Chapter 38: An Unprecedented Peace

The house was made of patent wood, secluded in an area with only nearby trees as its only friends. Hovering two-stories tall above the ground becoming well acquainted with the canopies of the trees. It was definitely an unforeseen situation. Tyrone's words were as accurate as could be.

The area was lush with greenery, a cool breeze contorting itself around trees. To put the icing on the cake, a few feet in front of the house there was a sturdy cliff that perched itself 500ft over an entire forest. The cliff was set with small wet grass blushing from the wind that flirted with it. It was a beautiful spot to watch the sun rise and fall each day.

A few days ago, no one would have believed that such a place even existed. The feeling it gave was a longing for it to last. It was literally heaven in the apocalypse. Due to the lush variety of trees that surrounded the area, it was hard to even notice that a house was present until it was right in front of you. Apocrypha numbers had been little to none as no humans were expected to be in such a lonely area.

Zane relaxed himself in the couch, his hands being utilized as a pillow and his feet outstretched in pure comfort. The scent of the patent wood mixed with the fresh forest morning air paralyzed him with peace. He wanted it to last forever, he wanted to stay in that one position for the rest of his life. No worries, school, work or forced labor by society. Just waking up to a fresh dose of wet grass and the harmonious singing of nearby birds was enough to hypnotize him more than any Rank 4 Apocrypha.

Layla came by his side and playfully flicked her finger against his forehead. He opened his eyes with a smile drawn across his face.

"It's hard to believe we've been here for an entire week now..." said Zane taking another breath of fresh air.

Layla carefully lifted his legs and placed them across her lap as she took a seat in the couch with him.

"I feel like we're living in an entire illusion... Not even as much as a single Apocrypha encounter this entire time. It's hard to believe we're still living in the same world that was attacked two weeks ago."

Zane stared at Layla uncontrollably. The sense of peace that surrounded him alongside a beautiful girl that was constantly by his side was enough to make his heart melt. She gently played with his toes teasingly, but Zane found it extremely comfortable.

"I'd be down for a massage right now..." declared Zane in a soothing tone.

Layla pinched his toes resulting in him squealing in pain, "Don't get too comfortable now. All you get is my fingers against your toes. Nothing more."

Zane smirked, "Oh? Do you have some sort of toe fetish then?"

"Oh please... Like your scrawny toes could give me a fetish."

"Awwww! Layla and Zane are so cute together!" said an incoming voice.

They turned their heads to see both Serenity and Deandre walking side by side. Layla stuck her tongue out at them playfully.

"You and Deandre look like soulmates walking beside one another... Quite adorable." she teased back at them.

Their faces became flushed with red upon hearing Layla's words. Deandre asserted himself trying to maintain his cool posture. His hands in his pockets and a nonchalant expression across his face.

"Come on Serenity, remember I gotta teach you how to shoot a gun today!" gestured Deandre pulling her alongside him.

Layla and Zane watched as the two walked out the door. Layla then averted her eyes back to Zane in a playful manner biting her lower lip. Zane felt a level of nervousness engulf him as if Layla was about to do something like never before. Layla slowly placed her hair behind her and got onto her knees and arms.

"Make some space for me, I'm cold."

"What??"

Layla slowly climbed up onto Zane's chest. Her knees and arms implanting into his stomach and other areas they shouldn't be. Zane squealed like a deflating balloon as he stared up into Layla's eyes. Her hair coming loose hanging over her head as she stared down at him.

"The couch isn't big enough for both of us!" cried Zane.

"Are you implying we use the bed then?"

Zane froze hearing her words. Just what exactly did she mean?

"What are you talking about???"

Layla forced herself in between Zane and the back-end of the couch. Zane barely holding on almost falling off.

"Layla!"

"Don't fall off! Put your arms around me... I wanna cuddle."

Zane took a good look at Layla. Her slender back turned to him which meant there was only one way to hold her. She was covered in a small open back blouse and slender-long light-blue jeans.

