Chapter 44 - 37: Back to S City 1

Flora Bloom switched places with Ethan Monroe. Watching the little boy now sitting obediently in the back seat and devouring the food, she felt a strange pang in her heart.

"Little one, why are you hiding in the car all by yourself? Where are your parents?"

The boy was only six or seven, an age that should have been filled with innocent energy. But as soon as Flora Bloom asked her question, he blinked his big eyes, and tears began to stream down his face in silence.

Even though he was crying, he didn’t make a sound. His stoicism held a maturity uncommon for a child his age, and it was heartbreaking to watch.

Perhaps it was her pregnancy, but Flora Bloom found she had a soft spot for children. Seeing the boy cry, she began to comfort him.

"I’m sorry, I won’t ask again. Is there anything else you’d like to eat? How about I magic something tasty up for you, okay?"

Her heart ached for him, and she reached out to pat his head, but he flinched away. Seeing his wary yet innocent expression, she didn’t get angry. Instead, she smiled and pulled some candy and chocolate—treats kids love—from her space.

"If you tell me your name, how about I give you all of this?"

’In my past life, my Polly was so mature at the age of seven. She never cried or made a fuss when we went out to fight zombies. Even when she was terrified, she would force herself to remain silent.’

’The stoic look on this boy is just like Polly Bloom’s was back then.’

The little boy’s guarded expression finally softened when Flora Bloom produced the candy and chocolate.

He looked at Flora Bloom’s beautiful, gentle face. Though a hint of caution remained in his eyes, he wasn’t as tense as before.

"My mommy and daddy call me Caleb. They told me to hide in the car and not make a sound, and then... they led the monsters away."

Seeing the sadness in his eyes, Flora Bloom handed him the candy and chocolate.

The little boy took the treats but didn’t immediately open them. Instead, he carefully tucked them away in the small backpack he was carrying.

He was very clever for his age. He knew all too well that his loving parents, who had led the monsters away, might never return. He had already finished all the food in the car and was suffering from hunger and thirst.

Ethan Monroe drove, with Neal Wallace in the passenger seat. In the back, Flora Bloom was looking after the little boy. Mervin Warren had been silent for a while, and a distant, reminiscent look appeared in his eyes as he watched Caleb.

Having drunk Flora Bloom’s Space Spirit Water, the boy had regained his strength and slowly closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep.

Ethan Monroe glanced in the rearview mirror. "Are we really taking this kid with us?"

’Flora Bloom knew exactly what he meant. In the apocalypse, a child was a significant liability.’

Flora Bloom was silent for a long moment before letting out a sigh.

"Let’s take him with us to Sinia City for now. We can figure out the rest later."

"I think once we get there, we should find a safe place and leave him with someone else. Don’t you still have to find your brother? Morhaven is a few hours’ flight from Sinia City. In the current situation, the airports are probably overrun with zombies. If we drive, who knows what dangers we’ll face on the road."

Flora Bloom gently stroked the boy’s hair as she listened to Ethan Monroe. ’He’s not wrong,’ she thought. ’In the apocalypse, you need power to play the saint; otherwise, you pay the price. But ever since my rebirth, perhaps because I’m pregnant with Polly, I just can’t bring myself to be cruel to a child.’

Caleb had been asleep, but a child who had spent three days in terror was easily woken by Ethan Monroe’s loud voice. He had heard their entire conversation. He suddenly sat up from Flora Bloom’s lap, blinking his eyes as he looked at her timidly.

"Please, miss... please... don’t leave me behind."

His voice was quiet, but sitting so close, Flora Bloom heard him crystal clear.

His voice was barely a whisper, and his clear, frightened eyes were filled with sorrow and pleading. His cautious demeanor was indescribably pitiful.

"What’d you say, kid? Mr. Monroe here can’t hear you."

Flora Bloom shot a glare at Ethan Monroe, who looked like he was about to say more.

"Just drive and cut the crap."

’This boy beside me is so mature it breaks my heart. It may be the apocalypse, but what have the children done to deserve this? If my own Polly ever faced something similar, I would pray that someone would take her in and help her.’

