25 Hayley’s Home

There were multiple reasons for Hayley's house to be the first stop.

I knew the area. It was in the movement range for Hayley' current capabilities. I wanted her to get the stuff she needs here. It was also on the way to the place I have as an objective.

But the most important was that she had to visit her mother's grave, it could be her only chance to do so.

We once again moved through the streets, in the way once again shots could be heard in the distance… but nearer than yesterday's and from multiple sources.

… I was surprised by the number of people with guns, but what is going to happen when they run out of bullets?

This neighborhood is going to be overflown by the beasts today. And it's going to become a war zone.

There where people patrolling in some of the streets, and some beasts roaming around, but thanks to Dante we were able to avoid them.

In the distance I saw birds flying around, I was so focused on them that I tripped and almost fell, Rose prevented me from stamping my face on the floor.

"Are you ok?"

"Sorry I was too focused on the birds over there". All of them shifted their sights to where I pointed…

"… Those dots? I didn't even notice them" G said.

"Aren't they, like… really far?" Hope added

"I have an improved eyesight…" I was embarrassed… I hope I'm not developing a phobia of birds or something like that.

We continued moving, this time I focused on our surroundings, but kept an eye on the birds. I'm not scared, but must be sure they will not attack us. Our progress was slower than I predicted, the main reason was that we had to take some detours to dodge people and a horse that was running rampant in the streets.

We arrived at Hayley's house about 20 minutes later, there was a letter with Hayley's name on it, a note, and 2 big books.

The note was for me and said to take the book with us, both were about old technology.

I gave one to G and kept the other. Hope can take them and read them right now, but it could take time for her to take everything in her memory.

Hayley took a minute to look for a couple of things and went to her room. She was probably reading her father's letter.

I decided to check the system quickly.

[Mission: Move to a safer place.

Type: Emergency

Reward: 25 System points.

Punishment: Hostile Environment

Time left 3h 13m 02s]

The time was running, and we aren't in a safer place yet. I hope that the place I selected can fulfill the system's requirement.

After learning about the beast attack I feel that humans may be less dangerous than them so looking for a place easier to defend or where the beast can't enter is better, it's a block of apartments not too close to the center of the city. We should be able to get there in 1 and a half hours. I had two more checkpoints in mind to stop on our way. Also, once there if the apartments I have in mind are taken, I can change my target to another place.

I was pondering on the possibility of taking Hayley with me through another route to move faster in smaller groups, but this also makes it more dangerous, if any of us get caught by beasts or another group our chances are just going to get lower.

I'll make the decision according to our advance in the next checkpoint, if we are behind schedule I'll have to do that.

After I was ready to leave I went to the backyard… at the end of the backyard surrounded by flowers, there was a place that was clearly dug recently and there was a carved metal plate on top of it.

'Lauren Ryan'

'Loving Wife… Caring Mother'

'August 24, 2004 – August 15, 2050'

I sat on the grass near to it.

Aunty was a gentle mother and she was close to Hayley. I remember she was also an amazing chef, the best food I have eaten in my life was at the Saturday's dinner at Hayley's home when we used to date.

I have known that she died for a while now, but being next to the grave was when it became real, I know that a lot of people die but she was the first person that a knew that died… or at least the first I know of. I wondered about my college friends, neighbors, family, how many of them are still alive? Will I ever see any of them again?

A cold breeze grazed my back, followed by footsteps.

I turned around to see Hayley walking slowly, she had changed her clothes she has chosen darker colors than what she usually wears. Her eyes were swollen and red, she had been crying and I wondered about the letter his father gave her.

She saw me and then the grave, tears started to fall once again and fell to her knees, she looked so fragile and weak.

I felt pity for her. I was sad for her… and angry.

Hayley used to be was a sweet, gentle and cheerful girl.

Always with a smile on her face.

Always caring about her friends.

Always working hard for what she wanted.

But just a night has done to her something unforgivable.

Since I rescued her that night I haven't seen any of that.

That outgoing and cheerful girl was nowhere to be seen.

She lost her family… Her power made her rejected by most of her friends.

She didn't deserve any of this and seeing her like this next to me… broke my heart.

It made me realize the how much the things really change and ponder about the thing I was trying to avoid. I wondered how many like her have suffered without reasons something similar.

I did the only thing I could and put my hand around her shoulders trying to give her some comfort while she cried her eyes out. She put her head on my shoulders.

"… Why…" was all she could say in a barely audible voice. If she was on my other side, I wouldn't have noticed that she talked at all.

We stayed like that and I let her cry all she wanted. I could feel her tears damping my shirt, but after a couple minutes, her sobbing stop, and her breathing came back to normality.

Thanks to the system I knew that 20 minutes have passed and unfortunately, we had to keep moving. I didn't want to make her leave. But we had to.

"Hayley, we have to keep going".

She lifted her head from my shoulder and looked at me straight into my eyes.

"Spence… please don't leave me alone"

… Her words surprised me for a second

"Promise me…" she couldn't hold my gaze anymore and put her forehead on my shoulder.

"I promise". She let out a relieved sigh.

"Thank you".

[Achievement Unlocked]

[Who to trust?

Friends will be your main strength in difficult times, someone close to you learned that. But you must be up to it and never let them down.

Earn the complete trust of someone close to you.

Reward: 30 System points, Cha+3]