Tension

An explosion jolted the community awake, it was the early hours of morning yet rushed footsteps could be head as men rushed out of the comfort of their homes at the sound of the explosion

A sigh escaped Zosia's lips as she crawled out of the covers, her head throbbed slightly as she made her way out the door

She washed her face and mouth before rinsing her body quickly then she headed out

"you're awake" Lester glanced at her briefly before turning his focus to his fathers approaching form "mm" she nodded indifferently before shifting her gaze to the gate Leon ran quickly to Lebron's side taking the wicker basket full of herbs and vegetables from Lebron'

"Those stupid hunter's! They really do have a lot of nerves!" Lebron snorted in disdain as he walked into the yard stomping his cane hard as if to vent his anger

Leon glanced at his brother then his father in confusion

"What! You think I'm a crazy old man don't you" Lebron glared at his sons feeling regret having birthed two idiots as sons luckily he had his daughter

"Come child, this old man found a lot in the mountains!" Lebron smiled bashfully as he pulled the wicker basket from Leon and walked over to Zosia

"father the mountains are dangerous….. it's nearing winter" Lester argued however Lebron spat hatefully

"You can't even feed your kids well yet you want to lecture this old man! Are you really tired of living!" Lebron stomped his cane in anger and with a huff he stormed in pulling clueless Zosia behind him

"Brother" Leon looked up to his older brother, his voice laced with fear of the unknown

This however angered Lester to no ends " go find out what happened" with that he walked back into his house to join his family, seeing no

Commotion the threat would have been minimal hence he wasn't bothered

Leon sighed glancing over at the shuts doors before walking out of the house pitifully

"Child this old man found so much eggs" Lebron grinned as he showed her his spoils, which were indeed a lot, Zosia bent over sorting through the pile of vegetables and eggs "they're quite a lot" Zosia noted, the eggs were larger than wild chicken eggs which were almost the size of an infants head

The old man's kitchen was well organized with various types of seasonings from mutated plants. Zosia begun to work quickly

Since there was fish and meat available, she made quite a feast of dishes and the delicious aroma filled the air

"I'll shut the door so the aroma won't drift out" Lebron stood up and quickly bolted the door shut with a soft sigh escaping his lips

"Child when you cook delicious meals in the future close the doors so the aroma won't drift out... humans have turned on humans for food" Lebron warned her seriously and she nodded in understanding

For someone like her who had seen the ups and downs of the world, this fact she knew all too well hence she continued to make the dishes quickly

She really couldn't blame Athena's thrifty nature, finding fertility stones to fertilize crops and soil wasn't easy and once one succeeds in planting they had to guard the produce with their lives and for those who couldn't plant all seasons they could only venture into the depths of the forest for food and this on it's own was a more risky task due to the dangerous beasts and monsters

Finally breakfast was prepared and both Lebron and Zosia each had their fill

Lebron couldn't help licking his lips at the delicious food "good child cooks good food…. A good child indeed" he smiled in content as he gulped down a jug of water "the world used to be without monsters.... It once used to be peaceful but now the monsters aren't the only tainted ones….. the human heart is tainted! You must live well child " he added while stroking his beards

His eyes filled with wisdom and intelligence had a hint of yearning, his voice quivered

"Take the eggs and vegetables to my daughter Laura" he said as he took out a yellow paper which he used to note the address before hanging it all to Zosia

"I'll be back soon" Zosia took the paper memorizing the address as she picked up the wicker basket and headed out of the house

"Weak and useless.... Can you even hear a child with that tiny waist and that full chest! It'll only suffocate the child…. Oh heavens!"kelsie scoffed seeing Zosia walk out "keep it low kelsie, she's commander's maiden in waiting"Winnie hushed her friend before she would say anything worse

Zosia glanced at the duo coldly, they really weren't worth her time

"What then happens to lady Irene! She deserves to be his lady in waiting!" Kelsie frowned glaring daggers at Zosia " I'll still prefer lady Eleanor to lady Irene" Winnie chuckled her eyes trailed Zosia as if challenging her to fight back

"Sister in law" Athena smiled seeing Zosia outside, glancing over at kelsie and Winnie she frowned "I'll have to deliver a message for the old man" Zosia informed her

"You aren't strong enough, rest here I'll go" Athena quickly put away the dirty clothes but Zosia stopped her "I also want to stroll a bit" with that Zosia walked away before Athena could stop her

"Shameless... Rivana would never accept her" kelsie sneered her voice tinged with jealousy seeing that pale luscious skin

Athena rolled her eyes as she then proceeded to begin her chores for the day

The path was rocky and a bit desolate, the land was toxic and full of toxins however the wild flowers bloomed with vitality

Beautiful but poisonous

Zosia heeded her temptation cutting all the wild flower she saw before tossing them into her space, she began experimenting on her way achieving a vial of highly toxic poison

A smile spread on her lips, the kind which didn't reach one's eyes laced with a hint of cruelty

She alas arrived the Wilson family's home, a large courtyard with large sturdy gates "who are you?" The woman sweeping the front gate asked wary of this stranger, her eyes trailed Zosia's form noting the difference between Zosia's simple outfit and the towns folks

Zosia wasn't surprised, after the massive explosion that morning it was only normal to be wary hence she didn't deem the woman's behavior offensive

"Laura" Zosia's words were low but firm, her cold eyes rested on the young woman making her shiver and step back subconsciously "Laura someone's looking for you" the woman ran into the yard in fear, screaming as she ran and not long after Laura walked out in a simple dress with her hair in a low bun

Her skin was slightly tanned yet that didn't hide her beauty, Zosia however wasn't one to appreciate the beauty of things hence she turned her eyes away and took out the things from the wicker basket all covered in cloth

"Who are you?" Laura asked a bit wary of Zosia, those cold blood red eyes screamed danger "your father sent you this….. you have to live well for him"Zosia replied and once she was done she turned and walked back the way she came "who was that sister Laura?" Madeline asked as she picked up the brooms with shaky hands and trembling legs "my father's people" Laura answered and then she walked into the house, Madeline looked around fearfully before she continued sweeping

"Still writing?" Laura asked seeing her husband so focused on the acccounts "a little bit more and I'll be done" George sighed apologetically, he understood the weight she had to bear because of him, his eyes landed on the content in her hands and a sigh escaped his lips "the grains would be brought back today by second brother" he informed her and went back to work

Laura sighed as she walked into the kitchen to begin breakfast preparations, the children were still asleep and would wake anytime soon hence she began preparing breakfast. Luckily her brother Lester was a hunter and Leon was a fisherman, Both equally had their own farmlands

Hence she could get meat and fish or seafood every week or every two weeks which helped a lot

With a family like the Wilson were the food supplies were strictly controlled by the elders life was indeed tough on them, the shared rations was barely enough for them to get by hence they had to spend their more money

George was only a shop keeper, the children would go to school as well as health expenses and other daily necessities and she made little to nothing form mending shoes all year round. The amount they both made could barely cover up all the expenses and the bills continues to pile making her even more anxious

Zosia on the other hand was oblivious to the turmoil between the couple as she wondered around the waste lands for spoils

Am aftermath of countless wars, she wondered all day only returning at midnight