Human [Part 1]

The six-wheeled vehicle was cruising at a normal speed. There were three people in the vehicle, one of them was driving at the front, while the other two were at the back with their belongings. However, besides them, there was another creature named Jimmy. Jimmy was a round, white creature with very small eyes like watermelon seeds. The peculiar creature was playing with one of the humans in the vehicle.

Nothing seemed odd about them, nothing peculiar was visible. The peculiarity lay in everything around them. They were currently on a fairly long bridge connecting two major cities between an abandoned lake.

"Hey Joe, what's that? Why are there so many?" Maria asked as she squeezed Jimmy's body.

"That's called a water channel."

"What's it for?"

"It's likely that this used to be a lake. That's why this bridge was built."

"But why is there only a little water coming out?"

"I think we should be grateful, it's probably just remnants. But look, even though the water level doesn't reach your knees, at least there's still water."

"Wow, you're right! I can see the bottom because the water isn't deep."

"Is the water clean? It looks clear."

Alice, listening to Joe Walker and Maria's conversation, fell into a pensive mood. Feeling regretful about something, she said, "Oh, what a shame. If only I had chosen to bring soap on our journey..."

Maria replied, "But Alice, you said we didn't need soap."

"Yeah, you're right... It's my fault."

"But it's okay, I'm fine like this every day."

"Fine with what? Clothes need to be cleaned because they can get dirty!"

"Then why did Alice say we didn't need soap?"

"Ugh... It's because of the water. you know we rarely find clean water like thi right? And We collect drinking water from rain, not from the sea or lake."

"Hmm, you have a point, especially since I don't want that thing to make our vehicle even more cramped."

"You're saying that now, but you brought dozens of strawberries with you. Even though I said the food we brought was enough."

"Hehe," Maria smiled proudly and said, "that's different, Strawberries are food! Food to eat! Eat for living! That means strawberries are life!"

Joe Walker chuckled after hearing Maria's amusing words.

Meanwhile, Alice sighed as she knew Maria would say that. Feeling that Maria needed a slight warning, Alice said, "sigh... You're always like this. You know that the more items we bring, the slower our vehicle will be? Maria, can you think about this?"

"Hmm, you're right. When Joe first rode with us, the speed has decreased significantly. I'm sorry, I won't do it again."

Alice, with a sardonic look, said, "you've apologized multiple times like this in the past. Look at you now, what are you doing? In a few days, you'll forget that promise, again and always."

"Hmm," Maria looked pensive and asked back, "really?"

Alice felt annoyed but restrained herself as she was still driving. She muttered, "she's clueless."

Joe Walker suddenly said, "Am I burdening you guys?"

Alice and Maria fell silent. Maria immediately turned to Joe Walker, while Alice just glanced briefly and focused back on driving.

Confused by Joe Walker's question, Maria chose to ask back, "Joe, what's with you all of a sudden? Why are you asking that?"

"Nothing, it's just that you said the vehicle became slower after I traveled with you guys. It made me think, am I burdening you two? That's all..."

"Burdening? Of course not! You're helping us enough!" Maria said firmly.

Alice also agreed, nodding her head and saying, "Maria's right, besides, you should ask Tony, not us."

Maria was surprised by Alice's words and said, "oh... You're right! Tony has been with us throughout our journey!" She started stroking the edge of the vehicle while continuing, "you must be very tired carrying us for more than 2 years, even though you're not alive. Thank you, Tony, you're so strong to carry us and our belongings. You can blame Alice because she's fat and heavy."

Alice, feeling irritated, shouted, "I'm not fat! You should be the heaviest here!"

"Hmm, you're right, especially since you're so small."

"I'm not small!"

"Ehh? Really? But in my eyes, you're very small, Alice."

"Are you doing this on purpose? Are you deliberately trying to make me angry? You must be doing it on purpose, right?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Maria pretended not to know.

"Stop making me angry, Maria! I'm driving, don't forget that!"

"Alright..."

"Really?"

"Yes..."

"..."

Silence ensued for 10 seconds.

But shortly after, Alice shouted, "speak! Why is no one talking!"

Maria replied, "you told me to be quiet."

"I said stop making me angry! Not stop talking!"

"But what do you want to talk about?"

"Anything, as long as it breaks the silence around us."

Maria thought for a moment. Alice waited while keeping her focus on the road.

Suddenly, Maria said, "Alice, why are you short!"

Alice immediately hit the brakes, moved to the back, and grabbed Maria's collar while shouting, "you did that on purpose, didn't you?"

"Hehe, sorry... That's all I could think of."

They continued to argue for a while, but eventually made up and continued their journey across the long bridge.

Meanwhile, Joe Walker, who witnessed the scene, chuckled quietly, enjoying the view. He also muttered, "they forgot about my question. Why does it always end like this? It's like they don't care about that at all."

Maria, not hearing clearly what Joe Walker muttered at that moment, became curious and asked, "Joe, what did you say earlier?"

"Nothing."

"Eeeehhhh? You must be lying, right? Come on, tell me!"

"Hmm, okay, I was just mumbling about elephants. Do you know what an elephant is?"

"Elephant?"

"Yes, it's an animal with a very long trunk!"

"Wow, interesting... Tell me more about it!"

Joe Walker ended up telling Maria about the animals he knew.

Meanwhile, Alice, who was driving, muttered, "He must be lying... why would an adult man think about elephants?"

Alice knew the deception but chose to remain silent, enjoying watching her two friends chatting with smiles on their faces.