8 Meaning of Mint and Basil
Adorning a snug baseball cap onto his unkempt brown hair, Oliver dressed up in casual sportswear: black, slim track pants, white T-shirt and a navy blue hoodie was tied around his waist. Admittedly, with his figure, he definitely had a good body at first glance, but with further inspection, people would realize that his limbs were too skinny and pale, then feel betrayed when they glance at his average face. Only letting their gaze linger at his lively eyes.
Not that Oliver ever cared about what others have thought of him since he most likely agreed with their opinions on his looks. Dull, average, okay.
Oliver headed towards the exit of his small apartment, before looking back. He slightly clenched his hands, and within that moment, all the items in his rooms disappeared. His bed, kitchenware, couch, and any food supply (mainly instant ramen) was placed into his advanced space.
His relative's country house pretty much had everything he needed, it provided food, shelter and other accommodations. Though it was only fresh foods and he might tire of being healthy. A little junk food would not hurt.
Unknowingly, Oliver reached the convenience store that was only a block away from his home. Entering the store, Oliver wandered around the aisles, randomly transported small treats, energy drinks, and soda into his space as leisure items for him to enjoy.
While he was walking around and discreetly shoplifting, Oliver wondered about what he should do next.
Of course, he was going to head back to his country house and try his best to survive. But, would he repeat the things he did in the past? Like taking in survivors, building a large base... picking up Aiden.
Ruffling his hair in irritation, Oliver pushed those questions to the back of his mind. He never was really the type of person to think of the distant future, that was left to-- actually, he would think about that later. He should just prepare for the next 23 hours.
He blatantly left the convenience store, leaving the cashier confused as to why the young man walked around looking thoughtful before exiting. The clerk reviewed the monitors and realized what was wrong.
Before Oliver could step a few yards away from the store, he heard a piercing and enraged screech.
"You delinquent! Pay for the items!" Behind Oliver was the convenience store clerk making a mad dash towards him, without thinking, Oliver also started to run away, which gained the attention of many of the locals who were out and about on the streets.
Whether it was the adrenaline or if his past experience in fighting zombies, his current weak body managed to evade both the clerk and the prying eyes.
Now that he slipped into a discreet alleyway, he leaned against the wall and heavily panted.
Oliver was mostly confused as to why the man was chasing him before letting out a small "Oh" when he recalled what that clerk was yelling at him.
He forgot. He truly forgot. Right now, he was no longer the right-hand man of the base leader, he was just another normal citizen that had to follow normal citizen laws. And he just robbed a convenience store...
The young man was used to just taking any useful supplies without paying that it slipped his mind to at least not look suspicious when he was casually shoplifting. Luckily, he was wearing a baseball cap, at the very least, the clerk would not try to get the police to find him.
Scratching his nose in slight embarrassment, Oliver continued on to his next destination: the supermarket. This time, he would pay for a couple of items.
He went through the supermarket and discreetly swept away any fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, meat, and canned foods into his space. To visualize the amounts he had, it could fill around ten shopping carts filled with groceries. He also casually grabbed a bunch of seeds that was unavailable in his former base. More food variety was more happiness for him! Oliver was about to head straight to the cashier, he spots small potted mints and basils.
As if by instinct, he casually passes by those fresh herbs, only to leave an empty space behind him.
He calmly buys the seeds in his hands and exited the supermarket. Oliver only needed to buy a couple of things to raise at his farm and to supply him enough through at least one year, he would also gradually collect more as he drives to the farmland.
Oliver had previously wanted to leave the city the moment he was done as to not get caught up in the mayhem. He would go gather his friends and relatives, except he did not have any. His personality became a bit problematic as his parents divorced and went to create their own happy little families, not that he held a grudge or anything, he just held no affections towards them. They constantly compared him to their current children, always wishing that he would go outside more and accomplish more.
He only ever liked his grandfather who previously owned the farm. The elder never liked either of Oliver's parents as they quickly left the young him alone, thus when his grandfather passed away, the farmland and country house was passed down to him, since his parents wanted him to go outside more. But, he was comfortable living in the city. So, he only sent workers to manage the area every few days or so.
Oliver's parents bugged him a few years, wanting at least a fraction of the property, before cutting all ties with him when they realized they would not get a bit. Laughable, really. He never saw them again.
His personality became a little mocking at those who show superficial love and act out, he garnered much hate from the people around him. So, he just did not have any friends.
Therefore, he had no reason to stay in a city that would soon become a complete hell. Though... feeling the bushels of mint and basil in his space, he already knew that he unconsciously made up his mind when he grabbed those plants. Oliver never really liked those herbs, but one man did.
Before leaving the city, he should pick up Aiden, just like last time.
Remembering his remnant feelings and thoughts before he took his last breath in the space, he knew that he wanted to meet Aiden again.
