Z APOCALYPSE

CHAPTER 7: Trust

☣️☣️☣️

BAEKHYUN

As I began to familiarize myself with the handful of residents in the sanctuary, I was struck by a realization: some of them lacked the warmth of kindness in their eyes. There was an unnerving presence about a few of them, particularly those who held positions of power. They exuded an aura that made me question their reliability and intentions.

Most might have appeared amiable and trustworthy at first glance, but superficial charm was not enough to win my confidence. I understood the value of observation. Gaining knowledge about someone's character was essential; trust should never be given away so freely.

"Boss wants to see you. Grand house, upstairs, second door on the left," Sehun instructed in a monotonous tone before spinning on his heel and walking away. His demeanor hinted at authority.

There was something about Sehun's calm, composed manner that appealed to me more than that of another individual named Kai, who seemed far too animated. I preferred the no-nonsense approach of someone like Sehun.

"Let's go," Luhan urged, a hint of eagerness threading through his voice.

Upon entering the grand house, I was greeted by the nostalgic charm of an antique abode reminiscent of my grandparents' home—filled with wooden fixtures and a sense of simplicity that was both comforting and haunting.

We ascended the winding staircase, finding ourselves on the second floor, the air rich with a musty scent of age. Soon, we stood before the door Sehun had mentioned.

"Am I the only one excited?" Luhan questioned, his eyes sparkling with anticipation as he glanced at me and Taehyung.

"Honestly, I'm a little bit nervous," Taehyung admitted, his voice laced with uncertainty. I instinctively wrapped my arm around his shoulders, pulling him closer for reassurance.

"It'll be alright," I said, my own smile emanating optimism, much like Luhan's infectious enthusiasm.

Today marked the day we would be assigned our responsibilities—a necessity for survival, as I had gathered from their conversations.

Responsibilities felt like a euphemism for jobs. And jobs meant collaboration, which inevitably brought along the threat of orders from someone else. The notion of following orders had never sat well with me. It was a familiar feeling of resistance.

I knocked on the door twice and then turned the knob, pushing it open to reveal a strikingly tall man with a sharp jawline and tousled hair that framed his face.

"Come in," he commanded smoothly, his voice deep and authoritative. Yet beneath that commanding exterior, he felt rather... normal.

"We're here to get assigned, right?" Luhan interjected, lifting his rifle casually in his hands.

"Yes," the man responded curtly, his gaze flickering toward me for a brief moment before shifting to Taehyung and Luhan.

I studied him intently, noting the way his posture radiated authority and confidence. When our eyes met, he quickly averted his gaze, as if caught off guard, and I turned my attention to my surroundings instead. The room was expansive, lined with bookshelves filled with neatly stacked volumes. On the walls hung various weapons, a stark reminder of the world we were entangled in.

"There are what we call keepers, watchers, greeners, carpenters, and scavengers," he explained, his tone formal and assured, which made me wonder if he hailed from a background of power—perhaps a politician's son, or simply someone skilled in the art of presentation. In a world as chaotic as ours, anyone could be a master of deception.