The four of us was seated by the campfire, holding up sticks with roasted fish, digging into it. I heard blissful sighs escaping with each bite Cassie took. It seemed like she hasn't had something this good in awhile. Isabella also seemed pleased, but not as reactive as Cassie.
Meanwhile, Zeke didn't really eat. It was strange. The guy really didn't want to take off his mask for some reason. I couldn't help but imagine why. Does he think it's edgy wearing a mask like that? That it somehow makes him cool and more bad-ass?
Or maybe, he is just insecure about he really looks like and hides it from us. Hmm, that could be the case. After all, I saw the burn mark on his chest. Maybe his face is equally burnt? Or much worse?
Or maybe there is a reason why he has to hide his face. Could it be related to his curse? Or blessing, maybe? Either way, this remains a mystery to me. Something im very curious to unravel, but had to hold myself back. I had to be considerate and build trust before pressing about this.
There was a comfortable silence hanging in the atmosphere, the four of us enjoying the food. After some time, I broke the silence.
"I'm curious.... what's you're stories? How did you end up here? Or partnering with each other?"
Isabella didn't seem too interesed in this. She must already know, but she didn't say anything and let the two of them explain it to me. Leaning back, Isabella simply enjoyed the roasted fish, regarding us in silence.
Eventually, it was Cassie who spoke up first. Once she received a nod from Zeke, she said;
"Well, I was stranded in some part of the jungle. Uh, I don't know how to describe where exactly. But it had alot of trees and there was a little river. Anyways, for the first few days, I didn't do much. Just hunted for food, crafted clothes, tents and made a fire for myself."
Cassie smiled, the young girl seemed very proud of bragging about her craftsmanship. Even I had to admit that I was impressed.
"After around two days of being myself, I started exploring the area a little. That's when I stumbled upon Zeke by chance."
Her face grew more solemn as she recalled their first meeting.
"Zeke looked horrible. I–I thought he was a walking corpse at first. I couldn't stop vomiting when I saw him. He told me a bear did that to him, but not much after that. Seeing him like that and abandoning him would of left a bitter taste in my mouth, so I took him in, bandaged him and well.... we partnered up that day."
I couldn't help but narrow my eyes in interest. So that's how they first met. For some reason, I wasn't really convinced about the "bear" part. From the way Cassie looked, I can tell she wasn't either. Yet, didn't question it, in consideration for her partner.
'Such a sweet girl.'
And also naive. I couldn't believe she was so trusting. What if Zeke was a malicious person? What if he had betrayed her? Done something she could never forget to her? I can understand saving him, but she made it seem like she trusted him right from the start and that's worrying. How did she last this long with such a mindset? It's a miracle she even managed to survive two days by herself....
Or is there more to her than what meets the eye?
I can't be judging this quickly yet.
After finishing her little tale, Cassie scratched the back of her head awkwardly.
"What we went through wasn't as eventful as what you guys went through. I mean.... a loop? Fighting a hoard of wild animals? And a terrifying human at that? It–it's amazing!"
Her eyes were sparkling with awe towards me and Isabella, especially towards me. I couldn't help but frown, irked. Just what did Isabella say to her? It's not bad, I do enjoy the attention and having her admire me, can help build trust. Still....I can already imagine all sorts of ways Isabella spun the stories to fool this little girl.
She may not seem like it, but she is very depective. I experienced that first-hand.
Isabella meanwhile simply giggled and feigned a blush.
"Oh, you! You're just too adorable, Cas."
Her hands reached out, pinching the young girls cheeks, making her squeal and push Isabella away, in embarrassment.
"Stop calling me that nickname! How many times do I have to tell you?!"
Cassie's cheeks were flushed, as she pouted. The three of us broke into a laughter at the sight. Even Zeke teased little Cassie.
Scooting closer, he patted Cassie's shoulder with feigned affection.
"There, there. Isabella is just joking, Cas. Here, have another cooked Salmon."
He said, shoving one into her mouth, immediately making Cassie's expression crumble, replaced by a blissful joy. I couldn't help but smile at the sight. After the harrowing adventures in the Ceaseless Circle, these peaceful days really lighten up my mood. They never fail to do so.
"So, what about you, Zeke? I'm interesed in your story."
I turned towards the masked man, with interest. This man has remained a mystery. Even though he seemed chill, inviting and full of obnoxious laughter, I barely knew a thing about him. So, I was curious.
Zeke titled his head towards me and chuckled.
"Well, aren't you a curious one? But sure! Why not? I'll indulge in it. So, basically, the gist of it is that when I first spawned into the arena, I spawned in right inside the stomach of a bear."
That bomb he so casually dropped almost made me fall backwards, my eyes buldging out comically at the sheer shock. Even Isabella seemed surprised, while Cassie was holding back a laugh at our reactions. She must have reacted the same after hearing about this for the first time, too.
It's too absurd! Too unlucky!
After some time i heard Isabella stutter out.
"A–are you for real? You aren't joking? You actually spawned inside a bear?"
Zeke laughed obnoxiously and nodded his head, continuing.
