"How did you do that?!" Roger rose from his chair, his curiosity mirrored by everyone in the room, their eyes fixed on Mr. Barry's weapon.
"Thanks to this device—the smartphones that angel had gifted us not too long ago." Mr. Barry gestured as he held up what looked to be a cell phone. Just a week earlier, the angel, Alice, I believed she called herself, had made a reappearance, blue screens reemerging in front of everyone.
"So, there was an error with the unload brain-transfer system we had graciously decided to bestow upon you all. So we are going old school." Out of nowhere, colorful smartphones rained down from the ceiling, landing right into people's waiting hands.
"Those devices are mini-system computers. You can call them S-Devices, which is short for System Devices. Please be careful not to damage, break, or lose them. We can replace them, but it will come at a cost." Alice emphasized the importance of safeguarding these devices at all costs with a fake smile.
I gazed down at the object I held in my hand. It looked like a normal smartphone and felt almost weightless in my hand. The phone was purple with a pink floral and moon design on the back.
A delicate dark pink chain hung from the side, clasped to a charm that I was shocked to see was of my favorite character, Moon Dream Kitty!
I never thought I would say this about a phone, but it was beautiful—even better looking than my old smartphone. I searched the room with my eyes and saw how everyone was captivated by the design of their smartphone.
Each device had its own unique design and seemed to reflect the owner's individual taste.
"S-devices operate similar to what you humans call smartphones, with preinstalled apps that will help you navigate on this new journey and will come in handy for your survival," Alice said before the feed shut off.
Despite its familiar appearance, many of us became frustrated when we realized that the device had no buttons. It left us puzzled and wondering how even to turn the thing on! This continued for a while with no improvement; after a while, everyone forgot about the phones until today.
"You managed to unlock it?" Kimberly looked at him curiously.
"So there was some kind of trick to it," James pondered, one of the people who remained determined to unravel the mystery of the device.
"So you just sat on your ass and said nothing!? Were you planning on going behind our backs!?" Roger's face contorted into a vivid shade of red, seething with anger as he jabbed an accusatory finger in Mr. Barry's direction. His supporters, fueled by blind allegiance, joined in, their collective glares bearing down on Mr. Barry.
"I just found out yesterday, and I'm telling you now."
Mr. Barry remained composed and unfazed, showing no signs of fear or intimidation, even in the face of Roger and his stupid gang. Not that he had any reason to be afraid of Roger, who was as skinny as a beanpole, unlike Mr. Barry, who was a towering brick wall of pure muscle.
James shook his head disapprovingly at Roger, expressing his disagreement, before he turned back to Mr. Barry to continue their conversation.
"How does it work?" he asked.
"Be mindful that I discovered this by accident. Kid, give me your hand for a moment."
Mr. Barry turned toward me. I offered him my hand, only to see him pull out a pocket knife. What was he going to do with that?!
"Don't be scared. This will only hurt a small bit," he softly reassured me. He carefully grasped my hand, and gently sliced the top of the blade against the skin of my finger. I winced at the sharp sting as a small droplet of blood took form.
"Now, hold that finger over your phone and let your blood drop onto the screen and press your thumb against it."
I reached into my pocket and retrieved the smartphone, and followed his instructions carefully right as a drop of my blood stained the black screen of my phone. I next place my thumb over the spot where my blood landed.
{Identifcation Recognize}
My phone's screen turned on. A loading icon appeared in the center of the screen, its shape morphing through the moon's eight phases before finally reaching completion.
The home screen came into view, and at the center of my phone was a large moon and flower-shaped icon with the word: {Stream} displayed underneath it. At the bottom, there were four preinstalled apps labeled: {Profile}, {Maps}, {Store}, and {Storage}.
