Timeout (3)

<Author's note: The things (racism, sexism, political views, etc.) depicted or mentioned in this story do not reflect the real world and are purely coincidences. If they do, please keep in mind that they are simply for world-building and are only work of fiction. Thank you for your understanding.>

"Wooo... Kid, have you ever witnessed a mother put a price tag on her own baby?"

Zita didn't say anything.

"Did you know that here in brown-skinned Asian countries male mixed babies with Caucasian blood or white-skinned Asian are the most expensive, starting at around M£15,000 or around £333 or WOM$429?

"Well, to be exact, people that are 30+ years old prefer the ones with Caucasian blood. Meanwhile, the ones who are 30 years below want babies with white-skinned Asian blood.

"As for the cheapest, it's female dark-skinned babies. And if she has afro hair, it's even cheaper. As a matter of fact, in some cases, no one would even want to buy her.

"Have you ever seen a 14-year old girl video chatting with an old white man in a computer shop in the middle of the night to ask for money while her grandmother quietly sits on the side, out of frame?

"Did you know that a person's life here is also M£15,000? And this is just the city price and if you're not friends with the hitman.

"And if the target is a foreigner, it's even cheaper. It's so cheap in the province that there are people who are willing to kill a foreigner for a case of beer which only costs M£500 or drugs worth of that amount.

"Have you ever seen a face of a girl who just graduated high school being forced against her will by her parents to marry a complete stranger for the dowry? And out of desperation, she would swallow her pride and beg you to take her away with you even if it means she had to work for you as a maid for free?"

"But mister, isn't there any police? Why not call them for help?"

"Call the police? Weren't you listening? I just told you that in brown-skinned Asian countries it's survival of the fittest here, a dog-eat-dog world, and there are far too many crocodiles, sharks, wolves and foxes disguised in sheep's clothing here. And that includes the politicians, policemen and etc."

"I'm sorry..."

"Anyways, these are just some of the few things I can tell you that I have personally witnessed. There are far more sickening things out there that you wouldn't expect to even exist because it goes way beyond human morality. I swear to God, it's not my intention to scare you and I really wish I was lying. But unfortunately, this is the reality that we people outside of first-world countries lived in before the zombie apocalypse."

Nathan sucked his cigarette and blew out a white cloud as he stared outside of the window in silence.

"Mister, is everyone outside of first-world countries bad people?"

He smiled and said, "Of course not. There are good people. However, most of them are poor and are susceptible to bullying because they refuse to play with the actual rules of the world.

"There are even some people who despite living in third-world countries, still have no idea how the world around them actually works because they lived in such a sheltered environment that they turned into idealists who are so out of touch with reality -- You should really avoid these types of people at all cost by the way because their naivety or sense of justice will only bring you down.

"And given that we're currently in a zombie apocalypse, it's just a much safer and logical approach to just assume that everyone is a potential enemy. Unless, of course, you have the power to read minds or see the future which I doubt both of us have. Or do you?"

"But what if..." Zita wanted to ask more but stopped herself.

Nathan smiled as he sucked his cigarette one last time before flicking it away outside the window and then turning at her.

"Wooo… I know it's a hard pill to swallow. But don't worry, you will get used to it in no time. You will eventually learn the art of embracing madness. That is the way of living here.

"Just always be sure to remember this important rule: Things like kindness, mercy and playing hero are luxuries that only the strong can have. And in your case, you're really in no position whatsoever to have such luxuries. You can't even survive on your own outside with the zombies."

"What about you, mister? You're so strong…"

"Strong?" Nathan said and then scoffed. "I'm still far from being strong. And even if I was, I'm not in the business of saving people nor do I have any plans of entering such business. If you want someone to play hero with you, go find somebody else. Not me. I have far more important things to do.

"And plus, didn't I already tell you back in Burrow City that traveling with me would be a bloody and dangerous road? Have you even been listening to all the things I've told you so far? Because it seems more and more to me that you haven't."

Zita's face became pale and she quickly said, "I'm very sorry, mister. I didn't mean to forget about the things you've told me."

Nathan squinted his eyes as he looked at her.

'My God… This kid… Was it really a smart idea to bring along a Chosen One kid with me? Yeah, she's a Chosen One but she's also a kid. And I already brought her with me here in Muwin so I don't think there's any turning back now. But if this kid continues to act stupid, I don't think I should be held accountable if she dies because of her own stupidity nor do I have to risk my life. But, if she decides to leave me -- Yeah, that would be the best scenario. She could even take all the items in her possession with her. I won't mind this time. I promise.'

"I see."

Zita sensed the disappointment in Nathan's eyes and tone.

