In the midst of this, Anna, the physician and alchemist of the shelter, hastened to test the water's safety. But before she could act, Lucky, her faithful dog, had already lapped up the water.
Her eyes widened in alarm, and she called out to him, but it was too late; Lucky had quenched his thirst. She watched anxiously, counting the minutes. Five passed, and Lucky remained unaffected.
"Thank goodness," she sighed in relief. "Still, a second test is in order," she murmured.
Anna collected a sample of the water in a clean vial, holding it up to the light. She added a few drops of a reagent from her kit and watched for a color change, indicative of contamination. The water remained clear, a positive sign. She then placed a strip of testing paper into the vial; it too, showed no signs of impurities.
Of course, this 'paper' was something she made from a special leaf.
Satisfied, Anna declared, "The water is safe for consumption."
The news spread quickly, and a collective cheer rose from the crowd, echoing the newfound hope that flowed with the river.
'This must be Shane's work… Did they actually reroute the water? I wonder how they did that…' Anna thought for a moment, but in any case, the method was not important to her. Such matter would be handle by the lord of this territory after all.
Mr. Wadsworth, the embodiment of decorum and diligence, shared in the collective joy over the safe drinking water before returning to his duties, to meet the prisoners.
With a tray laden with sustenance, he approached Max's quarters while a Super Soldier was at his side for security.
"Good morning, Max," Mr. Wadsworth greeted, his voice calm and reassuring as he set down the food.
"I trust the accommodations are to your satisfaction?"
Max, whose presence was as formidable as his talent, nodded grudgingly.
Mr. Wadsworth didn't mind this and continued, "Our shelter, as you've seen, is a stronghold that could not be breached so easily. Under Shane's leadership, we've thrived amidst chaos. Loyalty here is not just rewarded; it's celebrated."
He poured a glass of water, the clarity of which mirrored the transparency with which he spoke.
"Swear fealty to our lord, Shane, and you'll walk free among us. Your talents could greatly aid our cause, and in turn, you'll gain a family, a purpose."
Max's eyes, previously hard as flint, softened slightly, considering the proposition. To be honest, he doesn't even know if he had any other choice… He also wanted to belong to Shane's shelter and survive the apocalypse.
However, he was simply worried that due to his position or how he tried to invade this shelter. He knew that it would not be easy and that other people here would probably not like him at all. Furthermore, they probably wouldn't trust him as well and perhaps bound him like a slave instead.
Seeing that Max was deep in his thoughts, Mr. Wadsworth smiled and decided that it was enough for today. It was much better that the man didn't just immediately agree and seriously consider this matter.
With a respectful nod, Mr. Wadsworth then excused himself to attend to Layla.
Her room, bathed in the soft glow of sunlight, seemed to quiver with the unseen force of her talent.
She could still use her Telekinesis and could probably overpower Mr. Wadsworth but with the Super Soldier beside him, Layla had to be aware of her position.
"Layla," he began, offering a plate of food, "our community had many incredible talents, each of them as vital as the other. Your gift of Telekinesis could be a game-changer if used properly. We ask only for loyalty, and in return, you'll find freedom and respect here."
'Loyalty… How can you even tell whether I'll betray you or not?' Layla thought for a moment as she turned to the old butler.
Layla's gaze, sharp and assessing, met his.
"And if I refuse?" she inquired, her voice steady.
Mr. Wadsworth met her gaze unflinchingly. "Then you remain a guest, albeit within confines, until trust can be established. But I believe in the potential of unity, and I hope you'll see that too."
Leaving the food with her, Mr. Wadsworth departed, his steps measured, his mind already planning the next task in the never-ending cycle of service to the shelter.
The fate of the two prisoners now lay in their own hands…
For now, it was enough to give them hope of getting freed instead of instilling in them the fear of being imprisoned and enslaved forever.
With this method, Mr. Wadsworth knew that they wouldn't cross the line and remain silent and observant of the situation instead.
He may not have been a prison guard before, but he had dealt with numerous kinds of people and knew how he should address them.
Meanwhile, Alexa, the chef of the shelter, watched the clear water dance in the sunlight, a vision of life and the possibility of their shelter's growth.
She had always dreamed of a garden where she could grow her own herbs and vegetables, and now, with the new water source, that dream could become a reality.
First, she would need to test the soil of the area she wanted to use, ensuring it was fertile enough for planting.
Then, she would select the seeds—basil, thyme, rosemary, and more. The thought of fresh tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce made her heart race with excitement.
With the help of Eliot, the engineer, she sketched out an irrigation system that would bring water from the river to the garden.
They discussed the layout, considering sunlight and shade, and how they could protect the plants from any lingering threats.
"This is cool! I think Shane and the others did this while they were exploring outside…" She commented as they were making the plan.
"I think so too… I wonder what they're doing right now." Eliot nodded.
As the plans took shape, Alexa's kitchen buzzed with anticipation. Fresh ingredients meant new recipes, healthier meals, and a touch of normalcy in their chaotic world.