HA\LF: Dead nor Alive

“Ah! I almost forgot to introduce myself. My name is Jennifer, you can call me Jenny,” The mother said as she looked at them.

“That’s like her name,” Elena said as she looked at Archie.

Archie smiled and nodded his head.

“This is Eve and Elena, they both came with me and we are here to check the condition of the city,” Archie replied as he followed Jenny from behind. “So, how many are you that survived?” Archie asked with curiosity.

“Not many survived as you can see inside that bunker. We tried to save them, but it was impossible because we are too weak,” Jenny answered. “Luckily, after those two giant parasites had their fight, the parasites in this place got scared and left for some reason. So now it’s safe here, but I’m not sure about the other places though,” Jenny continued.

Archie had so many questions on his mind, but he decided to not ask them to Jenny because he was more curious about the people that survived. He didn’t want to bombard her with questions since he knew it took a huge toll on her as well.

“Is Marie and Newman survived?” Archie asked.

“Yes, they live together now,” Jenny answered.

“Really? Both of them live together? That’s really surprising,” Archie replied with a chuckle.

“Well, they oftentimes argued over everything, and yes, it’s really surprising that they can stay together even though they seemed to hate each other. But I guess that’s normal for siblings,” Jenny answered with a bit of a smile on her face.

“I’m glad that they’re safe,” Archie felt relieved all of a sudden.

“I believe they will be terrific to see you as well. It sounds like you’re quite close with the two of them,” Jenny said as she looked at Archie over her left shoulder.

“Yes, we are,” Archie nodded his head in agreement.

They left the city through the broken gate, and they surprisingly, Jenny and the rest of the survivors built a small village not far from the city. The reason behind it was because there were so many resources that they could use in the city, and it would be easier to take them if they lived nearby.

The village was inside the forest, and they made a small path so they wouldn’t get lost if they decided to leave the village. Archie couldn’t wait to meet Marie and Newman, and wanted to see their expressions.

Elena and Phellope were walking together, and Eve felt jealous that she got ignored once Elena found a friend. Archie looked at her and bumped at her with a smile on his face.

“What was that, Eve?” Archie asked.

“What?” Eve asked with a smile and eyebrows raised.

“I heard from Elena that you’re now her mother? Where’s that came from?” Archie asked.

“It just came to my mind. I could say that I’m just nobody, a friend, or even I can lie and say that I’m her sister, but the thing that came to my mind was that,” Eve answered as she looked at Elena. “But doesn’t that makes you her father now? You can’t deny it now or Elena might be sad,” Eve said as she chuckled.

Elena turned around as soon as she heard Eve chuckle. She was curious about what those two were talking about, and then she immediately walked toward them and walked in the middle.

“What are you guys talking about?” Elena asked.

Eve quickly picked up Elena and put her on her arms for a more comfortable position.

“Well, we are talking about me becoming your mother and Archie becoming your father. Do you think we are good enough to become your parents?” Eve asked.

“I still miss my mom and dad, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want it since you both have been so nice to me and care like how my mom and my dad did,” Elena answered as she looked down while playing with her fingers.

“It’s okay, we are not comparing ourselves to your mom and dad because they can’t be replaced. We know that, but that doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to be treated like how your mom and your dad treated you. We love you and we will try our best to make you happy,” Archie said as he stroked Elena’s hair.

Elena hummed as she looked at Eve, she felt bad after not giving the answer Eve needed. Eve on the other hand, she didn’t mind it at all as long as she could take care of Elena was good enough.

“Okay, this is the village,” Jenny said as she moved away and pointed at the small cabins around the trees.

Archie looked at the people who were busy making tools, and skinning games to make themselves clothes from it. Compared to what happened on the other side of the world, it felt so unfair, even Elena was confused as to what people were doing in the village.

The first loud noise they heard was the sound of Marie and Newman arguing at each other.

“There we go, they’re at it again,” Jenny said as she sighed.

“Let me handle them for you,” Archie said with a smile as he walked into the village.

“I told you to dry it off last night, it’s your only job!” Marie’s voice could be heard throughout the forest.

“I was looking for woods! I forgot and I was exhausted since I was awake late last night. It’s not even a big problem, so why are you so mad at me?” Newman asked and he sounded so frustrated and annoyed.

“If it’s only once then I’m fine with this, but you did this every single time!” Marie replied.

Archie looked at Newman and Marie were facing each other while pointing at the animal skin that was being dried on a rope. Newman was speechless and couldn’t say anything because he knew he was at fault.

“The last time I remember, you guys are a bit in a good terms. What happened to you guys since I left?” Archie asked as he stood there in the distance with his arms closed and a grin on his face.

Marie and Newman turned their heads, and saw Archie staring at them as he chuckled.

“Archie?!” Newman and Marie said at the same time.

They both walked toward Archie hurriedly, and then they both looked at him from up close just to make sure they were staring at the right person. They were both shocked and confused by what they were seeing, and they couldn’t believe that they were looking at the same person.

“Archie, what are you doing here? I mean, how did you get in here?!” Newman asked with a perplexed look.

“Well, I have my own way to get back here, and I’m here to check the situation of the city,” Archie answered.

“Are you here on your own? Where are the others?” Marie asked.

“I’m not alone, I brought someone with me,” Archie said as he looked at Eve and Elena. “They’re with me,” Archie pointed at them.

In shock, Newman and Marie stared open-mouthed at Eve carrying Elena in her arms. They were rendered speechless and dumfounded when they saw a beautiful woman holding a girl. They hadn’t expected this, and couldn’t believe their eyes.

“Wait, you left not even half a year ago, but you already have a wife and a child?” Nemwan asked in disbelief. “Is this what you have been doing ever since you left? I should have joined you guys because it looks like you’re living in a dream,” Newman continued with his eyes wide open.

“No, she’s someone special to me, but she’s not my wife, or yet. That girl isn’t mine nor her, but we both decided to take care of her because she has nobody else,” Archie answered.

“How noble,” Marie said with a proud smile as she stared at Archie. “Do you mind introducing us to them? I want to talk with them,” Marie asked.

“Of course, I also have a lot of questions related to what happened after we left the island. So, I’m going to borrow Newman while you can have your time with them,” Archie answered as he nodded his head in agreement.

“Yes, why not? This useless old man is only pissing me off every day.” Marie said as she glanced at Newman cynically.

“Looks like you make her angry every day, huh? Newman?” Archie asked.

Newman clicked his tongue as he walked away with Archie. “You know, she’s a granny and she took everything like her life is depending on it. But you know, as a man, you can’t whine about it and grateful that she’s still here with me since she’s the only family that I have left,” Newman answered.

“Anyway, you haven’t answered my question. Why are you here again?” Newman asked.

“Well, the simple answer is I came here to check the condition of the nation as I said earlier because Marlon and the others are coming back here again,” Archie answered.