Army of True Salvation (English) - Chapter 199：Your Implication

Not far off, Kreiss was secretly watching them by the window and saw everything that happened. He smiled bitterly and was about to walk away when he stumbled upon Shannara, looking at him with a teasing smile.

“Giving up,” she said teasingly, making Kreiss know that she, too, may have been watching secretly, given that the window was big enough for two people to see what’s inside.

Luckily, it was only them who saw what happened between Veon and Sheloah.

Kreiss did not answer her and he just walked away. Shannara looked at his back as she shook her head. She followed him quietly until Kreiss stopped in front of a tree, a little far from the house.

Kreiss punched the tree in front of him and his knuckles started bleeding. This made Shannara sigh.

“It hurts, doesn’t it? Glad I prepared myself for this and had given up early,” she said and this made Kreiss look at her with annoyance.

“Buzz off! I did not tell you to follow me!”

Shannara stayed quiet as she sat on a tree stump beside her.

“I’m sorry. I thought you needed company,” she said and Kreiss looked up in the sky, feeling frustrated.

“I… did what I could but why,” he said and his hands turned into tight fists.

Shannara shrugged. “Well, the heart wants what it wants. Sheloah loves him… and it happened that he loves her back,” she said and Kreiss looked at her, feeling pained.

“But I always showed her how I felt towards her. I was so genuine about my feelings. I always prioritize her, even disregarding my own safety. I even rushed to rescue her yesterday just for her to be safe!”

Shannara looked at him with sadness in her eyes. The pain Kreiss felt is more immense compared to hers.

Kreiss really did everything for Sheloah, but even then, Sheloah still has Veon in her heart.

“What… what am I lacking,” he said quietly then he cried, making Shannara look at him surprised.

“Kreiss…”

Shannara approached him, then she reached for her handkerchief that she kept in her pocket. She wiped Kreiss’ tears, making him look at her.

“Why are you still here?”

Shannara shrugged as she wiped his tears, then his bloody knuckles.

“I told you… I figured you needed company since the pain you’re dealing with is more painful than what I’ve felt,” she said then she kept her handkerchief. “I mean… you really gave it your all for her,” she added and Kreiss showed a bitter smile.

“I wish I’d be as strong as you, feisty-pants,” he said and Shannara scoffed.

“Me? Strong? Whatever,” she said as she rolled her eyes. “Of course, I said that I’ve given up but from time to time, I still feel a slight pang of pain, y’know?” Shannara sighed. “Since I’ve loved him for a long time,” she added and this made Kreiss chuckle.

“I’m sorry for being like this. I feel a little embarrassed. You’re the first person who saw me cry. Dannie and my uncle never saw this side of me,” he said and Shannara smiled.

“Then it’s just a hidden moment for the both of us,” she said then she looked at the scene in front of them. “It may be painful, but we’ll get by soon enough. I mean… even in a zombie apocalypse, there might be someone else for us, right,” she said and Kreiss looked at her, not knowing what to say.

Shannara looked at him, too. They were both looking at each other for half a minute in silence, when suddenly Shannara looked away, feeling awkward. Kreiss laughed.

“Are you implying something,” he said teasingly and this made Shannara throw a rock at him.

“You wish!”

Kreiss and Shannara were laughing and teasing each other. They noticed that the atmosphere between them is becoming lighter compared to the heavy atmosphere they felt whenever they’re together.

The two stopped laughing and teasing each other and they both sat on the ground, waiting for them to be called for the mission.

“Let’s stay here for a while,” Kreiss said and Shannara nodded. “I don’t want to see them for a while.”

“Of course,” the girl said then she hugged both of her knees, the two of them feeling comfortable with each other even in silence.

The two of them heard footsteps and looked back. They saw Geof running, then he stopped as he rested on the trunk of a nearby tree.

“Okay then. We’ll be there,” Shannara said then she stood up as soon as Geof ran to call for the others.

Shannara was about to walk away when Kreiss suddenly spoke, making her stop in her tracks.

“What you said earlier, you’re right,” he said and this made Shannara look at him.

“What do you mean?”

Kreiss smiled at her and gave her a wink. “Your implication,” he said then he ran off, leaving Shannara confused.

“My implication?”

When Shannara remembered, her face reddened then she chased Kreiss, shouting back at him.

“I wasn’t implying anything!”

—

“Are you guys ready?”

When Erick said this, everyone focused, snapping them out from the flashbacks about earlier.

“We have to go to the meeting place as fast as we could. God speed,” he said and everyone nodded, now focusing on the plan.