We are all born into this world with no knowledge, no experience, and no understanding of anything around us.
The only thing we begin with is our base instinct.
As we live in this world and grow, we learn from each experience, and we are molded into the people that we will one day become.
We do not become who we are overnight.
It takes years, decades, and ultimately a lifetime for a person to form - and for every moment that we continue living, we continue to learn and experience, constantly changing who we are.
Yet after a certain point, we settle upon who we are.
After numerous experiences that tell us of the truth of a particular matter, we stop questioning the matter altogether - and we begin to view it as absolute.
At this point, no matter what other experiences we may have, we will view any deviations from what we believe to be certain as outliers - extreme cases that are highly unlikely to be replicated.
However, if those extreme cases continuously present themselves - only then will our preconceived notions begin to change.
Yet all too often, this does not happen.
All too often, once we have realized the darkness of this world and the malicious nature of humanity, we fall into a pit of despair - and not a single person appears to lift us out of that pit.
Perhaps to some, a single person would be all they need - and yet that person never comes.
And then, there are others - those who from their birth have learned that they can obtain what they want by merely taking it.
These people will one day be known as entitled.
Entitlement is an issue in our society.
There are people in this world who seem to believe that everything is meant for them, and that the people around them are nothing more than a stepping stone to provide them with their needs.
These people consider themselves to be martyrs, and even the slightest amount of effort will quickly become exaggerated into the ultimate sacrifice.
If they are given a refusal, they will find themselves incapable of comprehending the situation. Regardless of the reasons, they will view only the results - and the fact that they haven't received what they want, when they want it, how they want it.
They will go about their lives, causing harm to all those around them without so much as a care, and if those people that they harm even dare to complain, they will label them as overdramatic and unreasonable.
If the same exact thing were to happen to them, they would antagonize the person, making said person out to be one of the most vile and heinous people to ever walk this planet, yet all the same failing to so much as recognize their own hypocrisy.
A quality of such people is a complete lack of understanding when these two situations are compared. Rather than accept their own hypocrisy, they will write off any logical attempt to discredit them as absurdity, ignoring the truth even as it is presented in front of them.
They will make no logical argument, for the very act of thinking logically will fundamentally shatter their mindset. They will make no attempt to defend themselves, for in their mind, there is no need to do so.
How do such people come into existence?
How can a human being, surrounded by suffering, be so capable of understanding one's own struggles - yet completely incompetent when it comes to the struggles of another?
The answer? Parenting and reinforcement.
The inability to hold empathy towards another human being is a quality often associated with children. A child - or more particularly, a baby is unable to notice the needs of those around it. A baby will cry, even if its parents are tired or annoyed.
A baby cries only when it needs something, as a method to obtain the things it desires. The baby has no other method of communication, yet the tantrum will immediately irritate the parents and present them with one of two options - ignore it, or fulfill its desires.
Most parents wouldn't dare to slap a crying child, and even ignoring the child can be considered abuse. In the end, a baby's needs will be fulfilled in order to silence it, whether those needs be for food, warmth, or otherwise.
The pacifier is another option, but this too is giving the child something it desires in exchange for silence.
Every time the child cries and throws a tantrum, it receives something that it desires. What does this tell the child?
It tells the child a simple, yet powerful thing - that crying will get the child what it wants.
From the very moment of our birth, we have it instilled into us that throwing a tantrum is not only the most appropriate way to get what we want, but also the most effective way. And this is almost always forgiven as a child, given that it will be overlooked by most.
But at some point, there must come a time where crying is no longer accepted by the parents - where a tantrum is met not with satisfaction of the child's desires, but rather with denial of such desires, and perhaps even punishment.
The failure to cease the satisfaction of these desires in response to a tantrum is what creates these entitled people.
People who have learned throughout their entire life that causing a scene will obtain them what they want will do exactly that and more, embarrassing their parents publicly and causing mayhem if it means that they will be rewarded in the end.
Such children might even pull their parents on a string, playing them like a puppet master as they live their lives free of worry.
