Damage was Done

Toma and the rest of the Raiders ran back to their settlement. It was a race against time, hoping that the worst hadn't happened yet, they planned for what was to come before it's too late. As they're getting closer and closer to the settlement walls, they gain hope again, thinking they made it in time.

“Sir, look in the sky, there's smoke coming from our settlement.” Yelled one of the Raiders.

As everybody finally got to the entrance, they were devastated by what they saw: there was fire everywhere, and the more you went inside, the more blood you would see on the ground.

Mr. Roger falls to the ground on his knees.

“No, this is all my fault. I insisted on the raid and was blinded by my own righteousness.” Said Mr. Roger as he lamented himself.

“Alice.” Said Toma as he started running inside the settlement.

“Alice, Alice!” Touma repeated as he finally got to Lucy's house.

But he was stunned to see that Lucy's house was no more. Even the clothing shop where she worked with her mother next to her house was all destroyed. As he walked into the rubble, he spoke her name.

“Alice.” Said Touma as if waiting for a response.

Seki finally found Touma.

“Touma, don't lose hope yet. Remember, we have 4 bunkers just in case of emergencies. I think there might be one close by.” Seki said, putting his hand on Touma's shoulder, trying to comfort him.

“Yeah, you're right, let's go.” Said Touma.

As they continued, they could see how much damage the fire had caused, and People who got stuck under the rubble had now become corpses.

As they finally got to one of the bunkers, they tried to uncover the entrance of the bunkers from all the rubble with the help of other Raiders that came by, when they found the entrance, they knocked on the bunker door to get a response until someone responded and open the door it was Mr. Thompson.

“Touma, Seki. You're here. Does that mean the monsters have left?” Ask Mr. Thompson.

“Yes, Mr. Thompson, you guys can all come out now.” Said Seki.

As they all started coming out, Touma did not see either Alice or Lucy, but he did see Lucy's parents, so he walked up to them.

“Where are Alice and Lucy?” Touma asked desperately.

“By the time everybody entered the bunker, we weren't able to see them; they must have gone to another bunker.” Send Missus Berry.

“Damn it, where else would they go this was the closest bunker to them.” Said Touma.

“I mean, is this everyone Lucy knows?” asked Seki.

“I mean, wait. They must have gone to Tiffany's bunker.” Said Touma as he ran in that direction, as Seki also followed him.

As they ran towards Junkei's house, Seki suddenly tripped, and Touma stopped.

“Are you alright?” Asked Toma as he got closer to Seki.

“Yeah, I'm fine, it looks like I just tripped on some kid's toy.” Said Seki

“Seriously.” Said Touma.

“And look at that, ha-ha, looks like someone put on a toddler's shirt on this bear. Said Seki.

As these words left Seki's mouth, Touma froze.

“What did you say?” said Touma

“Huh, the bear had clothing.” Repeated Seki. As Toma got closer. Insect. He stood up.

When Touma's eyes fell on the bear, his eyes widened in disbelief.

“This is Alice's bear.” Said Touma as he picked up the bear, he noticed there was blood on it.

Toma turned and dashed, running even quicker to Junkei's house. Seki got up and ran after him. When they finally got there, they uncovered the door of the bunker, and Touma knocked repeatedly, again and again and again, until someone opened it was Tiffany.

“Where is Alice?” Ask Touma as he breathed heavily.

Tiffany looked down and signaled him to follow her into the basement. Toma came down and followed Tiffany through the Bunker, and everybody in the Bunker left immediately. It was only Tiffany and Annie who stayed behind.

“Where is she? said Touma, devastated, hoping that what he was thinking would not come to reality.

Tiffany opened a small door at the end of the bunker, which led to a smaller room. Inside that room, Lucy was there, sitting next to Alice, who was lying on the bed, breathing heavily as if she had gotten some kind of fever, and on her right arm, there was a white cloth, and from it, green veins were expanding outwards.

Lucy noticed Touma standing at the door. She stood up and ran to him, hugging him.

“Touma, I so sorry we were out for a walk and then suddenly the monsters attacked and entered this settlement I took Alice and ran, but then she dropped her toy bear, and she went back, and a monster attacked her I tried to go back but I was too late the monster grabbed her and by the time I managed to give the monster a strong hit I picked up Alice and ran towards Tiffany's house that is where we noticed that Alice was bitten.” Said Lucy with sadness as she cried.

After Lucy let go, Touma went to Alice and sat next to her bed as he brushed his hand through her hair, and Alice's eyes opened, and she noticed Touma was there and started to cry.

“Daddy, you came back,” said Alice as she made a small smile.

“Yes, I did,” said Touma

“I'm sorry, Daddy, I lost Ms. Bear.” Said Alice.

“Don't worry, it's not important, it's just a toy. Said Touma, starting to tear up.

“But you gave her to me, so it's important.” Said Alice. As she started dozing off. And her eyes started closing.

“It looks like the infection is taking effect on her body.” Said Tiffany.

Touma stood up, with sadness and anger filling his eyes as he walked towards the exit of the room.

“I must ask you to take care of Alice once more”, said Touma as he walked out of the bunker.

Seiki saw Touma walk out of the bunker, and Seki ran towards him.

“Hey man, is everything alright? How's Alice?” asked Seki.

“Saki, do me a favor, get together all the members of the Raiders and the Exploration, and every other person that is on duty. Unite them all at the entrance of the settlement.” Said Touma as he walked towards the entrance.

“Oh, alright,” said Seki as he went to do what Touma said.