The Choice Chapter 17

"This washing machine is stuck on something—can't move it completely. Need a bit more time!"

Tyler's arms were shaking, his face covered in sweat, but the machine had only moved halfway.

Tyler and I locked eyes. He clearly had thoughts of leaving alone.

But probably because he believed following me was safest, that fleeting thought vanished without a trace.

"Big brother, big sister, I'm scared!"

The child watched us struggle, her big watery eyes fixed on me.

"You won't leave me, right?"

She kept asking over and over.

I comforted her, saying not to worry, we'd definitely save her.

The zombies were getting closer.

"Big sister, how about you lure the zombies away and let big brother save me, okay?"

"You're a good person, big sister. I'm so little—you'll do it, right?!"

Naturally hearing the zombie roars, the child blinked her eyes, speaking in a very innocent voice.

But the more I listened, the more it grated on my nerves.

I stared at her unblinkingly for three full minutes. I really couldn't fathom these words coming from a child.

"So, still saving her?"

Even Tyler frowned hearing the girl's words.

But I let it go shortly after. After all, she was just a kid.

Could I really hold it against her?

I smiled and patted the child's head to comfort her.

Though I no longer felt the initial affection I'd had for her.

Learning this stuff at such a young age—it was genuinely off-putting.