Another way that an entitled person could come about is through entitled parenting - parents who believe that they are above other adults, that they are somehow superior, and as such that their child must be superior to those around them.
These parents will loudly and boldly proclaim their child as more deserving of reward, more worthy of praise, more capable and moral than any other.
When their child is denied the privilege that they so believe the child to be deserving of, the parent will fly into a rage - becoming the crying child themselves as they use threats and other methods to pressure those around them into raising their child above the rest.
Faced with such a decision, the people around the child will usually just give in, unable to deny the authority of such influential people. Through the sheer volume of their voice, they force others around them to bend - at which they secure a foothold for themselves and their children.
The creation of a single entitled person, therefore, will lead to the creation of more entitled people, multiplying with each generation until entire groups of these people are swarming throughout society.
However, the worst enemy of an entitled person is another entitled person.
When two entitled people face off with one another, a battlefront is formed - one completely devoid of any sensibility and reason, spearheaded solely by arrogance and volatile attitudes.
In the end, the more entitled person will stand victorious, yet the less entitled person will only become more entitled as a result of the encounter - making their counterpart out to be a more dramatic villain than any other.
And so, we find ourselves in the world today - surrounded on all ends by all forms of entitled people.
In this world, so devoid of reason, people use their hearts to think for themselves - only listening to that which tells them exactly what they want to hear.
'You deserve this.'
'You can't let them treat you that way.'
'You don't need to go through this.'
'They're just a hater.'
'They can't tell you what to do.'
'Follow your heart.'
'Follow your dreams.'
'You can be anything you want.'
'Don't allow anyone else to tell you otherwise.'
These are just some of those lies that entitled people tell themselves, justifying their own selfishness as they continue to live lives that give no thought to the troubles of others.
And the longer we tell ourselves these lies, the more we trample upon the people who have rejected them already.
----
"Between the former hotel employees and the remaining survivors, there are roughly 80 people present in the hotel. The hotel is four floors with a penthouse suite and a basement. Each floor has 30 rooms, which means that we can handle up to 120 families or groups within this building alone."
Nine people sat around a conference table, and the businessman who sat at its head was currently reviewing some documents.
These documents had all been handwritten, as the existence of printers - much less computers - was no longer available in this post apocalyptic world.
"Among those 80 people, we can split them up into groups of approximately 4 per room. Which would imply that our net capacity is roughly 480 people, though that is only if we wish to provide a room for each person. If we allow people to sleep wherever without providing them with individual rooms, we can take on more than that."
As he went down a list of facts, the other people present merely listened to the presentation, nodding in agreement.
"Whether we do such a thing is another question, but given the scenario I don't believe we should be too picky about giving every person their own room. More important is the supplies that we will need to provide for so many people."
Picking up another document, the man's eyes scrolled down as he reviewed it.
"There were some meat factories with live cows and chickens that Gerard was using to obtain meat for potential residents, but unfortunately the livestock have been killed off. He was clearly using that as a tactic to bait people into the facility by giving them a taste of luxury, but he exhausted all resources in doing so."
Flipping the page, the man held a hand to his chin as he thought out loud.
"With that being said, there were also some fields outside the City that are good for crop production that Gerard was previously harvesting from. They were in a relatively rural area, so there were only a few undead in the farmhouse, and the land is fertile and ready to use."
Gazing at a particular white haired girl, the man gave out an order.
"Have the citizens informed that anyone who wishes to be sent to the farm to cultivate crops will be deemed as useful and allowed to live. There were no farmers among them, but perhaps there are some who have experience or family members who lived in the countryside. Find out."
"Understood. Will do."
Standing up, the woman headed off as eight people were left in the conference room.
"Farming should take care of food concerns in the long term, but in the short term we will need to continue gathering supplies from local stores, warehouses, and other places. Sending out normal humans would only result in unnecessary deaths. Bradley. Can you and Three handle this?"
"So we've been reduced to scavenging... well, I guess that's fine. I'll figure something out."
