Ch.131Chapter 18. Trust (1)

# Chapter 18. Trust

Escaping was easy. Ridiculously so.

Even considering that security typically focuses on preventing people from getting in rather than stopping those trying to get out.

Of course, that only applied to the physical aspect, not the mental one.

Patrol cars, motorcycles, and National Gendarmerie vehicles roamed the streets.

The patrol sirens were unsettling enough, but the occasional announcement—”All National Gendarmerie officers return immediately. This is an emergency situation”—was downright chilling.

Each time, Leticia would issue commands like “Go into the alley,” “Stop here,” or “Recline the seat.”

In a vacant lot filled with abandoned cars, reclining the seat all the way back made it difficult for anyone passing by to distinguish whether our car was broken down or not.

“How do you know all these routes?”

I was genuinely impressed, though Leticia acted like it was nothing.

“How? If you want to do ‘good deeds,’ you need to know where the police are stationed. Besides, I personally arranged some of the key deployments when developing the city defense plan.”

“Like leaving a cat to guard the fish.”

“Not exactly. Even the National Gendarmerie can’t monitor everything, even with the help of the volunteer militia.”

Hampton wasn’t that large of a city originally, she explained. It expanded as jobs appeared and people flocked in.

The development had been haphazard, making the city increasingly complex. The wealthy lived in the neat, orderly new district, while those less fortunate were pushed toward the old town.

“Back alleys. Side streets. Sewers… Hampton’s vagrants and poor gathered in such places. Those people became zombies just as they were.”

So a classic social theory had been proven: “Why tax the rich to give to the poor?” Because otherwise, the poor will turn into zombies and come to eat you.

“Commander Virginia’s—I keep calling her Commander—her intention was clear. She wanted to turn all of Hampton into a massive barracks, organizing everyone to thoroughly manage and care for each other. Like building a stronger breakwater when a storm is approaching.”

“Not because of a lust for power?”

It was a half-joking question, but Leticia took it seriously.

“I can’t say she doesn’t have any, but it wasn’t about personal gain. It’s been quite effective too. In other cities, zombies are multiplying to the point of collapse, but we haven’t faced that yet. Except for occasional severe cases turning.”

Does Leticia know she’s infected? Probably not. And that conversation would be better had when we’re all together.

“To the point of collapse? Cities?”

Instead, I focused on the new information.

“A northern city was completely shut down last week. They had people living collectively in a dome stadium shelter, and zombies spread rapidly there. The regional commander was incompetent, and though the soldiers fought bravely… without headquarters, they were in disarray and got devoured.”

Seeing my expression, Leticia shrugged one shoulder.

“It’s true. I’m an Elza soldier too, but you’d be surprised how many incompetent trash we have. Commander Virginia was the best superior I’ve ever served under. Though sometimes, it seemed like she was looking somewhere far away, not here.”

Well, Virginia was originally from Römer, after all.

Was she thinking about her homeland? I don’t know. That fierce woman makes me uncomfortable. Like encountering a boss-level monster suddenly jumping out from an alley while you’re just exploring the field.

Leticia raised her finger.

“Whatever the case, we need a vaccine. The Disease Control Agency hasn’t provided any solutions, and private companies are even worse. So my cooperation with you now is solely for the Commander’s sake.”

There were many flaws in her reasoning, but I saw no need to point them out. This was Leticia’s rationalization—that following me was ultimately serving the Commander and the National Gendarmerie.

But if her life had truly been that rich and perfect, why would she repeatedly engage in such deviations? Because it wasn’t true. Because she was full of dissatisfaction and pain. Or maybe it was simply for the thrill.

Either way, Leticia needed this deviation. Perhaps it was her first time breaking away from a life that had always followed a predetermined path.

We completely left Hampton by late evening. We needed to find a decent hideout before it got any later. I didn’t want to drive on dark roads at night.

Zombies don’t distinguish between roads and sidewalks, nor do they particularly care about day and night. That means they’ll stand in the middle of highways, jump in front of passing cars, and do all sorts of reckless things without a second thought.

I didn’t want to advertise “I’m here” to those creatures.

