—Branches! Whatever happened here must not have been a small thing. — She said, and
without detecting any noise or vibrations from anyone else in the place, she could relax. — Do
you think they fought over who cleaned the toilets? —
—Nah, if that were the case, this building would be pure rubble. — He laughed briefly before
returning to his seriousness. — Seriously, whatever happened must be on this floor.
—Let's see what happened then.—
The third floor had only 4 rooms available, larger than those seen on the lower floors, they more
calmly explored each of these. On the first floor they came across an armory already ransacked,
weapons in tatters, incomplete equipment including two long gray tunics and little else. In front of
it was a small kitchen with a dining room included, sophisticated equipment for preparing and
storing food next to a dark wooden table, everything to enjoy the flat screen television covering a
good part of the wall.
As if things didn't seem out of place already, the adjacent room was actually a bedroom equipped
with all the necessities including an integrated bathroom. Finally, being the room at the back they
came across a surveillance room, multiple systems that reported any movement or activity within
the building, all screens were still working even without giving the image of the connected
camera, as a guessing game they were deducing which screen belonged to which camera and
what it should show.
They stayed there longer learning to use it and realizing the situation, feeling relieved to confirm
that they were the only ones in that place which allowed them to lower their defense and take a
deep breath.
Marcus realized that the system only responded to him, when Isabella tried to use it it ignored her
and even blocked functions until his hand was interacting with the screens again.
—Just say you're in love with my axolotl and you're jealous of me, it's not that hard—She insulted
the system at her refusal to be used by her.
—This day was heavier than I thought, we'd better rest here and continue tomorrow.—
—Are you sure? What if the inhabitants of this place come back?—
—We'd better take precautions.—
Without much difficulty, Marcus reactivated the silent security systems modifying their guidelines
so that he and Isabella would not be attacked and defend them from any invader, with that fixed
they went down to the second floor where both (mainly Marcus) barricaded themselves creating a
barricade at the main door using the furniture and anything they could use to block, doing the
same with other possible entrances and weak points taking them an hour to finish that task.
They both looked tired, they still did not want to go to sleep but they wanted to rest and eat so
they returned to the third floor going to the kitchen-dining room, they did not prepare anything,
they only heated their dinners made by Auralys, only she had the talent to cook with such a level
that even reheated it tasted as good as freshly made.
With both dinners ready before eating, they turned on the television expecting to see the news or
some program that would entertain them, but they only found the same emergency
announcement that the Node had placed, they were surprised that at this point it was still on the
air. They changed channels hoping that something different would be transmitted but nothing,
everything was the same as last night.
—I know it's an emergency announcement but come on, not even showing the news is
ridiculous.- he annoyed to see that same image that made him so uncomfortable. —Ush, and
here comes again my childish picture declaring me dead.—
—Calm down love, don't get upset, hopefully tomorrow we'll get to the city and all this will be
over.— She took Marcus' hand intertwining her fingers, a gesture that was enough to reduce his
tension.—
—You're right, although something still makes me nervous about our next stop. I should stop
hesitating, we're already too far from home to turn around and leave.—
—I don't think you'll be able to carry me all the way back, or maybe you will, surprise me
axolotl.—
—Maybe and just maybe, I'd rather not find out at the moment. —He yawned and stretched out
on his seat. —It's too late, let's finish dinner and go to sleep.—
—That's a plan.—
They turned off the television and continued to dine in tranquility, only the clash between their
cutlery and plates could be heard, chewing in silence enjoying the calm.
When they finished they left the things on the table and went straight to bed in the bedroom, they
went to bed with the same clothes in case they had to get up in case of an emergency, hugging
each other they both slept in total placidity, only hoping that tomorrow would be quiet and without
any altercation, it was the only thing they hoped for.
The hours passed, the night was banished again in that endless cycle, the sun's rays illuminated
everything and both were already awake, having breakfast again in the dining room before setting
off again. They hoped that something would happen during the night, that they would fall prey to
some invasion or attack by the former residents, but nothing, the surveillance system did not
report any movements or signals of any kind, they were safe for the moment.
Out of curiosity they turned on the TV again, which at this point was still sending that stupid pink
message, which is why it did not last more than 1 minute on, since all the signals were in fact
down.
Preferring something sweet, Isabella had some pancakes while Marcus only had pink cereal bars,
the break had been good for them but they had to continue.
—Do you think we'll get somewhere today or we'll just keep wandering on the asphalt.— She said
with a sarcastic tone, snorting at the idea of going on like this longer than she would like.
—It has to be yes or yes, we have walked very far and the only thing we found was this place, it is
impossible that there is no city.—
—Our people have really gone too crazy because of the death of your people, eh Marcus?—
—Maybe their reaction is not so exaggerated.—
There were no more words and the breakfast passed with the usual calm, when they both
finished they put everything away and prepared to leave. As a measure of security and
anonymity, they took the two tunics from the armory, it would be what they would wear when
entering a city if things were not looking good and they would find themselves in a compromising
situation. That led them to an important conversation and a non-existent plan for when they
showed up.
—What if you just walk into the city and shout to the four winds that you're a pink and that's it?—
—I don't think it's that simple, knowing that my people were fighting for protocols, I don't know
how many and which ones would apply when I, an undead, showed up.—
He rubbed his chin in thought.
—Or we could go in incognito wearing those hoods and that's it, they won't detect us and once in
the city we can think about what to do next.— She looked at him from head to toe, realizing
certain details. —Of course, you'll have to slouch and retract your gills, I'm not sure about your little tail
yet...—
—It's not fair, you have it easier to go unnoticed.—
-Society is looking for a pinkie, not a kitten. — She jumped up and kissed Marcus' cheek.
—Shall we go?—
—After you Isabella.—
Already having a basic plan, shaky but giving them a chance, the couple took everything and
started their way back, undoing the barricade and being greeted by the morning sun rays,
another sunny day that they hoped would be a good day.
The walk was quieter than the previous day, the windy currents being the only thing that set the
mood of their surroundings moving the grass, the leaves of the trees, their clothes and hair,
Isabella playfully as always tried to bite the wind as she perceived it as a semi-solid, Marcus only
limited himself to smile seeing her act that way.
After only 20 minutes of walking the building behind them had disappeared from sight. Three
hours of walking later, in front of them, a large hill blocked the view of what could be ahead, it was
time to climb and continue on their way. The problem was Isabella who, tantruming and playful,
refused to take a step forward arguing that she would get tired, making a whole theater with the
excuse that he should carry her all the way, Marcus already knew about her tricks, knowing them
backwards and forwards, so he didn't say anything and just played along, carrying the red cat
who was raising her fist in victory.
—You're the best charger I know :3— She settled in the chunky arms of her partner, enjoying her
little toy.—
—And you're the best little hairball I know.—
—Oh, don't say it like that~She blushed at that adorable nickname with which she strongly
identified herself.—
The jokes and mutual comments did not stop at any time as the two (mainly Marcus) climbed the
hill reaching the top and then down when a loud noise stopped that tender moment and forced
them to look in front of them, the image they found and the reason for that noise left them frozen.
The city they had been waiting for so long to appear did, and not in the prettiest way. Despite the
considerable distance between them and the asphalt jungle, the level of disturbance and chaos
from the news of the apparent pink extinction was already evident.