Chapter 8

Ajisaka stared tensely at the bunker door, listening as the sounds outside grew clearer. Clutching an old iron rod in his hand, he stepped slowly toward the entrance. Each step felt heavy, every small noise making his heart pound faster. Behind him, Binar stood, looking more nervous than ever but still hopeful that the people outside might be their rescuers.

The knocking turned into a soft call, clearer this time. Two distinct voices reached them: a woman’s—quick and impatient—and a man’s, calm but firm. “Please, we need help! We have supplies to trade. We won’t hurt you, just give us a place to shelter!” the woman pleaded urgently.

Ajisaka bit his lip, feeling his doubts intensify. Every instinct warned him against trusting anyone outside, especially after what they’d been through. Yet, Binar’s hopeful voice tugged at his heart. “Brother, maybe they can help us. They sound like friends... Maybe they have food?” Binar asked quietly, his innocent eyes imploring Ajisaka to open the door.

Ajisaka, however, knew the danger that strangers could bring. He couldn’t just open the door without considering the worst possible outcomes. But Binar’s hopeful gaze softened his resolve, though he still couldn’t shake his suspicion.

“Stay behind me, Bin. Don’t go near the door until I say it’s safe,” Ajisaka instructed, trying to calm his brother and emphasize the need for caution.

Holding his breath, Ajisaka reached for the bunker door’s lock, turning it slowly, and opened it just a crack, enough to peer outside. There stood two strangers—a woman with wild eyes, messy hair, and a dirt-streaked face. Beside her, a man stood tall, his expression calm yet with a sharp look in his eyes. The woman, who introduced herself as Linda, immediately began speaking in quick, desperate sentences, as if afraid to waste a single second.

“We just need somewhere to hide. We’ve got food, water, medicine. You need that, don’t you? I can tell from the look on your faces,” Linda said with a wide grin, though something felt off in the way she spoke. Her eyes darted around, as if unable to settle on anything.

The man beside her, introducing himself as Dave, remained silent for a moment before speaking in a deep, steady voice. “We don’t want trouble. We just need a safe place. We can help each other.”

Ajisaka watched them carefully, assessing the situation. Linda seemed anxious and unstable, while Dave appeared more controlled, yet something in his steady gaze kept Ajisaka on guard. This wasn’t an ordinary encounter. Though they offered help, there was no guarantee they posed no threat.

“Bring your supplies to the door. I want to see what you’ve got,” Ajisaka commanded firmly, trying to show he couldn’t be easily fooled.

Linda chuckled softly, a sound that sent a chill down Ajisaka’s spine. “Sure, sure. We’ll show you. But you’ll have to let us in first, right? We won’t bite, promise,” she replied with a smile that was more unsettling than reassuring.

Dave, still composed, slowly reached into his bag, pulling out several cans of food, bottles of water, and what looked like medicine. Ajisaka checked the items through the narrow opening, evaluating whether they truly had something valuable.

“I’ll bring some things in, but you stay outside,” Ajisaka stated firmly. He wasn’t willing to risk letting them in without knowing who they really were. Binar, seeing the supplies, seemed somewhat reassured, though Ajisaka could feel the tension mounting in the air.

Linda rolled her eyes, clearly impatient. “Come on, kid. We don’t have all day. We need a safe place too. If you want to stay alive, we have to work together,” she said, her tone growing harsher.

Ajisaka stood his ground. “You stay outside,” he repeated, louder this time.

Dave glanced at Linda, then nodded slightly. “Alright. We’ll wait here. But make sure you don’t take all our stuff without giving us a safe place in return,” Dave said, his voice still calm but with a hint of warning.

Ajisaka took the items Dave handed over through the door crack. He tried to think clearly, assessing whether this was a fair trade or merely a trick. Seeing that they genuinely had food and water, Ajisaka felt slightly relieved, but he couldn’t ignore his suspicion toward Linda, who hadn’t stopped talking.

After he transferred some supplies into the bunker, Ajisaka straightened, watching the two. Linda continued to stare at him with a strange expression, while Dave remained calm, though Ajisaka could sense the tension simmering beneath his composure.

“Now it’s our turn. Open the door wider; we’re coming in,” Linda said as she stepped closer, her eyes narrowing with curiosity. But Ajisaka didn’t move.

“We’re not finished,” Ajisaka replied flatly, trying to stay calm even though his chest tightened with fear. He knew that letting them in might invite greater danger. He could only hope that his instincts were right, that refusing them was the best choice.

Linda was losing her patience. She took a step closer to the door, her face suddenly twisting with anger. “Listen, kid. We gave you supplies. Now open this door, or I’ll force it open!”

Ajisaka took a slight step back but kept the door tightly shut. Dave, seeing Linda’s rising temper, finally spoke in a more soothing tone. “Linda, relax. Don’t make trouble here. We need them as much as they need us.”

But Linda was too angry to listen. She leaned closer to the door, glaring at Ajisaka with a look of pure hatred. “Open this door now!” she shouted, gripping the handle harshly.