She touched her lower abdomen, her entire being radiating an undeniable maternal warmth.

Caleb watched her and asked curiously, "Miss, are you going to have a baby sister too?"

Flora Bloom blinked, then smiled. "How did you know?"

"My mommy was going to have a baby sister, too. She used to do that," Caleb said, referring to her gesture. "She talked to the baby sister a lot." He cautiously reached his small hand toward Flora Bloom’s stomach. Seeing her smile without protest, he gently patted her belly through her clothes.

Flora Bloom was taken aback by his words for a moment, then said, "Your mother is a wonderful woman."

’I’m no saint, but I really am too soft-hearted when it comes to children. A pregnant woman, luring zombies away with her husband to save their seven-year-old son... For a mother to sacrifice the child in her womb—what a cruelly difficult decision that must have been.’

’She could imagine the heart-wrenching and complex emotions Caleb’s mother must have felt. In that woman, she saw a reflection of her own past life.’

Flora Bloom made no promises, simply stroking the back of the boy’s head until he once again fell soundly asleep in her arms.

Neal Wallace, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly asked in a low voice, "Flora Bloom, are you pregnant?"

Flora Bloom nodded lightly. "Yes. A little over two months now."

The moment she said it, it wasn’t just Neal Wallace who was shocked; Mervin Warren, sitting beside her, was the most stunned of all.

"The rumors at school said you were at a bar with some guy, and, uh, you know... You’re really..."

Flora Bloom just smiled, not denying it.

Mervin Warren froze for a moment. A flicker of nearly imperceptible disappointment and sadness crossed his face before his expression turned serious. "Okay. Even so... uh... don’t worry, Flora Bloom. From now on, I’ll protect you, too."

Flora Bloom looked at his bruised face and his goofy, do-or-die expression, and she couldn’t help but laugh. "You? And how are you going to protect me?"

Her question brought Mervin Warren crashing back to reality. ’That’s right,’ he thought. ’I can’t even handle a single zombie. How could I possibly protect Flora Bloom?’

Flora Bloom gently stroked her abdomen. ’Even without any medical instruments, I know the little one is healthy. As someone with a superpower and a greatly enhanced constitution, all this running and jumping hasn’t affected me at all.’

’At least, it won’t affect me while I’m still in the early months. My constitution might be frighteningly good now, but once my belly gets bigger, my mobility and stamina are bound to decline.’

In contrast to Mervin Warren’s emotional rollercoaster, Neal Wallace seemed much more composed. Still, he couldn’t completely hide the astonishment on his face.

"What? Are you that surprised?" Flora Bloom teased. "It might have been an accident, but I’m determined to bring this child into the world safely and raise them to be healthy and strong."

Neal Wallace fell silent. ’He didn’t know how to describe what he was feeling. Flora Bloom looked so delicate, yet she possessed such a strong, unwavering heart.’

’After all, even for many married women, the decision to take on the responsibilities of motherhood is a difficult one. For Flora Bloom to be this determined in the middle of the apocalypse... he was truly impressed.’

"By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask," Flora Bloom said. "Where are your families from? You’re all following me to Sinia City, but don’t you need to go home and find your own relatives?"

Ethan Monroe suddenly laughed heartily. "I’m an orphan. Got no one to worry about but myself. So I can follow you and freeload off your food and drinks without a care in the world."

Neal Wallace suddenly grew quiet, his expression turning strange. He sighed in resignation.

"I... I have a sister. She... I think she’s probably somewhere safe. I’ll go look for her later if I get the chance." He clearly didn’t want to discuss his family. Flora Bloom sensed the oddness in his tone but didn’t press him. ’Everyone has their secrets, after all.’

At this, Mervin Warren suddenly spoke up. "Uh, actually, I was lying before. My family is in Argent. But... I don’t want to be with that mother and son. Please, Flora Bloom, just let me tag along! I can be a helping hand, really."

Flora Bloom gave Mervin Warren a passing glance. ’She wasn’t sure why his attitude toward her had changed so drastically, but as long as he meant no harm, she didn’t mind having another person in the group.’