Chapter 56 Heavy Rains

The rain didn"t stop even until the morning came.
We all guessed there is a thunderstorm happening in this part of Zone twenty-three. We can"t risk going in the middle of this weather. It"s been pouring cats and dogs. We might just end up being stranded because of the slippery road and we are not sure yet if we will find any shelter after this one.
We have to look for more woods or anything that we can burn to warm ourselves. Luckily, this building has lots of woods. Chairs, tables, doors, and the wooden floors on the second floor are enough to keep the fire going. All of us gather around the fire, enjoying cups of coffee in the morning while Jayson makes sunny-side-up eggs that I took from the grocery stores. Good thing it's still fresh and hasn't rotten yet. The last time I had eggs was when we were in bunker four. I suddenly realize I miss being there because of the food, the warm, soft, and cozy beds, and clean clothes. I wish there was clean water here so that we can wash. I miss taking a bath.
I notice Timothy standing and looking like he is going somewhere. I got alarmed. Maybe because the last time he walked somewhere, he got kidnapped by Melvin's men which turned into a huge hassle on our part. But even though it held us back from going to the edge of Zone twenty-three, I guess the universe is already telling us that we can't go there yet because of these thunderstorms that just suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"I can't believe we just hold back again because of this weather," Jayson said as he put down the plate with smoking fresh eggs on the table we took from one of the rooms of the building.
Li quickly leaned over it and smelled it like it was something addicting to his nose. "Oh goodness, these are the things that make me regret going out here."
"You insensitive jerk!" Timothy grimaced at what Li had said and he and Mona spank him on the shoulder.
Li groans and rubs his shoulder where they both spank him and look at me apologetically. "I don't mean it like that, Harriet," he smiled at me awkwardly.
I smile at him to make him know I don't mind it. "It's okay, Li. I also feel that sometimes. I also miss the luxury we have in that bunker." I told him to make them know that I understand their feelings about it as well. But it somehow makes me sad that they had to experience this because they think I need them to get through with this journey. And they're right. If they aren't here, I might have barely survived all of this. I guess if we stay together, the universe won't let anything harm us. They are the lucky charm I need to save my family and I'm happy they're here with me.
"Why are you all here anyway? You said you're from bunker four. Why did you have to leave such a secured place? Is there something bad happening there?" Roanie asked, she leaned her head on her side in curiosity.
"Yeah... it's a long story though," Li answered, scratching his forehead. He looked at me and Timothy and then at Mona who smiled at him. She seems like she wants to hear the story too from Li.
"Tell her, Li." Timothy pushed him and Roanie smiled, waiting for Li to tell it to her. At first, Li seemed hesitant about the story telling but I smiled at him encouragingly, loving the idea about reminiscing all those amazing adventures with them.
"Well..." Li started telling our story to Roanie after he massaged the bridge of his nose and all of us gathered, listening to him. While we are eating the breakfast Jayson made, we cannot help but smile and feel hopeful while listening to Li how lucky all of us five to be alive after all those struggles we went through. It"s been an honor for me to fight with them. I"ve never thought all of us would survive the situations we were into but here we are, breathing and holding on to each other.
Mona leaned her head at Li as he continuously spoke and we noticed the redness of his face. We just pretended we didt noticed it because I know he"ll stop if we tease him.
"You mean, you all came to this place with all of that happening? That"s just unbelievable!"
"Pure luck?" Jayson commented.
"A miracle?" Timothy second.
"It"s actually a lot of teamwork," I said to Roanie, her eyes full of wonder. "We all worked together to survive until now. I can never thank these people enough for being here with me and saving my dad and my brother."
"You don"t actually have to thank us," Li answered. "We are all working for our own interest though. I am serious when I told you I want to explore the kind of technology the bunker twenty-eight have. They are having problems with the air filter in that place and they don"t have enough skilled engineers to work with the problem so it"s important that I help those people before hundreds of them die in suffocation especially in section three and four where the third class and the prisoners are held."
"And my father is in there and can"t travel because of the Scarlet Tundra. The last thing I"ve heard, those men have their eyes on that bunker because of my father,"
Jayson and I"s eyes widened and I couldn't help myself from talking, "You mean those rebels are actually in that bunker? How are we supposed to get inside that place then?"
"I really have no idea yet," Timothy answered. "That"s why we need the Military men in case we get in that bunker. Their bullet proof vehicle will be needed to enter the place in case there are Scarlet Tundra waiting outside the area. Col. Morgan didn"t tell me every detail of the plan though. The crash was so sudden and I never thought he would die just like that. I can"t believe even a military man like him couldn"t escape those Creepers."
"Well, no one can escape death if it"s already their time," Jayson commented on Timothy and sipped on his coffee. His eyes are serious as he stares at the rain outside.
I followed where he"s looking and my eyes seemed to be hypnotized by the heavy rain outside. The sound is so relaxing to hear. Then an idea came to my mind and quickly went to the car to get the supplies. Li and the others looked at me in surprise and curiosity as I took off my jacket and grabbed the soaps and shampoos in the boxes. I also took some buckets and it"s perfect. I"m glad I thought of taking four of them.
"What are you doing, Harriet?!" Timothy asked me in his ridiculous tone. "You can"t take a bath outside in the rain? It"s freaking cold!"
Mona made a hand sign and Li immediately translated it for her, "Mona said you"ll get sick or else, pneumonia is very common sickness in this place."
"Actually, I"ll get rainwater and put them in this pot to boil. We can add boiling water to the rainwater and we can clean ourselves with it!" I suggested to them which made Li smile.
"Oh my god, she"s right! That could work!" He exclaimed and ran towards me to get the pail of water from my hand. He quickly put it in front of a pipe where the water flowed freely.
"Are you sure that water is safe? It could be acid rain or something," Raonie commented, grimacing.
I stepped beside her and smiled. "No. I think this rain water is actually safe." I went to the pail and looked at the water. "It"s clear. If it"s acidic, it should be yellowish."
"I think Harriet is right. We can use it to clean our things. Besides, I want to get rid of the grime on my body so badly that I would use it even if it"s acid rain." Jayson joked and took off his jacket and went to the pail to put some water in the pot and boil them in the fire. "You all girls don"t want to get any skin disease or something right?" Jayson laughed and me, Mona and Roanie sneered at him.
"Yeah, I can"t take Li"s smell when we have to cramp ourselves inside the car," Timothy teased Li and upon hearing it, Li immediately stretched his arm upward to smell his armpit and grimaced at his own odor.
We all laughed at him and each of us worked to get more water. We all let Mona bathe first and then Roanie and me and the three boys. It"s a good day and the bath lifted up our mood. Jayson got hyped to cook spaghetti for all of us. We all feasted and talked more about the funny moments of our journey and Roanie seemed entertained and got curious about all of it all of a sudden. I"m happy we found her from that city. At least during our journey, there is a single soul we had saved from the hands of the Creepers.