Chapter6: Jack's ideals and aspirations

In the library's lab, the dim light flickered, casting long shadows across the room. The air was thick with the scent of old books and dust. Several worn-out laboratory tables were scattered in the center, with test tubes and chemical reagents strewn across their surfaces. Jack and Lily sat quietly in the corner, taking a brief moment to rest. They had only recently met, having crossed paths a few times through Tom, but they weren't yet familiar with each other. Now, stuck in the library, they were forced to sit together and share whatever food they had in their bags.

Jack pulled out a few compressed biscuits and a bottle of water from his backpack, handing them to Lily. She took the food with a faint smile, thanking him. They both began eating, their quiet conversation filling the stillness.

"How are you holding up?" Lily asked softly, trying to break the silence.

Jack lifted his gaze, his eyes revealing a quiet determination. "To be honest, there's a lot I'm afraid of. I didn't expect things to unfold so suddenly. It's hard to predict something like this. I thought about it, but it's different when it actually happens. All I can do now is hope my family and friends are safe. Once I've rested, I'll go try to find them. I just hope they're alright."

Lily nodded, sensing the ambition and drive in Jack's words. She, on the other hand, was more inclined to stay calm and composed in the face of crisis. She always managed to keep her cool. "We could go together when the time comes," she said, her voice low. "We can look out for each other, but I'm worried about the time we have to wait. What if something else happens in the meantime? Now that it's dark, things are even more dangerous. Our vision is worse, and that just makes everything riskier."

Jack sighed, a look of resignation in his eyes. "Yeah, there's always a gap between ideals and reality. But I believe, as long as we stick together, we'll find a way out."

Lily pondered for a moment, then asked, "If this really is the end of the world, what would you do? Would you search for other survivors, or would you find a safe place to settle down for the rest of your life?"

Jack didn't immediately know how to respond. For him, the world needed a savior, even if he could barely save himself. But if the world called on him to stand up, he would do so without hesitation, no matter the cost. After a pause, he answered, "I'd still look for other survivors. They'd want someone to come and help them, just like I would want someone to come for me."

Lily's thoughts were a little different, but she didn't press the matter further. She remained silent, her eyes lingering on Jack for a moment. There was something deeply serious about him, a quiet idealism in the way he spoke—like he truly believed in the possibility of salvation, no matter how bleak the situation.