"Valentine, I'm back… where are you?"
Everything was far too quiet. The place was dimly lit, and the ceiling was slowly crumbling. Still, this shelter was perfect: underground, hidden among the ruins, a place where no monster could reach.
The previous owner must have been some kind of doomsday prepper; he'd left an entire arsenal in the room to the left, all in perfect condition. But in this apocalypse, those guns were useless. These creatures could regenerate even from a direct hit. The weakest among them could shrug off a rocket launcher as if it were a tossed pebble.
"Jack… you smell delicious. Let me have a taste of your flesh."
"AHHHH! No, no, no, God… not again!"
"Ah… hahaha. Jack, you're so funny when you react like that."
"Hey, I just came back from fighting for my life out there. This isn't a laughing matter."
"Forgive me," she said, trying to stifle a laugh, "but teasing you is just too much fun." "I brought what you asked for… and some other supplies we needed."
"Thanks, Jack."
"Don't worry about it. Someone has to leave this hole, and you can't exactly do it with one leg… well, a leg and a half. Ah… HAJAJAJA."
"Hey…" she frowned. "Now you're the one making fun of me. I know I'm not human anymore—that my body regenerates just like yours—but even if you've come to terms with it, I'm still struggling to understand. It still scares me."
"It's understandable, Valentine. After the train accident, you slept for so long I thought you'd never wake up."
"But here I am," she smiled, "making your life miserable. Hahaha… By the way, Jack, your arms are bleeding and your bandages are falling off."
"Ah… yeah, you're right. I hadn't even noticed." "Doesn't it hurt?"
"No, don't worry. I think my body is just getting used to punching through buildings every day."
"If we were still human, I'd say you're crazy, Jack. But a normal human wouldn't last five minutes in this hell…"
Jack looked down; his gaze heavy.
"But Valentine… I still need to get stronger. I can't let Dragon take your life in front of my eyes again. I couldn't bear it… not a second time."
She went silent for a moment, her expression softening.
"You're never going to lose me again. Don't forget that I've always been with you… and I'll be here until the end of my days."
Jack let out a small, nervous laugh.
"Well… it's getting late. Come on, it's time to change those bandages. Besides, you have to try what I cooked for you. It's delicious. Ah… hahaha."
"What did you make for dinner? Now I'm excited!"
"Nope, it's a surprise. But only after you take a bath and change your dressings." "By your command, Captain!" Jack laughed.
"Hey, I'm not in the army, Jack… just go wash up. You reek of monster drool." "Well, I was inside the stomach of one."
"WHAT?! You really are insane, Jack."
"Just a little bit, Valentine. You'll understand when you finally get out of here one day."
"I hope I never have to leave. Hahaha."
"Anyway, I'm heading to the bath. Valentine, could you pull the water bottles I brought out of
the bag, please?"
Valentine smiled, continuing to tease him.
"Sure, Jack. It's amazing that you can create fire out of thin air… yet you can't make a single drop of water. How tragic, Jack. Hahaha."
Jack hung his head in mock lament.
"Hey, don't mock me… you're right, though. Between the fire and the electricity, I should be
able to control the other elements. But I've tried, Valentine. I've failed countless times."
"Jack, I have nothing better to do than annoy you as much as possible." Her tone grew
more serious. "We don't know how long we can keep the peace in this place… and if we're attacked, I'd just be a burden. I can't fight with my leg like this, let alone protect you."
This girl is incredible, Jack thought, his face flushing red. She's going to make my heart beat right out of my chest. She isn't weak… she has so much determination and will. If I ever lose myself, she'll be the one to stop me.
"Don't worry, Valentine. I won't let anyone hurt you."
"Hey Jack… why are you so nervous? Your face is bright red. Are you sick? Or are you blushing
because of what I just said?"
Valentine flashed a mischievous grin, staring intently at his face. Jack immediately turned his back to her, whispering nervously.
"Don't be silly, Valentine. I can't get sick… I'm going to the bathroom now. Stop bothering me, please!"
Sometimes she says such intense, amazing things that my heart just races. Dammit,
this girl!
"Ah… hahaha. Alright Jack, I'll stop teasing you for today."
Jack focused. "First, I'll heat the water. Done! Only took ten seconds and I didn't evaporate it
all this time. My fire control is getting better every day."
"Time to get in the tub and reflect on life."
"I wonder what day it is…" Jack muttered as he slowly closed his eyes. "How long has it been since the U.S. fell to these otherworldly beings? Why did we stop being human?"
His thoughts drifted as he slowly fell asleep.