Chapter Three: Preparation (part two)

Ash walked out of the warehouse with his cell phone in his hand.

He had taken a couple of steps before he dialed a number on it.

The phone rang several times but there was no answer, Ash tried it again but still nothing. He got furious and nearly smashed his phone on the ground but gained composure quickly.

"I told him to keep me informed at all times, but now he's not answering his phone. I can't be wasting my time here if he's not answering.

"Arggh, I hate incompetence," he grunted out with an annoyed look on his face.

Ash closed his eyes slowly as he gave off a long sigh into the air.

‘I should find a way to contact my younger brother. Keeping him close before and after the apocalypse, would be helpful.’

‘But my foster parents said I had nothing to do with him.’ he gazed off into the sky while still thinking.

‘I don't know why they are preventing me from meeting him. Could they be up to something?’

Just as he was lost in thought, several trucks arrived at the warehouse. 

"Greetings Mr. Heartfield," a man got down from one of the trucks and approached him.

"Greetings, I have been trying to reach you," Ash responded.

"Oh, we were loading the trucks while you called, so I guess I missed it," the man added.

"Is this everything I ordered?" Ash asked.

"Yes, these trucks contain all the daily necessities you ordered. Ranging from the white sugar to, the mineral water, to the oil and the rest of it,"

"Is that so?" Ash asked curiously.

"Yes sir. You can check them out if you want," the man suggested.

"Alright," 

Ash took several minutes to inspect the goods loaded in the truck, and after a while, he found nothing wrong with them.

"They're in perfect shape, you can start loading it into the warehouse now," Ash concluded.

"Alright sir, we will get to it,"

Several hours passed and the day had gotten a bit dark before they were done.

Ash completed his payment with the dealer.

"I believe that is all," Ash said as he signed the document.

"Yes sir. It's a pleasure doing business with you," the man nodded and got into the truck. 

Soon they all drove away, leaving Ash alone with the warehouse.

As he was about to enter the warehouse, his phone rang out.

~Ring~ ~Ring~

Ash let out a sigh as he reluctantly answered the call, and what greeted him was unexpected.

"Hello," Ash asked.

"Do you have any idea what you've done?" The shaking voice of an old man could be heard shouting through the phone.

"It's good to hear from you, grandfather," Ash replied in a calm tone.

"Ash, What is the meaning of this?" The old man continued to shout at Ash throughout the call.

"Answer me this instant, what did you do?"

"I did what..." Before Ash could complete his sentence, he was cut short.

"What nonsense went through your head for you to have done that? Do you want to ruin everything your parents have done for you?"

"How could you mortgage the properties you owned? Including the stock and share of your late father's company?"

Ash took in a deep breath as he got bombarded with so many questions.

"You know what? I'm summoning you right now," the old man paused before continuing.

"Get your ass here, kid,"

**Later in the day**

Ash stood idly by in the middle of a large living room that was well adorned with paintings, art sculptures, and various unique decorations.

The walls were painted maroon color with chandeliers hanging down from the white ceiling.  

After waiting for what seemed like a lifetime, Ash turned around to face the large fireplace that burned brightly.

He watched the golden flames flicker gently and soon began to think back about the day his parents died in the car accident.

The last words of his mother resounded in his ears like she was present in the room with him.

“R- run,”

‘I wish I could have reincarnated back to before they died, that way I could have prevented their deaths.’ Ash thought to himself.

Soon the door in the living room creaked open as an old man walked in with two bodyguards behind him.

His face had wrinkled down a bit and his height was around 5'2 ft. His black robe gave off a gloomy aura as he walked through the room and soon sat comfortably in front of Ash.

"Greetings, grandfather," Ash bowed as a sign of respect, although no one knew what he thought as he eyed his feet.

"Ahhh, you are here, Ash," he responded as he glanced at him, before gesturing to him to sit.

"Yes grandfather," Ash sat upright before his grandfather spoke up.

"My assistant told me you have been using the money and shares of your late father's company anyhow," 

For a brief moment, there was dead silence in the room as they both stared at each other.

"Can you explain to me what you have done," he asked calmly.

"Well, grandfather.." Ash gave a quick thought before going further. 

"I am currently working on a project, hence I'm using whatever resources I have" Ash answered.

"A project?" The old man asked and Ash replied affirmatively.

"What project are you doing that requires all the resources you have?"

"I… cannot say,"

"Ooh," the old man's eyes dimmed after hearing that. He paused for a moment before he continued speaking.

"You are not dull, Ash, so I believe you know what you're doing. However, do not, by any chance, get the company bankrupt. It won't be a joking matter if it gets to that point," the old man warned.

"I would certainly never drive the company bankrupt, grandfather. There's nothing to worry about." Ash assured his old man.

"While that had been settled, how are you?" 

"I am ok, grandfather," 

"How are they treating you? Do they feed you well? Do you get enough sleep? If not I could summon them and scold them," the old man sent out a series of questions to Ash.

"I'm ok sir, they are taking care of me nicely," Ash lied as he wore a bright smile on his face.

"You know you are more than welcome to stay with me in this large mansion. It gets lonely sometimes, you know,"

"Don't say that, grandfather. Your guards are plenty enough to keep you company," Ash remarked.

"These guys? Eh, they do nothing but nod all day long at my orders, it's boring, I tell you," the old man chuckled.

"But sir..." The female guard objected but was interrupted immediately by the male guard.

The old man glanced at her briefly and returned his attention to his grandson.

"You seem to be forgetting your place lately, Evelyn," the old man queried.

"I'm sorry sir, I simply stepped out of line," the lady apologized.

While Ash's foster grandfather can be jovial and fun at times, he is also strict. 

"Well grandfather, it is getting late. I should start heading home now,"

"Oh right," 

"Evelyn, tell Gary to take him home since it's getting late," the old man ordered his female guard.

"Oh, worry not grandfather. I can get home on my own. Besides, I need to stop by somewhere first,"

"Are you sure?" 

"Yes grandfather, please take care of yourself," Ash smiled brightly and bowed then exited the living room.

****

The glowing sun slowly hid behind the horizon, spreading its warm rays across the sky. 

Reddish orange, violet, and blue colors splashed across the sky making the view a pleasant one to the eye. 

   

The evening was silent and the light wind moved across the atmosphere as Ash walked through the lonely streets.

Minutes after Ash left the mansion, he took out his phone and made a call. After several rings, someone answered.

"Hello?" The person asked.

"It's me," Ash answered. "Have you found any recruits?" Ash asked back.

"Yes sir, I've found quite a lot actually," the person answered. 

"What about weaponry? Did you find a dealer on that one too?" 

"No sir, I couldn't find one with the types you mentioned. Weaponry of that quality and quantity is rare and mostly on military bases. So I'm afraid you'll have to go through the black market,"

"Alright then, I'll find a day to do that," Ash concluded before hanging up.

"No one is gonna take me seriously in that place," Ash sighed as he continued his walk.

"Hey!!" 

"Stop right there!!"