We—as in Hanso, Claudia and I—sat down amidst an abandoned house. There was a huge hole in the floor as if something had emerged from the earth. I didn't dare jump into that hole; I didn't dare look into it either. The house was also in horrible condition. With broken tiles, and leaning walls; sporadic furniture and blood on the floor. Apparently, a creature had arisen from the ground and attacked—or rather just outright massacred—the owner of the house.

The entire world experienced the invasion of the creatures rising from the earth. And then, things got much worse when those powerful, humanoid things started to attack—each of them was stronger than Jin. The government must have cleared this area of the monsters, and only then did they cast the dome over it. 

We were only in this ramshackle house for a sole purpose. Can foods and bottles of past beverages were in our clutches. The house didn't have much food. We entered to many opened cupboards and draws. The owner, if alive, must've fled with some sustenance. Or, most likely the house was looted by some other group of hungry new world citizens. But not looted properly. We were able to snag ourselves a few items.

Though it wasn't enough food—since we were forced to save the rest for another day lest in need—I was half full. Half full was great. My pestering stomach was no longer bothering me. 

"You need to pay your debt! You have two hours before getting cursed again!"

Couldn't say the same about the debt creature. It bothered me literally all the time. 

I pressed my lips together in a tight line and narrowed my eyes at the little, red-eyed thing. But then I gave these eyes to Hanso when he started to speak. 

"Things are finally looking up for us," he came walking toward me and Claudia with a bottle of unopened wine. "We have someone with a replication ability. In about a week, we'll be having tons more food than we just had. Claudia's gonna put her ability to some good use," he opened the bottle with what looked like all his strength. "What's more, now we know where Andrew is. All that's left of our feats are ..."

"Getting rid of these annoying creatures on our shoulders," I chimed in, "finding a shelter, and for me, I have to help save Xavier's sister and probably retrieve my metal bat."

We had a lot to do. But I didn't bother fussing since we were, conspicuously, making some good progress. 

Hanso sat down beside me on the floor. "Want some?" He asked, raising the bottle of wine. 

"No thanks," I said, "wine's no good. I have no intentions of clouding my already clouded mind with such trivial things. Even a cup or two of wine can cause mood wings as a side effect. Larger quantities can result in seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, and other problems I don't need right now. Give up if you plan to persuade me into drinking nonetheless."

Hanso looked at me for a bit; then the corners of his lips perked up. "What a buzzkill, man. Why don't you be this factual when making decisions like carrying huge bags of loot in the middle of thousands of hungry people?"

"I'm sorry ..." I said. That guy ... that cloaked man—who I still didn't know—made me realize how much of an overly apologetic wuss I truly was. 

Hanso raised his head, and carried the bottle to his mouth. He drank some of the wine, and then lowered his head and edged the bottle away from his mouth, holding it aloft again. "I don't know how long our friendship will last, Ash; but I do hope it lasts forever."

I looked at him, concerned. "Why?"

Hanso averted his eyes. "I don't know ... I guess you remind me of myself in a way. But you also remind me how much I've changed and what I don't want to be ever again. But mostly, you inspire me to be a good person."

I didn't know how to take that. "Uh ... thanks I guess?" I said, remotely confused.

Where was this coming from? 

He looked at me, and smiled, cocking his head. "That's exactly why I want the best for you. The best in this new world. You and Miguel made a lot of mistakes, but I forgive you two. I hated those dumb mistakes. But I forgave you two. That's why I think I'm gonna make a decision I think you won't l—"

"Hanso," Claudia called, interupting him, "can I have a word with you outside? It's urgent."

Hanso looked at her. Then at me. And then he sighed again, standing and starting toward Claudia. "I'll be back in a minute," he said.

I grimaced. What was that about? I haven't seen him act that way before. Even Claudia was different. She was a bit too quiet for her loquacious self. Something seemed amiss

And I had to figure it out.

***

After looting several other arbitrary houses on our sudden looting spree, we came up with a fairly feasible plan. One in which there were less possible casualties. We all had backpacks now. I had a red one on my back as I walked alone. This backpack accommodated quite a fair amount of food. 

I was only walking alone because it was a part of this plan of ours. I was heading for the alley where Miguel left us earlier. I had to go to the alley first, taking my time and not drawing attention to

myself. After fifteen minutes, Claudia and Hanso were supposed to come. They were only together because Claudia obviously didn't know where the specific alley was and could not locate it on her own. 

We had more bags—this time plastic—of food hidden in a secret place. We planned to go back for them once our backpacks ran out on us. We didn't dare care them all at once. We would have stuck out like sore thumbs had we done so. 

I walked through the streets, trying to keep a low profile. The streets were still rather quiet. Too quiet, as always. But commerce was still going on between the citizens of the new world. 

"Hey," called someone from behind as I walked. 

I stopped and turned around. I couldn't find the person. Where did he go? Was he using invisibility? If so, was I being attacked? I retreated a bit. 

"I'm down here, fool," I heard its voice from below.

I looked down at what appeared to be a midget. It was incredibly short, with a long reddish nose. It was an obvious dwarf. It wore a plaid sweater with blood stains, and a light khaki brown pants. 

I raised my brows. "Uh ... hey?" 

"The bag on your back," it said, "got any food to give to me?" He took out a necklace. "I'm starving ... and I really need food right now. This necklace," he looked down at it, "is all I have. It's a generational thing passed down by my ancestors. I'm

not supposed to give it to you, but it's all I have."

I quailed at the thought of giving him food in the middle of the busy streets of other hungry people. 

That would be bad this afternoon. 

The dwarf looked up at me again. "Please, young man. I don't have long to live again. This is all I have to give. And I'm sure it's worth a lot more than what you can offer me. It can give you luck and charm." 

The necklace was tempting. But I wasn't the kind of guy to take it. I wasn't the kind of guy to be reluctant when it came to doing something kind. But I guess times changed.

I frowned, looking down at the begging dwarf. "I'm sorry but I'm starving as well. And sadly, there is nothing in this backpack of mine except for some the inedibale valuable items I brought with me to this new world. You brought a valuable item yourself: that sumptuous necklace. Now," I said turning around, "if you would excuse me, I'm leaving now."

I felt horrible. That wasn't like me. I didn't do selfish things like that. But I thought I would have found myself in a compromising situation if I had opened my bag and given food to him. I suddenly felt a foreboding sensation. Paranoid. What if the dwarf was following me and planning get back at me for my cold-heartedness? 

I looked over my shoulder. The dwarf was going to the other way. I sighed. 'I hate my life,' I thought. Why couldn't I just say 'no' to people without feeling horrible afterward? 

I was nearing the alley where we slept last night. Well, to amend, where they slept last night—Hanso and Miguel. Me? I didn't get any sleep at all. And my body was still sore. 

Standing amidst the walls of the alley was a Miguel. He stood with a nuance on his face. I smiled. It was always great to see him for some reason.