The group was still sitting in the restaurant, plates long emptied, trying to make sense of the clues they had gathered.
"Well, even if we're missing something, we know for sure the Chief's brother is behind the zombie apocalypse," Matilda said, tapping her finger rhythmically on the wooden table.
"Though we don't know exactly how he's controlling them, we can at least use the hidden cave as evidence, right?"
"Lily and I will go ask the villagers if there's any formal process we need to follow to meet the Chief," Ruby said, already standing up. "We can't just knock on the palace door." They all agreed.
Ruby and Lily headed out, the bell above the door jingling as they left, leaving Matilda, Sandro, and Nico at the table.
Matilda folded her arms on the table and buried her face in them, sighing deeply.
Sandro leaned toward her, his voice soft. "Is something wrong?"
"I miss my mom, my dad..." came her muffled voice. "I wonder how they're doing. I don't even know how many days have passed in the real world. Wait—what am I saying? I don't even know what this world is."
Sandro hesitated, then reached out and gently patted her head. "Don't worry. We'll get out of here."
Nico muttered, "Great. Those two left me here to be the third wheel." Matilda turned her head to the side, resting her cheek on her arms.
"I wonder if they're looking for me... they were so worried last time I got kidnapped by a bear—"
"Sorry," Nico interrupted, choking on his water. "You got kidnapped by a what?"
Matilda sat up straight, her face completely blank.
"A bear. Don't judge. It happened when I was young." Sandro blinked, his hand freezing in mid-air.
"How do you end up in a situation where you're kidnapped by a bear?"
"I was at the zoo with my parents," Matilda explained casually.
"They were busy taking pictures of some flamingos on the other side, arguing about whether they were actually pink or just looked that way in the sun. I saw this bear—it was so cute. Big, round face, fuzzy ears... it looked lonely." She shrugged.
"Without my parents noticing, I climbed the fence to cuddle it. The bear grabbed me and hugged me so tightly I couldn't move. It didn't want to let go and got grumpy at anyone who tried to approach. The zookeepers had to spend the whole day trying to bribe it with food to put me down. When it finally got tired, it just... dropped me."
Nico's eyes were wide. "That is both terrifying and adorable."
"It's more terrifying when you're the one in the bear's armpit," Matilda replied deadpan.
Nico shook his head slowly, grinning in disbelief. "I'm convinced that God is working extra time just to keep you alive. No wonder none of my prayers have been answered—He's too busy with you."
Matilda ignored him and glanced at Sandro again. "Do you miss your parents too?"
"Mmm," Sandro said quietly, looking down at his hands.
She turned to Nico. "What about you?"
Nico grinned nervously, looking at the door. "When are the pretty ladies coming back? It's been a while, hasn't it? Do you think they got lost?"
Matilda narrowed her eyes. "If anyone here has the worst sense of direction, it's you."
"Me?" Nico gasped in mock offense. "I have an internal compass of steel!"
"You've been sticking close to us this whole time so you wouldn't get lost," Matilda accused.
Nico deflated. "Alright, fine. I admit it. God, this is embarrassing. I've always stuck close to you guys so you wouldn't notice. Guess I've been caught."
"It's because you do that—that gave you away," Matilda smirked.
"Geez," Nico muttered, sinking into his chair.
A few minutes later, Ruby and Lily returned with the information. The group agreed to head back to their rooms to rest—tomorrow, they would go to the palace.
The next morning, the air was brisk. A thin mist clung to the edges of the dirt paths as they walked toward the palace.
The village was already alive: merchants setting up stalls, children running barefoot after a stray chicken, and women gossiping over steaming pots of something that smelled faintly of ginger and garlic. The palace loomed in the distance, its stone walls a shade darker than the village houses, with banners hanging stiffly in the cool breeze.
They reached the palace gates and followed the instructions Ruby had gathered.
The entrance led to a large courtyard where people were queued up along a rope divider, waiting to register. Some clutched scrolls or small bags—gifts or bribes, maybe. An old woman ahead of them was arguing loudly with a guard about her right to complain about her neighbor's noisy goat. Two old men whispered about getting work in the palace kitchens.
When it was their turn, a scribe with ink-stained fingers asked for their names and reason for the audience. Ruby's voice was steady as she explained, "We have urgent information regarding the zombie attacks." The scribe paused. He gave them a long, searching look before writing it down.
Now there was nothing to do but wait. The minutes stretched, each one heavy. Matilda's stomach felt like it had shrunk to a pebble. Nico cracked his knuckles nervously. Lily fiddled with the hem of her sleeve. Sandro stood with arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the distant palace doors.
Finally, a guard called them in.
The throne room was colder than outside, and not just in temperature. The stone floor was polished smooth, reflecting the flicker of torchlight. Long red carpets stretched from the towering doors to a raised platform where the Chief sat on a carved wooden throne. The walls were draped with faded banners that might once have been bright, and the air smelled faintly of smoke and old incense.
The Chief's eyes were sharp as they scanned the scroll in his hands. He looked up, his expression unreadable.
"So," he said, his voice echoing in the vast room. "You say you know details about the zombie apocalypse?"
"Yes," Matilda said, stepping forward bravely. "We believe your brother—the King's brother—is behind it."
"I see..." The Chief's voice was calm. Too calm.
He set the scroll down gently. Then he turned his head slightly to the captain of the guard.
"Guards." The armored men at the walls straightened instantly. "Go and call Luna," the Chief continued, his tone as casual as if he were ordering dinner.
"Tell her to come and execute them all. Immediately."
"What?!" Matilda blurted, the word echoing off the cold stone walls. The doors slammed shut behind them.
To be continued...