As the night deepened, Fourth allowed himself to be lulled by the gentle rhythm of Gemini's peaceful slumber. Wrapped in each other's arms, they found an intimate sanctuary where worries and troubles faded away. With a contented smile gracing his lips, he whispered, "Sleep well, my dear Gemini," savoring the tenderness of the words as they escaped his lips.

Gradually, his eyes fluttered closed, and he surrendered to the comforting embrace of sleep, knowing that their connection would remain unshaken through the night. Tomorrow would bring new opportunities, but for now, they were cocooned in love and tranquility, their dreams entwined like the stars above. 

----

As the first rays of dawn broke over the horizon, Fourth was the first to stir from his slumber. He had enjoyed a longer rest than Gemini, who was still peacefully sleeping. With affectionate tenderness, Fourth planted a gentle kiss on Gemini's forehead before stepping out of the car.

Outside, the morning was still young, and most people remained asleep in their designated cars. However, Fourth noticed Lisa and Nook strolling hand in hand, and Captain following closely behind, carrying some boxes. They seemed to be the early risers, along with the students assigned as night guards. Happy to see his friends, Fourth waved at them to say hi.

"Good morning, Nook and Lisa," he greeted them warmly.

"Good morning, Fourth!" Lisa and Nook replied, their smiles lighting up the morning.

Curiosity piqued, Fourth turned to his best friend, Captain, and asked, "Hey, Captain! What are you doing?  What's inside those boxes??"

Lisa, the person they had rescued from Leo's camp, spoke up on Captain's behalf. "Those boxes are filled with ingredients. We're planning to cook a delicious breakfast for the whole camp."

Nook chimed in with her bubbly attitude, her voice filled with excitement. "Today is a big day, and there's nothing that can lift everyone's spirits like a warm, delicious, and fulfilling breakfast."

Fourth nodded and offered his assistance. "If that's the case, then let me help. I'm quite a good cook myself."

Taking the boxes from Captain, Fourth and his friends ascended to the top floor of the University garage. This unique spot was open, lacking a roof, allowing the freshness of the morning air and the first light of the sun to envelop them. The soft golden rays painted the surroundings, casting a warm glow over their faces as they began to prepare a breakfast feast that would bring boundless joy to their fellow students.

Laughter and chatter filled the open space as they set up their makeshift kitchen. The clinking of utensils and the delightful aroma of cooking filled the air, making the atmosphere even more inviting. Lisa and Nook skillfully chopped vegetables collected from University 's organic garden with deft precision, their movements were a testament to their experiences.

Meanwhile, Captain and Fourth worked in harmony as they prepared the main course. They found themselves completely at home, skillfully transforming the most basic ingredients - canned food, instant ramen, and vegetables - into a culinary masterpiece.

"Ah, instant ramen, how reminiscent!" Captain chuckled, teasingly.

Fourth raised an eyebrow playfully. "With our experience, this instant ramen will become a gourmet delight."

A shared understanding passed between them as they both laughed, their minds drifting back to their time abroad as struggling students. Far from home and facing limited resources, they had embraced the challenge of cooking for themselves, determined to make the best of what they had. 

With a sprinkle of skillfully chopped vegetables by Nook and Lisa and a drizzle of olive oil, Fourth transformed the humble noodles into a delectable stir-fry that delighted the senses. With the addition of other carefully selected canned ingredients, the dish reached new heights of flavor and satisfaction.

Lisa and Nook, drawn by the irresistible fragrance, approached the duo, their curiosity piqued. "What are you two cooking? It smells amazing!"

Captain, with a sense of pride, gestured towards the food. "This is our signature dish from our time studying abroad."

Fourth nodded, extending a plated dish toward them. "Why don't you two give it a try and tell me what do you think?"

Nook's eyes widened with delight after the first bite. "Wow, it's incredibly delicious! You guys are kitchen wizards!"

"Nook is absolutely right," Lisa agreed wholeheartedly as she savored the dish, "I've never thought that instant ramen can be this delicious." 

Captain and Fourth exchanged warm smiles as they received compliments from Nook and Lisa. Their faces glowed with a sense of fulfillment, knowing that their little efforts had paid off.

As the breakfast took shape, other camp members began to stir, their curiosity piqued by the mouthwatering scents wafting through the air. One by one, they made their way to the improvised feast, their eyes widening with delight at the hot and deliciously prepared meals before them, a feast they hadn't experienced since the world had succumbed to the zombie apocalypse.

While serving them the meals, Fourth couldn't help but steal glances at Gemini, who had now woken up and was making his way towards him. Their eyes locked, and Fourth saw a grateful smile on Gemini's lips that mirrored his own. It was moments like these that made their relationship all more meaningful.

