System Of The Undead

Chapter 229: Shantel And Rachel

Rachel found herself back at the camp, a sense of unease creeping over her as she observed Mathias from a distance. There was something off about him, a change in his demeanor that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. She knew he carried the burden of guilt for what had transpired months ago, but no amount of remorse could undo the past. Redemption seemed like an impossible dream for him but it was something she hoped he would never stop trying to get.

Everyone was worth forgiving, Jason had taught her that and she was going to extend that generosity to others.

Yet, within Rachel’s heart, a glimmer of hope flickered. She believed, against all odds, that perhaps things could be different. Maybe Mathias had the power to rewrite his own story, to shape a new future for himself. It was a fragile belief, but it sustained her.

Rachel couldn’t help but notice the watchful eyes of the camp’s security personnel on Mathias, their suspicion and mistrust palpable. It saddened her to think that he would be mistreated, but she couldn’t muster pity for him. This was the path he had chosen, and the consequences were his to bear.

Thoughts of Allison’s revelations echoed in Rachel’s mind, stirring a mix of anger and confusion. But the more she dwelled on it, the more her anger faded. Deep down, she knew that Jason must have had his reasons for his hurtful words. The fact that Allison had recorded the conversation seemed too convenient, as if something was being kept from her. Yet, for now, she chose to believe in Jason’s loyalty, even in the face of glaring evidence.

Rachel found solace in the outdoors, sitting outside and reflecting on the twists and turns of her life. The apocalyptic reality still seemed surreal, but she couldn’t afford to dwell on that. She had to maintain hope, especially when it came to Jason. She even entertained the thought that he might seek intimacy with other women, a notion that didn’t bother her as much as she had anticipated. She recognized that in this new world, survival meant clinging to those who could protect and provide, and it was only natural for men to seek comfort and physical connection. However, she knew that her love for Jason went beyond physical desires. She couldn’t bear the thought of sharing his heart.

Lost in her thoughts, Rachel was interrupted by a soft voice calling out. It belonged to Shantel, a woman she had been cold towards for a long time. In that moment, she considered that perhaps she had been too harsh.

"Hi," Rachel responded, a surprising friendliness in her tone. Shantel seemed taken aback by the change.

"I know we didn’t start off on the right foot, but I want you to know that you don’t have to worry about me," Shantel assured her, understanding Rachel’s caution, most likely due to her past involvement with Jason.

"That’s not why," Rachel confessed. "I felt strange seeing him bring back a woman he had been intimate with."

In Jason’s defense, he had always been open and honest with Rachel about his actions on these missions. He didn’t leave any details out, even when they damaged his own image. It was that authenticity that made her trust him implicitly.

"He truly loves you, you know?" Shantel pointed out, taking a seat beside Rachel.

"How can you say that?" Rachel questioned, her voice tinged with disbelief. She didn’t need to hear a grand declaration of love from Jason because she already knew it in her heart.

"I know. I’ve encountered countless men who couldn’t resist me, but he did for you," Shantel admitted, a hint of admiration in her voice. If Jason could reject someone as attractive as Shantel, then Allison’s presence seemed inconsequential. However, Rachel understood that physical attractiveness was subjective, and there were deeper connections that transcended mere appearances. Still, a small part of her hoped that Jason wasn’t attracted to Shantel, even though she couldn’t deny the underlying chemistry between them. The question remained: would he act on that attraction?

"Hahaha! He is indeed a peculiar man," Rachel responded, a smile playing on her lips.

"Why do you do that?" Shantel asked, her tone filled with genuine curiosity. Rachel furrowed her brow, unsure of what she meant.

"Do what?" Rachel inquired, seeking clarification.

"Why do you fake your smiles?" Shantel pressed further, and Rachel’s smile slowly faded. It was a question that caught her off guard. She had plastered on so many smiles in the past few days that she had lost touch with when they were genuine or forced.

A smile was her shield, a mask she wore to disarm others and make them feel at ease. It was a way to project an image of non-threatening friendliness. Rachel knew that if people saw her as approachable and harmless, they wouldn’t perceive her as a threat. She couldn’t risk anything happening to her sister, Lillian.

If she made enemies, they would undoubtedly target Lillian to get to her. And based on what she had witnessed with Mathias, it was clear that he was withholding information from her. He knew something about how the fire had started, but why was he keeping it a secret? The question nagged at her, but she couldn’t help but wonder if he had something to protect as well.

"Shantel, I’m sorry, but I have to go. We should definitely continue this conversation later," Rachel blurted out abruptly, rising to her feet. Shantel looked concerned, thinking she had said something wrong, but the look on Rachel’s face made it clear that this conversation was the least of her worries.

She needed to find Mariam as soon as possible and put an end to these unsettling events. If anything were to happen to Lillian, Rachel would feel like she had failed in her duty to protect the only family she had left. The mere thought was inconceivable, yet the possibility loomed too close for comfort.