Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

We fooled around for a bit more before we got completely cleaned up and we both felt like we were in the clouds when we're together. However, we both knew that it would change once we drove back to our compound because of two specific things that would happen.

The first one was telling Amy the truth about her mother and secondly, telling Sheila and the rest of the kids that I just murdered their parents.

I was confident that Amy would take it much better than everyone else thought she would once she found out the truth, but I wasn't so sure about the latter. Even if I really did them a huge favor, I'm sure that they wouldn't think of me like that at first, or maybe even not at all.

There was a huge possibility that I'll just be the guy that killed their parents.

Nevertheless, I already made my decision and I'll follow through with it no matter the consequences.

In the future, they'll be free to take a shot at me but that would mean that all the bets are off. They could still be minors when they would hypothetically hurt me or my loved ones but I'll assure them that they'll hit the floor faster than they could blink.

As I said many times, I'll do the same thing over and over if not, harder, if I could turn back time or be presented with the same situation.

If they couldn't see past what I did for them, I wouldn't be of much help right after.

I was deep in my thoughts when Kaley started to tap my shoulder.

"Hey, he's coming out..."

"Oh..."

As soon as I turned my head to the entrance of the crematorium, the guy we asked to take care of the remains of Mrs. Amor Benitez came out carrying a brass urn. It had a very simple design like most urns in the market would look like but it had an elegant carving of flowers on the bottom and on the lid.

"Ah-- you really waited for me. H-Here… Is there anything else you want me to do, sir?"

"No, thank you."

"Okay--"

"If you have anything you fancy, give my place a call and we'll do something about it. Need a ride back?"

"Ah-- Thanks! I g-got my bike over there… t-thanks anyway..."

"Okay, we'll go on ahead."

I let Kaley carry the urn for me so I could drive us back home but both of us were just staring at the dashboard for a moment before we solemnly looked at each other. I didn't know why but this might be the time I was a little too careful of driving back home.

Nevertheless, we came back in due time and we looked for Amy once we drove through the gates of our compound.

Everyone else who saw me wanted to come up and greet me, especially Cynthia and the rest but once they saw the urn on Kaley's hands, they just gave us a simple nod before letting us do our job first.

After a bit of asking around, we discovered that she was hanging by the pool area with our Aunts and some of the kids, and Kaley was the one who asked everyone if Amy could be excused for a second. I was the one holding the urn in my hands when this happened and my heart just kept beating faster each time Amy drew closer.

Well, once we were just an arm's length apart, I knelt down so we could be on the same level, and I showed her the urn before I started to talk to her.

I wasn't even sure if she heard the first part of what I said because tears just started to gush from her eyes as she tried to hold the urn with what's left of her arms. Nevertheless, I still supported her by holding it up, even when she tried to embrace it as best as she could.

No one inside the compound was able to hold their tears back for such a sad reunion.

We always wanted to give the best we could for somebody we wanted to help but this time, it felt like even our best wasn't good enough.

However, I just saw Amy let go of her mother's urn before she jumped at me for a hug. I was still holding the urn with one hand while I was supporting her with the other, and she muttered something in my ear.

"T-Thank y-you..."

Those words could've meant a lot of different things and just by the way I think, it could really be, but, I know full well what she meant by that. Tears just continued to flow down my cheeks as I wrapped my arms around her. I didn't say much afterward and I just wiped her tears when I sat her down. Both of us were just sitting down on the floor at this moment and everyone else was just watching us.

"I'm sorry… I should've told you sooner… I knew--"

"I-It's okay… S-She-- M-Mom's here now..."

"Yeah..."

"C-Can I ask you s-something?"

"Sure..."

"Y-Your m-mom and d-dad… are they-- are they also?"

"Yeah..."

"A-Are they also in this… urn?"

"Actually… yes and no..."

"Ah-- O-Oh..."

"They're in a mountain..."

"Oh~ I-In the provinces perhaps?"

"You can say that… I… I scattered their ashes in this mountain where my other family lives… It's very far though..."

"Oh… Hmm… Can… C-Can we come there sometime?"

"Sure."

"R-Really?"

"But you gotta promise me a few things first."

"A-Ah-- S-Sure! What is it?"

"First, you'll heal up. Second, you'll continue your studies-- We got great teachers here. And third, once we reached the base of the mountain, you'll climb it with us. We're not gonna carry you or something. You'll walk it up yourself."

"W-Walk?"

"You're gonna fucking walk. It'll be really fucking hard but you're gonna fucking do it. We have people here that'll help you and you'll be able to achieve that with hard work and determination. If you're as badass as I think you are, you'll do it in a year. If not, two. Nevertheless, you're walking up that mountain and--"

"C-Can't we just drive or fly?"

"Ah-- You got me there but the point remains! Stop speaking logically, we're having a moment here!"

"Pfft! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

"C'mon, have you eaten yet? Wanna have some spaghetti with little hotdogs on it?"

"Wha-- H-How did you know?!"

"I'm a genius too. I'm also valedictorian in all my classes."

"W-Wha--"

"I'm also psychic. I know you love Mulan, Pokemon, Alice in Wonderland, and Jackie Chan Adventures."

"Wha-- Wait! D-Did you read my diary?!"

"The pink one with two hearts, a red lace, and the first few pages with glitters? No~ I told you, I'm psychic."

"W-Where is it?! Please! W-Where did you find them?!"

"Well~ Let's eat first, okay? I'm really~ fucking hungry."

"O-Okay!"

I just sat her back down on her wheelchair before I pushed her inside our house and everyone else was just trying to keep it together because what happened was just too unexpected. It'll be next to impossible to see a victim of abuse, especially just after a few days of being rescued, bounce back like this like it was nothing. Granted she still needed help but this was extremely out of the ordinary.

If she made a complete recovery, she'll be one of the strongest members of our community.

After some time, I made Amy her favorite food that her mom would always make her, and to make sure that the blonde-haired glutton who was already sniffing about don't steal her food, I made her feed Amy with her only available hand.

Tatiana had insatiable hunger when it comes to food but she wouldn't steal from someone like Amy.

With that said, Tatiana showed great control with using her non-dominant arm but we couldn't help but laugh at her expression each time Amy's eyes would light up when she ate my cooking. She was really tempted to sneak a bite a few times but Kaley and the rest who were watching her like a hawk kept her at bay. Nevertheless, she finally got her share when Amy got her fill and it was all smiles for a while.

It just changed when Marcus, one of the representatives of the other kids came to the compound.

I just briefly excused myself before I met with him by the gate.

"Hey, what do you need?"

"S-Sir… It's already been a few days since the kids are sent here and they haven't talked to their parents--"

I cut him off, "They haven't told you yet, huh?"

"S-Sir?"

"They won't get to talk to their parents anymore..."

"I thought S-Sheila was the only one barred from… S-Sir?"

Marcus was in mid-sentence when his face changed as he looked at me but he was perceptive enough to know that something's not right. He eventually pieced together what he assumed that must've happened and realization came upon his face.