Chapter 67: Leaving High School of the Dead

Inside the Humvee, Shizuka gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles white. She was concentrating on the road. Lois sat beside her, keeping her eyes open for any more threats. 

In the back, Saya's sobs were barely contained, her shoulders shaking with grief. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she clung to James. She thought her father was dying at the hands of the monster. James slowly stroked her hair. "He said, he was proud of you," James said. 

Saya tears burst open. Rei slowly stroked her back. She had a father as well, the thought of losing him was scary. She felt sorry for Saya. However she knew she had to grief, let it out. "We are here for you," Rei added. 

Saya looked up, her eyes red and swollen at Rei and James. "I know… but it hurts so much," she whispered, her voice breaking.

James held Yuriko`s, who sat in stunned silence, the loss of her husband a heavy weight on her heart. Yuriko thought she could not do anything against the monster. "Yuriko, he went down fighting to protect you, to protect Saya. His final words were for you to be happy, for your daughter to be happy," James remarked. 

"I will be here for you," James stated. He pulled her into a hug where Yuriko started to sob like her daughter. 

Rei saw that and again thought it was important for her to let it out. Jasmine stroked her back gently. The back of the Humvee was cramped. "I know what it feels like to lose someone you love," Jasmine said. "We will be with you," she added. 

They stayed silent for the next half an hour. Saya had fallen asleep on top of James. James smiled as he thought she looked cute. He looked to see Yuriko awake, looking at Saya`s face. 

Yuriko thought, this world is dangerous. She had to protect and guide her daughter. She had already lost her husband. He will not be coming back. She needed to ensure Saya was happy. She thought back to her husband's last few words. "Be happy," she thought. Those words kept replaying in her head. She looked at Saya who had a smile on her face, resting on James. Yuriko stroked her cheek. 

"Saya," she whispered.

"She can be a bit feisty however she is cute when she sleeps like that," James remarked.

"You have no idea," Yuriko replied. She looked at James smiling down. James let her rest on his shoulder. 

"I want both of you to be happy," James said as he held her.

Yuriko smiled. "Something tells me you have ulterior motives," Yuriko whispered. 

"I only want the best for you Yuriko," James stated. James thought ulterior motives and him. He smiled.

Yuriko then fell asleep on James' shoulder. "It has been a long day," Jasmine commented. 

"It has for sure," Lois replied. 

James looked outside the window and saw smoke. "We need to head to the other world," he stated, "It's too dangerous here, and the portal will nearly stop time for us. When we return, it'll be as if no time has passed. We can find your mom then, Rei," he explained. 

Rei, her eyes filled with hope, nodded. "You mean we can come back and save her?" she asked. Saeko and Shizuka looked as well. Saeko did care about her parents however now she is with her Danna-sama. She exists for him.

"Rika," Shizuka whispered.

"For them all," James confirmed. He added, "But for now, we need to leave. The zombie threat is intensifying. There are more boss zombies, and they're getting stronger." James thought of the multiple Margwa that had just come out of nowhere. There were also the tank and the Megaton. He had a gut feeling there were even more than that and a group of boss zombies will be a challenge. 

Saeko, acknowledged the severity of their situation. "It took all of us, using these strong weapons, to take just one of them down," she said. 

"That one was weakened as well," Lois added.

"We can rely on James being there always for us. We need to be independent," Jasmine stated. He could see conviction in her eyes. 

She glanced at James and then added, "Danna-sama is right, he has been helping us the entire time. He has no reason to lie." 

At that moment, Saya and Yuriko woke up. In this situation both were half asleep, listening into the conversation. 

"I think we should go and come back," Saya stated. 

"I was powerless against the monster, I want to get stronger," Yuriko said. 

"It will also give us some time to relax and wind down a bit. It's been a stressful few days, you girls deserve some rest time," James said.

"We have a large bath with a hot tub," Jasmine stated. "It is really good for relaxing," she confirmed.

"James does give a wash and massage," Lois commented. 

"My turn should be first, you all have been with me," Shizuka shouted.

"You pervert," Saya said, slamming her fist onto James`s chest. 

They all laughed. "Am I okay to come?" Yuriko asked. 

James pushed her into his chest, her face inches away from Saya. "Yes, you are, you can be with me forever," James added. 

"You monster, don't do that to my mum or say stuff like that," Saya replied. 

Rei smiled. "She is back," she said. 

Yuriko smiled. "That is a big commitment," Yuriko replied.

Saya paused for a second. She saw a smile on her mom's face. 

"I am ready for it, for you all," James stated. Yuriko thought he say all.

"Let's leave for now," James stated. They all nodded. James reached into his pocket and pulled out the The Multiverse Remote. Saya saw this device. She thought this was definitely advanced. His thumb hovered over the button. "This will give us the chance to rest and come back," he stated. They all nodded once more and James pressed the button. He entered the destination and pressed the green button. 

A bright light engulfed the vehicle. James saw visions of different realities. He saw a flash, of a large armored titan fighting people with small jetpacks again. He saw a woman with blue hair freezing a town. He saw a woman wearing black bodysuit: with armor plates. She had a tattered skirt, black gloves and knee-high boots. She wore a bat-like helmet and held a trident in her hand. He also saw a short female minotaur with tanned skin, brown bob-cut hair, blue eyes and enormous breasts. 

He thought the multiverse has much to offer.