Standing up, the red haired man took his leave as well.
"With that being said, there are a number of people who will need to stay here at the hotel. There is one doctor, a couple electricians and mechanics, and a few other specialized professions that shouldn't be doing simple labor. Sylvia. What is the status of those people?"
"They've been given their own spaces to perform their work. Since they'll be killed off if they don't prove to be useful, they've been diligent in getting work done."
"Excellent."
Going down his list, the man looked over to the police officer at the table.
"Have there been any issues among the citizens to this point? Any problematic people?"
"There have been a few conflicts, but nothing that I couldn't resolve without bringing up your name. The people are scared to death of what you might do to them, so they tend to be very compliant with my authority."
"Wonderful. Ensure that things stay peaceful, but if anything gets out of hand then don't risk your life to resolve it. Let me know immediately if there are any major issues."
"I'll do that."
Checking off another item, the businessman closed his eyes in thought.
"So that leaves the issue of the Street Rats."
Taking a deep breath, the man looked around him as all expressions became serious the moment this gang name was mentioned.
"George. You are free to return to patrol. This isn't an issue that you will need to involve yourself in."
"Despite the fact that I'm a police officer, I'm not even powerful enough to be involved in gang related crime... I guess that shows you the state of the world."
Taking his leave, the man nodded with compliance.
"Ah, I'm not complaining. I know that they're dangerous, and they're probably reawakened. I'd rather be taking care of human issues anyways."
With these words, the man left, at which the atmosphere immediately turned tense.
"It's time that we discuss our strategy."
----
"Valerie. Your report?"
"I've looked into the Shortenmire police force, just as you asked."
"George hasn't found out about this, has he?"
"Not a word. He's been too preoccupied with his duties here at the hotel, and I don't believe he wants anything to do with his former employers."
"Good."
Folding his hands, Marcus nodded to himself as he took in the situation.
"I don't need him to be involved in something that he may have such an emotional attachment to."
"Their former chief and many of their members are still alive, and they've started gathering power. To put it simply... they've returned to a barbaric society."
"How so?"
Pressing with this question, Sylvia spoke up as she inquired further.
"Well, these were men who were already in a position of power in the old world. They were people who were easily bribed and had no issue throwing the crimes of elites under the table, as well as pinning them on some of the lesser members of society."
As Valerie reported this, Syvlia motioned with her hand to continue.
"My point is that these men would do anything if it put them in a better position. And now that the world is in its current state, they're willing to use force to obtain whatever they want. They have weapons and are far better armed than just about anyone else, so they have that advantage."
"And what about ability users?"
"I have yet to confirm that, but I will begin my infiltration soon enough."
"Excellent. Have Celia and Melissa go with you. Your sole priority is to protect yourselves, but you shouldn't have any issue doing that - unless you come across an ability user, that is. If that is the case, please make sure to tread lightly."
Thinning his eyes, Marcus' tone became serious as he issued an order.
"And by all means, do not hint that you have any knowledge of reawakenings."
"Understood."
As the woman completed her report, Marcus nodded as he stood up, turning his back to the table as he faced the window in thought.
Folding his hands behind his back, the man spoke with grandeur, yet there was also a semblance of sorrow in his tone.
"We cannot afford any mishaps. No matter what the case, do not allow them to understand your true intentions. Do not make any movements until you are ordered, and make sure they believe that you are powerless."
"It is something that I am quite good at.", Valerie responded with a smirk.
"You have the communication device, yes?"
"I do."
"Excellent. Then, each day at 8 AM and 8 PM make sure to report your findings. If you don't report at these times, I will assume that you have either died or been incapacitated - which would imply that an ability user who can surpass your own exists."
With these words, the man spoke in a cold manner as he barked out his orders.
"Do not allow me to make any false assumptions."
"That won't happen."
At which, the woman responded in the affirmative.
"We'll be going now then. I'll report back later today."
With these words, the three women stood up, all of them taking their leave.
