"Aunt, how are little Lucy and Lydia?" Elena asked, her voice filled with concern.
"They’re doing fine," Aunt Liza replied reassuringly.
"Little Lucy is stable now, and Lydia suffered no serious injuries. She should wake up soon."
Everyone felt relieved by the good news. With their spirits lifted, they were now ready to leave the space.
With no further ado, Elena pulled them into City A, and they found themselves inside the RV.
They quickly adjusted themselves to their new surroundings.
Seeing them appear, Ethan paused his work and greeted them.
"Grandpa, you’re here! Have you eaten already?" Ethan asked while looking at everyone.
"Not yet. Let’s eat first before we tackle our next plan here in City A," Granpa Caldwell responded.
Elena quickly set the table in the RV, and with a wave of her hand, the food appeared one by one, marking their first meal in City A.
The menu featured chicken noodle soup and beef stew, accompanied by a selection of hot drinks and some beers—perfect for warming up as the nights grew colder.
After enjoying a hearty meal, everyone gathered in the RV’s living room to discuss the next plan seriously.
"Let’s check the situation here first. What do you think, grandson?" Grandpa Caldwell asked.
"Since the people gathering around still follow the rules, they pose no immediate threat. Let’s split into three groups to assess the situation more effectively,"Ethan replied.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Actually, Ethan had intended to enter City A with Elena, planning to leave the others in the RV to wait. Once inside, he would ask Elena to pull them to their location.
However, Elena disagreed with his plan.
She believed it was crucial for them to witness the current situation firsthand. By experiencing how humans behaved in this situation, they would better understand their reality, making it easier for her to express her opinions later.
Seeing their enthusiasm and knowing they were still bound by moral rules, Elena chose not to say anything. She didn’t want to impose her ideas on them or be a tyrant, forcing them to obey her without question.
Each of them had their own perspectives, and it was essential for them to learn to discern right from wrong in the context of the apocalypse. By doing so, they would develop a deeper appreciation for the importance of caution and adaptability in their new reality.
’I hope they won’t feel bound by moral expectations later. So, if I act differently from what is considered moral, they won’t blame me or feel uncomfortable,’ Elena thought.
Hearing what his wife said, Ethan felt she was right; they couldn’t babysit them forever. They had to face reality sooner rather than later, and the situation in City A would be a test for them. So, he agreed to enter City A like other refugees—by lining up.
Back to the present, everyone left the RV to explore the area. Elena and Ethan formed one group to scout the left side, while Grandpa Caldwell and Oslo made up another to explore the right side. Meanwhile, the Fords formed a third group to investigate the middle area.
As the Fords walked for a few minutes, they came across a group discussing their situations. Most of those seeking refuge were from City B, while others hailed from Cities J and K.
Their towns had been devastated by an earthquake, and upon learning that City A was still safe, they had come searching for shelter.
Now, they were lining up to enter City A, but most of them didn’t have their identification card, making it difficult for the military personnel to check their information.
"This military is so strict. Can’t they just let us through? It’s so ridiculous how many questions they’re asking!"
"Yeah, you’re right. Once I’m inside, I’ll definitely report them to my cousin in the government. Let’s see how they act when they realize who they’re dealing with."
"So, you have a cousin in government? Why not call them now and get us some real help?"
"Too bad we don’t have a signal. Otherwise, I’d have them sort this out in no time."
When a military personnel passed by their side, they immediately demanded to be let through, citing their connections.
Of course, the military personnel didn’t allow them to enter.
"You will regret this," one of them threatened.
The Fords raised their brows as they listened to the conversation.
’These people are acting so privileged and arrogant.’
Before they could walk forward, they heard a commotion on the other side.
"How dare you steal my food? What am I supposed to eat now?" a woman cried.
"Why are you so upset? It’s not like you’ll die from missing one meal," the snatcher sneered.
"It’s all the food I have left!" the woman exclaimed.
"Honestly, if you hadn’t flaunted it around like you were some kind of royalty, no one would have taken it from you," another person said, blaming the woman for not keeping a low profile.
Afterward, a fight broke out, and the people just watched the scene. No one tried to stop them; rather, they enjoyed the show.
For them, it was another normal day.
The Fords couldn’t help but be taken aback; the people’s morals here were twisted.
On the other side, Grandpa Caldwell and Oslo watched afar in horror as a man stabbed another person over a dispute about food supplies.
The victim had accused the attacker of taking their supplies, and in a fit of rage, the assailant plunged the knife into him.
"Ahhh, Help! Help! He stabbed me."
The crowd merely watched, their expressions blank and uninterested. Afterward, military personnel come out and stop the fight.
’What happened to the word.’ Grandpa Caldwell thought.
Meanwhile, Elena and Ethan watched as people formed a line to enter City A. Military personnel stood nearby to monitor them, ensuring everyone followed the rules.
To be honest, the situation in City A was generally manageable; most people followed the rules, but there were still some who weren’t, and many were likely criminals.
’If all of these people enter City A, the military’s food supplies during the upcoming storm may not be sufficient to feed everyone.’
While Elena was thinking about how to take advantage of the upcoming situation, Ethan had already approached a military officer to gather information.