"I don't know if this is a good idea!"

Layla looked back at him with a smile on her face, "Why not? Just hurry it up idiot. I'm cold and need meh some warmth."

Zane gulped as he carefully slithered his arms around her. He tried to ensure there was distance between their bodies but Layla grabbed onto his arm pulling him closer.

"Closer, no warmth is established if there's no contact."

Zane felt like he was about to explode in embarrassment. Filled with reluctance, he moved as close as possible to Layla. She held his arms around herself using them like a pillow. Zane didn't dare to move in hopes she didn't notice what was happening. Layla shifted in a slightly uncomfortable manner. Zane instantly wanted to get up and run.

"Ew... Keep IT down. You're not getting any of that!"

"I can't help it! If you force me into this position what do you expect?? It's a natural reaction!"

Layla chuckled cutely enjoying the embarrassment Zane was feeling. She closed her eyes as she lost herself in peace enjoying the moment. Zane would not be able to move anytime soon.

*****

Serenity and Deandre stepped outside into the beautiful scenery. The fresh scent of wet grass assaulting their noses. Serenity stretched her arms allowing the delightful energy to flow through her. She looked over at Deandre who looked slightly flustered.

"What is it..?" queried Serenity.

"Uh- It's nothing..."

"Hmm... Is it that you're letting what Layla said get to you too..?"

"No! I'm too cool for love..."

Serenity gave a cute frown. She found it a little adorable that Deandre was hiding how he felt but it also irritated her as she had come to the conclusion she had developing feelings for him.

"I swear they should just start dating already though..." she continued with a sigh.

"Who..? Zane and Layla?"

"Yeah... I mean have you seen just how close they have been ever since we got here?"

Deandre pondered, his amber colored eyes squinched as he thought, "I don't know... Layla seems to tease Zane more than anything else. Not to mention whenever he says something lovey-dovey to her she completely shoots him down..." Deandre paused as a shiver ran through his body, "If anything, I think Layla's a GASLIGHTER!"

Serenity chuckled, "I guess you would think that given you're a boy. You don't understand how women work."

"Ahhh! I don't know! Enough about love... Let me show you how to shoot a gun!"

Deandre then took his gun from his waist and equipped a silencer to its muzzle. He loaded it with bullets and went over to Serenity placing it in her hands.

"A silencer..? Where did yo-"

"Don't tell Layla!"

Serenity didn't question it any further. She took the gun and placed it in front of her towards a tree. Her hands were very unsteady as she tried to keep herself still. Deandre came beside her and began helping her to settle down.

"First off remove the safety..." He then placed her hands on her own helping her to steady her aim, "If you shake, you have to hold your breath. It helps steady your body."

Serenity did as Deandre instructed. She immediately squeezed the trigger as the bullet whistled past the tree. The gun flew up almost hitting her in the face.

"Careful, next you have to work on your stance. Space your feet equally apart, hold your breath and give it a shot."

Serenity did as Deandre instructed perfectly. She held her breath and spaced her feet equally apart lining the gun with the tree in front of her.

"Now, don't feel bad if you don't get it first try. It might take a while for you to get-"

Deandre was stopped in his statement as he watched Serenity release a bullet centering itself right in the middle of the tree. His jaw dropped to the ground in disbelief.

"Oh I did it! I thought it would be harder..."

Before Deandre could even commend her, a small shout was directed towards them.

"Serenity! Deandre! Get inside the house now!!"

They swung their head around to see Tyrone, Hazel and Elio running alongside another unknown female. She looked around her early twenties and had curly mousy brown hair, bright blue eyes and a very tan skin color. Her body was slim and extremely attractive covered by a white spaghetti strapped blouse and black fitted jeans.

Serenity grabbed onto Deandre's arm rushing inside the house alongside everyone else. Tyrone slammed the door shut turning the lock. He peeped his eyes through the door trying to ensure they weren't being followed. Elio and Hazel walking around closing curtains as fast as they could.

