CHAPTER 35: TIME TO GO OUT

Another five days had passed in a blur and Riku and the three girls noticed no development from the government to send rescue out to the survivors.

"It’s safe to assume at this point that the government has collapsed," Riku said. Though his tone was not depressing at best, in fact it was neutral, the girls felt depressed like abandoned cats in the streets.

"I wonder if mother and father are okay," Hana said, looking up to her brother Riku.

That’s what Riku wanted to find out too, the status of his mother and father. When the apocalypse started, they were at their office and it’s located in the city center where most of the population there have already turned into zombies.

Though he hasn’t seen the actual site of it. Given how fast the zombies move like in World War Z, there’s no doubt it was a disaster there. Still, he wasn’t losing hope on them. He believed they were somewhere in the city hiding among survivors waiting it out.

"We still have to get out," Suzune was the first to speak. "We only have a day’s worth of supplies."

"Suzune is right," Ichika added. "We will die of hunger and dehydration. What’s more we don’t have electricity and water anymore."

Riku doesn’t have to be reminded of their situation. Electricity lasted for two weeks while water lasted ten days at best. They only survived because of the bottled waters they scavenge from Miko’s house.

Now they are at their lowest point in terms of supply. And Riko has to get out there and gather food supplies.

"I know our situation," Riku said and continued. "But we are not all going out there to get the supplies we need. Like I told you before, the rules, not everyone should go out. So I’m taking Miko with me."

"Miko?" Suzune and Ichika intoned and they turned their eyes on Miko, who had the determined look.

"Suzune, Ichika, I want you to look out for our safehouse which is my home. Take care of my little sister for me and I promise we will return here with abundant supplies."

He flickered his gaze to Miko. "Are you alright coming with me?"

"I can Riku-san. I want to come with you."

Hearing that, Riku smiled and turned to the two girls. "There’s a reason why I picked Miko. Suzune, your ankle is still not in good condition and there must be at least two shooters in here to protect the safehouse. I hope you understand the reasoning behind my decisions."

"I am not questioning your judgment," Suzune said quickly, shaking her head. "I know I’d only slow you down. Just... don’t take unnecessary risks. You said that to us in your rules."

Ichika exhaled softly. "We’ll guard this place. Don’t worry about us. Just come back alive."

Riku gave a small nod. "That’s the plan. We’ll leave at dawn—less risk of running into large packs. Until then, we rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."

***

The next morning, the sky was painted gray, the faint light filtering weakly through the heavy clouds. The city looked dead from above, the silence broken only by the occasional distant groan or the faint echo of shuffling feet.

Riku strapped on his gear with an M4 carbine slung across his back, Glock at his side, and a tomahawk strapped to his belt. He slipped spare magazines into the pouches of the vest, ten of them. He also brought with him the M24 Sniper Rifle just in case he needed to scout.

Miko on the other hand has suppressed Glock 17 with two spare magazines.

"How are we going to contact each other? Signal towers are down for sure," Suzune asked.

Earlier at midnight, Riku had considered the means of communication. Phones are down at this point of the apocalypse so they have to rely on something old-fashioned. He bought two walkie-talkies from the Armory Shop and he stowed it in the drawer in his bedroom. He went to get it and returned to Suzune with the walkie-talkie.

"How did you—" Suzune paused, realizing that Riku doesn’t like being questioned.

"Do you know how to use it?" Riku asked.

Suzune shook his head.

Riku held the small black unit up so they could all see.

"This," he said, pressing the push-to-talk button, "is how we’re going to stay in contact. You three are staying inside, I’ll be moving around outside. That means I’ll be the one checking in with you, not the other way around."

Suzune’s brows furrowed. "So... if we don’t hear from you for a while?"

"Don’t panic," Riku cut in firmly. "That’s the first rule. I’ll reach out to you with updates. If I’m quiet, it just means I’m busy moving or I need silence. Trust that I’ll call in when it’s safe to talk."

He pointed at the dials. "Both radios stay locked on channel six. Don’t touch it. If for some reason you lose my voice, don’t start cycling channels. Stay put, stay on six, and wait for me to contact you."

Ichika leaned in nervously. "But what if the signal drops?"

"Then I’ll fix it," Riku said. "If I go out of range, I’ll come back into it. If there’s interference, I’ll adjust. That’s not on you. Your only job is to listen and answer when I call. Keep your sentences short and clear. No rambling, no guessing, just facts if I ask for them."

He demonstrated with the button again. "When you talk, press and hold. Speak. Then release. Don’t let go halfway, don’t double-tap it like a toy. One press, one message."

Suzune exchanged glances with Ichika and Hana. The weight in Riku’s tone wasn’t up for debate—it was an order.

"And one more thing," Riku added, softer now. "If you don’t hear me for a while, remember what I said. Don’t panic. I will reach out to you."

Riku clipped the radio to his vest and looked at them all one last time. "This is our lifeline when we’re apart. Treat it as carefully as you treat your weapon. If you lose it, you lose me."

The weight of his words settled over the room.

"We will be back later," Riku said.