Tangled

River stood still, his hand gripping the handle of the suitcase tightly. He had just opened the thick door that separated the dark corridor from the main room. His eyes darted around, taking in the scene before him.

The two boys they had left unconscious were roused from their slumber as the group unraveled the contents of the suitcase. They were now seated on the worn-out couch. The smaller of the two fiddled with a Rubik's Cube, his fingers moving restlessly across the colored squares. The other boy, with his head nestled on the armrest, appeared to be dozing off. Against the gray wall, a pair of makeshift crutches leaned, alongside scattered remnants of what used to be a chair.

River's initial shock turned into a mix of curiosity and concern as his gaze met the wide-eyed stare of the smaller boy. The fear in Nima's eyes was unmistakable, a reflection of the unknown circumstances that had brought them all together in this enigmatic place.

The silence in the air was thick, heavy with unspoken questions and guarded uncertainty. Cove, Finn, and Sage exchanged bewildered glances, searching for answers in the unfamiliar faces before them.

River broke the silence. "What the fuck happened here?" he exclaimed, pointing at the scattered remnants of the chair.

Finn, ever perceptive of the underlying emotions, interjected with a calm but stern tone. "River, now is not the best time to be confrontational. He is clearly scared". His words carried a touch of empathy, urging River to consider the fragile state of the strangers before them.

River's defensive stance softened as he absorbed Finn's words. A tinge of embarrassment washed over him. "Sorry", he muttered, his voice hushed with remorse. When scolded, River's first instinct was usually to flip off anyone who dared. However, when it came to Finn, something inexplicably shifted within him. There was a distinct connection, an unspoken understanding that tempered his usual susceptibility. He fell silent, allowing the weight of the situation to settle in the room.

Raven was roused from his slumber by the voices of the boys conversing nearby. Slowly, he opened his eyes, his gaze falling upon River and the others just a few meters away. Sensing the presence of strangers, he immediately rose from the couch, his posture displaying an unwavering firmness. "And who are you?" he asked, his tone stern yet devoid of aggression, determined not to reveal any sign of weakness.

Finn, understanding the need for clarity, stepped forward, his voice steady and composed. "I'm Finn", he replied calmly, maintaining a sense of poise. "And these are my friends: River, Sage, and Cove." Raven's eyes followed Finn's gestures as each name was mentioned, his gaze remaining fixed and alert.

Cove briefly glanced at Finn, feeling a slight disagreement at being mentioned last, but given the circumstances, he chose to withhold any objection. Sage, with a soft wave and a gentle smile, expressed his silent welcome to the two unfamiliar boys.

Nima, attuned to the tension in the air, interjected softly. "They're okay, Raven", he assured, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. "I think we're all in the same boat here."

Raven's gaze shifted once more, carefully observing the four boys who stood before him. With an eye-roll that conveyed his initial skepticism, he reluctantly accepted their non-hostile intentions and returned to the sanctuary of the couch, resuming his seat as a tentative gesture of acknowledgment.

River, Finn, Cove, and Sage cautiously approached the two boys seated on the couch, their earlier wariness giving way to a sense of safety and curiosity. Sage settled on the floor, positioning himself directly in front of Nima, who sat taller on the couch. A warm smile illuminated Sage's face as he initiated the conversation. "What's your name?" he inquired, his genuine interest shining through. Nima reciprocated the smile, his tension easing as he responded: "I'm Nima." The connection forged by Sage's warm demeanor immediately put him at ease. "I woke up about twenty minutes ago, and Raven woke up a little earlier than me. We don't remember anything about how we ended up here. Do any of you have any information?"

Raven, while seemingly disinterested, covertly listened to the conversation, his hand concealing his forehead as he feigned detachment. Sage's smile faltered slightly, a touch of sorrow replacing the earlier cheerfulness. "I believe we must explain what we've discovered so far. It won't be easy to hear, but I want to assure you that we'll figure things out. It's going to be okay", he reassured, his voice carrying a blend of compassion and determination. Nima's expression shifted, a flicker of worry crossing his features, yet he nodded, placing his trust in Sage's words.

Cove, always quick to comment, gestured towards the scattered debris of the broken chair. "This chair could have served a better purpose than being smashed to bits on the floor!" he exclaimed, his finger pointing at the disarray.

Raven, his eyes icy and filled with disbelief, locked gazes with Cove, their depths reflecting a subtle threat. "Yeah, I could have used it to knock some sense into your thick skull", he retorted. Cove's throat tightened, his gaze quickly shifting away, choosing not to engage in further confrontation.

"I'm sorry if I caused any trouble. I can't walk; I was born paralyzed", Nima explained, gesturing towards the crutches crafted by Raven resting against the wall behind them.

"Why are you apologizing to him?" Raven questioned Nima, a hint of anger coloring his voice.

Cove, quick to alleviate the tension, interjected with a mixture of embarrassment and fear. "Yeah, Raven is right. Don't apologize. I'm sorry, that was very inconsiderate of me", he admitted, averting his gaze once more. Though he concealed it well, he couldn't help but be taken aback by the tender gesture of someone like Raven fashioning crutches for Nima.

Nima offered a warm smile in response, understanding the unspoken sentiment. Sage, too, couldn't help but smile, appreciating Cove's unexpected display of self-awareness.

River, shifting the focus to practical matters, placed the briefcase on the coffee table before the couch. "Well", he declared, "whether we're four or six, it doesn't really matter. I'm still starving." He turned to Finn, requesting his assistance. "Finn, lend me a hand in the kitchen. Sage, it's up to you to explain the situation to them. I know it won't be easy, but someone has to do it. Cove, since the mess bothers you so much, please clean up this shattered chair", he commanded, pointing to the scattered fragments on the floor.

Raven's attention was immediately captured by the mention of food. "You have food?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Tons of it, apparently", River confirmed, gesturing towards the expansive pantry situated on the other side of the room. A series of large cabinets lined the lower walls, precariously close to the worn and weathered counters. Nearby, an old and ruined dining table beckoned, its appearance suggesting imminent collapse despite its surprising stability. Chairs were strewn across the room, minus one, of course.

Raven nodded in acknowledgment before returning his gaze to the floor, lost in his thoughts.

As River's instructions took effect, Sage began the challenging task of explaining the situation, while Finn dutifully followed River to the pantry.

"Since when did we accept him as the leader?" Cove asked, complaining about his boring task. The others were too engrossed in their assigned tasks to pay him any mind, and his complaint fell on deaf ears.