As I pulled the door shut, I spotted his men waiting just outside, rigid and alert, like they were seconds from storming in to rescue their old man. The sight made me grin—devoted sons, ready to defend their father.
Just as I was about to leave, a woman stepped forward from the group. She smiled faintly but with a steady, commanding presence.
"Hey… what's your name?"
I answered flatly, "Madara."
She nodded, still smiling, though there was a hint of pride in her eyes. "Svetlana Trusova. And… thanks, kid. You kept us alive out there."
I didn't bother replying. A simple nod was enough. I turned to walk away, but her voice stopped me again.
"Uh… where are you going?"
"It's almost night," I said, deadpan. "Planning to cook something before it gets too late."
She tilted her head, curiosity sparking. "Oh? You can cook?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Well, good," she chuckled. "Then I'll lend a hand. My team's going to need their share too."
I studied her for a moment, then shrugged. "Fine."
"Great," she laughed, patting my shoulder. "Mind if I bring one of my teammates? She's got some skills in the kitchen."
"Okay."
With that settled, I went into another room and summoned what I needed: a gas tank, a stove, a rough wooden table, pans, and the salvaged food I'd scrounged. It wasn't much, but it was workable.
I exhaled and rolled up my sleeves.
Then came a knock at the door.
"Come in," I said.
The door creaked open, and Svetlana stepped in with another woman at her side, both burdened with packs of MREs and supplies.
Svetlana let out a low whistle, smirking. "Nice setup you've got here. Where'd you dig it up?"
I gave a casual shrug. "Loitered around this building and made off with all of it."
With a curt nod, she gestured to the woman beside her. "Right… kid, this here's Isla Kade—our scout and sharpshooter. She'll be helping us."
I nodded back. Isla's response was a curt nod, quiet and composed—clearly the reserved type.
My eyes drifted to the packs they carried. "Is that… all your supplies?"
Svetlana shrugged sheepishly, lifting the MREs. "Yeah… that's it."
Seriously? Pre-cooked meals? Just heat and eat. Guess cooking ain't her strong suit.
I gave her a flat stare. "Sure that's enough? Your guys look like bulls—they'll chew through that in no time."
Svetlana shrugged. "W-Well… it's all we had left."
"Forget it," I sighed, crouching low. From the shelf, I pulled out my stash and stacked the supplies on the table. "This will cover everyone."
Svetlana blinked. "What do you mean?"
I answered flatly. "The food you brought isn't nearly enough for the whole pack. So I'll cover the rest."
Her lips softened into a small smile. "You… came prepared, huh? My brothers will be grateful. Thank you."
I shrugged. "Don't mention it."
"Alright then, how can we help? Oh, and—is the water still running in this place?"
"Yeah," I said with a nod. "I tried it earlier. Still flowing through the pipes."
Her shoulders eased, relief flashing in her eyes. "That's a blessing. So, what now?"
I gestured at the pile. "Keep the MREs for another time. For now, just wash the chicken, potatoes, and carrots. Cut them neat and even—I'll do the rest."
"Sure."
And just like that, we started cooking our meal together.
...
[ Vladimir's PoV ]
I remained on the couch, unmoving, his words still hanging in the air—he claimed he wanted to save the world.
For a heartbeat, I questioned whether he truly meant it… or if my old ears had finally betrayed me.
A quiet chuckle slipped out, followed by a weary sigh. Seems that kid's far more interesting than I expected.
Idris strolled in and leaned lazily against the frame, arms crossed. "Hey, you good, old pops? So, what'd you and the kid chat about?"
"Nothing," I answered.
My gaze hardened. After a breath, I added, "Gather the others—and call Edwin too. There's something they need to hear."
He nodded and left, while the kid's voice kept echoing in my mind.
Perhaps he can—but time will be the judge of that.
---
Hey guys! I know some of you are probably wondering why there's no new update yet or if I've stopped the story. Don't worry, I haven't! I've just been busy with homework and planning out the next chapter. Thanks so much for being patient—you're the best! The next update will be worth the wait, so hang tight and have a great day!
🐧