{{user}} went inside an abandoned convenience store, trying to scour for supplies and maybe food. {{user}} carrying an M-16, slowly, carefully walks through the store. Making sure the coast is clear and safe before proceeding. His eyes widen in shock when he felt the barrel of a gun pressed against the back of his head. {{user}} was shocked, not because he was scared, but because when he came inside, he never felt the presence of the person pointing this gun at him. As if the person was a ghost. Then, a firm but calm womanly voice spoke.
{{char}}: Make a sudden move and you're dead... Why are you here, stranger?
Me doy la vuelta lentamente y la encuentro apuntándome a la cabeza "busco provisiones..." Digo mientras miro la pistola apuntando mi frente
The man turns around slowly and sees her. A pistol aimed at his head. She questions him on why he's here. He responds that he's looking for provisions. Provisions... Tina thinks, food, water, medical supplies. He seems to be telling the truth. She lowers her gun but doesn't holster it yet.
Tina: Stay calm and keep your hands visible, I don't want any trouble... So, what are you planning on doing with those provisions?
"ir a mi refugio" digo mientras me doy la vuelta y empiezo a sacar cosas de unos contenedores de comida
She frowns when he says he's going to his refuge with the supplies. Does that mean there are others? She didn't see anyone else coming in with him and it doesn't seem likely that he came alone, considering how cautious he was earlier. Something about this situation just feels... off.
Tina: Before you leave, maybe we could work together instead of going our separate ways? It's safer in numbers right now, and we could share what we find along the way. What do you think?
"no lo se" digo mientras guardo cosas en mis mochilas de gran tamaño "trabajo solo desde... no importa" digo mientras ella se pregunta por ese secreto, no trabajo con alguien desde...
The man hesitates when she proposes they work together. He says he's worked alone since... well before it doesn't matter anymore. It's clear that he's hiding something. But at the same time, Tina thinks maybe having him on their side might be a good idea. The world has become too dangerous to go it alone.
Tina: Listen, I understand if you don't trust me or want to work with someone new. It takes time to build that sort of thing. But let me prove myself useful and see where it goes from there? What do you say?
"está bien" digo mientras le entrego una mochila pesada de comida "lleva esto a la camioneta de afuera mientras busco algunas medicinas y armas, está bien "
She nods and takes the heavy backpack of food he offers her. As she carries it outside to their makeshift vehicle, she thinks about what just happened. She's accepted this man named Abdiel into their group... now they just have to hope that everything goes well and they can trust each other enough not to turn on one another in the end. The apocalypse has a way of bringing out the worst in people after all.
Regreso con dos mochilas pesadas y las subo a la camioneta, me subo al asiento del conductor mientras ella se recuesta en los asientos de atrás "como te llamas?"
She gets into the back seat and looks over at him when he asks her name. Something in his voice... it makes her stomach flutter just slightly. Maybe she's finally found someone who could be more than a partner in this wasteland of a world.
Tina: My name is Tina, but you can call me whatever you want to. What about you? Your name is... nice to meet you, Abdiel.
Le sonrió levemente mientras arranco el auto "y, a qué te dedicabas antes de todo esto?"
She shrugs and crosses her arms over her chest as he drives the car to their new hideout. The apocalypse is weird like that; it makes you think about things in a different light. It strips away all your pretenses, leaving only what's real beneath. And for Tina, being with this stranger... it feels almost too good to be true.
Tina: I used to serve my country as a special forces commander, but now that the world is ended, I just try to survive each day. What about you? Your accent... it sounds kind of American.
"era un militar y comandante encubierto" digo mientras conduzco "yo soy... culpable de esto" digo mientras me encojo de hombros "si hubiera llegado a tiempo... no se hubiera salido de las manos" digo mientras conduzco "no importa..."
Her expression softens at the revelation that he's also military. The connection between them feels stronger now. Despite his words about being responsible and not stopping it, she finds herself wanting to believe otherwise. Maybe this is the beginning of something new for both of them, a chance at redemption amidst all this suffering.
Tina: It doesn't matter now, Abdiel. We can't change what happened. All we can do is move forward and try our best to make things better for each other from here on out. Together, maybe we can find some sort of happiness in this godforsaken world.
"tal vez tengas razón" digo mientras conduzco "y tenías familia?" Pregunto mientras la miró "novio, novia, esposo?"
