My Sniper System in a Zombie Apocalypse World-Chapter 101: Not Bound by Blood

Jaxon and his group were quietly escorted to Car 17. The other survivors from the same city were split up and sent to Cars 18, 19, and 20.

At least the military had the sense not to cram them all into one place. If someone turned, it would limit the damage.

"What the hell is this?" Bong-gu muttered, pacing a few steps before stopping. "We get a few hours of decent food and rest, and now they’re treating us like infected."

He wasn’t the only one. Unease spread through the group, each person wondering what would happen next.

"Tch. Those bastards," Elena said, clicking her tongue as she folded her arms.

Jaxon sat nearby, watching Sumiko sleep. Even with doctors keeping an eye on her, she hadn’t been spared. They had moved her here too.

"Everyone, calm down," Jaxon said at last, breaking the silence. "The soldier said the others have been here for days. If nothing happens to us in the next few days, they won’t have a reason to keep us locked away."

Natasha nodded. "They wouldn’t bother separating us if they planned to kill us. This means they’re still unsure."

Elaine lowered her gaze. "But the other survivors..." she said softly. "The way they looked at us... like we were already dead."

Hae-in sighed quietly. "Even the staff. They were so kind earlier. Now they won’t even meet our eyes."

"Don’t let their words get to you," Jaxon said calmly. "They’re afraid, for the hope they just regained, the moment of peace, everyone’s afraid of losing it. It’s simply human nature."

Burgors nodded. "Jaxon’s right. Don’t let them get inside your head. And Miss Elaine, why worry about what strangers think?" he said lightly. "We all got each other, don’t we?"

Hannah let out a small laugh. "It’s strange hearing that from you." Then her smile softened. "But you’re right. We haven’t been together long, but somehow... you all feel like family already."

"So you feel it too," Hae-in said softly. "I haven’t seen my family since everything fell apart." Her voice dropped. "But being with all of you, I feel safe."

Claire reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Same here. I’m in the same situation, but with everyone here, it feels... bearable."

Hiromi and Jannah nodded together. Hiromi spoke first. "When our parents died and Big Sister Elena found us, we were devastated. We only kept going because we had each other."

Jannah hugged her sister’s arm. "But meeting all the Big Brothers and Big Sisters here, living and helping each other, it feels like home."

Bong-gu scratched the back of his head. "I lost my best friend back then. I don’t even know what happened to my family." He paused. "But he told me to keep living. So that’s what I’ll do."

"Oh?" Haris said, raising a brow. "So we’re not your friends then?"

"That’s not what I..." Bong-gu started, but Haris laughed and threw an arm over Bong-gu’s shoulder. "I’m kidding. You’re like a little brother to me now. Just a big one."

Elaine watched her students laugh, a soft smile spreading across her face. "Before all this, I had a lot of friends. I can’t even count how many."

"Yeah, you were really popular, Miss Elaine," Bong-gu said with a grin. "Especially with the boys."

Elaine let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. "I had plenty of friends, but most of them felt... superficial. Even with so many people around, I often felt lonely. But with you all... it’s strange. It feels like we’ve been friends for years, not just a short while."

Cindy and Isabel nodded in agreement. "It really was fun, training together back in the bunker," Isabel said. "I can’t even remember the last time I had that much fun with friends."

"What, you don’t have fun with us, Mom?" Cindy pouted, then giggled. "But you’re right. Being with all of you... we’ve been through so much together, the scary moments, the sad moments, everything. I’m really glad I got to meet everyone."

All eyes then turned to Na-rin, sitting quietly beside Elaine. She shifted awkwardly, unused to talking like this, before finally finding her voice. "I didn’t really have friends even before the chaos. My parents always pushed me to study hard and focus on my future. They were busy with work most of the time." She hesitated, then continued. "I often felt alone. But now... I don’t feel that way anymore."

"You aren’t alone," Jaxon said softly. Their eyes met for a moment, and Na-rin suddenly felt warmth rising in her cheeks and quickly looked away, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Natasha frowned slightly, then let out a sigh. "Honestly... I’m a little angry at everyone here."

All eyes turned to her, surprised.

"And... at myself," she continued. "It’s because of us that Jaxon ends up risking his life to save us, feeling like he has to protect everyone here."

Silence fell across the group.

"Natasha, that’s not..." Jaxon began, but she shook her head and kept going.

"But even so," Natasha said softly, "you all are the reason we stay sane and kept hope. You’ve made us realize that surviving alone isn’t enough. And... though most of you are girls," she said, glaring at Jaxon, "...I won’t deny that I’ve enjoyed your company."

A small laugh rippled through the group.

"Tch, now that everyone’s speaking their minds, I suppose I should too," Elena said, crossing her arms with a grin. "Natasha’s not wrong. Most of us wouldn’t have made it here without luck or Jaxon saving our asses." She paused, smirking. "But you all have potential. Keep training with me, and one day, you’ll be strong... strong like me." She laughed, and no one dared argue, remembering how terror she could be as a trainer.

The room fell quiet for a moment, then every pair of eyes turned to Jaxon.

"What?" he said wryly, shrugging. "You’ve all said plenty. I don’t really have anything else to add."

"Come on, Jaxon," Haris said, nudging him. "You’re the reason we’re all here together in the first place. Say something, anything."

Jaxon chuckled softly. "Back then, I didn’t think much about anyone outside my family... and even now, I guess." His gaze shifted to Sumiko, brushing a strand of hair from her face as she slept in his lap "...but the trust you give me with your lives proves to me once again that family doesn’t have to be blood."

Warm smiles spread across the group.

"Yes, yes! We’re all family here!" Burgors suddenly shouted, his grin stretching from ear to ear. "Come on, this calls for a group hug!"