As she entered the kitchen, Arika carefully set the dishes down in the sink. She was just about to pick one up to start washing it when Althea and Hael hurried over.
—We'll do it! —Althea said before she could react.
—Yes, you should rest —Hael added as he rolled up his sleeves with a serious expression.
Arika looked at them in surprise.
—It's not necessary, I can help…
But both children began gently pushing her toward the kitchen door.
—No, no, no —insisted Althea—. You're not well yet.
—We can do it —Hael assured her proudly.
Arika let out a small, resigned sigh.
—All right… but be careful. Don't go breaking anything.
The children nodded quickly.
—And if you need help, call me —she added before walking away.
—Okay!
Just then, Delma appeared at the kitchen entrance, watching the scene with curiosity.
—What's going on here?
—We're going to wash the dishes — Althea explained—. We don't want Arika to do it because she still needs to rest.
Before Arika could protest, Delma smiled slightly.
—That's very sweet of you.
Arika shook her head gently.
—But they're still kids. They might get hurt.
— You're right —Delma admitted as she walked over to them—. Then I'll stay and keep an eye on them.
She picked up one of the plates and looked at Arika firmly, yet warmly.
—Get some rest. I'll make sure these two don't turn the kitchen into a mess.
Hael puffed out his cheeks.
—We won't do that!
Delma let out a little laugh.
Arika hesitated for a few seconds, but finally nodded.
—All right… I'll leave everything to you, then.
She left the kitchen and returned to the main room.
The atmosphere had changed. The calm of breakfast had vanished, and now everyone seemed focused on getting ready to leave.
Stella was talking quietly with Elion as they checked some backpacks. Ethan was arranging ammunition on the table. The metallic sound of weapons being inspected filled the room.
Arika's gaze fell on Reize, who was standing near the stairs, finishing up the laces on her shoes.
Instinctively, she took a step toward her.
But before she could get any closer, Ethan appeared in front of Reize and began speaking to her. The serious expressions on both their faces made Arika stop in her tracks.
She didn't want to interrupt.
She then looked away and spotted Koen sitting near a window, trying to wrap one of his arms with a makeshift bandage. However, using only one hand was proving difficult for him.
Arika approached without saying a word.
Koen looked up when he saw her.
—Do you need help? —he asked.
—I don't, but it looks like you do —she replied as she took the bandage in her hands.
Koen let out a small laugh.
—Using just one hand is harder than I thought.
Arika began to wrap his arm carefully, making sure not to tighten it too much.
For a moment, they both remained silent.
The distant murmur of conversation and the metallic clang of weapons being inspected filled the room, but around them a small bubble of calm seemed to have formed.
Arika finished adjusting a section of the bandage around Koen's arm and looked down slightly, focused on securing it properly so it wouldn't come loose.
—Why did you volunteer to go? —she asked suddenly, in a low voice.
Koen looked at her for a few seconds before answering. His eyes softened slightly.
—Because it was about time I did something useful… —he said calmly—. And besides, this way I can look after Reize so you can have some peace of mind.
Arika's hands paused for a moment over the bandage.
—Thank you… —she murmured finally—. But you have to take care of yourself, too.
Koen smiled slightly, a small but sincere smile.
—I will.
Then he tilted his head slightly toward her and lowered his voice, making sure no one else could hear him.
—But until I come back… don't let anyone find out your secret.
Arika's fingers paused around the bandage.
Then she nodded slowly.
—Don't worry… I'll take care of it.
Koen watched her in silence for a few seconds; he wanted to say something, but ended up keeping his words to himself.
She finished securing the bandage and then began helping him with the rest of his gear: she adjusted one of the straps on his backpack and tucked the gun holster into his belt.
Meanwhile, a few minutes earlier…
Reize was finishing adjusting the laces on her shoes near the stairs when Ethan suddenly appeared in front of her.
His expression was clearly tense.
—What were you thinking? —he asked bluntly—. Why did you volunteer to go?
Reize looked up at him and frowned slightly.
—And why shouldn't I?
—Because it's dangerous.
The answer came out too quickly.
The atmosphere between them grew heavy almost instantly.
Reize stood up slowly and crossed her arms.
—I can take care of myself, Ethan. You don't have to act like I'm useless.
—I'm not saying that.
—Then stop treating me like I can't look after myself.
Ethan ran a hand through his hair in frustration and let out a tense sigh.
—How do you expect me not to worry?
Reize opened her mouth to reply, but he continued before she could.
—What if something happens to you?
The question left her silent for a few seconds.
The annoyance on her face began to fade little by little, replaced by something more vulnerable.
When she spoke again, her voice was much softer.
—That's exactly why I offered…
Ethan frowned slightly.
—What do you mean?
Reize looked away for a moment before meeting his gaze again.
—Because I'm worried about you, too.
The words seemed to catch him completely off guard.
She clasped her hands gently, trying to stay calm.
—What if you don't come back this time?
Silence fell between them.
For a moment, all the tension vanished, replaced by something much more intimate and fragile.
Ethan looked away first, as if he didn't know how to react to that.
—Reize…
She let out a small sigh and leaned against the stair railing.
—You always want to be the one to take the lead —she murmured—. As if you were the only one responsible for keeping us alive.
Ethan frowned slightly.
—I just want us all to make it out alive.
—But you don't have to carry the whole burden on your own.
He looked at her again.
This time, Reize didn't seem to be arguing anymore. She was just being honest.
—I want to protect you, too —she continued—. I want to protect you.
Silence settled between them once more.
Ethan let out a weary sigh and ran his hand over his face.
—That's exactly the problem…
—What problem?
He hesitated for a few seconds before answering.
When he finally spoke, his voice sounded lower than usual.
—It's that when it comes to you… I can't think straight.
Reize blinked in surprise.
Ethan let out a small, bitter laugh and shook his head.
—Great… now I really sound like a complete idiot.
But she didn't laugh.
Her eyes remained fixed on him.
—Ethan…
He took a deep breath before continuing.
—When you go out there… I feel like something bad could happen at any moment," he finally admitted—. And I hate feeling that.
The sincerity in his voice made Reize's chest tighten.
She looked down for a moment.
—I'm scared too, you know? —she confessed softly—. Much more than I let on.
Ethan remained silent, listening intently.
—But if I start running away from everything out of fear… then I'll stop being myself.
Her words made him fall silent again.
Reize took a small step toward him.
—I don't want to be left behind… waiting without knowing if you'll come back or not.
Ethan stared at her intently.
Then, slowly, he raised a hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
The gesture took Reize by surprise.
—Then stay close to me —he said softly—. That way I can make sure you come back.
Reize's heart skipped a beat.
She tried to reply, but the words simply wouldn't come out.
Ethan smiled faintly. It was a small, weary smile… but completely sincere.
—Although I still think it's a bad idea for you to come.
Reize finally let out a small laugh.
—And I still think you're way too overprotective.
—Probably.
—Definitely.
They stood there looking at each other for a few more seconds, oblivious for a moment to the chaos surrounding them.
Until a voice echoed from the living room.
—Hey! Are you going to stand there talking all day, or do you plan on finishing getting ready? —Elion shouted from downstairs.
Reize quickly stepped back and cleared her throat.
—We're coming.
Ethan let out a resigned sigh.
—You saved us from an awkward moment.
—Awkward moment? —she retorted, trying to sound calm—. I was perfectly fine.
—Sure… it's so obvious.
She gave him a light punch on the arm.
—Shut up.
Ethan let out a low laugh.
And for a brief moment, amid the fear, the uncertainty, and the end of the world… they both managed to forget everything else.