"Good morning, GemGem. Did you have a nice dream?" Fourth asked warmly, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he served the dish to his boyfriend.

Gemini simply nodded cutely and then surprised Fourth by slipping behind him and giving him a tight embrace. He pouted playfully. "Why didn't you wake me up?"

"You looked so tired," Fourth replied, leaning back into Gemini's comforting embrace. "I thought I would let you sleep a bit longer."

Gemini's gaze shifted to the dish in front of him, and he commented, "It smelled so good. Who cooked this?"

"Guess," Fourth teased as he untangled Gemini's arms from around his waist, leading him to sit down at the table. He nudged the dish towards his boyfriend and encouraged him to try it.

"It's delicious!" Gemini exclaimed, his sleepy eyes widening with delight. He looked at Fourth with appreciation. "Did you cook this?"

Fourth shrugged modestly, admitting, "Yes, I did, but Satang also helped. Nook and Lisa prepared the vegetables too."

"I never knew my boyfriend was such a great cook," Gemini said, a happy smile lighting up his face as he savored the dish. "I can just imagine our future together— you preparing the meals, and I'll take care of cleaning the dishes. I'm so happy."

"If you like it so much, then eat more. I cooked plenty," Fourth said with a warm smile, shaking his head in amusement as he gazed at his adoring boyfriend.

Gemini, his mouth still partially filled with food, spoke with a playful and endearing tone, "You should start eating too na. I noticed you only served others. Come on, sit and enjoy the meal with me."

Fourth chuckled, ruffling Gemini's hair affectionately before getting up to grab a plate for himself. He returned to the table and settled down beside him, their shoulders touching as they sat side by side.

As they were savoring their alone moment together, their tranquility was interrupted when two students approached and sat opposite them. Gemini couldn't hide his annoyance at the newcomers, but Fourth remained polite and greeted them warmly.

"Sorry, but other seats were occupied," one of the two female students said, "Can we join?"

"You two already did, so why bother asking?" Gemini mumbled under his breath, earning a slight nudge from Fourth. Fourth smiled, trying to ease the tension.

"Sure, feel free to sit here." Fourth replied. "Have I met you two at the camp before?"

The girls seemed excited to engage with Gemini, compelely ignore Fourth's question. "Hello, Gemini, you must know about us, right? I'm Rain, and this is Tea. She's the one who joined the University Moon and Star competition with you, remember?"

Gemini completely ignored their attempts to interact with him, choosing instead to focus on enjoying his food. The atmosphere became awkward, and Fourth, being the kind-hearted person he was, gently touched Gemini's shoulder, trying to redirect his attention.

"They are asking you," Fourth whispered, "Why don't you answer them?"

"They ignore you," Gemini responded loudly, frustration evident in his voice. "Why should I pay attention to them or even bother answering?"

Fourth lost for words at his boyfriend. From the moment the two girls showed up, he clearly knew that they were interested in Gemini. His intuition was never wrong since he awaken his power.

Typically, Fourth thought he shoud have been the one who got jealous and angry over the two girls tried to flirt with his boyfriend. However, the situation was developed in a strange way and Gemini was the one that got upset.

The scene played out in a way that Fourth didn't anticipate, and he felt unsure about how to handle the situation, especially since Gemini's voice had grown loud, making it be heard not only by the girls but by others around them as well. Thankfully, Milk and Love noticed the tension and intervened, quickly taking the girls to their own table, earning a grateful look from Fourth.

Once the girls were gone, Fourth turned his attention back to Gemini, concern evident in his eyes. "You shouldn't have done that, GemGem. It was quite rude."

Annoyance still lingering in his voice, Gemini responded, "You could see their intentions were clear. I just wanted to make sure they knew I wasn't interested."

"I understand," Fourth said gently, caressing his boyfriend's back in an attempt to soothe him. "But there are more polite ways to handle such situations. Humiliating them in front of everyone wasn't necessary."

Gemini's expression softened, and he sighed, realizing that perhaps he could have handled it differently. "You're right. I should have been more considerate. I guess I let my frustration get the better of me."

"Is it because of your awakened power?" Fourth asked, his brows furrowing, and his eyes darting with worry.

Gemini nodded, and Fourth's intuition proved correct once again. Ever since Gemini's power awakened, he felt distanced from everyone's feelings. It was as if a thick veil had been drawn between him and the world's emotions, leaving him adrift. "It's like I don't even care if anything happens to them... you are the only exception."

Understanding the weight of Gemini's words, Fourth's heart ached for his boyfriend. He knew that this was not something you could easily deal with. "You're not the only one confused. My power affects me too, though in a more subtle way."

