Rise Of The Hoarder

Using my Sanitizer and water well, I cleaned up nicely.r

Feeling squeaky clean, I placed them back into [Subspace], also putting the mat in the trash area.r

‘There’s no way I’m ever using that again. It’s as good as shit now.’ r

Finally, I returned the Gas mask as well, holding my breath as I quickly exited the horrific area.r

“Haaa… Haaa…” I heaved heavily upon stepping out.r

“Wow, you did a good job. I was so sure you’d run out screaming.” Peter smiled, giving me a surprised expression.r

‘This bastard actually wanted to see me terrified?’r

>Sigh<, so much for my caring family.r

At this moment, I knew I had to complete whatever I wanted to do and leave this filthy place quickly. I wasn’t sure how long I could survive living this way.r

As we walked away from the men’s toilet, my eyes caught the female’s side of the restroom as well.r

Seeing that they were divided, I had a feeling that the girl’s side would be better, so I spread my heightened senses to see for myself… definitely not to spy on any girl or anything.r

“Urk! Oophh!!!” I held my mouth to prevent myself from throwing up.r

There was no way I would ever open my mouth to narrate what I had just seen, but let’s just say… I regretted my actions and reflected on myself.

*******************************

[The Next Day]r

Everyone in the room was roused by a knock on the door. r

‘Is it Ana?’ I thought to myself, seeing as she was the only one who wasn’t sleeping in the room with us.r

However, she didn’t need to knock in order to gain access to the room. Rubbing my eyes as I smacked my lips, I focused my attention on the person beyond the door. It certainly wasn’t Ana.r

“Who’s there?” Peter asked, rising from his mattress.r

Everyone else started waking up due to the noise that interrupted their sleep, so there was no problem with me being awake as well.r

Peter went to the door, opening it.r

“Good morning, Mr. Peter.” The person who knocked said with a smile.r

I recognized him, well… to an extent.r

‘He was one of those guards who welcomed us when we arrived, uh? It must not be his shift…’r

“What are you doing here, Theodore? You should be at your assigned post” Peter said, looking a little surprised.r

“Well, about that. It’s not my shift. I’m supposed to be on patrol right now, however…” The man’s eyes suddenly went to me.r

‘What’s this guy looking at?’ r

“What’s the matter?” Peter asked, noticing his gaze had shifted.r

“The Camp Leader said I should call for the boy named Jeremy to his office.” r

Peter, as well as the other members of the group, expressed surprise.r

“This early? Didn’t we agree that he would meet with Jeremy once he has fully recovered?” Peter replied, not exactly talking to Theo, who was just the messenger.r

“I’m just following orders. Here, take this for confirmation.”r

Theo brought out his walkie-talkie and gave Peter. The moment he saw it, four eyes knew what it meant.r

“Peter, this is Charles. I asked for Jeremy’s presence… is there a problem?” The Camp Leader’s voice buzzed from the device.r

Peter appeared a little shaken upon hearing this, seeing that there was nothing he could do.r

“N-no, it’s just that it’s too sudden. Jeremy hasn’t even gotten the chance to freshen up and-“r

“I gave you enough time yesterday. Believe me, I also don’t want to take this route, but as the leader, I have to ensure the safety of all the members of this camp. You understand, don’t you?”r

Peter had run out of points, I could see it. I also understood the tactics their leader was using. It was pretty clever, I had to admit.r

Catching Peter off-guard, so early in the morning, when he wasn’t at his strongest suit would of course make him very hesitant in making his argument. Plus, the group sheltered me throughout yesterday since they mentioned that I needed rest.r

Quite a while had passed, so I had to have recovered already. Using this logic, nothing was preventing me from seeing the Leader.r

Finally, they chose so early in the morning, knowing that Ana wasn’t staying with us. Ana would have been able to defend me more, so it was easier this way.r

‘Let’s just get this over with…’r

“I understand, sir.” Peter sighed, looking at me apologetically.r

“Jeremy, it seems you’re being called upon by our Camp Leader.”r

I put on my clueless face as I stood up, groaning a little.r

“That’s no problem. I think I’ve gotten enough rest.” I responded, nodding affirmatively.r

I could understand that Peter was a little worried about me since Charles seemed to be an insensitive and overbearing person. Everyone else, well, except Larry, looked at me with concern.r

However, that was the last thing on my mind.r

‘It’s a good thing Lily told me beforehand, I would have been in quite a pickle if I didn’t know already…’ r

“I’m ready.” I smiled.r

Walking out the door, I stole one final glance at everyone, who gave me encouraging nods before I exited the room.r

This would be my first time out of the room, alone. They were all concerned for poor, Lil Jeremy.r

Theodore led the way, taking me past the hallway as we climbed the stairs to reach the final floor.r

He didn’t say anything, though the constant stares he gave me already sent the message. r

‘It appears people in this Camp aren’t too fond of newcomers.’ I mused.r

After reaching the final floor, we reached the first door to our right, where the Camp Leader’s office was, apparently. Looking down the hallway, I saw other rooms. Deducing, based on the order of importance, they most likely contained the resources of the whole Camp.r

‘The goods are close to the Leader, so he can watch them, while being far away from others, so that access is limited. Not bad.’r

Theodore knocked on the door that stood before us, and a response came from within.r

“Come in.”r