Chitchat

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They were all prepared including Jennine.

"Are you sure you guys really want to come with us?" Justin asked the trio. "I think it's best to just wait here for us."

"I think he's right. You'll only put the kid in danger." Binna spoke.

"And just like you said, one way in to the capital and one way out. We'll definitely come back and fetch you guys." Kate spoke.

The three of them glared at each other. "Fine. But I'm going with you." Eli spoke.

"Count me in too." Alain piped in.

"But what about Jennine and I?" Nathaniel asked.

"You have to stay here with her. We'll come back to fetch you guys once we get the golds." Eli assured him.

"Ya'll be safe out there." They nodded their heads slightly.

Eli went to meet Jennine that was in Nathaniel's arms. She looked like she was going to burst out in tears really soon.

"I'll be back, I promise. Be a good girl to uncle Nathaniel."

The next second, heavy tears streamed down her cheeks. He carried her in his arms and started dabbing her back gently.

"Don't leave me, please...."

"I'll be back really soon. I promise."

"No...." Her tears seemed to be increasing more.

"If you be a good girl, I promise to get you something."

"Promise...?" She spoke looking at him.

"I promise. Only if you aren't going to cry and just stay with uncle Nathaniel till I get back."

She nodded her head, and he placed a kiss on her cheek before handing her back to Nathaniel.

"Take care of yourselves out there." Nathaniel spoke. They nodded and left the place.

____

"So what now? Can't we come up with another plan to pass through here and get to the capital quickly." She spoke as they walked on the deserted road.

Justin halted his steps and so they did. "I'm pretty sure you're very much aware that we cannot make a single sound. You saw what happened yesterday. So do you want all of us to turn into zombies?"

"F**k! I'm so f*****g tired already."

They heaved a sigh and continued their journey. On their way, they spotted a group of zombies and they quickly hid somewhere.

"There's no way we can get pass through this route." Kim spoke. "Any ideas?"

"There's a road by the left from where we came from." Alain hastened in. "We should retract and use that route."

They nodded their heads and retracted their steps.

"Do you think we're getting close to the capital?" Justin asked Eli.

"I think so. If we don't get interrupted by those zombies, I'm guessing it should take us a day after tomorrow to get to the capital."

They heaved a sigh of relief.

"So... I see you've grown fund of that little child." Justin decided to do a little chitchat as they continued their journey.

"Yeah. She reminds me a lot of my daughter. And I must say, I was kinda like a bad father. I mean.... I was really bad at taking care of my kids and my wife. But Jennine thought me how to." He grinned feeling proud of himself.

"Then I guess you're getting good at your job."

"You see.... before this whole zombies thing, I never appreciated my wife. We had a lot of misunderstandings, a lot of fights and I blamed her for not being a good mother or wife. I had lots of mistresses especially when I lost my job. I was just frustrated. She on the other hand, tried her very best to make sure there's food on the table for all of us. Some days, she worked overnight and did all three jobs at a time. No matter how tired she was, she'll make sure that her children doesn't notice it. She didn't want them to be worried about her. I will come back home late and drunk, and in most cases, force myself on her. I was barely home most of the times. But ever since the zombies invasion, ever since I met Jennine, I realized how my wife had been doing her very best. I never showed her gratitude. Now I know that I've made a grave mistake by treating her that way. She was a good woman. I hate myself for being a bad father to my children and bad husband to my wife. All this time along, I've been praying to be given a second chance, just to meet them and to correct all my flaws. I knew I made a very big mistake. If I can go back to them again, I'd do my very best to write my wrongs.

Justin dabbed in on his shoulder. "I'm sure you'll get back them soon. You'd be given a second chance to be a great father to your children and of course, the best husband to your wife."

"When that day comes Justin, I'll hug them so tight. I never even thought I'd be a good father not until I met Jennine. She's so dear to me and I vowed to myself to exude out all the love I failed to offer to my kids."

"You'll meet them, I assure you. So uhm, I'm guessing you'd adopt Jennine."

"Of course. I wouldn't have been who I am today if it wasn't because of her. She's a precious gift to me and I'm sure my wife and kids will love and accept her. She's an amazing kid." Excitement filled his voice like he had pictured the whole family thing perfectly.

"So why Jennine? I mean, why did you name her Jennine?"

He smiled bitterly. "I had twin daughters. The other one died a day after her birth. Her name was Jennine and the surviving one's name is Rose. Though she's a year older than this Jennine, buy I can't help but imagine them together as perfect bestfriends."

"My apologies to hear that."

"Thank you bro. But to be honest, it doesn't saddens me anymore This Jennine, I have already accepted her as my daughter. I just can't wait for the both of them to meet."

He grinned as they continued their journey. Suddenly, their heads whipped back to the direction of a sound and they became alarmed.

"Jennine....?"

•••••

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