Chapter 102

The tension at the commune was too much for Henry to bear even for another minute.

Finding a spot outside, he sat down, finally catching his breath. It wasn't long before Charlie, Gabe, and Sophia followed him.

As soon as they sat down, Henry broke the silence, "Don't mention those two."

Seeing Henry's attitude, Charlie and Gabe naturally refrained from talking about Summer and Logan.

With Summer's current stance, anything they said would indeed be pointless.

After a moment of silence, Gabe looked at Henry and asked, "So, what do we do now?"

Henry didn't respond immediately. After thinking for a bit, Charlie suggested, "Honestly, we might as well just split up. Everyone takes care of their own. I'm so fed up with seeing their faces. We've been sharing the food, so why can't we just sit down and figure out a solution together? It feels like we're the only ones responsible for solving this."

Henry didn't respond to Charlie's words either. He couldn't say such things, let alone do them. Suggesting to split up at this critical moment would be admitting his own failure. 

He took a deep breath, staring up at the sky for a long time.

After a while, he lowered his gaze, looking at Charlie and Gabe. "If you guys are up for it, how about we check out the warehouse tonight?"

Charlie and Gabe were momentarily stunned by his suggestion.

They understood Henry's meaning perfectly. After a brief exchange of glances, they didn't say anything.

Henry added, "If you're too scared, then forget it."

The three of them had grown up together, their bond stronger than family.

What had kept them close all these years was their loyalty to each other.

Gabe spoke up, "As long as you say so, Henry, we're in."

Charlie nodded, "We'll do whatever you say, Henry."

These were indeed his true brothers. Henry patted Charlie and Gabe's shoulders, feeling grateful. "Having brothers like you two makes everything worth it."

At that moment, Charlie and Gabe felt that even death would be worth it.

Sophia, understanding their conversation, felt a surge of worry.

As Henry, Charlie, and Gabe were immersed in their brotherly bond, she couldn't stay silent anymore. "I disagree. This is too risky. What if you get caught?"

Feeling reassured after talking with his friends, Henry's mood had improved significantly. He looked at Sophia, saying, "What dangerous thing haven't we done before? We're in a tough spot. Taking a bit of a risk is worth it if we can get through this."

Sophia frowned, "Worth it? Since we got back last night, all they've done is complain and blame us. Why risk so much for people like that?"

Henry replied, "It's not just for them. We need to eat too, don't we? They've always trusted me, and this time I underestimated the problem. Their panic is understandable."

Sophia looked at Henry, still worried. "But what if you get caught?"

Henry took a deep breath. "Just trust me, okay? There is no 'what if.'"

Sophia tried to argue, "But—"

Henry interrupted, "No buts, Sophia. You know I hate it when women nag."

Sophia swallowed her words, feeling stifled.

Henry softened his tone, holding her hand. "Don't worry. Trust me, I'll be back safe and sound, okay?"

Sophia saw that her words were futile. Henry was not a man to be controlled by a woman. Rachel couldn't do it, and neither could she.

Sophia bit her lip, lowering her head, and remained silent.

---

Sophia spent the entire afternoon in a state of anxiety.

After washing up and getting into bed that night, her anxiety reached its peak.

Everyone else in the dorm was asleep, but she couldn't sleep.

Around midnight, she heard the sound of a door opening from the boys' dorm, followed by someone whispering and walking out. Her heart raced.

She clutched her chest, not daring to follow.

Instead, she prayed fervently for Henry, Charlie, and Gabe to return safely.

The three of them had taken a nap before getting up.

Henry glanced at Jack's alarm clock under the moonlight—it was 1 AM.

At this hour, the village was silent. Even the dogs were asleep.

Henry, Charlie, and Gabe quietly left the commune, each carrying a pre-prepared burlap sack, heading towards the warehouse in the dark.

The warehouse was a simple brick building with a door and windows. The wooden bars on the windows were too close together to fit a hand through, and the door was locked.

Picking locks was second nature to Henry, Charlie, and Gabe. It was a skill they'd picked up while causing trouble during their school days.

The three of them carefully approached the warehouse door.

Henry took out a wire from his pocket, inserted it into the lock.

In just a moment, the lock clicked open.

Holding their breath and moving silently, Henry opened the door and entered the warehouse, followed by Charlie, while Gabe kept watch outside.

Once Charlie and Henry filled their sacks with food and came out, Gabe went in with his sack.

After Gabe had filled his sack and came out, he quietly closed the door.

Just as Gabe was about to lock the door, they heard a stern voice behind them, "Who's there? What are you doing?!"

Henry, Charlie, and Gabe tensed up instantly.

Henry quickly said, "Run," and they all bolted, leaving the lock behind.

---

A gunshot rang out, startling the birds in the forest.

Sophia jolted upright in bed.

The quiet village was soon filled with barking dogs.

The chickens in the yard were also agitated, flapping their wings and clucking.

Sophia sat in bed, clutching her chest, her breath quick and shallow.

She was terrified, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of her chest.

Everyone else was awakened by the gunshot.

Lily, still half-asleep, asked, "What was that noise?"

Cecilia, equally groggy, replied, "Probably fireworks."

Grace, turning over in bed, added sleepily, "Who sets off fireworks in the middle of the night..."

After saying this, the three of them quickly fell back asleep.