Instinct

The weight of societal expectations blatantly clashed with Sage's authentic self.

His father was a stern and hyper-masculine figure, whose dreams of having a son who embodied his own ideals were shattered by the reality of Sage's gentle spirit.

From a young age, Sage had shown an affinity for activities that were deemed "feminine". He reveled in playing with dolls, seeking solace among his female peers, and yearning to adorn himself in pretty dresses that resonated with his true self. But with every step he took towards his own identity, his father's resentment grew.

To salvage the fragile bond with his father, Sage made desperate attempts to mold himself into the image of masculinity. He shunned his flowing locks and adopted a buzz cut. He wore clothes that mirrored the styles of his male peers. He even tried weightlifting and motorcycles, desperate to enjoy the activities that his father deemed suitable for a "real man".

Yet, despite his efforts, Sage's true essence refused to be suppressed. The flicker of his feminine spirit remained unwavering, untamed by the external trappings of masculinity.

It was in one courageous moment that Sage decided to unshackle himself from the chains of societal expectations. With a newfound sense of liberation, he allowed his hair to grow, symbolizing his journey towards self-acceptance.

As his hair cascaded around his shoulders, Sage discovered a newfound freedom within himself. It was a liberation that came at the cost of his strained relationship with his father, who continued to harbor resentment and disappointment. But in embracing his true identity, Sage found serenity in the authenticity of his being, even amidst the storm of familial discord.

Sage's thoughts lingered on the memories of his difficult childhood and teenagehood. He was sitting near the enigmatic structure that resembled a fireplace, lost in contemplation, while Cove sat beside him, still holding the phone book in his hands. Noticing the frown on Sage's face, he attempted to console him.

"The situation may be difficult, but someone as intelligent as me can overcome anything, I'm sure of it," Cove said, his words sounding somewhat clumsy and almost pitiable in their attempt to offer solace.

Sage couldn't help but giggle in surprise at Cove's earnestness. "I have no doubt about your intelligence," Sage replied, his voice tinged with amusement. "But please, don't trouble yourself trying to protect me."

Cove, realizing the unintended implications of his words, hurried to clarify his intentions. "That's not what I meant," he stumbled. "I meant that I can contribute something valuable to the group, you know, with my own skills and knowledge."

Sage nodded politely, acknowledging Cove's desire to be useful. Finn, sensing the underlying dynamics, chimed in, breaking the tension with his own remark. "Dude, I think he's subtly saying that you're probably not the only smart person around here."

Sage remained silent but offered a shrug, a soft smile painted on his face, his eyes fixed on the floor. Cove's cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and realization. While Cove may have received a good education, his interactions with people could sometimes reveal a touch of naivety and goofiness.

In the meantime, River quickly gathered all the scattered items from the floor - the letter, the phone, the first aid kit, the raspberry-flavored candies - and haphazardly returned them to the suitcase. He then extended his arm toward Cove.

"Let's gather everything back into the briefcase, so everything's in one place. This stuff is important, I guess", River suggested. Cove met his gaze for a moment, then nodded, passing the phone book back to River.

After a few moments, Finn, unable to bear the weight of the quietude that had descended upon the room again, shyly broke the silence. "Uh... Isn't anyone hungry?" His inquiry was met with puzzled looks from the group, their minds preoccupied with the gravity of their situation. Finn, sensing the need to explain himself, quickly added: "I'm just asking! I mean, we should take care of ourselves even in crazy times like this."

Cove, ever the pragmatist, chimed in, supporting Finn's proposition. "He's right, you know. Nourishing ourselves properly is essential for clear thinking and survival in these circumstances." Sage looked at Cove, surprise flickering across his face. Soon, a realization dawned upon him. Cove did have a valid point. Sage shrugged, a playful smile appearing at the corners of his lips as he nodded in agreement. Cove couldn't help but feel a sense of validation, a glimmer of joy shining in his eyes at his friend's acknowledgement.

River, devoid of much emotion, nonchalantly added: "Well, if everyone's hungry, we can head back to the other room and crack open a can of some weird gelatinous meat or something." As he spoke, River had already begun making his way toward the long, narrow corridor they had previously traversed, his hand instinctively reaching out to open the old, creaky wooden door.

Finn couldn't help but giggle at River's choice of words, and one by one, the rest of the group followed suit, moving toward the doorway.