13: A Plan

District 3 Green Zone #2

A few days have passed since I've heard from Fukui or our parents. It's hard not to worry, especially given the situation in District 8 as well. I hesitate to ask anyone about the status of other Green Zones, fearing the worst, but...I can't help but muster up the courage to do so, even if I don't get anywhere...

Yowaya continued to contemplate as he got up from the bench. Right now, there were plenty of people moving equipment, food, medicine, and other products across the Green Zone. Yowaya felt slow.

What was he supposed to do in the middle of all this ruckus? He spotted one of the soldiers who seemed to be packing up slower than the others. Just like him, the soldier was probably contemplating a lot of things.

Maybe he could spare some time to talk...

Yowaya maneuvered his way past a group of clustered survivors and approached the soldier, who still seemed to be lost in thought.

"Hey, could I speak with you for a moment?" Yowaya asked.

At first, the soldier didn't seem to register what he had said, then, it clicked.

"I have a second," The soldier said.

Yowaya sat down next to him.

"You have family in other districts, right?" Yowaya asked.

The soldier shook his head as he prepared his assault rifle and grabbed his magazines.

"No. I'm on my own, but that's the reality for a lot of us. I guess it makes me feel better knowing that I'm not the only one," the soldier said softly.

Yowaya nodded.

"Sorry for assuming."

"Don't kid yourself. We're all screwed here. So, you want to reach someone specific in another district? Forget it. Even the bigwigs are struggling to communicate. Everyone's swamped. It sucks, but other places might be even worse off than us." the soldier said, getting up.

Yowaya frowned. He didn't really like the sound of that. It was almost as if the soldier didn't have any hope of reaching out to anyone.

"I have to go, see you around," the soldier said, walking away. Yowaya caught up to him.

"Wait, at least point me in the direction of the Board," Yowaya asked.

The soldier gave him a raised eyebrow.

"The conference room? Just past those tents over there. I doubt they'll let you in. You could talk to Colonel Kawaki. Do you have anyone in the room that you know of right now?" the soldier asked.

"Yes, I do..." Yowaya replied.

Yowaya and the soldier started walking over to the training area where the soldiers were doing test runs and quick exercises. Based on what Yowaya could tell, it seemed like only the highly ranked soldiers were able to operate the enhanced battle suits, while the normal soldiers just had to stick with their guns.

Why is that? Don't they know that their guns have little effect on those monsters?

Yowaya straightened as he and the soldier stopped in front of Colonel Kawaki, who turned around to face them with his hands behind his back.

"Soldier, why are you slacking behind? You were supposed to be here a minute ago. Drop down and give me thirty," Kawaki commanded.

The soldier didn't hesitate to drop down and start doing push-ups. Yowaya started talking, stuttering a bit out of nervousness.