Chapter 12: Bonding

Chapter 12: Bonding

The group had started to move quickly through the city, finally reaching the outskirts of it and slowing down as the mutants and dangers had really reduced.

"So how did you survive all this time Eri?" Skylar asked with an interrogative look. Clearly the trust here was as thin as a paper sheet.

Eri wanted to ignore hating Skylar's addresses and expression, 'i better be careful with this type I don't know what he might think towards me.'

Eri was going to respond to him when he was interrupted by a notification.

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{The character Skylar has suspicion✓}

{He doesn't trust you and is finding a reason to turn the others against you✓}

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Eri held his silence for a moment further, 'I can now read minds? Is this even possible? Maybe it's from learning half the technique of Eye of truth.' Eri grinned a bit, 'this would help my trust issues a lot, I would be able to decipher my enemies from friends, reminds me of my pastor's preaching.'

'Now I have to think vet delicately about this character.'

"Well, I stayed in a store for a while and then decided to come out," Eri said simply, feeling that the truth was the best response.

Skylar's face was gloomy, as if he had caught his opponent red-handed, which made Eri nervous: "What kind of insane jerk would leave a store with enough to eat?" Something still does not seem right; his aura is a little different from human.... As if he were some type of.....

Elsa slowed down to meet Eri, beaming excitedly at him, "It is getting late and Gambit told me to ask how far your house is from here."

'If it had not been for the group's weight and all the rest stops, I would have arrived before nightfall, which is near, but now? Eri raced his head through innumerable calculations to estimate the proper time and came to the conclusion, 'We will not be able to make it till tomorrow.'

Elsa shook her head saying 'no can do.'

Actually, spending the night with a group would be more perilous.

"I know a fuel station nearby where we can rest for the night and would appreciate it if you could join us," Gambit said, as if he had been listening in on their chats from the start.

"Do not worry, Gam; Eri can not defend himself, so he has no choice but to follow!" Elsa spoke on his behalf wrapping her hands around Eri's right hand to a show of protection.

Eri only glowered at this connection 'who told this noise maker I can't protect myself?' he cursed from within.

Throughout the walk to the fuel station the evil glares and empty gaze from Carlos and Skylar was well defined to Eri even though he knew could read their minds he knew all Carlos wanted was clarity but Skylar on the other hand had a deeper grudge to him, a stranger.

When they finally arrived to the petrol station, they were surprised to find it completely vacant and damaged.

'This Lagos and its insane folks!' Eri shook his head, gazing at the deserted scuffed station.

"This state can really baffle you, just five days and not even a drop of fuel for other survivals?" Gambit, too, had similar thoughts, which attracted Eri's curiosity.

'How do I read Gambit's memories?' Eri asked himself, racking his head through endless equations until the conclusion showed itself.

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{Eye of truth is unfinished, thus you have no control over it and other characteristics. Please finish learning the skill.✓}

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'Go to hell! Bastards!' Eri muttered, turning his sight away from the notice; he would rather be an ordinary vampire than risk his life by mastering a talent that revealed the truth.

"Gambit, something is here," Carlos approached Gambit as if he were a magic wizard forecasting the next move, which perplexed everyone, particularly Eri, who was unfamiliar with all forms of vudoo.

"I see what a nice sense of humor kid!" The doors of the store at the far end of the station opened, allowing five large men, a young girl, and a child to exit.

All but Eri took a combat posture and put on a harsh look in front of the folks with ill intent.

"Common, we are not going to bite; we know you are survivors based on how you spoke and moved; you should also know that we are not monsters." To lighten the situation, the eldest spoke confidently yet calmly.

Elsa appeared to be convinced, whilst the guys in the group glared at each other like crazy wolves ready to attack.

'They spoke well, but the question is not if they are monsters? But anyone in this world could literally betray you for supplies and from the looks of things, this guy's would easily do so!' Eri scanned through the men who were the supposed manance, the rest were down and depressed.

"How sure how we that you won't try to steal our supplies?" Gambit, the eldest and apparent leader, pointed out the obvious and was met with a laughter by many guys, causing a knot in his throat.

"Well, we only need additional men to make the structure less ominous and more secure since time is running out and the night is the riskiest. Do you want refuge, too? Following this, we could all head to the secure area together." With assurance, the group's leader spoke.

However who could trust his gestures?

'What a dumb excuse is he a child that can't protect himself?'

'He's right about the time part we have to take this deal.'

'Suspicious group.'

'Only way to survive but clear untrustworthy.'

Eri maintained a neutral look, sensing that if anyone was going to perish, it would be the little fry. "I sense every threat!"

The group from the fuel station all turned at once going back in without awaiting a reply this left Gambit's crew and Eri frozen for a second before Skylar made the first move walking to the station.

"We don't have a choice," Skylar pronounced taking the lead on this one.

Gambit nodded in agreement, "We have to stay tight in groups, I will stay with Skylar," he turned and gestured to the rest, "Carlos, Elsa and Eri will stay together."

The others nodded in agreement while Eri still stared.

'Come to think of it... I actually felt a slight ding in my spine..... A bit of bloodlust? It could be from any creature out there but... I don't know?' Eri ran his hand through his hair, maybe he was worrying to much.