Part 1The Stream Predicted My Death

The end of the world had arrived, and once again, I was making a scene, demanding my boyfriend use his precious hydro-kinesis to give me a shower.

That’s when the text scrolled across my vision.

The Stream.

[OMG lady, it's the apocalypse. Who cares about hygiene right now?!]

[This high-maintenance diva is useless. The male lead needs a woman as strong as he is.]

[Don't worry, just wait for the Zombie Tide. Once the male lead sees her selfishness, he’ll dump her.]

[Without the male lead’s protection, the canon fodder ex-girlfriend dies at the hands of the Zombie King. Brutally.]

A shiver racked my entire body.

I shoved Roman away hard. "No. I... I don't want to wash anymore."

* * *

Roman paused, water hovering in the air. He gauged the distance between us, looking baffled by my sudden burst of strength.

I felt a pang of guilt.

Of course, that guilt might have been overshadowed by the sheer terror of the "Zombie King" mentioned in the floating text.

Roman frowned slightly, his brow furrowing. "You really don't want to?"

I nodded frantically, my voice trembling with residual fear. "It’s fine, Roman. Really. You’re the captain. You need to save your energy for the Turned."

Perhaps because it was the first time I’d ever said anything remotely sensible or considerate, Roman didn't speak immediately.

After a long pause, he slowly lowered his hand. "Okay."

Even though I refused the full shower, Roman dampened a towel and gently cupped my face, wiping away the grime with careful, deliberate strokes.

I stared at his handsome face, inches from mine. My throat tightened.

But before I could lose myself in his eyes, The Stream started scrolling again.

[Blair is such a manipulative brat. She’s just lusting after him.]

[The male lead is such a stoic engineer type; it's his first time being chased so aggressively. Of course he fell for the diva’s trap.]

[Is no one talking about his ability? Hydro-kinesis. That’s top tier.]

[For real. The human body is 70% water. If he wanted to, he could burst your blood vessels or drain you dry in a second.]

[No wonder the villainess clings to him. He’s the ultimate safety net.]

Me: "..."

Seeing the text, my instinct was to snatch the towel and wipe my own face.

But the large hand on my waist tightened.

Roman’s tone was gentle, but the command beneath it was undeniable.

"We’ve been on the road all day. Let me clean you up so you can sleep, okay?"

I nodded silently.

It wasn't until Roman left to take the first watch that I opened my eyes again.

The words from The Stream were still dancing in my mind.

According to them, I was the selfish villainess. The "ex-girlfriend" archetype.

Roman was going to dump me.

And I was going to die at the hands of something called the Zombie King.

I curled into a ball, shivering in the cold night air.