49 The Point of No Return 1 (2/2)

And then out we go..

The moment we got out, those dead bodies that were everywhere are nowhere to be seen and there's no trace of the mess that the mass suicide inflicted on the city streets. It is like, nothing has ever happened. It's just the mundane International Clark City that everyone used to know.

And on the side streets, lit by the auxiliary street lights were these vigilant-looking people going their ways, either to the northern gate or to the southern gate. Some of them looked rather excited, some looked doubtful, some were confident while the majority still has this look of the unbelief of what they are going through.

Moreover, those that are left, can't be simply underestimated. We all have had our fair share of troubles just on that past hours. But, as to what I am wondering the most, is why they are not that prepared to look at, with bags that are rather small to fit their needs. It's like they're going for a stroll in a park, or is it perchance that they thought it's useless at this point? We are going to a land where supernatural occurrences are daily visage though...

Shiro and I then quickly scanned the neighborhood for a convenient store. Good thing there's this one still operating. I hastily opened the door and started picking things that are important for me and Shiro.

Clothes? Check! Canned goods? Check! Flashlight and Batteries? Check! Portable tent? Check! Ok, this is it for now. Wouldn't want to make it heavy either.

Wait, I can't go on looking like this? I now look like a mountain climber in a school uniform of a very exemplary university! Let me redo it again.

First, a rather medium-sized bag. Two pairs of cloth changes for me and Shiro. Little water for the road. And of course, I can't forget the portable tent. Alright. This is it. Now looking normal than ever.

Assuming that there are no one other than us in the store, I quickly left my wallet containing all of my money and started to go back my way, towards the semi-automated door...

”Young man, what is this..?”

Moreover, someone is in fact in the store watching me picking all of this stuff up and returning some of them away, and it is rather weird. I did not sense his presence despite the tightening of my environmental perception. Perhaps, I got too busy. It is an old man, in his sixties in the cashier.

”Uhmm. It's cash, for all of this” I answered his question pinpointing how I benefited from this nearby store.

”No need for this. You can take whatever you want” with a very innocent and undaunted smile, he replied, while throwing my wallet back at me.

”You sure sir?”

”Yes. There won't be any needs for this place to continue anyway.”

”Thank you. You're not going, sir? It's only 30 minutes before lockdown you know”

”Oh, I'm just gonna say my last goodbye to this place. I'll follow up later. You go there, kid. Let us meet again, in this land, they frickin transported us.”

”Sure.”

”You both live ok?” the old man said, delineating the 'both' part, to me and Shiro

”You too. Thanks again, sir!”

I then got Shiro who is also picking some snacks by the grocery ally and got out of the convenience store with everything that we need. For starters, it was very refreshing to know that someone that calm and normal still exists. Meeting someone like that would want me to take back every bad thing that I have said, generalizing the entire humankind, when in fact there are still a few who can pass through my criterion of 'notable personalities'.

Well, I do look forward to a reunion outside the gates, old man. just don't make it awkward.