Moona and Maxi, after wandering for a long ti and repeatedly asking for directions, finally reached Ivy’s base.
The mont they joined the long, winding line at the entrance, an unbearable wave of heat crashed over them.
The air felt thick and suffocating, carrying the sll of dust and sweat, and the sun hung rcilessly above their heads.
Maxi swayed slightly. Moona’s vision blurred.
They hadn’t eaten anything since their escape.
Hunger gnawed at their stomachs like a living thing, draining their strength to the point where both of them wondered if they might collapse before even stepping inside the base.
’If we faint here... will anyone even notice?’ Moona thought weakly.
From their previous base’s experience, she knew that the chance was high that everyone will ignore them.
Hence, both of them held on. However, even with their determination, they knew... they were going to faint if they didn’t drink water or eat sothing.
Just as their knees began to give way, they noticed a staff mber slowly moving along the line.
He carried a container and stopped at intervals, speaking to people one by one.
The mont Moona and Maxi spotted him approaching, their hearts lurched.
They instinctively lowered their heads, fear tightening their chests.
’What if he sees us?’
’What if he realizes we’re different?’
When the staff mber finally stopped in front of them, both of them held their breath.
Then a clear, gentle voice broke the tension.
"Would you like so water?"
Moona and Maxi looked up hesitantly.
The staff mber froze for a brief mont when he saw their faces.
Their skin was charred black and cracked, their eyes sunken, and their features twisted by exhaustion. They looked frighteningly close to zombies.
Despair rose instantly in both of their hearts.
’This is it,’ Maxi thought. ’He’s going to drive us away.’
But instead of shouting or stepping back, the staff mber imdiately lowered his head.
"I’m sorry," he said hurriedly. "I didn’t an to stare. You look... heat-burned. The temperature has been brutal today, hasn’t it?"
Moona nodded quickly.
"Y-Yes," she replied hoarsely.
Maxi nodded along without hesitation.
The staff mber looked at them with clear pity, handed them bottles of water, and spoke softly.
"These are complintary. Please drink slowly."
Then, without waiting for a response, he jogged away.
As they watched his retreating back, despair settled heavier in their hearts.
’He ran away...’
’So we really don’t belong here...’
Maxi clenched her fists and turned to Moona.
"We should leave," she whispered. "From the looks of it, we won’t survive here."
Moona stared at her in disbelief.
"You were the one who insisted we co here," she whispered back urgently. "And now you want to back out?"
She shook her head.
"It’s too late. We can’t turn back now."
Maxi opened her mouth to argue... but froze.
The sa staff mber returned. This ti, his arms were full.
Moona and Maxi stared in shock as he stopped in front of them again and gave a shy smile.
"My na is Ron," he said quietly. "Before I ca to this base, I struggled too. Soone showed kindness back then, and it saved ."
He placed the items down carefully.
"Now it’s my turn."
He opened the bag.
Inside were fresh tomatoes, packaged bread, biscuits, cooling pads, and even milk.
Moona and Maxi’s throats tightened.
When they saw the milk, Moona forced a weak smile.
"We’re... allergic to milk."
Ron imdiately pulled it out.
"No problem," he replied, handing the rest to them. "These are quick foods. Please eat."
Moona and Maxi noticed the cooling pads and dry snacks. Their mouths watered uncontrollably.
Ron added quickly,
"One al is provided to everyone standing in line. Anything beyond that isn’t allowed."
They were stunned.
’Free food... just for standing in line?’
Such generosity was unheard of in the apocalypse.
They looked at Ron with gratitude so deep it almost hurt.
From his appearance, it was clear he was no older than fifteen or sixteen, yet his calm deanor made them feel strangely reassured.
’Maybe... maybe we really can survive here.’
As night approached, more people received water, bottles, and bento packs.
When it was Moona and Maxi’s turn, the staff mber smiled warmly and handed them their portions.
The mont they opened the bento packs, they devoured the food ferociously, like people who hadn’t eaten in days.
Because they hadn’t.
In truth, Moona and Maxi hadn’t eaten properly for more than six days... far beyond normal human limits.
They couldn’t help but wonder if their survival had sothing to do with the strange changes they’d undergone... or the reason they hadn’t turned into zombies despite being bitten.
After finishing the al, gratitude flooded them.
Moona’s eyes burned, and she sniffed softly, on the verge of tears.
Maxi’s heart twisted painfully.
"Why are you crying?" she asked in a small voice.
Moona shook her head.
"This is the first place that’s shown us real humanity," she whispered. "Whoever the base leader is... they must be a good person."
Her voice trembled.
"If we’d found this place earlier... maybe we wouldn’t be like this."
Maxi squeezed Moona’s hand firmly, silently telling her to stop.
Moona understood.
They had once suspected they were becoming zombies. They had even considered biting soone to confirm it.
’How could humans starve this long and still live?’
They were caught on a thin line between human and zombie... trapped in this state because they had never encountered a base like this before.
The line continued to move.
Two full days passed before it was finally their turn.
When Moona and Maxi stood before the guards, they were treated normally. Their backgrounds were questioned, verified, and, to their shock, cleared within thirty minutes.
Just as relief surged through them...
A calm feminine voice rang out.
"Stop."
Their hearts nearly leaped out of their throats.
They turned around slowly.
A woman with pink hair stood there, her presence cool and commanding.
Moona and Maxi’s blood ran cold. They knew who she was.
Ivy. The representative of the base.
The one who made all the major decisions.
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