Chapter 51: Medical Supplies

Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Medical Supplies

Unlike the others, Vanya’s destination had always been clear.

Hospitals.

Medicine.

Medical equipment.

Antibiotics.

Painkillers.

Surgical supplies.

In the apocalypse, food shortages could be solved.

Disease and injuries were another matter entirely.

Silence filled the vehicle.

Harold sat in the passenger seat while Vanya drove.

Neither spoke.

Not because they had nothing to say.

But because they were both thinking.

Outside the window, the world looked strangely unreal.

Buildings.

Road signs.

Vehicles crashed onto each other.

Bodies laying everywhere from a sudden slumber.

Everything appeared familiar

And yet...

It wasn’t.

To Harold, this was home.

To Vanya—

This was history.

Ancient history.

Several thousand years of history.

She recognized the architecture.

The technology.

Even the language.

But all of her knowledge came from the original host memories.

Documentaries.

Historical simulations.

Fragments preserved by time.

She knew what automobiles were.

But seeing them with her own eyes felt strange.

Primitive.

Yet fascinating.

Even the air felt different.

"Host." Astrid’s voice echoed softly inside her consciousness.

"Hm?"

"Heart rate elevated." Astrid chimed.

Vanya remained silent.

"Brain activity indicates stress. Likelihood of anxiety: seventy-eight percent." Astrid Continued.

Vanya’s expression remained calm.

"I’m fine."

"Host is lying."

"..."

"Host has lied thirty-four times since awakening."

Vanya’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.

"...You’re counting?"

"Affirmative."

Silence.

After several moments, Astrid spoke again.

"Host."

"What?" ℴ

"You are afraid."

Vanya lowered her eyes.

Afraid?

Perhaps.

She had fought insects larger than houses.

Survived battlefields.

Died once already.

Yet...

Everything around her felt unfamiliar.

This era.

These people.

This body.

Even her memories felt incomplete.

Nothing made sense.

And that frightened her.

"I’ll adapt."

Astrid remained silent.

Then—

"Host adaptation rate is excellent. But adaptation and fear are not mutually exclusive."

Vanya blinked.

"..."

For some reason—

That made her chest feel slightly warm.

Soon, the hospital came into view.

Bodies lay asleep throughout the entrance.

Doctors.

Patients.

Nurses.

Everyone remained unconscious.

Fortunately—

No signs of mutation.

"How strange."

Harold frowned.

"One minute they are carrying their daily task and the next they are deep asleep."

Vanya nodded. "The world as we know it has changed. We need to get medicine and get out fast. We don’t know if any have awoken yet."

Harold blinked.

"That’s terrifying."

"Yes."

The two quickly entered.

Without wasting time, Vanya began collecting supplies.

Antibiotics.

Insulin.

Pain medication.

Bandages.

Disinfectants.

Sutures.

Portable oxygen tanks.

Defibrillators.

Wheelchairs.

Crutches.

Everything disappeared into her space.

Meanwhile, Harold pushed carts in silence.

He had long since given up questioning the mysterious storage ability.

After witnessing the red sun phenomenon and hearing Vanya’s experience of her past life, questions felt unnecessary.

Time passed by slowly as they collected as much medical supplies and equipment as possible.

Until eventually—

Vanya paused.

Blood bank.

Her eyes softened slightly.

Persephone.

That pale little girl.

No.

Young woman.

According to historical records and the countless supernatural novels Astrid had analyzed, vampire awakenings often required blood.

And Persephone’s condition...

Closely resembled the descriptions.

"Host."

"Hm?"

Astrid’s voice became thoughtful.

"Blood type RH-negative possesses a low occurrence rate."

"Historical fictional works indicate that rare blood types are considered delicacies among vampires."

Vanya nodded.

"As expected."

Without hesitation, she stored several packs of RH-negative blood.

Then she paused.

Persephone mentioned living with family.

Surely Persephone wasn’t the only vampire.

Her relatives must be undergoing the same process.

After a brief moment of consideration—

She began collecting type O blood bags as well.

Universal donor.

Just in case.

Meanwhile, Harold stared blankly.

"...Cousin."

"Hm?"

"Why are we taking blood?"

Vanya paused.

After several seconds—

She answered honestly.

"Emergency preparations."

Harold slowly nodded.

Somehow...

He felt that asking further questions would only confuse him.

And inside her consciousness—

Astrid quietly recorded another observation.

Host Vanya Dexter.

Current emotional state: Concern.

Target: Persephone Azar.

Conclusion: Host has begun establishing social attachments.

Astrid remained silent.

But somewhere deep within her program she felt relieved.

Because her host was finally beginning to live again.

"Nia" Harold said quietly.

"Nia?" Vanya asked?

"Hmm...Well you feel different. So I thought we would change your nickname from V to Nia. It suits the current you." Harold shrugged.

Vanya halted and looked at Harold. Really looked at him. This 19 year old boy noticed her changes and accepted them. He accepted her being different. He gave her something she had not asked for, an identity of her own.

She slowly smiled at him. A real, genuine smile. She reached her hand up and ruffled his hair.

"Thank you." and turned back around to continue her massive blood bank haul.

"umm...Nia." Harold said again.

"yes?" Vanya asked as turned and readied herself to walk out of the blood storage room.

"When should we go collect food supplies?" Harold asked.

"Food?" Vanya asked bewildered.

"Food." Harold nodded. He wasn’t sure why Vanya was confused. Shouldn’t they collect food as well? "Do you not plan to eat anything?" He couldn’t help but ask incredulously.

"Host. Did you forget? You and Harold will need food to supplement your energy." Astrid chimed in.

"Why do we need food? Don’t we have nutrient solutions?" Vanya asked Astrid in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Host...you are no longer occupying your original body. Here, in this world, this body is wired to be sustained by actual food. You would need to continue feeding it food substance instead of nutrient solutions. Although you can still consume a solution, it is highly advisable not to." Astrid responded.

Vanya stayed silent for a few seconds before looking at Harold and responding "should we go raid a supermarket?"

"I think that’s for the best. Maybe we should try and stock up on essential supplies." Harold responded as he led the way back to their parked vehicle.

Vanya happened to look up when she saw a ’cafeteria’ sign and an arrow pointing down a staircase. "Harry, let’s go to the hospital cafeteria first."

Harold looked at her and saw her looking at a sign. When he noticed it was the cafeteria sign he smiled. "Sure, let’s raid the hospital’s cafeteria. It’s not like they’ll need it anyway." He shrugged.

"Harry, just so you know, not everyone will awaken an elemental power, or become a zombie. Some will just become a virus carrier but live as normal humans. The odds of mutating into a zombie are higher but some humans will have a chance to stay as is." Vany explained.

"So, if there is a chance of that, aren’t we cutting out their survival by taking away the only food source in this hospital?" Harold countered

Vanya: .... perhaps I shouldn’t have said anything.

"Let’s just go to the supermarket instead...I don’t want to be responsible for cutting mankind’s survival short." She snorted.

Harold laughed and headed out the hospital doors.