The warehouse was laid out rather oddly, but the group formed around an old cellar near the entrance where everyone's common belongings, like food and fuel, were stored. Afterward, each person was free to choose a spot in the factory and claim it as their own, though most never did, staying in the main hall.
Fortunately, this body had taken over a fairly large area of the factory, but one that was actually quite feared due to its eerie appearance. It turns out that in the past, this area was used as a vehicle storage area and an underground warehouse, and the former owner of this body had taken over the area for himself, though Pitou actually joined them some time later.
It turns out that in the recent past, there were no human remains in this place, but for some reason, some children ended up here due to peculiar circumstances, such as human trafficking, which led to their loss in this place, accidents like mine, and other cases that led to their gathering here in this peculiar place.
According to reports, the first to arrive at this place was Chrollo Lucilfer for reasons unknown to me. Pitou followed, and I was the third. Later, in this period of less than a year, around thirty children arrived, but some have already died due to the extreme conditions in the area.
Currently, the shelter has fifteen people divided into several groups, although we all get along well. The only one who would be spared would be Chrollo, who has the strongest relationship with the others.
The group of friends my body has and with whom I've been able to interact most frequently these days that I've been here are Pitou, five years old, who lives in the same area as me, and, to a lesser extent, a young Bonolenov, twelve years old, who was brought in by a failed human trafficking ring.
The group that follows me is Machi, Shizuku, and Pakunoda, who usually stay out of conflicts, although the former usually joins in if Chrollo is involved. They live in a small auxiliary room of the central warehouse. The rest are kept in various parts of the warehouse they've taken as their own, but which are actually just small spaces where they arrange their belongings, which they collect themselves and like.
- This is really interesting, how such young kids can build some sort of organization to survive - I said to myself, entering the warehouse to first see Pitou showing off her new clothes to Shizuku, who was just nodding absentmindedly, not really paying attention, though Pitou didn't seem to notice.
My gaze then fell on the only other member currently in the warehouse, as we occasionally went out to look for supplies, and this time several of them went out primarily to get food.
A younger version of Chrollo, possessing a relaxed but more cheerful demeanor than his original counterpart, was dressed in a worn black jacket near the small fire lit in the center of the warehouse, a makeshift campfire.
- I finished early this time - I said, approaching Chrollo as I threw a nearby magazine into the fire to fuel it - I got more clothes for the others.
- You really have a soft spot for Pitou - Chrollo said, briefly looking at the excited Pitou before looking at me - Anything in good condition?
- There aren't any men's clothes better than what we have this time, but there's something usable in the women's department - I said, setting the box of clothes aside for Chrollo to look at with some sadness - This is the house we were planning to check before, but I took the time to check it out on my own today - I said as I took out an old map of the town and crossed out a house.
- We're running out of areas to search - Chrollo said, a little tired - We're a little over halfway through town, and we haven't found any ways to get anything other than clothes and things for the campfire.
- It was to be expected, but at least we've gotten something to keep us alive and not end up like the others - I said as I sat down on a box near Chrollo, who just smiled sadly - Have you heard from Milly?
- Her death hasn't been confirmed, but given her disappearance two days ago while investigating near the forest, it's possible she's already dead - Chrollo said, his voice filled with pity for his friend's fate. - She's the latest to disappear, and the 18th death in six months.
- Maybe she's not dead - I said quickly, my voice calm - Maybe she just found a way to a populated area.
- I don't hold out any hope of seeing her again - Chrollo said, returning his gaze to the fire - I need expeditions to be done in groups of three from now on.
- That will only limit our reach - I said upon hearing Chrollo's comment - This could lead to us collecting fewer useful items.
- We have enough - Chrollo said evenly. - We need to prevent the possible death of those of us who remain.
- I guess that's a good point - I said, understanding Chrollo's intentions - Even so, at least two groups should go out to keep us alive: one for food and one to investigate what's left of the town.
- I don't think we'll find anything useful, but hey, we can't lose anything by trying - Chrollo said, somewhat doubtful of my desire to continue exploring the town in search of something useful - Do you have any ideas about where to look now?
- The downtown area might be a good idea - I said, listening to Chrollo's question, my mind filling with ideas - It's where we might find something useful, maybe somewhere we can find a map that leads us out of the town.
- It could be, but it's a bit dangerous with the animals starting to wander around there, Feitan - Chrollo said, unconvinced.
- I still stand by my position, but let's propose it to the others and decide based on what they think - I said, while Chrollo just nodded silently.