"Yes, yes. I actually did. For about two hours, I was stuck inside it's stomach. Still, it wasn't hard getting out. After all, there wasn't much the bear could do to me. In fact, it was the thing in the most vulnerable postion, unable to defend against my attacks from inside. So, all I had to do was tear a hole in it's stomach and crawl out!"
He explained that so casually. So casually that it baffled me. Still, what he said made sense. If I ate something and it started attacking me from the inside, I'll be helpless against it too. When I really think about it, it doesn't sound so much of a horrible situation now. Actually, I envied him. He got meat right off the bat.
Was he unlucky or lucky?
The three of us stared at him silently, prompting him to continue with his tale.
"Well, after that, I just roasted the meat. Ate, made some primitive clothes for myself and then went out hunting. Searching for players and stuff."
Then, he sighed.
"But that ended up being a reckless decision. Because I ended up running into a group of bears, that seemed to have allied themselves. I was too arrogant at the time. Too ignorant. So, I attacked them and well, you know the rest."
The masked zeke shuddered, as if imagining the horrifying wounds the bears dealt him.
"I barely managed to survive and run away. Oh and also, I killed a few of them! Anyways, that's was when I was found by Cas and she treated me. Ever since, we have been best buddies! Right, Cas?"
Grinning, he wrapped an arm around the young girl's shoulder and pulled her closer.
"Ye–yeah..."
She stuttered out, forcefully pulling away from the grip. Then she turned and faced us, a curious look on her face.
"Since we are sharing alot, im curious. How did you both die?"
That question made Isabella's breath hitch. It wasn't very audible, but the reaction she had was sharp. Back then, wasn't it the same when i asked her? But she flawlessly masked it with embarrassment and lied.
Since she didn't answer right away. I laughed and answered.
"How I died? Well, I was strangled to death by a cop. What about you, Cas?"
Cassie seemed shocked by my answer, but then her expression turned dark as I returned the question. Shifting uncomfortably. Zeke seemed to have noticed this change, by his body language, I guessed that he was about to speak up on her behalf.
But Cassie found her voice eventually.
"I hung myself."
Those three words suddenly made the air around them feel heavier. My mouth gaped in shock. If this was the case, then why the hell did she bring up discussing how we died? Did she think we wouldn't ask her?
"I–uh....that's certainly something—"
Before I could continue, Cassie interjected.
"I know. I shouldn't have asked to discuss about how you two died, without expecting to be asked by myself. I wanted you guys to hear it, actually."
I raised my eyebrows in interest, Isabella also leaned forward, intrigued. Zeke remained in his usual spot, arms folded.
"I wanted to give up. Even after learning about this place, I still wanted to end it all and give up. Bu–but I didn't! I held on, i was determined to win and....i–I didn't give up. I didn't!"
She kept on emphasing that she didn't "give up" which I couldn't quite understand. I know that. It's quite obvious. But for some reason, by the expression she was making, I was able to understand how much those words meant to her. That she never gave up on something for once in her life and actually strived to move forward.
Is that what she wanted to convey? That she isn't a useless person in this group? Did she want validation?
I didn't know, nor did I dare to judge. All I did was nod.
After some time, Isabella sighed and responded. Her voice low as a whisper.
"....I didn't want to be part of The Mulligan too, you know. It was my father, who was part of the government, which forced me to join this cruel game. It was my elder brother at first, but after he failed to win, he set his sights on me. Trained me, taught me and then, strapped me to a chair and shot me in the head. That's how I died."
That came as a surprise for us three. Cassie and Zeke was surprised by the way she died. Meanwhile, I was more surprised by the fact that she didn't lie to them. Just straight up told them the truth. Did Cassie's confession compel her to be honest with her own? I couldn't help but find this part of human psychology fascinating and curious.
But the real shock was the fact that none of them seemed surprised by the "government" part. Did they know? Did Isabella already tell them about it when I was out? Or did they both have connections to this secretive government made of Unbound Humans?
After some time, it was Cassie who broke the silence.
"....And you want revenge against you're father, Izzy?"
Isabella blinked at the strange nickname, but smiled faintly, nodding her head. Her eyes having a glint of hatred to them.
"Yes. I want to make sure he suffers, Cas."
Cassie nodded and didn't say anything else. Immediately after silence filled the campfire again, all eyes were then on Zeke.
The man raised his hands and laughed out loud.
"Alright, alright! I'll tell you about how I died, but you better not laugh, alright?"
I nodded. Isabella and the others followed suit. Zeke took a breath and said;
"It was during a comedy skit. I ended up gambling and inhaling a little too much helium, causing my lungs to explode. I guess? Thats how I died. Atleast I went out laughing."
Those words hung in the air, cliche sounds of crickets filling the awkward silence it left behind. Then, the three of us broke into a fit of laughter at the absurdness of it all.
First, he spawned inside a bear. Then, we learn that he died by inhaling too much helium during a comedy skit.
"I don't think I have ever met someone as unlucky as you!"
I exclaimed through laughter.
The campfire was filled with the sounds of giggling and laughter, Zeke didn't seem to mind and just joined in. The moon shining and hanging in the sky, peacefully.