10:05 AM, Day 3
"I heard you'll be going soon." Brotato said, as he approached Crackman. His friend was sitting in front of his trailer, smoking a cigarette."
"Yeah, I'm just waitin' for Jake to get his ass over here. You sure you don't want us to go to your place too?" Crack asked.
"Look man, I appreciate it, and I want to make my family's safe. It's just that it's a suicide, area of my house is cut off from our side."
Crack didn't argue. "I never knew your brother too much, and honestly, I've never liked him." He smiled weakly, remembering some old times. "Now I just hope he's safe, you know? I'm sure you care bout him a lot, just like I care about my sister." Brotato nodded. He couldn't sleep at night anymore. He was too worried about Harp and his mother. And he couldn't do a thing about it, that was the worst part.
"I have a feelin' he's alright. He always knew how to get out of fucked up situations. It's my mom I'm worried about." He sighed loudly. "Anyway, you're gonna look for your sister, right?"
"Damn right I am. Right after this started, I got a call from her babysitter. She told me she's taking her to the local elementary school, where some people were gathering. That means she's fine, right?"
Brotato hesitated for a second before answering. He figured places like that were deadly traps, but Crack didn't need to know that. "Yeah, I'm sure she is." He smiled and patted Crack on the back, just when Jake approached.
"C'mon Crack, daylight's burning. We have to check my house, the school and NFTS's house before evening. They're close to each other, at least."
Crackman said his goodbyes, and followed Jake through the gate. His parents went on vacation few weeks earlier, and he promised to take care of his 7 year old sis. He couldn't just fail them. He didn't want to lose his family, like Pika did. It'd break him, he knew that very well.
They walked in silence for about half an hour, until Crack finally spoke. "I've just realised I still don't know shit about you, dude. You don't speak too often, you know."
Jake laughed. "Yeah, that's just me. I never talk too much around people I don't know."
"It's the opposite for me." Crack chuckled. "I talk way too much, to the point people want me to shut the fuck up."
"I envy you. I've never even managed to step up and find a girlfriend. I think I'd die of loneliness, if not for my family." Jake answered with a grimace on his face. Crack patted him on the back.
"Don't worry bud, I've never had a girl either. But to be honest, I never was too close with my parents. My sis Ellie, Brotato and Pika were closer to me, than them." Jake nodded with understanding.
They spent next 40 minutes of walking in silence, until Jake broke it. "Okay, my house should be just ahead, and according to NFTS, his place is very close."
"How about you go check his house and I'll check yours? That way we'll get the fuck outta here faster." Crackman proposed. Jake nodded, thankful to Crack. He was too scared of seeing them dead to go in himself.
The two split up after a minute, as Jake continued walking to the next street, and Crack approached Jake's house.
Let's just get this over with. He thought to himself and walked in, not liking that front door wasn't locked. He pulled out a revolver Deadwaste gave him earlier and started inspecting the house.
...the living room was empty, nothing suspicious in there.
...the kitchen was clear, but broken windows were alarming.
...Jake's room was a complete mess, but nobody was there.
At last, Crackman walked into the bedroom, and gasped loudly. There were two bodies lying on the floor, in a huge puddle of blood. A man and a woman. Crack felt like vomiting, but forced himself not to. They both had bullet fired in the back of their heads. "Holy fuck, it looks like they were executed." He whispered with fear. He closed eyes of the dead couple and walked out. He didn't know what was he scared of more - knowing that there were some killers around, or that he had to break the news to Jake.
He noticed Jake walking towards him, alone, waving his hand towards him. Crack took a deep breath and approached his friend. "NFTS's place was empty, though I found a note saying his parents escaped to LA. But wait, what about..."
Crack interrupted quickly. "Both are dead. I mean-I, fuck! I'm sorry man." He didn't want to fuck around with telling the news, but when he saw Jake's face, he realised he made a mistake.
Jake was quiet for a few seconds, and started sobbing quietly. "That's bullshit! I know it is! I need to find them." He said, and started running towards his house, but Crackman grabbed his arm.
"Trust me man, you don't wanna see it." He said, trying not to let go of Jayko. After about a minute of fighting, Jake gave up and started crying out loud.
"I'm sorry, man. I really am, but there's nothin' we can do now." Crackman spoke quietly, not knowing what else to say. They were standing there for a long time, until Jake finally stopped crying.
"We can find your sister, at least. I'm not gonna let you lose your family, too." Crack nodded, smiling. The two picked nearby elementary school as a direction, hoping for the best. That's all they could do.