410 The Arrival at New Infanta Settlement, The Start of Edzels Quest to Find Answers (2/2)

\”Oh~! Jo!\”

Another voice chimed in calling for Joash. Of course, he was surprised as he saw Analynn waving from the window of the Sci-fi looking truck.

***

The procedures went smoothly and the convoy finally dispersed.

Before everyone went in different ways, the soldiers that came from Bay City expressed their gratitude to Mark's group for keeping everyone safe throughout the whole journey.

There were a lot of close calls that could have claimed a life of one or two soldiers at every instance, but Mark and his group went on great lengths to protect everyone.

If Mark's group was not in this mission, it would be questionable if they would have ever made it here. These soldiers' gratitude and respect towards Mark's group was already off the charts.

As for Harold's group, they went on a separate way. Being survivors rescued by the soldiers, they would be brought to a facility to examine their health first thing by tomorrow.

Mark's group, on the other hand, was brought to another place to spend the night. This place was just outside the military compound and was used as temporary dwellings by the soldiers before the compound was established.

General Faustino actually wanted to bring Mark and his group to a better place. However, the facilities in the settlement were still severely lacking and this much was the highest hospitality they could show.

Mark's group had no problems with the temporary dwellings though. Although it was not as good as the mansion last night, it was way better than their previous two places they spent the night before.

Thus, some decided to turn in for the night while some decided to group up and tour the settlement.

It was already nighttime but it did not mean that the activities in the settlement already ceased.

***

As everyone dispersed, Edzel decided to walk around under the night sky. He did not know why, but he just felt like doing so.

Edzel was not unfamiliar with this place as he had been here before the outbreak a lot of times. It was when he was selling his share of fish from their fishing sessions. Living back then was hard for an orphan like him. Nevertheless, it was fun and peaceful.

Mark had been giving him pointers to fight and Karlene was teaching him how to properly use a gun. He would not deny that he had gotten stronger. Nevertheless, he could not deny the fact that Mark was holding back on making him stronger. It was not a secret now in the group that Mark could turn someone into an Evolver or a Mutator.

Nevertheless, Mark did not give him his turn yet.

This made him rather confused. It was as if he was still lacking something and Mark was waiting for him to learn about it. Karlene also seemed to know about it.

\”If they would just tell me straight.\”

Edzel murmured.

However, it also occurred to him that it was better to realize it himself. This way, he would be able to understand it more deeply than being told by other people. He just wished that he would be able to understand himself further.

Edzel had such deep thoughts in his mind that he started walking blankly.

It was then, that...

\”You seem to be troubled, young man.\”

Edzel stopped as he heard a voice that seemed to echo in his heart and mind. It was as if he was familiar with the owner of the voice and it even felt nostalgic. Nevertheless, he could not recall anything about it.

He turned to the side of the road and saw a silhouette of a man leaning on a tree. Since the man was standing at a direction that the light from the nearest lamp would not shine, all he could see was the shape of the man's body.

\”Who are you? Do I know you?\”

Those were the first questions that escaped from Edzel's mouth.

Hearing that, the man seemed to have smiled.

\”I'm sorry, but I can't answer that. At least, not right now.\”

The man answered which made Edzel even more confused.

\”Enough talking about me.\” The man continued. \”You seem to be missing something, didn't you?\”

Edzel froze. He finally realized that this mysterious man seemed to know what was going on with his mind.

He got the feeling that this man had the answers he was looking for. However, he decided that he would look for the answers himself.

\”I don't know who you are or if you know the answer I'm looking for. Still, I don't need you to tell me.\”

'I don't want to disappoint Boss and everyone.'

He added in his mind.

Hearing that, the man under the tree seemed to have smiled even further. It was a lonely but proud smile.

\”You have grown mature in a short time.\”

Those words gave Edzel the impression that his man had been watching him for a long time.

\”I'm sorry but I have to go.\”

Edzel said and he turned around to leave.

\”North of here, under Agos Bridge. The Hut made of old tarpaulin with a lot of junk around it.\”

The man spoke once more with sentences Edzel was not able to immediately comprehend.

\”Sir, what are you...\”

Edzel turned around once more. He was not able to finish his sentence.

The man was not there anymore.

This made the hairs on his arms stand. He looked around but saw nowhere that the could have hidden. The tree the man leaned before was totally at the side of the road away from any other structure. It was as if he vanished like a ghost.

Remembering that the existence of the ghosts was true made him even more creeped out.

Still, the place that the man said seemed to have engraved itself in his mind and heart. There was a huge urge inside him telling him to go there.

Thus, his random walk under the night gained a specific place to go. He could not help but wonder what could be waiting for him in that place.