Jessica was working out at the gym of Alpha Condominium. It took up half of the seventh floor, possessed a variety of training equipment and was furnished with bathrooms, showers and changing rooms. It was clean and bright, and despite all of the windows being utterly boarded up, it was a well-maintained facility. Most likely, the residents made often use of it, but for today, few were present.

After Carmelita briefly introduced Jessica and told everyone present to leave her alone and give her some space, they kept their distance. Some even left. Jessica wasn’t sure if it was because of Carmelita’s booming voice, her frightening gaze, her descriptive threats or the trust she commanded, but even hours later, nobody tried to bother her. Of course, they glanced at her, especially the men, but that was it.

The young woman had a hard time tolerating it, but immersing herself in her training helped. So, she focused on moving her body that was clad in a blue T-shirt and red shorts that were given to her. She did some light exercises such as push-ups and focused on the treadmill. After running for a good while and working up a sweat, she decided to stop and leave.

“(It’s been so long since I went to the gym.)” [Jessica]

She thought, out of breath and inwardly disappointed to see that she had grown quite weak. Although, it couldn’t be helped. She had been trapped for two months and before then, most of her time was taken up by her job. Even if she had free time, she couldn’t muster the energy to train.

Jessica went to take a shower and washed away her sweat. Then, she dried herself properly using the towel and dryer provided. Carmelita had been nice enough to give her everything she needed, including clothes. In the changing room for women where many lockers were lined up with wooden benches, Jessica happily put on some fresh underwear and her clothes.

“(It feels good to finally wear some, but it’s a bit tight.)” [Jessica]

She thought, feeling her chest being squeezed by her bra.

“(Now that I think about it, I was offered several pairs along with new clothes.)” [Jessica]

After hesitating for a bit, she went to one of the empty condos on the seventh floor that had been reserved for her. There, in the bedroom, were different sets of underwear, T-shirts, pants and shorts that Carmelita had arranged for her. They were spares that were graciously given to her. Grateful, Jessica began to try them on, secretly enjoying the pleasure of trying on different clothes.

“Mm, I think I prefer red or pink ones for this type.” [Jessica]

Jessica muttered as she examined herself in the mirror while in white underwear.

“Yeah, I also prefer red ones.” [Rowan]

Suddenly, she heard a male voice, startling her. Hurriedly looking in the direction of the entrance of the bedroom, she saw a red-faced Rowan unsteadily standing there, an empty bottle of whiskey in his hand. His unfocused eyes suddenly turned sharp and steely like those of an eagle’s. Staring intently at her rich form clad in underwear from head to toe, he whistled contentedly.

“Daaamn, I knew I smelled something good!” [Rowan]

He said with a lecherous grin on his face. The woman before him was truly gorgeous and seductive. Her generous chest that was contained in her bra had the perfect shape. Her hips were wide in contrast to her slim waist and smooth stomach. Her thighs were thick and yet her limbs were slender. It was completely different from Carmelita who sported some serious abdominal muscles and big arms strong enough to punch him around.

“W-wha-!? Who are you?! C-Carmelita sai-!” [Jessica]

“Carmeeen’s not cute anymore. Sometimes, sometimes I need to eat something else, you know? She’ll understand.” [Rowan]

“SOMEON-!!!” [Jessica]

“You scream and I’ll hurt you.” [Rowan]

Rowan threw the empty bottle and it passed right next to Jessica’s face. It bounced on the bed before rolling down on the floor. The half-naked woman instantly went quiet, her shoulders trembling. Because of her past experiences, she froze in fear long enough for the large man, despite being inebriated, to close the distance between them.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“MNN!!” [Jessica]

Pushing her on the bed, he covered Jessica’s mouth with his left hand and held down her arms by the wrists over her head with the other.

“Y, you, you’re new here, right? Then let me teach you eeeverything you need to know.” [Rowan]

“MN!! MN! NN!! MNNN!” [Jessica]

Jessica struggled under his grasp, but to no avail. She couldn’t break free or call out for help. Her desperate yet futile attempts aroused Rowan’s sadistic side, causing his body to heat up for a different reason than the whiskey coursing through his veins.

“Let’s, get to know each other better, yeah?” [Rowan]

He exhaled a breath that reeked of alcohol right in her face that had gone pale from fright. As the drunken man moved his hand from her mouth and swiftly tried to seal her lips with his, a hand grabbed his neck from behind. It strongly pulled him away from her and was followed by a punch that crashed into his face.