Soon enough, only three people were left in the room - the businessman, the businesswoman, and the young girl with dark blue hair.
As the door closed, a quiet atmosphere overcame the three.
"You're certainly putting a lot of effort into managing things here, aren't you?"
"If I don't, then who knows what might happen? Even if I do, there is nothing that guarantees that my efforts will ever be enough."
"And yet... you still make them."
The words of the woman silenced the man for a few more moments as he lost himself in thought, gazing out that window.
"Barbarians... tyrants... perhaps we are not all that different."
"Perhaps we aren't."
"And yet here I am... trying to stop them - merely so that I can take their power for myself."
With a smirk, the man suddenly grinned to himself.
As he continued to stare out that window, the woman who sat behind him merely laughed to herself, as if such a notion was humorous.
"Exactly."
----
"Hey. Do you actually trust any of them?"
As Marcus sat down once more, Sylvia posed this question, to which he smiled bitterly.
"A strange question for you to ask, don't you think?"
"I don't think it's strange at all. So? What's the answer?"
As a somber atmosphere enveloped the two, the young girl merely watched their interaction, silent and unmoving.
"I've never trusted people themselves. But I do trust people's motivations."
Raising an eyebrow at Marcus' odd response, Sylvia pressed the man to continue.
"If a person is given the right reason to do something, then they will do it - no matter which side they are on. Do you recall when I was fired?"
"How could I forget? You exploded in that conference room and got fired on that day for your behavior. It was pretty funny, looking back on it."
"As a manager, I never took into consideration the proper motivations for my employees. I expected them to do their work simply because it was their duty - but that was exactly my mistake."
With a smirk, the man lowered his head as he rested his forehead into his folded hands.
"There do exist people in this world who do their jobs because it is their duty - the fact that you were present on my team is proof of that. But those people are exceedingly rare. If you go about your life relying upon people to fulfill an obligation simply because it is their duty, then you will certainly fail."
Running his hands through his hair, the man continued.
"If someone has a duty which can be shirked, then that duty may not be fulfilled. Especially so if the slack will be picked up by another. I was never in a position to complain about or report the team members underneath me, so I was forced to accept their laziness as fact. Yet that only ever resulted in my own failure."
"So do you think there is anything you could have done better?", Sylvia asked.
"No. Given my position and power at the time, there was nothing I could have done."
Looking at the woman with a fierce determination, the man lowered his tone as he spoke his next words with sincerity.
"The only solution I could have pursued would be to obtain more power."
"Yet that would have required sacrificing your soul."
"Exactly so - yet we have done exactly that in this world. And now... look."
Spreading his arms, the man motioned to the room around him.
"We now stand atop a small throne as a King and a Queen... yet even that throne is insignificant. It is something that could topple at any moment if we do not cling to it and maintain it. And so... we must continue to sacrifice."
"So we have to continue maintaining our power in order that those around us don't have any reason to betray us."
As Sylvia made this statement, the two became quiet for a few moments as Marcus focused his attention to the map in front of him.
Pieces were spread across this map, showcasing the current position of this battle - one which had not yet even begun.
"So often, this game of strategy is likened to chess."
Taking a few pieces and moving them around, the man adjusted the position based on his latest orders.
"Yet in a game of chess, all the pieces have a set of rules. Ways in which they are allowed to move. Ways in which they are not allowed to move. Conditions of victory and defeat. A clear victor. A clear set of options available on each turn. A turn order that both parties have to follow."
As he finished arranging the pieces, the man let out an exhausted sigh.
"Yet in this game of strategy... there are no rules - and there is never such a clear definition on just who is the victor."
"But there is one, isn't there?"
However, suddenly, the door opened, and the voice of a woman filled the room.
The white haired woman who had left just earlier reentered, taking a seat at the table as she gazed upon the board, a confident smile on her face as she nodded.
And with her next words, the man who sat at the head grinned with satisfaction.
"If you can take the head of the King - then no matter how you look at it, you're the victor."
----