Gas Station II

"We need some gas... there should be a gas station two blocks ahead".

Kyoko told me out of nowhere, driving across the avenue. We checked the dashboard and it said the tank was almost empty, perhaps less than a mile left.

"Shizuka, you can't sleep yet" I pinched my beauty's cheeks, she was the one leading Kyoko towards Rika's house, but by now she has one eye closed and the other open.

"Mooo..." She complained and hugged a sleeping Saya tighter. We switched our positions and now Saya -who I am so jealous of- was sleeping comfortably while leaning on MY pillows.

What can I do? I guess I can lend them to her for now. Seeing that the gas station was not too far away, I started waking up everyone to prepare for a possible assault.

"Everyone wake up... we have one last raid, we're going to be spending the night in the gas station, then you can lay down your sleepy assess and rest properly, just one more"

I can't blame them, for high school students; they have been doing quite well.

"Are you sure? we haven't seen how it is yet" Kyoko questioned me, perhaps she thought we'd reload some gas and be on our way, but that's not advisable. At any moment we could meet not zombies, but also Blackwatch... the last thing I want is to meet those bastards while we're half-asleep.

"I don't care if it's easy or not... with this group, we can easily retain that place regardless of who we meet, just be ready".

My words filled them with confidence as they woke up, ready to rumble. I leaned out of the window to address the two marksmen.

"Lucy, we're heading to the gas station... we're taking it over," I told my girl who had been on guard all the time, even if she doesn't tell me, I know... she's a veteran and won't fall asleep until we're 100% safe.

"Clear~ wake up Hirano," Lucy answered me and addressed her gun companion. If I didn't know any better, I'd be jealous... those two are like a gangster and her pupil.

If Saeko is my right, then Lucy is my left and Saya is my eyes... then there is Shizuka, my pillow. Yes, this team is well-rounded.

...

The gas station was desolate, and there was fog all around us, giving it nothing but an eerie appearance, there was barely any light; only the light posts. It nearly resembled one of those zombie games where with a single look you can tell this place is up to no good. However, there weren't any zombies around, which was a surprise in itself. The place was just desolate.

Kyoko parked a little distance away from the designated spot, I deboarded together with Lucy and Hirano while the rest stayed in the vehicle, we're the surveying group. The three of us approached the gas station; close enough. Me with the crossbow and the two of them with their guns just in case... ready to tackle any threat.

I didn't hear anything but saw that some of the building's windows around the place were lit up. Using the scanner I saw that there were several survivors around. Five white dots, all of them in the same place out of my reach. As for the other lights... perhaps those people abandoned the building, or the zombies invaded and killed them before departing; following some noise, who knows.

There were red dots to my nineteens... but they were far away, the gas station was empty. No zombies or survivors. I made a sign to the car and Kyoko began driving in.

"The place is clear... go and check what's there to be found inside," I told everyone their orders and they nodded before moving on to action.

"How do you know it is clear?" Hirano asked me; we hadn't yet entered the facility so of course, I had no way to know if not for the scanner.

"Magic"

"..."

"You're no one trick pony, are you?" Kyoko started to fill up the vehicle's tank while Saya together with Higuchi and Takashi walked into the gas station. The lights weren't lit up, we were using our phones for illumination since the scarce brilliance from each faraway light post wasn't enough.

"Kyoko, do me a favour and fill up the tanks in these as well".

I materialised the five bikes; hoping to have them nice and ready in case we needed them.

"One of these days you need to explain to me how that power of yours works, Brand".

"Sure..." I said to Kyoko dismissively, earning a frown from her. After seeing that she was okay I walked together with Lucy and Saeko inside the Gas Station where Saya had found the light switches and began lighting up the place. It wasn't a surprise to find that the stalls were empty and there was no food or anything remotely edible. This place had been ravaged already.

"I'm going around to take a look and inspect some stuff," I said, only for a certain girl to hold my wrist.

"I'm coming with you".

"Rei..." I sent a furtive glance towards Takashi who was sending us an awkward gaze of sorts. I think it is time I sort things out with this girl once and for all, her indecisiveness is only causing drifts in the group.

In all right. Takashi, Higuchi and Hirano are resulting to be quite useful and competent... although I don't want them in my mansion. It wouldn't be bad to keep them as my subordinates... however. Men have greed. So far I can tell many things.

Hirano has too much low self-esteem to crave any of my belongings; he seems to be happy and content enough to kill zombies, even if just temporarily.

Takashi is fixed on Rei so much that he doesn't seem to care about anyone else. Furthermore, he's not outgoing either. Likely the only reason why his crush is 'crushing' on me.

As for Higuchi, the boy has ambitions... he has seen me, seen my girls... I can tell he wants something like that, but he's not daring enough to challenge me. I can use that ambition of his to my advantage so long as I can play my cards well... the question would be, is he worth it?

'Are they worth it?' So far, Hirano is the one I definitely want as my retainer... that guy's skills with guns are terrific.

With everything considered, I decided to end things once and for all with Rei.

"Rei and I are going around to take a look. Here..." I dropped some food out of my inventory, a few cans and bread. Enough to fill all of our stomachs, "you guys can prepare something to eat, see what we have available in the gas station and if it is possible to block the doors. We will be back in five. Lucy, Saeko, you're in charge".

With that sorted, I walked away from the gas station towards where the 'survivors' were, Rei followed me along in silence as we disappeared in the clear fog.