Meeting (2)

"Well, I have to say that I agree with what Rose said," Enzo spoke up, breaking the silence that had enveloped the room. He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before elaborating on his stance. "In times like these, history has shown us that governments are often slow to adapt to the changing world. Waiting for their intervention could put us at risk and hinder our chances of survival."

Enzo surveyed the room, taking note of the range of emotions etched across the faces of the group. Their expressions painted a diverse picture, revealing a mixture of uncertainty, contemplation, and even a glimmer of hope. As his gaze landed on Rose, her poker face remained intact, but a subtle curl at the corner of her lips betrayed a hint of satisfaction, confirming Enzo's perception.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Ren's voice reverberated through the room, laced with disbelief. "You don't know anything about the government. You're just an insignificant nobody among us all. How could you possibly claim to know what they're capable of, huh?"

Enzo's eyes narrowed, a flicker of defiance gleaming within them. "You're right, I may be a nobody in your eyes," he retorted, his tone brimming with determination. "But let me tell you something. As this so-called nobody, I've never seen the government lend a helping hand to me or my family. They were nowhere to be found when we needed them the most. So forgive me if I don't place my trust in an institution that has failed me time and time again."

As Enzo's words hung in the air, a ripple of agitation passed through the air, causing his butterflies to flutter restlessly around him. Their iridescent wings mirrored his own growing frustration and anger.

Rose's perceptive eyes quickly caught the mounting tension in the room. While she understood Enzo's frustration, she also recognized the potential danger of allowing the situation to escalate further. A commotion would only lead to more discord, and Ren would find himself in an unfavorable position.

"Let's take a moment to calm down, shall we?" Rose interjected, positioning herself between the two individuals. Her voice carried a soothing tone, attempting to diffuse the tension. "Arguing amongst ourselves won't get us anywhere right now. We need to maintain our focus and concentrate on the task at hand."

Her words hung in the air, a gentle reminder that unity was essential in such challenging times. With her poised presence, Rose hoped to redirect their attention to the larger objective, urging them to set aside their differences for the sake of their survival.

Enzo took a deep breath, feeling the surge of anger subside within him. He made a conscious effort to regain his composure, and as he did, his butterflies mirrored his state of calmness. The agitated fluttering of their wings settled, harmonizing with the newfound tranquility in the room.

Ren, on the other hand, seized the opportunity to showcase a victorious stance, a smug expression etched across his face. He let out a dismissive harrumph, believing he had triumphed in the verbal confrontation. Enzo couldn't help but roll his eyes at Ren's display, recognizing the futility of his behavior.

With a determined gaze, Enzo focused his attention on Rose, indicating his readiness to address the next pressing issue. "And finally, the last challenge we face: the dwindling food supply in the cafeteria. At the current rate, it will last us three days if we consume it fully, or perhaps a week if we restraint ourselves. However, it's unlikely that everyone will agree to such rationing."

"So what's your proposal, then?"

Rose continued. "I suggest that we venture out to search for supplies. The university's convenience store, although far away from here, presents our best opportunity to replenish our resources. We must gather not only food but also medicine, as some people we saved have already shown symptoms of a cold. However, the problem will be to face all the monsters on the way, so we need to go out in groups."

"I can handle going out alone."

"What are you talking ab-..."

Ren's voice faltered as he began to protest, but Enzo swiftly interrupted him, his patience worn thin. "Will you just keep quiet?!" Enzo's outburst silenced Ren mid-sentence, his frustration with Ren's behavior now reaching its peak. Enzo had reached a point where he simply didn't want to deal with Ren's negativity at that moment. "I would rather go alone than with some useless guys like you."

Ren's face flushed with anger, his hand instinctively reaching for his spear, ready to confront Enzo head-on. But before he could make a move, Rose swiftly intervened, stepping in between the two of them.

"Enough!" Rose's voice carried a commanding tone, her gaze fixed on Ren. "We won't solve anything through violence. Put your weapon down."

Ren's hand trembled for a moment, his fury evident in his eyes. Reluctantly, he slowly lowered his spear, begrudgingly acquiescing to Rose's intervention.

Enzo, although still frustrated with Ren's behavior, understood the reasoning behind Rose's words. He took a deep breath, letting the tension subside. "Fine, but I don't want to be stuck with any of them," he replied, his tone tinged with a hint of resignation.

Rose nodded, her expression unwavering. "Some of us will need to remain here to protect this place anyway," she explained. "I will accompany you on the supply run, and Marie and Ren will stay behind. That way, we can maintain the security of our base. Is that acceptable to you?"

Enzo paused for a moment, contemplating the proposal. He recognized the practicality of the arrangement, even if it meant dealing with Ren's presence later on. "Alright," he finally conceded, understanding that he had to prioritize the group's safety over personal grievances.

Deep down, Enzo knew that in this dire situation, they had to set aside their differences and work together for their survival. And if it was Rose who would come with him, then he wouldn't mind so much. She wasn't as bad as the other two.

Nonetheless, Enzo couldn't help but remain on guard, a sense of familiarity stirring within him. It was hard not to recognize her, considering the adoration and admiration she had commanded from every single student. Rose had been the epitome of popularity and influence, her presence captivating and influential. But behind that facade, Enzo sensed there was more to her, something deeper that he had yet to fully grasp.

So he didn't want to be unprepared in front of her.

After attending to a few more necessary details, Rose took it upon herself to gather the group and address them collectively. Enzo couldn't help but acknowledge her natural ability to command a crowd, her words carefully chosen to instill hope and reassurance. She exuded a sense of confidence and conviction, assuring everyone that they would be protected at all costs.

However, Enzo's thoughts diverged from the optimistic picture Rose painted. He harbored reservations, as he wouldn't risk his own life for people he hardly knew.

As Rose continued to inspire confidence in the group, Enzo kept his dissenting thoughts to himself, not wanting to disrupt the delicate balance they had established. Deep down, he knew that the majority of them were still gripped by fear, reluctant to face the monsters outside. Their aversion to fighting only reinforced his resolve to prioritize his own survival, knowing that his actions and choices needed to be grounded in self-preservation.