Root of all blooms

Chapter 3:survivors

As we entered the gym, every survivor looked at us as if we were more dangerous than those vines. I don't trust them one bit.

One of the female survivors spoke with annoyance in her tone, "Ashira, who the heck are they? Can't you see we're already crowded here?"

Gosh, how annoying can this girl be? I rolled my eyes and was about to respond when Ashira cut me off.

"Survivors," she said calmly.

The girl stood up with arrogance wrapped around her. "I know that, dummy. But you see, this place is already full."

She turned to me and Alice.

"So princess, you better leave."

Seriously? There are at least 15 people here, and the gym can hold at least 200 students. If there's no danger outside, I would have left already. I was about to reply when a guy cut me off again.

"I'm Enzo; welcome aboard," he said, greeting us warmly. It was too warm; it looked really suspicious, as if he were planning something else.

"Don't be afraid; we don't bite, stab, or bind. Sit down and take a rest. We are safe here," he added, laughing a little bit.

Can these people really be trusted? I look around and see Alice seems to be getting along with someone else. They seem to be very close friends.

Sigh...

I eventually sat down but didn’t let my guard down.

"What are those things, even?" I asked. They all looked at me, but only Ash answered.

"We didn't know either. All we know is that those things just come out of nowhere. There seems to be no way out of the school."

She got up and picked up her knife before speaking again. "All we know is that those vines are capable of piercing anything but metal and cement."

"So it can't pass through hard objects?" I asked.

She didn't speak anymore; she just nodded once.

Night fell, and everyone started to get their gym mattresses to lay down on and sleep. They seemed very calm.

I also tried to sleep, but I just couldn't shake off the fact that I would probably be dead right now if Alister hadn't stopped me. I had been talking to him hours ago, and now he's gone.

"You seem to be thinking a lot," a voice shattered my thoughts. It was Ashira. "Mind sharing it with me?"

Her voice sounded so comforting, so different from her confident tone earlier.

"Everything," I said before awkwardly chuckling.

"Things are just... hey, how can I ever explain it? Like one moment I was on patrol, then in class, and then this. There was no warning or anything; it just happened."

She didn't respond; she just listened.

"You seem to be close with Alice," I asked.

She smiled before answering, "We’ve been friends since first year. Now that I think about it, where is her brother?" she mentioned.

I don't know how to tell her or if I was even in the right position to do so. If I can even explain it. How he is probably still with Alice if it were me who went inside to check on Luis.

Ashira seems to notice my hesitation, and she laughs, "It's okay...you don't have to answer. I think I know." Her smile faded. "He's gone, isn't he? Because I refuse to believe he would leave Alice alone."

I tried to respond to her, but it feels like my throat is tied.

"Get some rest; I'll keep watch. Don't worry," she said before moving away from my side, and finally, I decided to take a rest.