When they stepped into the next car, the survivors froze. Warm smiles greeted them, and the sight before them was almost too much to take in. Tables overflowed with food, a feast that seed almost unreal. The aroma of roasted at, fresh bread, and sweet desserts filled the air, rich and inviting.
"You are free to eat and take anything you want," one of the staff said gently, offering a kind smile.
"Is this... real?" a survivor whispered as he glanced at the others.
"Go ahead."
A few people hesitated, staring at the food as if afraid it might vanish if they moved too quickly. Then, slowly, hands reached out. Plates were filled cautiously at first, so glancing around nervously before taking a bite.
Only Jaxon, Burgors, Haris, and Bong-gu remained frozen for a mont, stunned by the sight.
Burgors swallowed hard, eyes wide as he watched others pile their plates with roasted at, steaming vegetables, and fresh bread. "We should... go too," he muttered, then, without another word, grabbed a plate and started digging in.
"This... this is incredible," he mumbled between bites, voice muffled as he chewed. "I don’t rember ever eating anything this good."
"Hurry up, Jaxon! You’ve got to try this!" Haris called from across the table, juggling slices of cake, steak, and grilled vegetables with a wide grin.
’What is with all this fancy food? Are they really giving us this much?’ Jaxon thought. He hesitated for a mont, scanning the car. Survivors laughed, whispered, and dug in greedily, their faces glowing with relief and hunger.
Just then, a waitress brushed past him, bumping lightly.
"I’m sorry, sir," she said politely.
"It’s fine," Jaxon replied, stepping aside.
"Don’t hesitate, sir," she said with a small bow. "Help yourself to anything. The governnt provides these als for survivors. We know it’s been hard out there, so we prepare fresh food for everyone who arrives."
"Thank you," Jaxon said, nodding, a small smile breaking through his usual guarded expression. He didn’t hold back this ti, piling food on his plate.
Staff moved steadily through the car, offering warm clothing, blankets, and essential supplies. Doctors and nurses quietly checked on those who looked weak or in need.
Jaxon’s gaze shifted, and he spotted the girls who had been in quarantine being escorted into the car.
"Brother!" Cindy’s face lit up, and she waved frantically, taking a few hurried steps before a staff mber gently guided her to her seat.
Jaxon’s eyes imdiately searched for Sumiko. "Where’s Sumiko?" His voice tightened with worry.
"They brought her to the dical room. Mom’s with her," Cindy said quickly, her hand gripping his sleeve for reassurance.
Natasha stepped closer. "She’ll be okay," she said, though the faint worry in her eyes betrayed her words.
Jaxon gave a small nod and turned his attention to the food. Slowly, the group gathered around the tables, each grabbing plates piled high. The spread was impressive, steaming ats, fresh vegetables, fragrant bread, and desserts that made the air sll almost unreal.
Elena barely contained herself, shoving food into her mouth. "I... this... is... so... good..." she mumbled around a mouthful.
Jannah and Hiromi laughed. "Eat your food first, Big Sister. We can’t understand you when your mouth is full." They smiled, happily piling their plates with steaks and sweet treats.
Claire and Hae-in squealed with delight, grabbing plates with both hands, trying to balance as much as they could carry.
"This... this is amazing! It’s like a chef actually cooked it!" Claire giggled as she piled cake on top of steak.
"With food this good, they probably did," Bong-gu laughed, taking a bite. "Or maybe I’m just really, really hungry."
Elaine smiled as she watched her students and the group enjoy themselves. She noticed Na-rin barely touching her food, looking almost stunned. Without hesitation, she added a piece of steak to Na-rin’s plate.
Na-rin looked at her, hesitant.
"Don’t just stare at it. Eat your fill too," Elaine said gently.
"It just... feels so strange," Na-rin admitted, her fingers hovering over the plate.
Suddenly, sothing was shoved into her mouth, Natasha had slipped her a piece of food, forcing her to swallow it. When she glanced to the side, she saw Natasha eating fried chicken heartily with the other hand.
"Don’t think too much. They’re giving us free food, just eat," Natasha said, grinning.
"But... why would they treat us like this? We haven’t even arrived at the safe zone yet," Na-rin said after chewing.
"That’s up to them," Natasha shrugged. "We can’t change it. We just take what’s offered and deal with what cos next."
Nearby, Jaxon quietly slipped pieces of food into his storage space. If he brought them out later, they’d still be fresh. He couldn’t pass up the chance to stock up.
Then a staff mber’s voice carried through the car. "If anyone wants to wash up, we’ve set up baths and resting rooms. Please take care of yourselves."
Hae-in’s eyes lit up. "Baths... really?"
Elena clapped her hands, nearly spilling her drink. "I’m going first! I’m definitely going first!"
Monts later, in a small bathroom, Jaxon stared at himself in the mirror. His body had changed subtly but noticeably, muscles more defined, jawline sharper, and even his skin seed to glow faintly.
’Everything feels... different,’ he thought. The warm welco, the food, the safety, it all felt like a glimpse of the old world, a stark contrast to the chaos and blood they had endured.
After a mont, he stepped out and rejoined the others. The girls were already there, their voices lighter than he rembered. Cindy laughed as she talked about the bath, her hair still damp, while Claire kept brushing her arms, marveling at how clean she felt.
Together, they made their way to the next car, the passenger area where the survivors were gathering.
The sight that greeted them made them pause. Dozens, maybe even a hundred people were alive, smiling, laughing, as if the chaos outside didn’t exist. Military personnel moved among them, ensuring everyone remained safe and in order.
’I wonder how all these people managed to survive,’ Jaxon thought.
He wasn’t the only one feeling out of place. Their group lingered, watching people talk and move normally. The whispered voices they’d grown used to, the constant tension of being hunted, the ever-present threat of death, all of that was gone. It was disorienting to see life continuing without fear.
A woman in a staff uniform noticed their hesitation and approached with a gentle smile. "Feels strange, doesn’t it?"
The group nodded quietly.
"Everyone who arrives feels the sa at first. And we understand all survivors have endured horrors beyond imagination. That’s why this place is ant to give hope, to show that the world has not completely ended. We hope you all feel that way soon too." She smiled warmly.
Jaxon nodded, still taking in the unbelievable scene. "Let’s go find a spot," he said, finally breaking the silence.
Elaine let out a small, relieved smile. The idea of a safe zone no longer felt like a distant dream.
...
anwhile, in one of the smaller rooms of the train car, three young boys huddled together on the floor, hands clutching their stomachs.
"Big brother..." the youngest whispered, tears pooling in his eyes. "My stomach... it hurts so much."
The eldest tried to speak, but no words ca. Pain tore through him like fire, twisting his insides violently. He opened his mouth to scream, but no sound erged.
It wasn’t just him. All three of them writhed quietly, their bodies trembling.
Sothing inside felt wrong. A dark, heavy warmth spread through his chest, crawling down his arms and legs, like poison moving through his veins. His muscles tensed, his heart pounded, and his body fought desperately against the sickness.
A dark stain appeared at the corner of his mouth, black blood.
The room tilted, spinning around him. His vision blurred, then vanished completely. When he opened his eyes again, everything was pure black, like staring into empty nothingness.
Beside him, his brothers convulsed weakly, shivers running through their small bodies. When they opened their eyes, theirs had turned pure black as well.
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