With those comforting words, Fourth pulled Gemini into a tight embrace, wrapping his arms around him protectively. The embrace conveyed more than words ever could. Their foreheads touched gently, bridging the gap between their souls.

"You're not alone in this," Fourth whispered, his warm breath brushing against Gemini's ear. "I promise we'll look out for each other, no matter what."

Gemini's tense shoulders relaxed as a profound sense of relief washed over him. However, the feeling didn't last long; he couldn't help but ask, "Why did those two girls only show interest in me though? Why did they ignore you? My boyfriend is also hot and handsome na."

Fourth chuckled and replied, "They had other reasons besides good looks to be interested in you."

"Other reasons?" Gemini's curiosity was piqued.

"Well," Fourth began to explain, "they were new here and you rescued them from a certain doom. So, naturally, they developed feelings for you."

"Rescued them?" Gemini furrowed his brow, trying to recall. "I don't remember rescuing them."

"Not directly," Fourth clarified. "They were captured by Leo's men and were about to become their release for stress. But when you went to Leo's camp, defeated all the contenders, and eventually killed Leo himself, Leng took control of the camp. He thought keeping those girls as captives would provoke you, considering what you did to Mew and Prat when they tried to violate Nook. So, he brought them here."

"I see," Gemini nodded in understanding. Then, something caught his attention. "Wait a minute! How do you know so much? I remember just a moment ago, you were still asking them who they were."

Fourth hesitated for a moment, attempting to evade his boyfriend's questions. "You continue eating, I'll go and help Lisa, Nook, and Captain serve the food."

"Not so fast, cute boy," Gemini said, gripping Fourth's shoulder and forcing him to sit back down. "You used your power, didn't you?"

Fourth sighed, realizing there was no point in hiding the truth. "Yes, I did take a glance into their minds. I needed to know their intentions, the way they looked at you."

"Ai' Fourth!" Gemini exclaimed, a tinge of anger in his voice. "You said that we shouldn't use our powers, and now you're breaking the rules?"

"I know, and I'm sorry," Fourth replied earnestly. "But I only did it to protect you. I needed to be sure they had no harmful intentions."

Gemini's expression softened. Then, a mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes as he understood something. "So you are jealous?"

A hint of a blush crept onto Fourth's cheeks as he tried to deny it. "Nonsense! What are you talking about? There's no reason for me to be jealous."

Gemini chuckled, enjoying Fourth's adorable flustered state. "It's alright, Nong FotFot. I find it cute, you know."

Fourth's cheeks flushed even more, and he playfully scowled at Gemini. "I don't want to talk to you anymore," he declared, though his smile betrayed his true emotions. "I will go and help others serve food."

As Fourth moved away to assist their friends, Gemini continued eating, stealing glances at his cute and handsome boyfriend. The golden rays of the early morning sun bathed Fourth in a warm glow, accentuating his captivating smile and charming gestures. To Gemini, Fourth looked nothing short of perfect, and he felt as if he had fallen in love with him all over again.

-----

"Is everyone ready?" Gemini stood in front of his car, addressing all the camp members. As he saw the nods of determination from each one of them, he took a deep breath and began his motivational speech.

"I know that each and every one of us has endured unimaginable hardships since the zombie apocalypse began. We've seen loss, faced countless challenges, and struggled to survive in this unforgiving world. But my friends, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Our destination lies ahead, and it will lead us back to the light of civilization—the safe haven in the South of Bangkok."

Gemini's voice carried a mix of determination and optimism, lifting the spirits of those who had grown weary from their journey.

"What are we waiting for?" he clapped his hands together, his eyes shining with determination. "Let's go!"

With newfound energy, everyone swiftly made their way to their designated cars, each vehicle carrying four passengers. Fourth found himself in the same car with Gemini, Mick, and Mark— the team responsible for leading the convoy and scouting the way ahead. Behind them, Bang, Prom, and others would provide essential cover at the rear. Slowly, the convoy of cars left the university and set forth on their arduous journey to the city's southern sanctuary.

The path ahead was treacherous, and there were still pockets of zombies along the way. But their vehicles, reinforced and fitted with protective plating, allowed them to plow through the undead with relative ease. The sound of engines revving and tires crunching over debris filled the air.

After about 15 minutes of driving, they found themselves on a small dirt path on the outskirts of the city. The group deliberated and decided to take the longer route around the city, rather than risk crossing straight through the densely populated center, where they anticipated encountering a much larger horde of zombies.

"Have you all noticed it?" Fourth peered out the window, watching the dirt path unfold before them. It was summer, and the lush green trees and the chorus of cicadas created a loud symphony that effectively masked the engine noise from reaching the zombies.

