Ms. Sofia’s soft gaze, “Don’t worry. As healers, we should help each other.”

  Fabio’s puffy eyes stared at Ms. Sofia. “How was your first time?”

  Ms. Sofia’s eyes lost a little of their color; she giggled and retold her experience.

  “Compared to what you experienced, it was as if you saw an ant die.”

  “...”

  Fabio remained quiet.

  “It happened at the start of the apocalypse. I was your age, and it all just happened. I was ready to see my friends as it was a Saturday. I lived beside a forest; it all started as a shaking in the forest. Animals began running. My entire town announced that we should hide, as what he perceived as a bear was very dangerous, but how much I wished it would have been a bear.”

  “The animals ran into many of the houses, hiding from that dangerous monster. In my house a deer entered, trembling with fear in its eyes. I was very scared, but my dad reassured me that it was an animal, but deep inside I knew that he meant to calm us down while he was confused.”

  Fabio saw how those words made her react; he gave her a small smile to try and cheer her up without overstepping his boundaries.

  “I was glued to my window, trying to see what animal that was. I liked hunting, so I was so interested to see this incredible animal. Then I saw them, a man-like person with a pig mask. Which I later knew were Northfield pigmen, a D-rank mythological being. I let out a huge scream when I saw that beast; my dad… may he rest in peace… went to see what it was about.”

  Fabio noticed how fast the tone changed; he wanted to do something but decided not to do anything as he is no savior; he is just another person in this fucked-up world.

  “Many men also left to see what this creature was; it carried two large knives resembling that of a machete. My town thought that they were easy to kill since they looked like kids trying to play a prank, but it was the total opposite. I remember how my dad was the first one to shoot at them; however, to the surprise of everyone, the bullet did not affect them. The other men started shooting, but all of the bullets bounced. No one had a single idea what to do as they continued to walk closer to us. There were approximately thirty of them, immune to bullets and strong; we were destined to lose.”

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  Fabio remembered how the story with Yves resembled her story, but he kept that comment to himself.

  “I then, in the corner of my eyes, saw a beautiful woman, her hands covered in a white and green aura, her dress a beautiful white. I instinctively went to help my dad and, more specifically, to see who that woman was. As I went running, I saw the fear in my father’s eyes. He wasn't scared about me running; he was scared that there was no way to defeat these monsters. I ran as fast as I could to see that woman. I arrived where she was; at this point, it was too late for my town; the monsters were already killing innocent people. I saw the woman; she extended her hands, and I saw a small piece of paper. I read it, but I don’t remember what I read. She then disappeared. I was scared, so I went back to my house, and then I saw it.”

  Ms. Sofia’s eyes turned duller and duller as she continued.

  “I saw many people dead or injured. I was petrified and shocked; the crimson blood covered the entire town. I saw how they died; all I wanted was for my family to be alive. I found a small opening in an old house and hid there, crying as I was so scared that I or my family might die. I can’t say exactly how long I was there, but I cried myself to sleep. When I woke up, I wished everything was a dream, but when I took my first step, I found that it was all true, and it was worse than I imagined. I saw blood everywhere. I then saw them…”

  A group of people appeared, carrying many bags and med kits.

  They looked at Fabio and Ms. Sofia, then at the cadavers.

  “Ms. Sofia, we are here to dispose of the bodies!!” Ms. Sofia stood up; she looked at Fabio and gave him a small smile.

  “Yes, please give them a proper burial; they have suffered too much.” She pointed at Yves. “If it weren’t for him, they would still be buried, and the other people over there would have been dead.”

  “...”

  Fabio is stunned to see how she gave him credit, but all he wanted was to hear what happened next.

  One of the medics walked up to Fabio; he extended his hand.

  “Thank you, young man, for your efforts in this catastrophe; your efforts will not be forgotten. May I get your name?”

  “My name is Fabio Torres.”

  “Noted. You may now reunite with your friends; we will take over now.”

  Fabio nodded and walked away.

  “Fabio, remember I am not your savior; only you can save yourself.” Ms. Sofia screamed at Fabio as he walked away.

  Fabio looked back, smiled, and continued walking to where Yves and Leia lay.

  Fabio walked for what felt like an eternity; he was in his world. The world appeared slower; every step he took felt like a minute passed by each step.

  He began thinking about those words; he understood them but knew that there was a deeper meaning. He knew that Ms. Sofia wouldn’t say something as cringy as that, but his brain couldn’t think.

  When he arrived at where Leia and Yves rested, he looked at them and fixed their positions. Fabio lay between them, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.