“BUEGH?!” [Rowan]

Rowan was knocked back, hit the floor and instinctively rolled to his knees. Looking up, he saw the other newcomer that had arrived at the Caravans.

“Oh, so this is why I was getting a bad feeling.” [Ryner]

The black-haired man with half-closed eyes of different colors stood by the bedside.

“Ry, Ryner…” [Jessica]

“… And I actually made it in time.” [Ryner]

He said softly and glanced at the teary-eyed, half-naked woman on the bed. His calm gaze showed a hint of kindness, relief, but when he turned his sight on Rowan, it became cold, sharp, murderous.

“Be careful with what you do next, brat.” [Ryner]

He said.

“Or I’ll kill you.” [Ryner]

“…!” [Rowan]

A shiver went down Rowan’s spine. He was a soldier. His experience and instincts that he honed on the battlefield warned him that it was no empty threat, and that the man in front of him was dangerous. His mind that was full of booze and thoughts of doing various things with Jessica sharpened somewhat.

“HUH?! YOU WANNA FIGHT, BASTARD!?” [Rowan]

After wiping his bruised cheek and spitting out blood, he retrieved a folding knife from his pocket and held it in his right hand. The black steel blade gleamed as if reflecting his bloodlust. “Take out the enemy before you.” was what his drunk brain was telling him. “Get to the woman in underwear behind him!” was what his secondary brain on his lower body was yelling at him.

“I SAW HER FIRST! S-SHE’S MINE!!!” [Rowan]

Rowan charged at the black-haired man, ready to cut him to pieces. However, he grandly slipped over nothing and fell forward.

“Ah.” [Rowan]

As a result, the knife he was holding penetrated his chest, stabbing deeply into his heart.

“… Seriously?” [Ryner]

Ryner muttered, dumbfounded, while staring at the corpse laying at his feet.

----------------------------------------

“… I’m sorry.” [Omari]

“This sucks.” [Ryner]

On the first floor, Ryner was talking to Omari while surrounded by people armed with firearms and guns. Jessica was right next to him, looking scared and regretful.

“We don’t kill each other here. It’s a grave crime.” [Omari]

"I didn’t kill him. He stabbed himself by accident.” [Ryner]

“Rowan’s body was found with you in the room and a bruised cheek from getting punched by you.” [Omari]

“He was trying to rape Jessica.” [Ryner]

“And he would have been judged for it, but he’s dead now!” [Omari]

Omari sighed tiredly.

“Look, if the cops were here, then you would have been arrested as the prime suspect. It’s the same thing.” [Omari]

“But the cops aren’t here.” [Ryner]

“And that’s why it’s so important that we uphold the rules. They ensure law and order even after the city fell. If you break the rules, then you pay the price. Otherwise, no one will follow them.” [Omari]

“So we’re getting kicked out? Just like that?” [Ryner]

“… A fine and exile were the best I could do. Some asked for capital punishment. It didn’t look good at all that newcomers were involved in someone’s death on the first day. Rowan had issues, but he contributed a lot.” [Omari]

“Yeah, this sucks.” [Ryner]

Ryner was getting banished from the Caravans for the crime of causing Rowan’s death. Although the punishment would have been more severe, it was decided that he would leave after some deliberation, mostly because it was an accidental murder and Omari had spoken up for him.

Also, Rowan was asking for it when he attacked Jessica, making defending his good name awkward. The blonde-haired woman in question was offered an apology and remuneration, but had chosen to follow Ryner. No one could stop her decision considering what she had just went through.

“I’m not happy either, but things are complicated. Same with Carmelita. Don’t take it the wrong way, okay, but she and Rowan used to be close.” [Omari]

As they spoke, Carmelita, whom Omari was mentioning, barged in from the side. She swung her fist at Ryner, but he dodged it by leaning backward. Not minding her failed attempt, she went and hugged a bewildered Jessica.

“I’m glad you’re alright…!” [Carmelita]

She told her, a hint of grief and remorse in her voice.

“… Why am I being treated so differently?” [Ryner]

“SHUT UP! I’M SORRY, OKAY?!” [Carmelita]

She shouted angrily at Ryner and tossed him a rectangular item that he quickly caught.

“Take it. It’s my favorite.” [Carmelita]

It was a butterfly knife. The grip was black while the single-edged blade was a deep red like blood.

“Now get the hell out of here.” [Carmelita]

----------------------------------------

Item of interest

Butterfly knife:

* The grip is hollow and can be vertically split in two from which the blade is stored.

* Obtained as an indirect result of sort of killing a drunk.

* The previous owner is angry, but can’t get mad, so it’s complicated.