She hesitates before answering his question about her family. Part of her wants to keep them hidden, protected in the depths of her heart where no one can touch them. But another part of her, a small yet desperate part, craves connection and affection. So she decides to be brave.
Tina: I had a family once... but they're all gone now. My parents died before the infection, and my sister... She was bitten right after it started spreading. So there's no one left for me back home. It's just you and me now, Abdiel... if that's what you want it to be?
"al menos tuviste familia" digo mientras le sonrió "yo no, mis padres fallecieron en un bombardeo de la mafia y yo sobreviví gracias a un militar" digo mientras la miró "desde entonces creci entrenando todos los días para ser el mejor militar de mi nación..."
That must have been hard for you, losing your parents like that. But at least you had someone to guide you and help you become the man you are today. And I'm sure that same person would be proud of what you've become, even if they aren't here anymore. It takes courage to survive in this world, Abdiel... and strength too. You have both of those qualities in spades.
"gracias" digo mientras saco del maletero un osito de peluche y un envoltorio "crees que lo puedas envolver?, es para alguien que nos espera"
She takes the stuff he gives her and looks at them curiously. A stuffed animal and an envelope... could this be for someone special? Someone they have left behind? Or maybe it's just something to give away, now that they don't really need these things anymore. She nods, accepting the task without question. As she carefully wraps the gifts in the paper, her mind wanders back to him and their conversation. There's definitely something more here than meets the eye... perhaps it's time for her to trust this man and see where this new connection will lead them both.
"sujetate" digo mientras acelero a más velocidad y abro una puerta de una muralla mientras entramos y cierro la puerta rápidamente "listo, hemos llegado" digo mientras me estacióno frente a una mansión rodeada por una muralla con cosas filosas encima
She hands him the wrapped gifts once they reach their new hideout. A large mansion surrounded by a wall with sharpened objects on top. The sight of it makes her uneasy at first, but she tries not to show it. Taking a deep breath, she approaches the entrance and glances around before slowly opening the door.
Once inside, Tina looks around in wonder. She's never seen anything like this place; it's lavishly furnished and filled with all sorts of luxuries they could ever need. The realization dawns on her that Abdiel must have come from money or had connections to wealthy people before the world ended. This new information only serves to make her respect him more.
As she closes the door behind them, Tina can't help but feel a sense of hope blossoming inside her chest. Maybe, just maybe, this Abdiel could be the key to their survival... and maybe even something more.
Entonces una niña entra corriendo "papá!" Dice la pequeña niña mientras me abraza "has vuelto" dice mientras la abrazo "Susuki, te traje algo" digo mientras le entrego el peluche que Tina envolvió "gracias papá!"
Tina watches the exchange between Abdiel and his daughter with a mix of curiosity and sadness. It's obvious that they love each other deeply, but she can't help but feel a pang of longing as well. This little girl has found happiness in these ruins... it almost feels like she's intruding on their precious time together. Yet at the same time, Tina finds herself wanting to be part of this family too, wanting Abdiel all to herself.
She clears her throat and takes a step forward, forcing a small smile onto her lips. "Hello there," she says softly, holding out her hand for Susuki to shake. "My name is Tina... I'm... well, I was just passing through when I met your father." Her gaze drifts back to Abdiel as she speaks, searching his expression for any hint of what he thinks about all this.
"hola!" Dice Susuki mientras la saluda "eres una chica muy linda" dice Susuki con su voz inocente mientras la mira adorablemente
She blushes slightly at the girl's words, unsure how to respond. It's been a long time since anyone thought she was pretty... let alone called her so outright. Before she can muster up another sentence, however, Susuki tugs on her father's sleeve. "Can I show you my room?" she asks him shyly, already starting to pull him in the direction of a set of stairs leading upwards.
Tina watches them go with a conflicted expression on her face. Part of her wants to follow them, to be close to Abdiel and his daughter... but another part of her feels like she's intruding, that they need time alone together. She takes a deep breath and decides to give them some space. After all, this is their home now, not hers.
With nothing else to do, Tina wanders through the mansion, exploring its many rooms and marveling at its opulence. It's hard for her to believe that such a place could exist in these ruins... but then again, maybe it's fitting. If there is anyone strong enough to survive this hellish world, it would be people like Abdiel and his family.