Chapter 59 - 55
Enduring the biting cold wind and snow, Brian stepped into the passenger car, feeling a rush of warmth engulfing him as he settled in. It was a comforting sensation, though he knew it was merely an illusion. In reality, the temperature inside the car was still quite low, just slightly warmer compared to the frigid conditions outside. Nonetheless, as he adjusted to the temperature inside, he would soon feel the chill once again.
Inside the car, everyone huddled together, trying to generate warmth by exhaling hot breaths into their hands, already red and stiff from the cold. Some even embraced each other for warmth, sharing body heat.
Even Tracy, the soldier in charge, was struggling with the harsh weather. Though she continued to monitor the situation inside the car, her body couldn't help but shiver incessantly.
Brian made his way deeper into the car, where he found Sarah, Alan, Anna, Sylvia, and Wilfred. Over the past week, they had formed a small group, as isolating oneself was inconvenient. Instead, they had decided to stick together, offering each other some comfort and occasional conversation.
"Here, have some chocolate to keep warm," Brian said softly, offering a few pieces from his backpack to those nearby. His voice barely carried, audible only to those close to him.
The others accepted without hesitation, careful to eat the chocolate discreetly. They tore open the packaging, quickly consuming the chocolate and disposing of the wrappers to avoid attracting attention.
They had learned from previous incidents where individuals flaunted their food openly, only to be robbed later. When soldiers investigated, they found no leads, leaving the victims feeling helpless.
Alan, seated in the rear with a pile of handgun parts, struggled to assemble the gun with his hands already numb and stiff from the cold. Brian and Sarah had been training Alan in physical fitness and firearm usage over the past few days, following Osborne's instructions meticulously.
While they hadn't had the opportunity to use these skills yet, Alan remained enthusiastic, diligently practicing even amid the harsh conditions.