"Notice what?" Mark, who was behind the wheel, asked. Gemini and Mick also turned their attention to Fourth, awaiting his explanation.

"The number of zombies," Fourth said, his brows furrowing with concern. "I think it has reduced compared to the early days of the apocalypse. It's strange."

Thinking about it, Gemini nodded in agreement as he scooted closer, resting his head in Fourth's lap, and let out a sigh of relief. "Fourth is right, I've noticed it too."

As they discussed the dwindling number of zombies, Gemini's mind suddenly recalled the encounter with the mutant monster. "Fourth, do you remember the mutant monster we faced?"

"What mutant monster?" Mick asked, realizing he was the only one left in the dark, as Gemini had previously told the story to Mark. Seizing the opportunity to pass the time, Gemini recounted the tale once more, causing Mick's eyes to widen with fear.

"So, what you mean is that there are other mutant monsters out there, not just the one you encountered, and they eat not only humans but zombies too? Could that be the reason why the number of zombies has fallen?" Mick asked, his voice tinged with apprehension.

"I think it's a possibility," Fourth replied, his fingers gently running through Gemini's hair. "And the mutant monster we encountered seemed to grow stronger by consuming both zombies and humans, so this could be really bad."

"I agree," Mark interjected, his eyes still fixed on the road. "If there are other creatures like the mutant we encountered, their insatiable appetite for flesh could potentially make them even more formidable or perhaps evolve into something far more terrifying."

As they continued their conversation, they had reached the halfway point of their journey. So far, nothing serious had happened, allowing them to momentarily relax. The road now led them through the city's park, where no residents, shops, or other structures could be seen.

Following their plan, they had expected this to be the easiest part of their journey. The lack of buildings and human presence meant fewer zombies in this area, and it seemed to be true. The park was quiet and serene, and they rarely encountered any undead, making their journey feel like a simple camping trip from their university days. Everyone began to enjoy the fresh and cool atmosphere amidst the sweltering summer day.

However, their sense of ease was short-lived. Both Fourth and Gemini suddenly felt something amiss. Gemini promptly asked Mark to stop the car, and the ripple effect caused the other cars in the convoy to halt as well.

"What's wrong, Gemini?" Mark asked, his concern evident.

"There are tremors in the ground. Something is coming our way," Gemini explained. Stepping out of the car, he moved closer to Fourth, who had closed his eyes. Gemini knew his boyfriend was using his power to assess the situation, and given the urgency, he allowed him to continue.

"What did you see?" Gemini calmly inquired.

Fourth's eyes snapped open, revealing sheer terror. He quickly raised his voice, commanding everyone to take immediate action.

"Everyone, quickly get out of the cars and hide in the forest!"

Gemini knew that Fourth wouldn't make such a serious call unless it was absolutely necessary. He and Mark promptly relayed the message to the other cars, ensuring everyone heard the warning.

Most people obeyed the order without hesitation. They rushed out of their cars, seeking refuge among the trees in the forest. However, a few students remained skeptical and reluctantly left their vehicles, showing no signs of finding hiding spots.

As the tremors intensified, the air filled with an unnatural sound. Mick couldn't help but whisper to Mark, Fourth, and Gemini, who were hiding nearby, "Is it an earthquake?"

No one had the opportunity to answer him, as the answer quickly presented itself. The ground shook more violently, and eerie noises grew louder. The terrified screams of some students who hadn't found shelter were heard piercing the air.

The sight that unfolded before them was straight out of a horror movie. A grotesque humanoid creature, towering over 20 stories tall and seemingly composed of both human and zombie flesh, emerged into view. Each step it took caused the ground to quake. The temperature in the vicinity dropped drastically with its presence.

The creature approached their line of cars with a curious gaze, its four sets of eyes fixed on the convoy. Lowering its massive body, it used its hand to lift one of the cars into the air and began devouring it. One unfortunate student, paralyzed by shock, had sought refuge inside the car instead of fleeing to the forest, and he screamed in terror as the monster's actions unfolded.

This only seemed to excite the creature further. Opening its mouth, which was the size of a football field, it swallowed the car whole, with the unfortunate student inside. The monster's eyes widened, and it let out a chilling laugh that sent shivers down everyone's spines, as if it had just savored a delectable meal.

Horror and fear gripped everyone present as they covered their ears in an attempt to block out the creature's unsettling laughter. They prayed that they wouldn't be discovered by this new and terrifying unknown monster, fearing that maybe this journey would lead them to doom instead of salvation.

---New chapter na everyone🥳🥳. Please give me some feedback as usual🥹🥹---