[A/N; Hello everyone.
New chapter, some extra details about the base are explained.
We made some progress in the development of the relationship between Rosita and Alex.
And a little surprise at the end.
There were no new ratings. I'll change the request.
Can you click the heart button on my Webnovel profile?]
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In David's study, around noon.
The conversation flowed seriously. "Alex, you did everything in your power for them. You offered them a safe place, pointed out the dangers they should be aware of, and even gave them supplies", David told me, trying to comfort me. "Their mistakes aren't your fault."
"If only you had given me a little more time with them, I could have saved them, or at least many of them", I replied, full of self-reproach.
"We both know you're not the type to stay in one place. Besides, after you left them, you managed to rescue more people. If you had stayed by their side, it's likely the others you saved wouldn't be here now", he said to me in a voice intended to be firm, trying to put an end to the subject.
"So, what will you do now, Alex?", he asked, his tone brusque, though it didn't show anger, but rather genuine concern.
"Ah... I'll go back to helping people", I replied with a sigh that sounded like resignation.
"That's my friend", David was pleased, noticing some motivation returning to me.
"I don't want to keep talking about this", I said, changing the subject. "I'm going to walk around and see if the place is still safe or if there are any vulnerabilities."
"Okay, that'll be a big help", he reminded me. "Use this to get in and out without any problems", he added, pointing to a blue band.
Rosita and David were wearing that band in their arms. Some people entering and leaving the house, as well as other people who showed signs of having fought zombies, also wore it. It looked like some kind of pass, although it didn't guarantee they'd let you in without checking you for bites.
"Thanks, we'll talk later", I told him.
"No problem, remember they're already serving lunch. You can go with Rosita", he said, looking at me with a smile that seemed a little suspicious to me.
As I left the house, I planned to explore the surroundings, but I ran into Rosita waiting for me at the exit. She invited me to have lunch together, and although I initially declined, she eventually convinced me.
We headed to one of the houses on this corner of the safe zone, which displayed a sign indicating its use. Not all the houses were intended for residential purposes; some were used as warehouses, workshops, or dining rooms, like the one we were about to enter. Each original room in the house was set up as a dining room, ready to host a large number of people. There were those in charge of cooking and young people helping with various tasks.
We went up to the second floor where we found an empty table. We had a good time eating and talking about various topics, although it was mostly Rosita who shared stories and asked me questions, while I answered concisely and without elaborating, as was my custom. Despite my reserved manner of interacting, Rosita seemed to enjoy the conversation.
Just as we were about to finish eating, her portable radio rang. Someone was looking for her, and she answered immediately, indicating our location.
"I must go. I need to help with some preparations", she said, her tone reflecting sadness and a hint of annoyance.
"No problem. I'll explore the surroundings, and before I leave, I'll find you to say goodbye", I replied.
"Then see you later", she replied with a hint of joy in her voice.
After she left, I finished my meal and thanked the cooks. Then, I walked toward the door through which I had entered this corner of the security zone. Upon arriving, I noticed that the previously closed gate was now fully open, allowing several reinforced medium-sized trucks to enter.
Thanks to the blue band tied to my right arm, I was able to leave without being searched. I was only warned that the doors might close soon and that the only way back would be via the stairs. I thanked the guards for the warning and headed toward the south entrance, watching as many people milled around the corners of the secure zones, preparing supplies and belongings for those who would be leaving with the group the next day.
I arrived at the south checkpoint after a few minutes, and, just like the previous time, the blue band allowed me to exit without any problems. However, this time I was reminded that I would be checked for bites upon my return, as protocol dictated.
"Looks like I'll have to tell David to be stricter about letting people in", I muttered as I left the checkpoint. "He's probably referring to Mike, since he didn't check me when I arrived because I was familiar with him", I thought, hearing my own words.
Once outside and a couple of blocks away from the secure zone, I began scanning the surroundings, looking for weak spots in this base and the possible presence of imminent dangers, whether zombies or humans.
Three hours later.
I returned to the checkpoint, where the guards gave me a thorough search. Once they were done, they gave me a pass, and in gratitude for their efforts, I walked toward the entrance on the southeast corner. Just as the guards had anticipated, the gates were closed this time, so I entered and handed them the pass.
I headed back to the same house as last time and, with the blue band on my arm, I was able to directly access the second floor without a guide. There I saw David talking to someone in his study; I decided to stay out of the way without interrupting.
"Alex, come on, I'm done", he said as soon as he finished his conversation. "Are you leaving?", he asked.
"Yes, it's time to say goodbye and wish you much success. I don't want to wish you luck because...", I began, but he interrupted me, completing the sentence: "Luck is for the mediocre".
"Exactly", I replied with a smile.
"Thank you for your kind wishes. Do you need anything before you leave?", he asked.
"Just to know where Rosita is so I can say goodbye", I said seriously.
"Ah… You'll never change", he murmured between sighs. "She's on the northwest corner. I'll tell her to wait for you at the west checkpoint", he said.
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[A/N: The protagonist is a womanizer? I don't believe it.]
