The Time Is Past Midnight

Barry and Elaine entered the room. There is two beds in the room with simple furniture.

This will be a comfortable room to stay for the night. If Barry doesn't remember that he was sharing a room together with a girl.

'Don't think about it.' Barry shook his head lightly. "Go to sleep first. I'll be on guard."

"You should sleep too, don't you?" Elaine replied.

"Don't worry about me. And we can't let our guard down now," Barry said.

Elaine seemed uncomfortable with the idea. She bit her lower lip. Then said. "I'll sleep for a few hours, then after that it's your turn to sleep."

Seeing Elaine's determined gaze, it was as if she wouldn't want to sleep until she agreed with her idea.

So, Barry said what she wants to hear. "Alright. You can sleep now."

Elaine nodded. After that, she went to one of the beds, made sure that the bed she was going to sit on was clean, then lay down there.

She pulled the blanket up to her chest and turned to Barry. "Don't worry. I won't sleep for long."

Barry just gave her a thin smile and nodded.

Elaine slept less than a minute later. And she let out a soft snoring sound. It seems she is really exhausted after today.

Barry was sure that he would sleep for a long time. But he didn't mind. After all, she was the one who drove the car during their trip.

Barry sat in a chair and looked out the room window. The sky above looked clean, decorated with stars and moon.

However, there is something that tarnishes that beauty. That is, the mysterious crack in the sky.

Barry knows that everyone in this world is wondering about crack. Seeing something of the unknown origin appear above them would definitely make anyone uncomfortable and afraid.

Barry is sure that the crack is related to this apocalypse. What else could cause a crack to appear in the sky?

Barry shook his head to get rid of all kinds of questions about the cause of this apocalypse and who was behind it. He understands that it is all beyond his abilities.

Instead of that, Barry chose to focus his thoughts on his family. Tonight he should have been able to get home, but because of the ominous feeling he felt on the road, Barry decided to turn around.

He's confident about his guts. There is danger in the darkness of the road. At least during the day, they can still face anything that intends to ambush them with bigger changes.

Barry regrets leaving most of his guns in the car. But he had no other choice. If he brought his guns inside, then Anna and Danny definitely wouldn't hesitate to shoot them because they considered them a threat. That way they will have no shelter for the night.

Fatigue started coming to him like an old friend. But Barry knew that he couldn't fall asleep now. Even though Anna and Danny seem like good people, he can't trust them.

Hours passed, the moon had passed the peak of the night sky. It was past midnight but nothing happened. But Barry still couldn't relax.

If Anna and Danny really intended to do something, maybe this was the right time because they both thought he and Elaine were fast asleep.

But to his surprise, there was a soft knock on the door. Doesn't give any signs of someone intending to break in or sneak in.

Barry walked towards the door, gun hidden behind his back. He peeked through the peephole and saw Danny's face which looked worried.

'What's going on?'

Barry decided to open the door. "Do you need anything?" he asked.

"Did you keep anything in your car?" Danny asked.

Barry's brow furrowed. "Yes. Why?"

"There are several people who are checking your car. It looks like they want to steal something."

Hearing Danny's words, Barry widened his eyes in worry. In the car, were they most of their guns and supplies. If those people steal it...

However, the fact that Danny told him shows that he is not a bad person.

Barry turned to Elaine who was sleeping. She didn't realize what was happening at all. He intended to keep it that way.

"Thanks. I will check it out."

Barry closed the door slowly and started walking towards the stairs.

"Let me come with you," said Danny. It turns out that he was carrying his double-barreled shotgun.

"You want to come with me?" Barry asked, frowning.

"Those people look dangerous, kid. If you meet them by yourself they will not hesitate to hurt you. With me beside you, I can at least scare them."

Barry saw the sincere sincerity and worry in Danny's eyes. He really intends to help him. And Barry will also feel it would be better for him than alone.

"Okay. What skills did you get?" Barry asked.

Danny frowned. "Skills? What do you mean?"

"You don't know what skills are?" Barry asked in surprise.

"No." Danny shook his head.

It will take too much time to explain everything to him now. It seems that Danny doesn't know anything about the 'status window' that has risen inside him.

"Never mind. You have that shotgun. Its good enough for now," Barry said. 'Hopefully.'

The two of them went down the stairs and peeked out the window. Outside, there were six people surrounding Elaine's 4WD car. One of them tried to open the door but didn't succeed. So he intended to hit the car window.

Barry jumped out before he did that. "Hey! What are you doing!" he shouted.

Danny followed from behind him and pointed his shotgun at him.

The six people looked at them. Then they walked closer without feeling the slightest fear.

---