Episode 77: Coming Back Home (About to).

It took me and the ladies two full days to prepare for our new menu: hotdogs. I had no doubt that once we introduced them to the streets, they'd sell like hotcakes. The thought of people experiencing something so simple yet so delicious gave me a sense of pride—this was more than just food; it was a taste of what the world used to be, a glimpse of hope. Although I doubt that the people of this world, would even remember what a Hotdogs would look like or even taste like, to be really honest, I think just introducing the sausages would even be a revolutionary stuff for the people of this world.

This morning, the clock struck six, and the household was already alive with activity. Natasha, Selene, and Layla were busy in the kitchen, preparing not only breakfast but also packing our lunchboxes for the day. Meanwhile, Scarlett, Alfred, and I were out by the truck, loading up the products we planned to sell. Well, to be more accurate, we weren't exactly loading in the traditional sense. I am not hiding my abilities anymore, Selene and Scarlett were already being sat down by Natasha, so they knew just how the things will go around this family, also I don't have to worry too much as both of them, agreed that my abilities is special.

By now, Scarlett and Selene were well aware of my special ability—my magical inventory—a gift that allowed me to store and retrieve items at will. For me, it was less about lifting and carrying and more about arranging the items neatly at the back of the truck after pulling them from thin air. Scarlett's amazement never seemed to fade. She watched me closely, her expression a mix of disbelief and curiosity.

"Even after seeing it so many times,"

she said, shaking her head,

"it's still hard to believe you can do this. You're literally pulling things out of thin air."

Alfred, ever the sharp-witted one, chimed in with a chuckle.

"Master Azra, you do look like a magician. Perhaps we should invest in a top hat and a cape to complete the act."

His jest earned a laugh from both Scarlett and me. But Scarlett's curiosity quickly turned practical.

"If you can do all this,"

she asked, gesturing to the growing pile of neatly arranged supplies,

"Why do we even need to stack everything at the back of the truck?"

I paused for a moment, then turned to her with a serious expression.

"Appearances,"

I explained.

"If people see us just conjuring supplies out of nowhere, it'll raise questions. And questions lead to curiosity, which leads to danger. We can't risk drawing that kind of attention."

Understanding dawned on her face, and she nodded.

"You're right. Better to play it safe...everyone wanted the ability to store anything at any time…"

I smiled, appreciating how quickly she grasped the gravity of the situation.

"We need to be careful and always vigilant,"

I continued.

"My ability to store and retrieve resources is a power many would covet. In a world like this, it makes me… us… a target. If the wrong people find out, it could put not just me, but everyone in the family, in danger."

Scarlett's expression grew serious, and she nodded again, more firmly this time.

"We'll stay cautious, Babe… don't worry with me and Selene… we make sure that no none would even dare to think to take you away from us…"

Scarlett said confidently,

"Aww~ …thank you, Scarlett…".

"Stop teasing me!".

Teasing her a little bit, caused her to smack my arm sweetly, these small things put a smile on our faces, I can feel that we are getting closer together, our interaction no longer feel to awkward or forced, which Is good, after all, at the end of the day, we both are still husband and wife.

By 6:30, we had finished loading the truck. With everything ready, Scarlett and I headed down to the bunker to join Natasha and Selene for breakfast. The aroma of freshly cooked food greeted us as we entered the kitchen. Natasha and Selene had outdone themselves, as always, preparing a meal that managed to feel extravagant even in these times. We ate together, the five of us—me, Natasha, Selene, Scarlett, and Alfred. Layla, unfortunately, had to stay back to guard the base. It was a role she fulfilled with diligence and care, even if her primary design wasn't for combat.

Layla might have been a pleasure android, but her presence in the control room was invaluable. She monitored the base's surveillance systems and could activate the security measures if needed. Knowing she was there, keeping watch, gave me a sense of ease. With her overseeing things, I knew our home would remain secure.

At exactly 7:00 AM, we climbed into the truck and set off. Natasha took her usual seat beside me in the front, while Selene, Scarlett, and Alfred settled in the back. Our destination was Rat Town, a place steeped in memories for both me and Natasha. It was where we had first arrived in this world, a place that had shown us the harshness of survival.

"Are going to Rat Town, Honey?".

Natasha calmy said with a gentle smile,

"Yeah, I think it was about time we go back and paid our debt to that town…".

"Great…it is better to pay and settle everything… so that we can finally and truly began our new chapter in life with a clean slate…".

"I agree, Nat…".

Back then, we had been outsiders, struggling to find our footing, even kicked out at one point. But today was different. Today, we were returning not as desperate survivors, but as entrepreneurs, bringing something new and exciting to the people of Rat Town.

The plan was simple: to set up our moving store and introduce the hotdog to this world. A part of me relished the irony of it all. Once, this town had turned its back on me and Natasha. Now, we were coming back to offer them a taste of something extraordinary. This wasn't just about settling old debts; it was about building something better. As the truck rumbled along the dusty road, I couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. The world might be broken, but we were carving out a piece of it for ourselves, one step… and one hotdog… at a time.