Rebirth in the Apocalypse: Third Time's a Charm

366  Wang Chao

"Right down to the last nail," assured Liu Wei as he pulled me into his arms. "The government thought that it would be better for all of the bases to look the same so that as soldiers had to move, at least they were moving to a familiar place."

I thought about what he said and had to agree. There must be some comfort in knowing that whatever city you were in, you were still sleeping in the same place and, knowing the military, on an identical bed.

Either way, I was experiencing some severe PTSD just being near the building. With my luck, Zhao Jia Li will come out, or I will be roped into doing a supply run for ungrateful assholes. Either way, I was more than happy not to have to set foot in that base.

I brought out my RV for all of us, knowing that with Wang Chao away like he was, I wasn't comfortable letting any more of my guys out of my sight. We all settled into our routines for the night, and as I stared at Chen Zi Han, a part of me was almost sick to my stomach, knowing that our fifth was nowhere to be found. I might hate War with a passion, but I needed Wang Chao.

"It's okay, Sweetheart," said Liu Wei as he picked me up and put me on his lap. "He is out there somewhere, and I know that wild horses couldn't keep him away from you."

"And what about death?" I asked softly, looking up at the man that held me so gently. "Would he seek death instead of being next to me?"

"If he does seek Death, well, I wish him the best of luck," smirked Liu Wei. "After all, I am told that Death decides who crosses over, and there are some that will never experience that."

I couldn't help but let out the sigh that was trapped inside of my lungs. I knew he was doing his best to cheer me up, and it was working, for the most part. But not having Wang Chao around was a lot like having a splinter in my finger. I was okay if I wasn't thinking about it. But as soon as I did, it hurt like Hell and made me want to cry.

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"Are you sure that this is what you want to do?" asked Ares in a tone of voice that Wang Chao had never heard from him before. "There are always alternatives."

Wang Chao chuckled as he swung his leg over the bike and got himself settled onto the seat. Putting on his helmet, he took a moment to enjoy the peace and quiet. It was one thing when the mood swings were completely out of control, but it was completely different now that there was a voice attached to them.

"And what alternatives would you suggest?" asked Wang Chao sarcastically as he put his hands on the handlebars and revved the engine. "If I stay, I take the risk that War is going to push my little girl too far. And I can't have that happen. I will not let him shatter her again. And if that means that I have to leave, then so be it."

"What are your plans then?" asked Ares as he shot down the road. Wang Chao took a second to look behind him and stare at Violence as she dealt with whatever bullshit Xing Xin Ya was cooking up. He hated not being there, but at the same time, he felt some comfort in the fact that she still had the other men around her. They wouldn't let anything happen.

And hopefully, by the end of it all, he would either be better or dead. Either way, Li Dai Lu wouldn't have to put up with War.

"You know, there is more than one War out there," said Ares slowly. "When our Queen shattered, you guys weren't that far behind her."

"So, you are saying that the War inside me is only a personality?" asked Wang Chao, thinking about how Li Dai Lu called the voices in her head.

"Exactly," said Ares, and Wang Chao could practically feel his bike smiling a twisted smile. It appeared that he was not the only one that didn't like this War.

"Then what do I need to do?" he pressed, willing to do just about anything to have Li Dai Lu back and be the man that she deserved.

"Honestly? I have no idea," admitted Ares as they continued to speed down the highway, weaving in and out of the stalled cars and decomposing bodies. "Li Dai Lu needs a War. Anyone with a piece of War will do."

"Can I kill this War and take over for him?" asked Wang Chao, his brain spinning over what his next move should be. He needed to do what he did before everything happened. He would push everything aside and concentrate on only one thing at a time.

First things first, deal with War. And he knew just the right person to help him with that. Unfortunately, it was a matter of finding him.

"Technically, Reaper's rider did just that. But Death welcomed it and left his powers behind for him. Then again, Liu Wei had the advantage of Death realizing that he would be better for the Queen than anyone else and stepped to the side. I don't see War gracefully stepping to the side."

"Yeah, I don't see him doing that either," sighed Wang Chao.

"Where are we going?" asked Ares, switching the subject. It would be getting dark soon, and he still had no idea where he was going.

"City A," replied Wang Chao through gritted teeth. He could feel War inside of him starting to stir, but he ruthlessly pushed him back down into the darkest recess of his mind. "We don't stop for anything."

"Understood," growled Ares as he picked up speed. If they didn't stop, they should be able to get there within a day or two.

There was a long period of silence before Ares once again opened his mouth. "Are you good?" he asked cautiously.

"No," replied Wang Chao flatly. "Until I am back at her side and no longer a threat, I am not good."