We should probably start avoiding homicides now as we did last night. Even after being confronted, we never blew the emotions out of proportion. One act of restraint, one moody day avoided. It was quite a lucky hunt as we escaped unhurt. Maybe Karma could have caught up with us, but we already had a taste of its fury. Hopefully, today will be significantly better than the last and we can at least progress on our plans.

As I step into the house, Bruno says he feels like Santa. After checking the items we scavenged, I was disappointed as it only is food. Santa indeed, he only gives out goodies. The night was calm - theft wise but it was not 100% calm. Katia and Pavle had argued all night and it took a lot Pavle to calm her down. The cause of their row? It wasn't stated. A fight is the least we need now as we are just getting out of emotional battles. There's no reason to be all sad though since food is as important as other items, we can't even effortlessly carry out our daily on an empty stomach.

We don't even know how long we'll last

Sadly, Pavle emotional state is still as fragile as the last episode and at a low ebb. He rants about today and all that has happened so far.

All this shelling, sniper fire and lack of supplies makes you want to hide away, sit and cry.

While we carry along by clinging happily to the strand of hopes at out reach, he appears to be left out. His last glow of optimism apparently died with the murders. He doesn't see a future nor does he see imminent solutions to the plethora of problems we have on our hands. It's up to us to prove him wrong, that the light at the end of the tunnel we've so groped to see will pulverize our sins.

We first survive, then we find our humanity.

Imagine having 3 depressed characters, all (expect Bruno) dying for a pat. Who will console the other? It's like having a one-eyed man lead a blind one, but we still gotta take the chance though. Not that there's a lot, if not any option at our disposal right now. I decided to create an ironical scene here: Katia who had been all worked up throughout the night is made to talk Bruno out of his depressed state. Impressively, she does the job quite well and Bruno was, for a moment, painted as the one in dire need of help. He rants about how hard it has been since we got holed up in this home and Katia gives him a shoulder to cry on, an avenue to unburden his already heavy heart.

While they were at it, Pavle tried his hands on the Guitar. From the description, it is said to be a great anti-depressant. Although it also works well for curative measures but after Pavle's session, there wasn't any obvious improvement in the mood. Perhaps it worked and he needs another round but a man loudly banging the door wouldn't allow him. He says he comes to trade, we have a lot of 'useless items' around and this could be a great opportunity. I've not seen usefulness for items like shell casings and gun powder, even a potential upgrade to the metal workshop wouldn't give it any relevance so its better to do away with items not currently needed. He is immediately attended to by Pavle.

His backpack is mainly composed of food and materials. Which we don't urgently need the moment. Although a few strings can be pulled for the latter but that is that. Some materials are selected: Components which comprises nails, plastics duct tape, scraps and Wood. For 8 of the former and 6 of the latter, we had to part with our raw food, med pills and 5 of our gunpowder cans. It is a fair deal I must say but if one is not careful with trades, one can stupidly be at loss. You have to play with each item in order to know the combinations that EXACTLY pays for the goods in question. It's trade by barter anyway so items traded should be of equal value, you'll only be alarmed when there's a deficit. The reverse is the case when you are far above target.

While another counseling session goes on between Pavle and Katia - with Pavle playing the psychologist, Brunk decides to listen to the news and happenings. City today was the first channel he tunes in on the Radio. It is an unhealthy news that welcomes him. An employee of Radio Pogoren has just died this morning due to injuries sustained after his unfortunate encounter with snipers on his way to work. I've never really had what I'll call an encounter with snipers and it's not like it's a story one can easily live to tell. We just have to be extra careful with out scavenges these days. Radio One says its a critical situation in the city has people are scouring the city for anything that can be eaten, burned or traded. The situation is getting out of hand.

While Katia and Pavle are immersed in their moment, Bruno helps himself to some uncooked food. He isn't satisfied at all and regrets having to eat them raw, he tries to cook them but supplies are not enough. He haves another round of food and he goes from 'Very Hungry' to 'Hungry' that's an improvement at least. It's not eat to fill, it is, eat to survive. Katia and Pavle are soon done with the talks and they equally have their share of the food. Now they are all hungry. We should be happy, but we are out of food. As we wait for the night, Pavle builds a second bed, an important addition which is now long overdue.

Night

Since we now have two comfortable beds that ensure much needed rests, recurring stresses should be the least of our worry. Well, Katia is going for tonight's hunt. Not only is her backpack at maximum capacity, it's been long she's had an adventure. Let's see what she makes of it. Meanwhile, both Bruno and Pavle (in default) want to sleep on the bed. We can't afford to get complacent now since there's drop in the pace of raids all these while. Pavle will stay on guard as Bruno snores.

I can't exactly say what I understand by "Can't get there due to fighting" but a part of me thinks the unavailability of some important locations to explore is because of the violent and volatile temper our characters have exhibited in the previous hunts. One my count, we have up to 7 prohibited locations on our hands now and it seems we need to thread very carefully as from now, or catwalk if we can.

Our destination is the shelled school which has our needed materials in huge amounts but we are warned of the danger that lurks behind this mouthwatering location. We get there and the school looks like it had been really touched by the war. Even there are still fires burning at the entrance. She proceeds into the building and tries to take what she can, while she can.

Some parts and useful materials are found just right by the door side. On moving further, a locked door is spotted. Oh! She had brought along with her, a crowbar and two Lockpicks in case of situations as this. But she needs to be careful, a red signal-like circle flashes inside the room, these are often signs of human presence so she checks - through a small opening in the door- for confirmation. We were right, two gun welding residents interacting. They are talking about the war and how they protect those who live here. It's a no go area for Katia.

She moves upstairs to see if she can circumvent the danger. Unfortunately, she meets another masked armed man again. He gently warns her not to move an inch further. In compliance, she freezes. He offers a trade and she makes to check. She had brought along with her crowbar and lockpicks, a bottle of medicine which can be useful in a trade. It proves quite so as it is swapped for two canned foods. Once done, Katia backs off. They have guns, we have crowbars. The odds are depressing.

Mission Scavenge aborted

The night is cut short

DISCLAIMER: All Images used in this Walkthrough are Screenshots taken from the game This War of Mine

Link to Previous Episodes: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09..

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