Chapter 43 - Multiplication - Raphael (1/2)

We headed back to the compound before the broadcast.

It started for a few minutes when we got back but it's just a few reports on reclaiming more territory but there was no news about the research even if Oscar told me that he told them about the sprinting zombie I caught on video.

The broadcast was much shorter today and the other videos are starting to get shorter as well.

Oscar gave me a look and I just looked back solemnly.

It still hasn't sink in with everyone fully. It's only a matter of time though and all we can do is keep the morale and order up. I don't want a scene like Bert in the supermarket happening here. Though there are a few people here that is adapting in the right direction.

We turned the TV off and it's free time this point on.

My uncle continued on working on the shack and they are placing the wood that's still usable in the side of the wall.

I went up my room and I placed the extra guns back and I replaced the 10 rounds that I fired from my gun earlier. I contemplated for a moment and then I installed a few more attachments on the Glock. I added a suppressor, a red dot sight and a tactical flashlight at the bottom of the gun at the rail.

”Good thing we were far from the fence, it would have attracted a few if we practiced inside the compound. Besides this is a bad place to practice with.” I said to myself.

I heard a knock on the door and when I opened it, it was Aya holding a notebook.

”Sky! You know multiplication, right? Can you help me?” she asked.

”I can help you solve it but I won't just give you the answer.” I said.

”B-but it's hard! The lady who came here gave an assignment for us. They're making us multiply 6758 by 891! That's too many for my hands!” she said while adjusting her glasses.

She left the door open and Zeus also came to sit on the bed.

”So, what are you finding hard on that problem then?” I asked.

”It's too many to count!” she said.

”Well if you look at it a different way, it could get easier.” I explained.

”You say that it's a very big number, right? Why don't we do what we could first? Instead of multiplying them all at once, why don't we multiply 6758 by 1 first?” I guided her.

”Then it's easy! It's still 6758!” she answered.

”Then, multiply 6758 by 9 next.” I said.

”Why 9? Can't we do it with 2 first?” she asked.

”Just try to do it that way, you'll see later.” I said.

She counted in her head for a while and she wrote the answer on her paper in order, '60822'. She looked at me to check if it's right first then I nodded.

”So, what's next?” she asked.

I then told her to do it with the number 8 and her eyes showed realization. She immediately went on her own and she stacked the numbers before atop each other while she makes a small indent after each one. She now added the numbers and she wrote her final answer, '6,021,378'.

I smiled at her and then I ruffled her hair and I said, ”Good! Now you get what I meant right? If it still overwhelms you, solve what you can first yeah?”

She nodded and she pulled something from her pocket. It's a small zip bag that contains a few handfuls of Trailmix, she poured some of it on my hands as she smiled.

”What's this, a quest reward?” I said to myself.

”Thanks! I'll teach the others too!” she said. Then she immediately headed down.

Zeus looks at me and then the food on my hand and I immediately ate the handful.

*whine*

”This has chocolates in it Zeus, you'll die if I gave these to you.” I said.

He gave me a sideways glance and he just rubs his head on my body. I played with him for a bit as I was scratching his belly while we're laying down in the bed. I hugged him lightly and he just enjoys the position that were in. He was mostly with Olivia since I was busy the past few days and I haven't had much time to play with him. I didn't notice that I slept for a few moments while hugging Zeus. I woke up and I still saw him sleeping beside me.

I suddenly picked up on a few people giggling outside my room. I walked outside and Zeus followed me while he gives a yawn. I saw the three huddled up and looking at Olivia's borrowed camera.

”That's the cutest photo I've seen all my life!”