Fortunately, we spotted a decent gas station that also sold automotive supplies and had a repair shop. Although there wasn’t much useful stuff left, lowering the repair shop’s shutter created a decent hideout.

We filled up on gas and scavenged some bottled water and expired candy. They were about four months past their expiration date, but neither Leticia nor I was picky.

Perhaps because too much had happened in one day, I was quite tired. We reclined the car seats and lay side by side. Whenever it got too hot or stuffy, opening the car door slightly for ventilation helped.

“Johan, is this how you usually travel?”

“How did you travel?”

“Well, I moved with my unit. Soldiers would stand guard, and officers would hold meetings in command tents. I’ve never hidden and slept like this before.”

As if suddenly remembering something, Leticia added:

“You live with that woman, right? The one who came to my house before, wearing a hat.”

“Yes.”

“…I think I know who she is. Camilla, right? From the Central Liberation Corps, who also modeled for propaganda materials.”

I turned to Leticia in surprise. My reaction seemed to confirm something for her more than my words could.

“Are you with the Liberation Corps too, Johan?”

“No. And Camilla isn’t with the Liberation Corps anymore either.”

“Ha. A woman who even appeared in propaganda materials urging people to join the struggle, and now she’s not? You expect me to believe that?”

“Then ask her yourself. I don’t particularly want to talk about other people, especially those who aren’t present. Was that why you were going to sell me out to the Liberation Corps? Because you knew I lived with Camilla?”

“…So she is your girlfriend.”

No. That seems like a strange point to focus on. Leticia shook her head and added:

“Well, it doesn’t matter. I can just take you from her.”

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

“I’m saying I’m tired and need to sleep.”

* * * * *

Bang. Bang. Bang.

The pounding on the shutter was loud.

It wasn’t a person making that noise. Normal people would knock more frantically, and if there was no response after three knocks, they’d start cursing.

“Zombies?”

Leticia had somehow already woken up and was holding her submachine gun. I nodded.

“About three or four? If that shutter-banging sound spreads, more will gather. They’re quite sensitive to unfamiliar sounds.”

“Then we should take them out quickly.”

There’s a steel door next to the shutter. It’s literally a steel plate, almost indistinguishable from the wall. The zombies are so confused they’re banging on the shutter but not the door.

“We can open that door and sweep them out.”

I’m tired and it’s troublesome, so I’m thinking of just shooting them all. I take a step forward, but Leticia raises her hand to stop me.

“Why?”

“Johan, isn’t that a bit dangerous?”

“Would you prefer to take the lead while I cover you?”

Hearing my response, Leticia crossed her arms.

“Is that how you’ve been planning operations and acting? It’s a wonder you’re still alive.”

“Well, that’s because I’m skilled?”

The banging on the shutter grew louder. More of them must have gathered. Leticia crossed her arms and gave a confident smile.

“Even after 100 days without an accident, one incident means starting over from day one. I want to do this safely.”

“Really? Then would you like to try?”

“Let me take the driver’s seat.”

We switched places. Leticia started the engine and skillfully maneuvered the car backward and forward. She parked it strategically—far enough from the entrance to allow it to open, but close enough to block it.

“I’ll open it.”

I didn’t want to make her do that too. Leticia opened the driver’s door wide to use as a shield and positioned herself behind it. I deliberately made a loud noise unlatching the entrance door, pushed it open slightly, and quickly retreated.

“Gruk, gruwik?”

The zombies responded to the creaking sound. They pushed the door open. The doorway wasn’t wide enough for more than one zombie to enter at a time. But with the car blocking their path, they couldn’t lunge at us even though they could see us.

Tatatang! The submachine gun and pistol blazed. Both Leticia and I fired in single shots. We aimed exclusively for the head. It was easy at close range, with the zombies entering one by one through the door like shooting gallery targets.

The last one crawled in on all fours. It must have found plenty to eat on the ground. I aimed my pistol and shot it. The creature collapsed face-down. Now there was silence.

“Did I mention I used to be a tactical officer?”

Leticia’s eyes sparkled as if waiting for praise. It was a simple approach anyone could have used, but in my tired and exhausted state, I hadn’t thought of it.

“Well done.”

I gave her a light kiss on the cheek.

Apparently, Leticia is a woman who’s weak to praise.