The person tied to the toppled chair wore distinctive tactical gear. Denver had only seen it on his father's private army soldiers. Could this person be from the supermarket? Did the mimics attack the supermarket and make off with a hostage?
Denver walked closer, wary of using his left hand to touch anything. His foot then hit a broken radio on the floor along the way. He looked at the struggling soldier, only to notice two more. However, unlike that man, they had their tactical gear torn and their torsos chewed.
"Do you know?" The struggling man laughed as he caught Denver looking at his comrades' unfortunate ending. His laugh was also the bitterest to Denver's ears. He said, "I was feeling ill when I came to work today. Those mimics probably didn't want my viral infection…"
"Well, I've never seen a sick old man mimic, either." Denver got down on a knee and used his right hand to help the struggling man with his binds. "Sorry, I can't hold the rope properly…"
"I'm surprised they could tie a good knot." The soldier chuckled and shrugged the binds as soon as Denver loosened them. He slowly freed himself, and Denver retreated to give him space. "Let me look at your hand. I don't look much, but I'm a medic."
Denver helped the man to his feet and allowed the person to check his palm under low light. "I thought soldiers have access to free cold medicine."
The soldier glanced at him. "We do, but we've been overworked… more now that a migrating pack is coming. My body is too weak to heal fast. I haven't slept properly in days… but who could, yeah? These mimics show up anywhere without a warning."
His trembling hands fished inside the medical kit strapped at his waist. Some vials were broken, but he salvaged enough disinfectants and clean gauze. He swiftly patched up the hand.
Denver was a paramedic himself. Since the person knew what he was doing, Denver didn't say anything. Moreover, he could feel his skin and flesh moving strangely under the gauze. Could his body be indestructible now? That would be hard to hide if ever.
"There. Good as new." The soldier sighed before looking at his colleagues. "I wish I could have saved them, but none of us thought mimics kidnap humans now. I have to report about this."
"Can you keep me out of your report? I don't want to be…" Denver moved his poor left hand slowly as if testing the pain. However, before he finished his words, he stopped. He looked at the soldier's face again. "Actually, no… feel free to mention me. I, uh… I heard a mimic hunter will be sent here soon. I want to fight alongside them if I have the chance."
The soldier lifted his brows before laughing. He removed his broken helmet and shook his head with a smile. "Don't expect them to be anything the media spoke about them. They're big assholes. I met one before and regretted idolizing him."
Denver didn't argue. He didn't want to see those people out of adoration. However, he still wanted to ask for a favor. "It's all right. I want to see that for myself. Should I walk you to the supermarket?"
The soldier shook his head again. "We're on patrol. I would have to return to base to report. I can't take you there. How about you? Are you planning to loot this place?"
"Yeah."
"Why don't I stand on a lookout for you? You saved me, so I should repay you." The soldier then smiled with gratitude. "My name is Ronald Dread. It's nice to meet you… uh…"
Denver returned the smile. "Denver Turning."
Ronald flinched and panicked a little. He shuddered at his thoughts, making Denver frown at him. He waved his hands, only to notice how torn his glove was. One hand was even bare since he had to patch up Denver. The soldier chuckled nervously. "Sorry, I heard a few rumors about Mr Higgins's son in this city. I didn't realize you were a capable fighter. Don't you want to join us?"
"I can't. I have to take care of my family." Denver didn't hint about an entire building. He walked back to exit the backroom. "I have to go back to looting."
"Yes, let me keep watch." Ronald walked out with him, only to find Denver pushing the dead mimics out of the way with his feet. All of them had severed heads as if it was necessary. He frowned. "How did you cut their heads off? Even our combat knives couldn't slice through their skin."
Denver didn't answer. He had no excuse. He picked up his empty bag stored on a shelf and began looting the refrigerator for juice and alcohol. His choice of necessity even bewildered the soldier. However, Denver had a clear list in mind. The essentials were just restocked. Tonight, he should continue improving the Leisure Rating, along with Lulu's fondness.
The soldier didn't say anything anymore. He wasn't the one eating unhealthily in a pseudo-apocalypse. His eyes were more attracted to the dead mimics. This was not the first time he saw a pile of them, but their bodies were normally tattered with bullets. The bodies here were too clean as if Denver was so precise in killing them.
That very thought somewhat made his blood run cold. He turned to find Denver bagging more snacks, filling his huge backpack with them.
"Hey, you said you wanted to meet a mimic hunter…" Ronald asked when Denver softly pressed on the contents of his bag. "Are you hoping to find out how they are recruited?"
"Hm? Do I have to?" Denver zipped the bag closed. He looked at Ronald. "Didn't some rich people scout them before taking them to the training grounds? Also, I don't want to be a mimic hunter. I can't leave my family alone."
Ronald pressed his lips into a line. "You won't be. When you pass their exam, your family will be taken to Sola Vista. You won't have to protect them alone. They will also have everything they need."
Denver glanced at the soldier. He hummed. "Why are you talking me into becoming a mimic hunter instead? I thought you didn't like them."
"Yeah, there's that, but… I don't dislike every mimic hunter. They just… end up less human than comfortable." Ronald rubbed his neck. "My big sister is actually a mimic hunter, and her colleagues are… well, not good enough for me. I just figured… if you are this good, you can be a good addition to their force. It makes things a bit less dangerous for her…"
"Sorry, I'm staying here." Denver chuckled and shook his head. He might be good, but he's partly a mimic now. If Lulu were wrong, he would be a good target for those hunters.
"It's all right. I'm out of bounds." Ronald chuckled.
He was about to leave the store with Denver when they spotted light beams roaming the walls. From outside, a few men in black gear shone lights on them.