Chapter 156: I Found Someone Raising Zombies

After Nathan left, Sierra returned home. Looking around the familiar apartment, a strange feeling crept over her.

She instinctively glanced at Jayce, who happened to look over at the exact same moment.

They didn’t even need to speak. The moment their eyes met, they understood what the other was thinking.

Something was off.

Something was very off.

"Sierra!"

Candice ran over from the window and threw her arms around Sierra’s leg.

The sandstorms outside were too severe for Candice to go out. That’s why Sierra hadn’t let her come along to see Nathan off. Instead, Candice had been perched at the window, watching them downstairs through a pair of binoculars.

The little girl’s hug pulled Sierra from her thoughts. She looked down at Candice. "What is it, Candice?"

Candice’s fair, delicate face was scrunched up in a conflicted expression.

In all the time Sierra had known her, this was the first time she had ever seen such a look on the little girl’s face.

It struck Sierra as odd.

Sierra slowly knelt, bringing her eye-level with Candice.

"Candice, what’s on your mind? You can tell me anything, you know."

Candice thought for a moment before speaking softly. "I just feel... something’s a little strange."

"What’s strange? What about it feels strange?" Sierra asked patiently.

After all, Candice was only five years old. There were many things she couldn’t express clearly.

She needed some gentle guidance.

Candice thought for a moment. "Before, when Nathan was here, there was always noise in the apartment. Now that he’s gone, is it going to be really quiet all the time?"

Hearing Candice’s question, it suddenly dawned on Sierra.

’So that’s why! That explains the strange feeling I had when I walked in. This is the reason!’

It wasn’t just Sierra; Jayce, who was standing nearby, had a similar look of realization on his face.

Clearly, he was thinking the same thing.

Someone with Nathan’s personality was rarely quiet.

When he was around, things could get pretty loud.

But now that he was gone and everything had suddenly fallen quiet, it was hard to get used to.

Sierra had never experienced anything like it, which was why she hadn’t immediately put her finger on it.

It was only after hearing Candice’s words that she finally understood.

Just by looking at the expression on Jayce’s face, Sierra knew he felt the same way.

’This is really...’

Candice, oblivious to what the two adults were thinking, was still waiting for Sierra’s answer.

But when a long moment passed without a response, she began to feel puzzled.

"Sierra? What’s wrong? Why aren’t you saying anything? Do you not know either?"

Sierra snapped out of her reverie and smiled at Candice. "Candice, people have to get used to saying goodbye. Everyone has their own life to live, and one person can’t stay with another forever. Do you understand?"

Even as she asked, Sierra didn’t really expect Candice to understand at her age.

She was just a child, after all. It was normal for her not to grasp such things.

But to Sierra’s surprise, Candice thought about it for a moment before countering with a question of her own.

"Then why is Jayce always with you, Sierra? Doesn’t he have his own things to do?"

Sierra was at a loss for words.

’Of course!’

’Smart kids are hard to fool!’

Candice had already learned to think for herself!

Before Sierra could answer, Jayce spoke up, his expression serious.

"Because being with your sister is exactly what I’m meant to do. It’s my reason for living, my purpose. It’s what I’ll do for the rest of my life."

Hearing Jayce’s words, Sierra’s heart gave a powerful throb.

’Who wouldn’t be moved by words like that?’

’But then again, is it really okay to say something like that in front of a child?’

’Won’t it give her the wrong idea?’

Just as Sierra turned to look at Candice, the little girl nodded seriously. "Then when I grow up, I’m going to find someone who makes being with me their whole life’s mission!"

Sierra was floored.

’Well, that’s great!’

’It’s actually good that Candice thinks this way!’

’It’s much better than her deciding to make someone else her own life’s mission!’

’Perspective really is everything.’

’Once you look at the alternative, this choice doesn’t seem so bad!’

Later, when the two of them were alone, Sierra couldn’t help but caution Jayce. "Candice is still so young. You shouldn’t say things like that in front of her."

"Sierra, I know you mean well for Candice," Jayce replied softly. "But things are different now. The world isn’t what it used to be. It’s not a bad thing for her to understand more, to mature a little faster. On the contrary, if you protect her too much, if you raise her to be too honest and kind, *that* would be a bad thing. We both want to live, to survive for as long as we can, but no one can predict the future. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Can you guarantee that you’ll always be there to protect her? If we can’t, then helping her grow up faster, so she can protect herself, is the best thing we can do for her. Don’t you think?"

Sierra honestly hadn’t thought about it like that.

But thinking about it now, she had to admit that Jayce had a point.

In this apocalypse, no one could afford to remain naive and innocent forever.

Not even a child.

’If there was anything to blame, it was this damned apocalypse.’

Sierra sighed. "I understand. I’ll keep that in mind."

Seeing that Sierra was still a little down, Jayce reached out and pulled her into his arms. "Sierra, you’re not the one who’s wrong. The world is."

Sierra nodded in agreement. "I think so, too—"

Before she could finish, the walkie-talkie suddenly burst to life with a crackle of static.

The sudden noise surprised both Sierra and Jayce.

Sierra pulled out the walkie-talkie, and just as she brought it close to her ear, Nathan’s voice crackled through.

"Jayce! Sierra! You have to come! Get over here now!"

His voice wasn’t loud; in fact, it sounded like he was deliberately whispering.

’That’s strange.’

’Nathan’s usually so loud. Why does he sound like he’s trying not to be heard?’

’Besides, how long has it been since he left?’

’Only an hour or two. He probably hasn’t even made it back to Dawnlight Base yet.’

’He hasn’t even gotten home, and he’s already calling us to go over?’

Jayce smiled and raised an eyebrow, taking the walkie-talkie from her. Just as he was about to speak, Nathan’s voice came through again.

"I found it! Someone’s raising zombies! A whole residential complex full of them!"

"We’re inside the complex now. Get over here, quick! I’ll wait for you. The location is..."