"Click on the one that reads {Storage}," ordered Mr. Barry. I clicked on the icon, and a bunch of empty squares popped up with a note that read:
{You currently have no items. But since you are a Trainee, you get one free item. Do you wish to accept? Yes or No}
I curiously tapped the "Yes" option, and to my shock, a purple gift box fell from the ceiling and into my arms. As I uncovered the box, I felt the eyes of those in the room on me.
"No way…"
I stood there in disbelief. My hand trembled as I carefully extracted an average-sized hunting knife from within.
"A hunting knife? What the heck is that going to do against those giant monsters!?" Roger jeered at my weapon while his lackeys cackled at my small hunting knife.
"The remaining supplies will only sustain us for another day; we might be able to stretch it to two, but it's a risk. We must explore the surrounding area in search of additional food supplies. I've heard that there's a grocery store within a reasonable distance from our location. Hopefully, they got some canned food we can stockpile. But the trip will not be easy," said Mr. Barry.
Everyone pondered over his words.
No one wanted to go outside and confront those creatures. But upon further reflection, we had no choice. He already stated that the food in the pantry and the vending machine could only last two more days at best.
So either we risked dying out there from hungry beasts, or inside here from hunger and deprivation. Neither idea was pleasing.
"I say we go. We're going to die either way. At least we go out trying."
The man who spoke was unfamiliar to me, but he seemed to be close friends with James. Soon, others began to agree with the same idea, leaving only Roger and his crew, who were still indecisive despite the obvious answer.
"I absolutely refuse! I will not lay down my life for a bunch of freeloaders!" That was a big fat no from Roger, who stormed out of the room with his followers right at his heel.
"Umm… while I agree with you all, I'm sorry, but I'm just not a fighter! I can't do it! Please don't force me to go outside!" cried a pitiful young woman, her face streaked with tears. She hugged herself to keep from trembling as she recalled whatever terrifying experience she must've undergone when this nightmare first started.
Gradually, I noticed that others were beginning to mirror her expression, their eyes wide with dread and concern.
"We understand. Those who do not wish to fight, raise your hands." James empathetically acknowledged the fear in the gathered people's eyes and gently encouraged them to speak up.
Slowly, hands started to lift into the air, one after the other, including Summer and Kimberly's. I found myself transfixed by the sight of my own trembling hand as I hesitated to join the others.
I knew in my heart that I didn't want to go. I had never been trained in the use of knives or any type of weaponry.
I couldn't help but acknowledge the selfish nature of my thoughts and pondered over how I was any different from Roger. I hated myself. I wanted to help Mr. Barry but I wasn't ready to die.
"It's okay, kid. Go ahead and raise your hand. It's okay to admit that you're scared. No one will hold it against you."
I thought I did a better job at concealing my fear, but Mr. Barry still saw right through me. I wanted to help, but at the same time, the thought of stepping back out there with those dangerous beasts roaming about, had me shaking in my boots.
I knew deep down, I was being selfish. I wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for Mr. Barry risking his life to save me. But I just couldn't find the courage to go out there.
Out of the entire group inside the room, which was about twenty of us, only six people were brave enough to venture outside: four men and two women. Mr. Barry and James were two out of the four men who had volunteered to join the expedition.
"Don't cry, Kid. I'll be back before you know it. So hang in there until I get back, okay? But… On the odds if I don't make it back…" Mr. Barry pondered the thought of dying out there, yet instead of thinking of himself, he turned his eyes onto me.
"Take care of yourself, kiddo. The world is no longer the same as it was before. When push comes to shove, people will result in taking drastic measures just to protect themselves."
He took a step forward and placed his large hand on my shoulder.
"But despite what happened, even when the world tempts you astray, never forget your moral code. People who abandon their code of honor, disregarding right from wrong, they lose their humanity. Remember, true strength lies from within."
I etched Mr. Barry's reassuring words deep into my heart as my tears continued to flow uncontrollably. His gentle chuckle provided a moment of solace as he affectionately patted my head.
The next day, him and the rest of the group headed out, their fate uncertain as they ventured into the unknown.