It was Daniel Slade. Indeed, enemies meet on narrow roads.
He had an unpleasant look on his face, most likely unhappy that he was assigned to be the gatekeeper. However, at the end of the world, his family influence no longer matters that much.
His eyes scrutinized Thalira from head to toe, then shifted to the car and areas behind her. As if he was afraid that some zombies followed her and would appear any second.
Thalira did meet some zombies trying to get in the car or chasing after her. However, before she reached the university's gate, she had outrun or solved all of them.
"Where have you been?"
She had prepared for her excuses. With a frightened look on her face, she told him in a small voice. "I-I was outside, then… all those things happened."
After she said that, she walked closer to him, but the man stepped back, a little frightened. Actually, Thalira was a bit surprised that Daniel didn't turn into a zombie. He was actually an ability user now after John's virus infected him.
"Can I go inside?" She asked him in an expectant tone.
"Stay there, don't get too close to me." Daniel had a look of displeasure in his tone, coupled with a hint of disgust.
Thalira took another step toward him. Similarly, he also stepped back. She did it a few times, holding a giggle. Until Daniel's body hit the wall behind him that he finally exploded.
"You might get contaminated by the zombies outside." He frowned in disapproval, trying to make his voice appear strong. "I already said it. Stay back!"
She widened her eyes. "But-but… I am not infected by those zombies."
According to the original owner's memories, the university would be the nearest base during the apocalypse. She wanted to make sure that her memory was correct before bringing Mr. Brown and Austin here. The high walls were a beneficial protection asset.
Another reason she didn't bring them along was because of the fog. The thick gray color still obstructed one's eyesight, making people couldn't see clearly. It made everything more perilous. At least they would be safe for a while until the fog subsided in a few days.
"We wouldn't know that until we check." Daniel said stubbornly, with his chin raised. His confidence somewhat returned, and he muttered in a disdainful tone. "Who knows if you are actually in cahoots with those zombies outside?"
It was an absolute accusation. In the early apocalypse, zombies had no ability to think, and they did everything based on instinct. He was just trying to make it difficult for her, most likely because he had found out about her relation to Austin in the last incident.
"Then you can find someone to inspect me." Thalira bit her lips and stepped closer to him, showing her snow-like hands. There were no wounds or scratches except for some patches of dust.
"No, no. I already said you need to stay there!" Daniel yelled slightly, his eyes flitted to the direction behind him, as if waiting for someone.
Thalira's patience was running thin right now. She understood about the inspection to make sure that no infected people would get inside, but this person didn't seem to want her to get inside.
"You need to lower your voice." Thalira's tone turned icy. "Or you might attract the zombies to come here."
Daniel widened his eyes. His hands flew to cover his mouth, and he looked outside again with a frightened look.
"What is happening here?" a voice interrupted them just as Thalira was using her mental power to check if anyone was near them. There was one in the bathroom nearby; probably Daniel's supposed companion. Then, this man, who had just come.
Thalira noticed the resemblance of the man's looks between him and the Brown brothers. Her eyes lit up when she thought of their possible relationship.
"Sir, can you let me in?"
The man's gaze fell on Daniel, and later shrunk his body, not daring to meet the man's eyes.
"You will need to get checked first." He nodded and then ordered one of the female soldiers behind him to check on Thalira.
She didn't miss the scrutiny in the man's eyes as they opened the gate wider and allowed her in. Not long after the female soldier checked her, she immediately declared that Thalira was safe.
A female ability user came back after that, apologizing. She appeared to be another personnel assigned as the gatekeeper.
Thalira sent Daniel a look and walked toward her dorm. Some people cast strange looks because of her dirty appearance. She considered it for a while, then turned around after she sensed that the man from earlier was nearby.
"Sir." She called him. "Are you from the Brown family?"
He was sitting alone this time, looking through some kind of list. She took a peek, recognizing it to be the list of the students who hadn't returned home for the semester break.
When he heard her words, he lifted his eyes with a scrutinizing look. "Indeed, I am. You are Thalira Eleoness?"
She nodded. Because she was quite tired after taking care of Austin, she didn't beat around the bush and directly tell him where Mr. Brown and Austin were.
"You can call me Finn," He muttered with a contemplative look in his eyes. She could tell that he had a lot of questions about what she just told him, but still held himself back.
So, he was Finn Brown, the second son of the Brown family, who was also in the military.
Thalira excused herself, intending to go back to her dorm. His eyes followed her until she disappeared behind the walls.
"Thalira!" She heard a familiar voice. A figure came running toward her and instantly enveloped her in a hug. "Where have you been?"
"Scarlett?" Thalira looked at her. Evelyn followed behind from behind. "Are you two alright?"
"Yes, of course." Scarlett muttered. Her voice sounded a bit emotional. Then she let go of Thalira. Evelyn seemed to hesitate, but with a stiff smile, she still hugged Thalira in the end.
"So many things happened at once. It's so scary." Scarlett took a deep breath. She began to retell how the two of them got back to the university.
They had been rescued by the military personnel who happened to pass by the supermarket to look for supplies. The military personnel's goal was this university. It happened just like the original owner's memory.
"They are going to list the people who will live here." Scarlett muttered. "Since you are already here, let's go back to our dorm. They are already starting from the northwest building."
Hearing that, Thalira's pupils dilated in alarm. Because the northwest building was her new dorm, and there was Sera inside!
Without warning, she hurriedly raced toward her dorm, her heart beating erratically against her chest.