Introverts Lifeguide in Apocalypse

Looking at the bathroom, I could see they both cared about cleanliness and discipline. There was not so much as a vapor on the floor. Everything was clean. I have really done a good job of parenting...

Looking at the clock, I again separated my gaze from the hot spring and just washed my hair and face.

Seeing the bathroom, Dylan and Lucas were, understandably, shocked. Who had a hot spring in their bathroom? But again, comparing it to the magnitude of the castle we had just explored two floors of, the hot spring was nothing.

Since I had changed my clothes to my home wear, I just wore the same clothes again. The always extra boys, however, had again worn their suits.

Because it is a kind of party, l will let them be. Deciding it was rude to go empty-handed, I took the three remaining boxes of pastries and a few blocks of chocolate to bring with us. 

Dylan looked at the pastries with sad eyes, while Lucas, who, apparently, was also on team foodies, animatedly stroked the packages. He even waved at them.

"Could you guys be any less dramatic?"

"Can we keep a box, pretty please???" Lucas looked at me with puppy eyes as he tilted his head to one side. Dylan joined.

"Shame on you! You too ate a complete package today and 5 packages yesterday!"

Lucas ended his acting and turned with an arrogant look.

"Tsk!" 

"Are we back to young master?"

"We always were!" he said in a neutral tone, clean of the sheepishness of a second ago, without turning his head. Such a chameleon!

Dylan, but, wanted to make the drama as he had kneeled. I glared at him without words.

"Ahem! Your sandal had dust, I cleaned it for you! You're welcome, sis!!" he said as he stood, feigning ignorance. 

It had become dark outside.

"Get in the car. We are late!" I shouted from the bottom of my roaring belly. 

We were both in a hurry and the air was dark. Driving there would be the better choice. Starting the car, I didn't forget the gifts. There was an attempt to steal but the thief, to be, almost ended up with a broken hand.

Arriving at the village, we left the car by the lake. On the bridge, for the very first time, I inspected the lake. Pretty! It was full of fish and reflected the crest of the moon and the lanterns beside it. The village was lively and beautiful, too.

They had pretty unique houses. Some were houses made of stones and with unusual shapes, like a falling tower or a zigzag. Others were houses made of wood; in the shape of different animals, veggies, or fruit. Some were houses entirely made inside the trees. All the houses had one thing in common: they were all decorated with gemstones and golden threads. It made them to harmonize with each other.

Another unique treat of the village was the aroma in the air. There was a mixture of metallic scent and the scent of fire. There was also this savory smell of meat that made my stomach roar louder.

The villagers, all at the same height rate and with the same bulky build, looked at us curiously. So did we. What made me the most curious was the furnaces. They were everywhere. Some villagers were even working with them and some were hammering metals.

The third house should be this one, made inside a tree. When I say a tree, I mean a gigantic tree with a height of almost 100 meters and a width of 200 meters. Looking at the windows, it was 16 floors. 

Taking one package and the chocolate blocks from Dylan, I pulled down the golden rope beside the hammer-patterned door, hoping it was the bell.

Click!

Miss Marlin opened the door and welcomed them inside. Warm air, accompanied by delicious smells, welcomed the newcomers' senses.

"Wellcome children! Oh dear, you needn't do this! " 

"Hello, madam Marlin!"

"Dear, just call me Granny or Marlin!"

I give her the packages. She looked troubled.

"Dear, you gave us so much in the morning, you needn't do this!"

I just smiled.

"Why would that be enough? I didn't even get a taste!" said a teenage voice from behind that energetically took the box from the old woman. 

He had similar features to Grandma Malin but was around 1.75 tall. Smiling, he nicked at us as he ran away with the packaging.

Seeing his rubbery, a group of boys and girls chased him. Around 10 people were chasing him down.

"Nooo! Darn it! Leave some for me too! " Another youthful voice this time belonging to a girl sounded. 

"Darn, you Gaspere! Just wait!" Another boy shouted.

They were so lively.

The Grandma smiled at us and directed us inside.

"I am sorry for their lack of behavior! Don't mind them, just come inside."

As we walked in, some of the group chasing the boy named Gaspere saw the boxes in Lucas and Dylan's hands. In a clever move, with a devilish smile, I emptied the way for them to jump at those poor things. The betrayed look on their faces was to be remembered for life.

We had a hearty meal in a nice and warm atmosphere. Lucas had made friends with the Gaspere guy and Dylan was asking Mr Griffin about heat control. The food was so good that the more I ate, the hungrier I felt. Was it because of the too-nice atmosphere?

Bidding farewell from the warm family, under the observing eyes of the villagers, we got in the car and drove away.

Pant! Pant!

The hunger had gone so badly that it made me feel dizzy. Pressing the break, I turned my head to ask Dylan to drive.

There was no one behind me... 

What the hell is going on?

Beep! Beep!

Turning my head to the left, I could see car lights. My teeth were grinding and my icy hands on the wheel were shaking. Loosening my grip, I saw bold red marks on the wheel. Left behind by my hands.

Holding my palms before my face, I looked at the red marks. 

"W-What i-is thi-....!"