After a long conversation by the sea, one of the younger boys finally said, "Now, we have to get back to the village."
"You all go," A.D. replied, wanting some time alone.
"Okay," the boy said. "Then we're going. Come back after some time, and don't make us worry about you."
"No!" A.D. insisted. "I'll come early!"
A short while later, A.D. stood gazing out at the vast expanse of the sea. A giant tentacle of the squid appeared, briefly breaking the surface. A.D. watched it from afar, unaware that Jane was observing him from a distance.
He slowly walked into the water, moving deliberately towards the squid, a clear intent to end his life visible in his every step. Jane, witnessing his desperate act, ran forward, grabbing his arm. Tears streamed down her face as she weakly hit his chest. "Why? Why are you trying to end your life?" she sobbed. "You don't care about me!" She sank to the sand, crying uncontrollably.
"Jane, why are you so obsessed with me?" A.D. asked, his voice strained. "Why don't you just drop this topic and stop crying?"
Jane looked up, her tear-filled eyes meeting his. "You know, I want to live," she said, her voice raw with emotion. "I want to live a happy life. I want a person who cares about me, who loves me, and whom I love. And I really want you to be that person." Her voice broke. "In the real world, I lived a life of sadness. My whole life was nothing but crying."
A.D. stood there, a flicker of his own past memories surfacing. He reached down, pulling her to her feet, and hugged her tightly. "Don't worry," he whispered, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. "I'm with you now. Stop crying. We will win this game, and you will live your wishful life."
Jane clung to him, hugging him back with equal fervor. "Is it possible?" she murmured.
Chapter : The Receding Tide
Just as hope seemed to glimmer, the ground began to tremble. A familiar, terrifying earthquake shook them, and they noticed the sea water level was rapidly receding.
A young boy from the village ran towards them, his face pale with fear. "A.D., quickly! We have to do something! The water level is lessening, and zombies are trying to come here!"
"But we have the squid!" Jane cried, confused.
"It's dying," the boy explained, his voice trembling. "Because the water is going."
"Then what will happen?" Jane asked, fear now creeping into her voice.