Chapter 17: Lusting For Swan Meat (2).

Titus was a step ahead of Lee and replied to Claire in a lukewarm tone.

"You go and register first then we'll talk. It's your turn now, you're making the people wait if you continue to stand there."

Though this may be true but Titus also wanted to use this chance to decide more. He needed this little bit of time to finalize his thoughts.

"Ahh!" Claire snapped out of it and realized that she had been holding the line. Embarrassed, she hastily entered the tent to register.

"Lee, can you let me handle this one?"

"Ughh... Yes?" Lee was confused but nonetheless agreed.

Minutes later, Claire came out of the tent but without any reliefs in hand. Titus didn't waste any time and started asking her directly.

"What block were you placed?"

"I'm placed on Block A..."

"Alright, answering your previous question. I think that there is no need to discuss it. Block A is a safe haven. You don't need any protection from 'strangers,' is there?"

Lee wanted to talk but then he remembered his promise and forced himself to be quiet.

"I—I don't want to go there!"

"Why? The security there is the best. Seeing that they didn't give you any reliefs meaning you should know someone from there. Given your status and background, it is unlikely that the registration will treat you differently. So you must know someone there!"

"*Sob* But I don't want to! I do know of someone. But it's my mom! I don't want to go! Please... I beg you to help me!"

"I don't care about your circumstances but you do know that if your mother were informed and we 'helped', wouldn't that make us criminals in a sense?" 

"No! That won't happen. I won't allow that to happen. She has no right!" She said with some resentment in her tear-stained face. 

"But the risk cannot be neglected. What do you have to say to that? Also, if we decide to help you, we can only help you here and not go about looking for your dad." 

"Don't worry, I am not like my mother. I will repay the favor!" 

"Fine, since we've reached an agreement, we'll help you but under one condition! Remember that we are 'strangers' even if you and Lee are from the same school. Would you be willing to follow a stranger's orders with no questions asked?" 

She bit her delicate red lips and forcefully wiped the tears on her face, "That is not a problem! I know you aren't that kind of person! Your eyes are clear and have no hint of lasciviousness nor maliciousness. I can tell since I was surrounded by such people since childhood because of my status as a rich man's daughter."

"Oh." Titus replied. He prepared to turn around and said, "Let's go." 

Titus felt like she was really gentle given her countenance and appearance but he was wrong in assuming her to be naive. He guessed this girl had already calculated it in her mind when she first called out to them. It was just that her pride made it difficult for her to make such requests. As for her tears, they seemed genuine and can't be false. Is her mother that bad? 

He originally thought that he could use this opportunity to get acquainted with someone with high power, but when she said her dad wasn't here, he hesitated and frowned in contemplation. Fortunately, his dilemma was solved by the girl's promise.  

He wasn't cheap, he was just doing his best to create an environment for them to survive. In business terms, he was investing. Plus, Lee also liked the girl.

They might have power in the form of physical strength but the power of influence wasn't something to be scoffed at especially here in the base, hence he tried his best to make an acquaintance of someone with power.

...

They first went towards the management office but met with Uncle Brown halfway through. At first he was surprised by Claire's presence and was hesitant but after Titus' explanation he eventually accepted it. Uncle Brown then proceeded to explain his own purpose and why he was heading to the registration. After getting their food in the registration, Titus suggested to Uncle Brown to ask for an extra tent for Claire. She was a girl after all. Originally the officer wasn't so sure of it but when Claire asked for it herself, it was given immediately as they knew of her status.

After a long afternoon they went back to Block C and 'home' in their tent. Lee was enthusiastic about the thought of being together with Claire. He happily helped in pitching up her tent, though it was mostly Titus and Uncle Brown who did the work. Lee strived to make himself look good and express his admiration for her but he maintained it to not go to the point of annoying. He knew his limits. He was already very lucky! After that, they ate dinner outside the tent. They used pieces of debris as stools.

To be honest, Claire was easy to get along with. Once she had shredded her pride. She was very pleasant to be with. She was able to immediately integrate herself with them as if she was family. Probably because she always longed for parental affection, Claire was very close to Uncle Brown.

Uncle Brown talked about the information he got from the management. It was said that only after the rescue operations would they start some degree of movements in the base. When that time comes, survivors would be given designated jobs. The currency the management temporarily agreed on was food stamps, along with the base reliefs given.

After a few more minutes of chatting/talking, they went to bed. All communication tools were destroyed and coupled with the monster's threat, it might take some time for Claire's father to come to her rescue. There was no doubt that her father survived. He was a man of experience and his bodyguards were top notch, much better than Claire's. Her dad was also a retired veteran before he became a business man so he wasn't weak. Though his military background also was the reason he was strict in his ways... 

The three 'men' slept in comfort and were all the more ready to face a new day! They've accomplished the short term goals they've set for the day so naturally they were happy.

"Ahhhh!"

But who would've thought that a scream suddenly resounded in Claire's tent!

Who was causing ruckus? Claire's tent was literally next to Titus, Lee and Uncle Brown's! Just who?!

Proofread by: @lynn