Layla and Zane flew up out of the couch in surprise. Layla, for some reason pulling her blouse back over her shoulders as if it was undone.

"What is it??" she asked in worry.

Nick, Anastasia and Ashley rushing down the staircase to meet them upon hearing all the noise.

Hazel took a deep breath as she turned herself back around to face them. She was breathing heavily as if she had just completed a marathon, "A-Apocrypha..."

"What?? Where??" Inquired Zane as worry quickly crept up on him.

"Back in the forest not too far from here!" Declared Tyrone.

"Did they see you??" quickly asked Nick.

Elio shook his head as their eyes met, "No, at least I don't think they did. We were walking around picking up fruits when we stumbled upon an entire hoard of Apocrypha and Chimera feasting on a group of humans..."

Layla looked around to see the mystery girl among them. Her eyes had a mixture of fear and crazy within them.

"Who the hell is she?"

They went silent for a short moment before they answered, "Well, we don't really know. She was hiding from the Apocrypha and begged us to take her with us..."

A look of disbelief came across Layla's face. She could not believe what she was hearing.

"Are you all dumb?? You didn't even check who she was??? What if she's a fricking Apocrypha under disguise??"

"We're sorry Layla... Adrenaline took over our bodies to the point where we couldn't think properly." apologized Tyrone as if it would change the situation.

Elio and Hazel nodding in agreement as they were given quite the scare as well.

Layla turned towards Anastasia who was standing on top of the staircase looking down at them.

"Anastasia! Can you tell if she's an Apocrypha?"

Anastasia took a good look into the strangers bright blue eyes trying to discern her specie.

"Neither Chimera nor Apocrypha... She's human."

Everyone took a deep breath of relief thankful they hadn't just made a serious mistake.

"What's your name?" inquired Zane curiously.

She looked up on him with a glint in her eyes, "I'm Ellie... Are you Zane?" Her voice was smooth and calm.

"Yes... how did you know that?"

"I saw you on the broadcast... You and Layla are both being hunted by the Apocrypha, am I correct?"

They nodded in approval of her remark.

"But we aren't as bad as the Apocrypha make us-"

"I know! Me and my group already concluded the Apocrypha were lying. Too bad they're dead right now... Oh well." her voice was cheerful as if she was enjoying herself. In a weird way she reminded them of Elio.

Layla went over to Hazel and looked her in the eyes, "We are already dealing with ten of us and struggling with food and water. We can't accept anyone else in this group."

"I know but we can't just leave her to die out there. What did you want us to do?"

Ashley stepped in ready to defend the stranger, "We help those who are desperately in need of it. There's no way you can expect us to just leave everyone we come across."

Layla hissed in frustration until she felt Zane grab onto her arm. He looked her into her eyes intensely, "Layla, what did I tell you about stifling your emotions? I know you want all of us to be safe but I don't want you stifling how you feel just for that. We help others if it's needed. Okay?"

Layla's face softened in the presence of Zane. She slowly looked away from his gaze in a submissive way, "Fine... I'm sorry..."

To everyone's surprise, Ellie suddenly jumped over to Zane holding his arm tightly. She squeezed it in a tight hug showing nothing but affection.

"What are you doing..?" asked Zane awkwardly.

She smudged her face in his arm affectionately before continuing, "The moment I saw your face on that broadcast, I thought you were so extremely handsome. You smell nice too..."

"Do you want to die? Let him go and move." ordered Layla sternly.

"Awww... okay... I guess I will."

She reluctantly released Zane's arm leaving a bitter taste in Layla's mouth.

"Um- Elio, is she like your sister or something..? She seems a lot like you. Just like slightly a higher leve of crazy..." inquired Deandre.

Elio giggled, "No, I do find her pretty interesting though."

Things were becoming complicated. The addition of more people was not a good idea. What would their decision to let this mystery girl stay with them lead to?