That night we spent our time in the shop together. Each of us collected a bag and filled it with items we would need for the trip that was still unknown to us.

The questions of where we would be going, where they will be taking us kept playing in my head. I wondered if Liana was okay. I wanted to see her to reassure myself that everything will be alright. I wanted to know if she was doing alright.

Everything that was taking place was going by in a blur. Everything seemed like it was a nightmare, a replaying nightmare that kept playing again and again even when you wake up.

I could still see the man's eyes pleading for help, I could see him staggering down the street like an animal trying to ask for help knowing that it won't get any. I shook my head focusing on getting all the things I would need for the unknown journey ahead.

Sometimes, when we don't expect anything to happen, everything goes wrong right at that moment. That's the irony of life. I never knew my trip to the supermarket to buy some groceries would turn out this way. While on the other hand, when I think about it. 

What would I have been doing in the apartment alone?

Would I have known someone was going to take us out of here or would I have just been oblivious living in there myself?

I shook my head thinking about all the possibilities that could have happened if not for this. 

"Do we need money for this trip?" David asked, we all turned to stare at him. "Ah that reminds me, you all have to pay for whatever you keep in that bag." David said, pointing a finger at all of us.

I sighed, while Rose chuckled. "Yeah, that ain't happening anytime soon."

"Excuse me?" 

"What are you gonna do about it, old man?" Rose asked chuckling.

I smiled at the interaction. "Hey! Old man? Age doesn't even matter anymore, this is perfection." he said pointing towards his face and body.

Both me and Rose chuckled, but before any of us could reply. The lights went out.

All of us looked around but eventually huddled up together to see what the problem was. The only light filtering in through the glass was the moon light. It's reflection was enough to see a few feet away.

I sat close to the glass door and stared above at the stars, they looked beautiful. On this horrific night, only the stars could look that beautiful. Anyone who could see them would say nothing ever happened. The normalcy of the night scared me to no extent. Seeing that anything could happen to the world right now, but the stars remain the same in the sky is a truly fascinating thing.

And seeing whatever is happening, and them shining as bright as ever is another glorious thing.

I smiled recalling a memory. A memory where me and Liana were sitting in our balcony, about to spend the night under the dark sky.

"I made coffee," 

"It's the middle of the night Soph ―"

"Cold coffee."

"Bring it over, please." I smiled shaking my head, and as I went over and sat next to her, I noticed her gazing at something below us.

"What are you looking at?" 

"Don't you see? Sometimes people live too peacefully, they love going out together and always take care of each other." I looked down at where her gaze was fixed and saw an old couple walk by. I sighed, placing my hand on hers.

"You will get that too one day," I continued. "Forget all those past failures, one day you will have someone to stand right beside you. And when that person stands beside you, you will be the happiest."

"Although I may interrupt a few times, guaranteed." I smiled while she chuckled. "But I would love to see you happy, so that counts." I continued, shrugging.

"Oh, you are a nutcase Sophia."

"And you love this nutcase, Lili."

"Don't call me that"

"Call you what?"

"It sounds weird."

"Says the person who's weird."

And I remember how she smacked me on the top of my head and I lunged towards her to tickle her knowing that was one of her weaknesses. I didn't know I was shedding tears until a handkerchief was pressed into my hand. I smiled at Rose silently before wiping them away.

I wish I never said those things to her, given her hope for a brighter future when I didn't know what could happen myself. But nevertheless I smiled recalling the time we had together. It wasn't the end of the world, not yet at least it wasn't.

And with that thought in mind I drifted off to sleep, along with everybody else.

When I woke up the next morning, I noticed my head resting on Ryder's shoulder while Ryder's head was resting against the shelf placed behind his back. I glanced around before sitting up straight. I heard a grunt from behind me and turned to see David turning the other side on the floor.

I looked outside the window and noticed the sun rising, along with that I could see some figures running around. They were clad in body armors and wearing masks. I shook Rose who was lying right beside me. She squinted looking at me when I pointed outside.

"I think they are here."

"Who?" She sat up looking outside the glass windows. She turned around to wake David up while I turned to see if Ryder was awake, but he was sleeping peacefully. I was curious to how he spent the night along with us when he had a whole group of friends outside this place. He could have left anytime he wanted but getting rid of those thoughts for now, I nudged him trying to wake him up, his eyes shot open and he leaned forward. I went crashing back on the floor in shock at the sudden proximity.

"I think it's time to go then." David said, immediately standing up.

"How are you so sure they are those people?" Ryder asked, staring at the men outside.

"Let's just say i'm not." David said hauling the bag over his shoulder.

Both me and Rose looked up as he energetically walked over to the counter getting some more stuff of his. When he turned back around, he looked at the both of us with raised eyebrows.

"And look at you, weren't you calling me old just some time ago?" 

"I couldn't sleep properly." Rose grumbled but David heard her shooting her a disbelieving look.

"And do you think i'm trained to sleep on the floor?"

"Nevermind. Let's just go."

"Oh and if you see any sign of danger, don't run away. Tell me first so I can lead the way." Rose scoffed hearing him say that, while I chuckled.

"Sure, it's not like you can run away from us. Your legs are old anyways."

"This brat ―"

Ryder opened the shop and stepped out into the street with us following, completely ignoring David behind us. One of the men going around noticed us. He came closer getting something out of the bag he was carrying.

"Only you four?" When Ryder nodded, he proceeded to give us four masks along with some coats.

"Wear these, and follow me." He ordered. Without any hesitation we started following him, I turned back to see if everyone was with us. But David had stopped. For a moment my gaze lingered to the spot where the man had come and slid down. I remembered how his body looked like and I shivered almost recalling it all over again.

I glanced at David, he was looking at his shop one last time, it must be hard leaving things behind like this. Especially this neighborhood. Even though we didn't always love to be here, there were times where we actually loved it here, conversing with the people, going around helping them. But even if you hate a certain place, you do miss living there, miss being there because it played a part in the story of your life. May it be good or bad, every part is counted and kept close to the heart.

Rose walked over to David and kept a hand on his shoulder, he turned to look back at her, and for the first time I saw his eyes getting teary. Rose smiled softly at him while he glanced back one more time. "Let's go." He said smiling himself before joining us. The man started to walk ahead of us.

"What is going on?" I asked catching up to the man.

He glanced over at me before replying, "There was an infection that started from the hospital. It was kept a secret for so long, now it's spreading everywhere." 

"Everywhere?" 

"This is the only place left, that's why we need to evacuate."

"You said the hospital was the place where it all started, what happened to the people there?"

"I don't know, it's not decided yet."

"Decided yet?"

"They won't be joining us?"

The man must have noticed the desperation in my gaze, "They will be brought over after a thorough checkup."

He led us to a car helping us in, there were more people getting into buses and jeeps. They all had seemed to be hurrying. Rose held my hand as I smiled at her while David and Ryder sat on either side of us.

And I trusted our journey ahead to protect us from whatever was going on, even though I still was thinking about the hospitals and if the people would be really brought to where we were going.

I hoped that I would meet Liana again, even if it may take time. I hope she comes out safely from all of this, even if I don't get to meet her. I want her to be safe and live her life.