Rise Of The Hoarder

‘What are my true intentions for her, uh?’

To be honest, I wasn’t even sure myself. I really did not need a sidekick or partner in my journey. There was the option of using her as a ‘Meat Shield’ in the case of danger, but I cared too much for her to consider doing that… at least not at first glance.

Besides, my attachment to this woman kept growing day by day.

With Anabelle’s death, my need for the emotional intimacy she used to supply me with began increasing. Perhaps I hoped to replace Ana with Lara?

No, that wasn’t possible. Lara could never be as pure as Ana. Still, I liked both of them in different ways. Ana’s naivete and kindness, Lara’s compatibility with me and her company.

I was a bit conflicted now…

“You’re overthinking things, Lara. I just enjoy your company. As for the Camp, I have plans for it, but it’s not time yet.” My lips moved to answer her query, choosing to respond in the most non-implicating way I could.

“I see…” She mumbled._.

“Yeah. Besides, we still have time. I should take this chance to take care of other business. While we wait for the Camp, we can use this opportunity to visit the others in the area…” I replied, rising from where I sat.

Charles had already informed me that other than his camp and that of the scavengers, there were two others in the vicinity.

One was a large group of hippies and go-happy folks that had fortunately seized control of a supermarket district and could survive independently.

The second group was more militaristic and had powerful Gifteds under their command, so, even though they were smaller in number compared to the others, they were a force to be reckoned with.

Charles told me that even Ana and Daniel combined could not defeat their leader. That stood for something.

I understood why no one went after the militaristic group, but what of the larger company? Was there something in their possession that allowed them to maintain their ground even though they didn’t have much attack power?

Well, I would soon find out.

I had a bit over a week left to wait. It would be good to make good use of my time!

******************************

“Huu… what do I do…” Charles sighed as he sat on his comfy chair in his office.

His head faced the ceiling, but his eyes were closed. So many thoughts ran amok in his head but he tried placing them under control.

Thanks to Jeremy, his Camp members had returned victories. Based on the reports Daniel and Tasha gave him, the situation was direr than what he and Jeremy had predicted.

It was no wonder the boy had to fake his death and take on the persona of the ‘Masked Person’ in order to directly participate in the Demon Horde Subjugation.

Now that the crisis had been resolved and peace had returned, it was assumed that he would have fewer things to worry about, but his mind still rang in worry.

Jeremy had gone, and his Camp was now safe from his tyranny. But, the malevolent boy he knew was not so generous.

He was going to return soon, Charles knew that much. But, he didn’t know what to do about it. After all, it still wasn’t certain what Jeremy’s true intentions for all of the were.

‘What are you planning, Jeremy?’

If it was an evil scheme, something that would threaten the safety of himself and his family… Charles wondered what he could do.

‘Is it finally time to leave this place?’

He had no idea, for now. But, one thing was for sure… he had to make his decision soon.

*********************

[One Week Later]

“Haaa… what a wonderful day this is!” I jumped from my sleep energetically.

My body moved like clockwork and a broad smile was plastered on my face. I had gotten so busy ever since I took care of Kevin and his crew, so it was quite a while since I had gotten such beautiful sleep.

Making sure to get enough rest for myself, I had prepared myself for this particular day. At long last, it was time to return to Charles’ Camp for the harvest.

Taking a step into the toilet, I freshened up, enjoying the shower of water all alone.

Hearing the ripples of liquid as they splattered on me, and even the ground, I was immersed in loneliness.

Memories of my lewd instances with Lara popped into my head and I squealed a little in embarrassment.

As it turned out, she was aware of what I was doing behind the curtain that day, and even aided in it. As I had thought, she supported my actions, but told me it would have been better if I had simply ‘asked for permission’.

It was at that moment I realized that Lara was actually a crazy woman.

‘How am I supposed to ‘ask’ you to let me… argh!’ I clutched my head and tried to forget the embarrassing thoughts.

Now wasn’t the time to revel in pitiful ideas. I had to prepare myself for this moment.

As for the reason Lara wasn’t with me, I kept her in [Subspace]. I intended to leave her there for the whole day until my job was concluded.

While it would be a bit nice to have her witness some of what I was about to do, it wouldn’t bode well for me to expose her to all of it. The ‘me’ in the last wouldn’t have minded, but currently… I didn’t want Lara to see the horror that would be wrought.

In that vein, I reckoned to leave her out of the whole thing.

‘Now, then… I should get going…’

In an instant, I pushed off all the remnants of water on my body and closed the opening of [Susbspace] that dripped liquid. Clothes manifested on my naked body—underwear and all, and I was good to go.

Now leaving the scavengers’ hideout, I was greeted by the warm radiance of the sun and the ever-bright day.

It was indeed a pleasant morning… unfit for what was to come.