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"Thanks. See you", I said as I turned to go down to the first floor.
"See you", he said in a low voice, almost a whisper. "You'll come to the new base, right?", he asked me suddenly before I left.
"Call me on the radio when you're settled in, and I'll come visit and help you with whatever you need", I replied.
"I'll wait for you. Take care", he said.
After leaving the house, I walked quickly to the exit. I said goodbye to the guards at the gate and headed toward the west checkpoint. As I approached the checkpoint, I saw a silhouette moving back and forth.
"Rosita!", I said in a slightly loud voice, avoiding a scream that might attract a zombie.
"Alex, are you leaving already?", she asked sadly.
"Yes, I should go. If I leave later, I might have to sleep somewhere unfamiliar", I said.
"Hmmm… I see", she said in the same tone. "Are you really not coming with us?", she asked, a little hopeful.
"I'm sorry, I can't. However, David told me that once the base was up and running, he'd let me know, and I'd go check everything out and help with a few things", I said, comforting her.
"That's good to hear", she said, sounding a little less sad. "Anyway, I'll miss you. You know that, right?", she said playfully as she hugged me. "Sure, I'll miss you too. Although I don't think it'll be long until we see each other again", I said as I gently patted her back. "I have to go", I said, a little embarrassed the guards at the checkpoint were staring at us.
"Okay… Bye, Alex. Take care of yourself", she said, looking at my embarrassed face with doubt as we broke away from our hug. "What are you looking at?! It looks like you want to take out the trash for a week, doesn't it?", Rosita yelled at the guards when she noticed the cause of my embarrassment.
I quickly walked away, carrying my spear and my bike. My backpack was emptied since I had delivered some supplies to Rosita when I was having lunch, so I was traveling much lighter than before.
I passed through a few streets and saw the mall surrounded by zombies again. After reaching the highway, I headed north while watching the sun announce that there were only a few hours of daylight left, getting closer and closer to the horizon.
After a few minutes, I took the exit that led me to the base. After driving through a few streets, I reached the village entrance. I did the same reconnaissance as last time, wandering around the nearby streets, checking for any anomalies. When I was sure there were no dangers, I entered the village and drove to the base.
Arriving in front of the house, I got off my bike and held it steadily as I glided past the traps, which showed no signs of having been triggered. I leaned the bike against a nearby tree and noticed a noise coming from behind the house. I readied my spear in case it was an enemy or a zombie, but it was just Anna practicing with a spear.
There she was, swinging the spear vigorously, stabbing some decoys, unaware that I had already arrived.
"You're not using your elbow correctly", I suddenly told her in a serious tone.
"What the hell?!", she screamed, frightened, turning around and pointing at the source of the voice that had startled her. "Ugh… It's you, Alex… Don't scare me like that", she said reproachfully.
"You didn't feel me. You should be more careful", I said, pointing out her mistake.
"I was really focused on practicing. How could I have noticed?", she said, a little less annoyed. "How did it go with this new group?", she asked.
"Okay, they'll move tomorrow", I told her.
"I think what they're doing is a bit risky", she commented with a concerned tone.
"They're prepared, they have backup plans, and they have people willing to put themselves at risk to protect others", I told her, trying to calm her down.
"I hope so", she murmured.
After we went inside, we started preparing dinner together while she continued to ask me about their base and the plans for the new base. Anna was amazed by this group's methods of dealing with the apocalypse, and she was even more amazed when I told her there were several groups within the city and in nearby towns that had contact with us and adhered to our method of doing things.
Anna was also happy that we were helping small groups, even providing them with shelter and some supplies. I told her I'd soon have to go visit some groups and help some people, to which she volunteered.
"Tomorrow we'll go practice with real targets. You must be ready if you want to move with me; we'll face many dangers", I told her seriously, as I stood up from the table and began cleaning everything up.
"I can do this. I want to help the people trying to survive out there, just like you did with me", Anna told me, completely convinced and seeming a little more motivated to survive. It seemed like I had helped her find a reason to keep living.
After seeing how motivated she was, I suggested she go to sleep soon because we'd be leaving very early. We each headed to our rooms after finishing organizing and cleaning everything.
"I hope we're not in any danger", I thought as I stared at the ceiling.
Saturday, November 7, 2026, morning.
As soon as I woke up, I sat up in bed and grabbed the notebook beside me, but something was unusual about that moment. I tried to force my mind to remember the dreams, but it wasn't as easy as it had been on other occasions. A cold sweat immediately broke on my back, my hands trembled slightly, my eyes involuntarily shifted in and out of focus, and a ringing sound echoed in my ears.
"I can barely remember my dreams anymore", I muttered in a voice filled with terror.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Thanks everyone for reading.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Now Alex is in serious trouble. He hadn't seen that dreams might fail. Will it be temporary? Or will they disappear forever?
The original title of the chapter: Dreams May Be Failing
I also ask you to check out my new novel. I've already published 8 chapters, and the pace of the story is faster than this one.
Read my other novel called Vinland Kingdom: Race Against Time.
You can find it on my profile.]