"I'm really sorry, mister. I really am. I --"

'My God… What the fuck was I fucking thinking? I really should stop letting my emotions influence my decisions. This would be the first and last time I would agree to take a kid with me, even if it's a Chosen One. Sigh… Stupid, stupid Nathan. Nathan, why the fuck are you so stupid? Things would've been much better if she was a brown-skinned Asian. Yeah, that would've saved me from a lot of problems. No, scratch that, I would have zero problems if she was one. Perhaps I could trade her with a brown-skinned Asian Chosen One? I guess -- No, no, no, hell no, that would be too cold even for me. That's just ice-cold. Fuck you, Nathan. Fuck you for having such sick thoughts. Haven't you already done enough back at Womania?'

"-- remember everything."

'What was this kid saying again? Ah, whatever.'

He flashed a very warm and kind smile and then said, "I see. Don't worry about it. Look, Zita, I already promised to take you under my wing so don't worry. I understand. I really do. Even though you're a Chosen One like me, you're still a kid so you're bound to make mistakes and you just lost your parents. So I'm the one here who's being so insensitive with your feelings.

"However…" Nathan's expression became serious. "The fact still remains that we're in a zombie apocalypse. And as much as this breaks my heart to say this to you, we have to put aside our feelings and act smart."

"Mister, I promise that from now on I will listen to everything you say and won't forget any of it."

Nathan's face went back to the very warm and kind smile and he said, "I really appreciate that. Thank you for understanding. And to be honest, Zita, I actually feel so lucky to have such a bright, strong, brave and understanding partner like you. I really do. So thank you once again."

"Okay…"

"Anyways, going back to the things I said to you that you need to let go of your first-world mindset, if you want to continue traveling with me, you have to be cold and ruthless. If you have to lie or step on people to get ahead, do it. If you have to kill to survive, do it. If you feel bad about doing these things, learn how to shut your feelings down and deal with them later during your downtime. Can you do these things for me so that both of us will survive and continue in becoming stronger?

"Yes. I promise to let go of my first-world mindset and do those things that you mentioned so that I won't bring you down and we'll become stronger."

"Thank you," Nathan said as he flashed an even warmer and kinder smile.

"I will really do."

"I'm very confident that you certainly will," he said and then gently patted her head.

Pat.

Pat.

He got up from his chair and said, "And for what it's worth, if you think being in a brown-skinned Asian country is really scary, wait till you get to the African and brown-Caucasian countries because they're in a higher fucked up level, especially the ones that's plagued with war. If you're a woman there and even worst a foreign woman, well… all I can say is may God be with you.

"Now let's hope that we get to encounter some people along the way so that you could practice killing, okay? But before that, I need you to take a short nap first. Based on the look of your face, I can tell you weren't able to get enough sleep last night."

"Okay, mister…"

Pat.

Pat.

He patted her head one more time before going to the side of the office and summoning a mattress from his former room along with a blanket and some pillows.

"Go to sleep. I'll stand guard and wake you up in about 2 hours."

"Okay…" she said and got up from her seat.

*********************************************

Author's thoughts:

Hello, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Thank you for reading!

By the way, this former Grandmaster Immortal who failed months ago in keeping his sacred immortal oath and is now nothing but a Lowly Shameless Immortal is shamelessly going to open once again the path of Power Immortals and Immortal Patrons.

To the people who voted with their power stones, this Lowly Shameless Immortal would like to thank these Power Immortals:

• Yui_Saotome

• Naufal_Arc

• PSYcho_72

• NS710

• Shikla

• xerosama1

• Pillastre

• zlBlade

• Badz_Baddy

• NYXLOGOS

• Chris_Howitzer

• Ram_Thomson

• ButtMuncher168

• Dante_Reyes

• Smith_Weston

• TheAntiSimp

• Luzi_Preant

• Gossen_Di_Vietri

• Memnochthejew

To the ones who want to help this Lowly Shameless Immortal in his path to immortality in writing his First Immortal Book, you can consider becoming an Immortal Patron by supporting him at P-a-t-r-e-o-n:

• https://www.patreon.com/Immortal_Shades

There, you will have access to this Lowly Shameless Immortal's "chapter drafts" for $5 a month.

Please note that the chapters posted there are only drafts. So when this Lowly Shameless Immortal will publish them here in the First Immortal Book, there will be some edits.

And at the moment, this Lowly Shameless Immortal posted the draft of Volume II: Ch. 100 - 104 there.

With that, this Lowly Shameless Immortal want to give his special thanks to the Immortal Patron(s) for April 2021:

• Biatrice T

• Виталий В

Thank you once again Power Immortals and Immortal Patrons. This Lowly Shameless Immortal will see you in the next chapter... *Kowtows 300 times*