Ajisaka, already prepared for the worst, tightened his grip on the iron rod in his hand. The seconds stretched like an eternity, the air around him growing heavier. He knew that a critical decision lay before him. He had to choose—to let them in and face a potential threat or close the door, risking the chance to last a little longer.

Binar’s soft breaths echoed behind him, reminding Ajisaka that his brother’s safety was his top priority. He had to make the right choice, even if it meant facing a threat far greater than he’d imagined.

Ajisaka stood frozen by the bunker door, feeling his heartbeat pounding in his ears. The pressure of the situation intensified, and he knew there was no easy way out. Finally, with a heavy heart, he allowed Linda and Dave inside but set strict conditions. “You can stay only until the weather clears or the outside is safer. Don’t touch anything without my permission,” he said firmly, trying to keep control.

Linda nodded, an unsettling smile on her face, though Ajisaka knew from her wild eyes that she couldn’t be trusted. Binar, standing close to Ajisaka, hid behind him, looking anxious but still trusting his brother’s decision.

Once inside, Linda immediately displayed her aggression. She walked around the bunker, scanning every corner with a suspicious curiosity. “Hmmm, smaller than I thought,” she muttered, pulling a small knife from her belt. She twirled the knife in her hand like a toy, though the threat was clear. Walking toward Binar, Linda suddenly stopped and crouched down in front of him.

"What’s your name, little one?" Linda asked sweetly, though her tone dripped with insincerity. A small knife spun in her fingers, reflecting the dim light of the bunker.

Binar swallowed hard, too frightened to answer, glancing toward Ajisaka. Instantly, Ajisaka stepped closer, positioning himself between Binar and Linda, shielding his sister. "Keep that knife away from her," he said, his voice low and menacing.

But Linda only gave a sly smile, standing with a casual confidence, showing no hint of fear. "Relax. I’m only joking. We're not the bad guys here, right, Dave?" she said, turning to the man seated in the corner, who was rummaging through a bag.

Dave shrugged, staying calm. "We just want to survive, same as you," he said flatly, his gaze steady on Ajisaka. Though he spoke calmly, a tension underlay every movement, as if he were poised to act at any moment.

Ajisaka’s discomfort grew. Every step Linda and Dave took felt like a veiled threat. They may have arrived with food and water, but their intentions were far from simple. As Linda began inspecting the shelves of supplies, Ajisaka sensed they were looking for something more. Maybe they wanted control over the bunker, maybe to take everything that was left.

"Don’t touch anything without permission," Ajisaka repeated, his tone sharper as he saw Linda shifting cans of food.

Linda shot him a sharp glance, then chuckled. "Relax, kid. We’re just taking a look. You’ll have to learn to share if you want to survive in a world like this," she said with a mocking smile, her gaze wild and cunning.

Binar moved closer to Ajisaka, feeling the inescapable tension. Ajisaka placed a reassuring hand on his sister’s shoulder, trying to soothe her, but his mind remained alert. He knew Linda and Dave weren’t people they could trust.

That night, the bunker grew even more oppressive. The dim lights, the cramped space, and the presence of these two strangers made everything feel darker and more dangerous. Linda continued prowling around, as though searching for a weak spot in the bunker. Dave sat in the corner, watching Ajisaka with a cold gaze, waiting as though for the perfect moment to strike.

Ajisaka couldn’t sleep. He stayed awake all night, monitoring their every move. Each time Linda edged near the supplies or Binar, a wave of anxiety and vigilance surged within him. He knew they were being tested.

The next morning, as Ajisaka checked some items on the back shelf, Linda suddenly grabbed Binar. Her strong hand gripped Binar’s small arm tightly. "Listen, kid," she hissed, her voice low and threatening. "If you won’t cooperate, I’ll make this very difficult for you."

Ajisaka froze, watching Binar’s terrified, wide eyes. "Let go of her!" he shouted, his voice trembling with a mix of fury and fear. His body tensed, ready to do anything to protect his sister.

Linda brought the small knife to Binar’s cheek, her grin growing wider and more unhinged. "You don’t want this, do you? Then give us all your supplies. We’re taking over this place, and maybe—just maybe—we’ll let you live."

Dave stood behind Linda, not intervening, but also not stopping her. He watched coldly, as though this had been their plan all along.

Ajisaka felt his world collapsing. Binar shook in Linda’s grip, her eyes filled with fear. He didn’t know what to do. Their supplies were almost gone, they were weak, and now faced with a real threat. If he gave in now, they might never leave the bunker alive.

But one thing was certain in Ajisaka’s mind: he wouldn’t let anyone hurt his sister. No matter the risk, he had to fight.

"If you lay a hand on my sister, I swear you won’t leave here alive," Ajisaka said, his voice low, seething with a contained fury. His hand clenched tightly around an old metal rod he had kept for security.

Linda laughed, but something in Ajisaka’s eyes made her hesitate for a moment. She seemed to realize his threat wasn’t a joke. But then she smiled again, wilder than before.

"Let’s see who’s left standing in the end," Linda whispered as Binar held her breath, hoping her brother could save her from this situation.