I'm ready

2 hours earlier, back in the forest.

“W-where did they go!?” One soldier asked in a fit of panic. Their confusion filled the air as they quickly turned to Tuesday for an answer.

Tuesday kept her silence for a second before succumbing to a hysterical laughter.

“Of course…” she giggled “… the blue light, it makes so much sense.”

The soldier stayed silent, looking at Tuesday with wondering eyes. The squad’s second in command stepped forward. He wore the same white uniform as the rest of the soldiers but unlike them, he wore a black helmet.

You could also differentiate him from the sunglasses he wore. He always had them on, even in the winter where the sun barely shows itself.

He slowly approached Tuesday while she was still in the midst of her outburst. “The men need an explanation, Tuesday.” He insisted. His voice was stern and calm, but even he showed signs of confusion.

Tuesday immediately stopped her laughter and looked the lieutenant in his eyes. “Back off.” she uttered. Her eyes signaled danger.

The lieutenant quickly took a step back, almost regretting coming this close to the demon in front of him.

Tuesday faced her men and looked each one of them in their eyes. They all awaited an explanation of what had happened in front of them, but she only said one word. “Teleportation.”

The tension between them got interrupted by a ringtone, it came from Tuesday.

“Ugh, what now! What do you want?” She groaned in annoyance as she picked up her phone.

On the other end of the conversation was Thursday, awaiting any updates on the hunt for Tom.

“They fled, Thursday.” She answered. “The little hooligan managed to disappear using that annoying curse of his.”

“I did warn you about this.” Thursday reminded her. “I told you to finish the job quickly.”

Tuesday was in no mood for his criticism. “Well, Thursday, fuck you too!” She shot back before she ended the call.

"W-what now?" one of the soldiers dared to ask. Tuesday stared into the air and let out a big sigh before replying.

“They couldn’t have gone this far yet.” She said calmly. “Find them, kill the kids and kill Tom.”

The soldier quickly followed her orders and started the search again.

“If anyone finds that girl… bring her to me, alive!” Tuesday commanded with a chilling tone.

Just then, Tuesday's phone rang again. She swiftly picked up again and began yelling “What do you want now!?” thinking it was Thursday on the other end.

She heard a loud yawn on the phone. “No need to be so rough with me, Tuesday.” The other person exclaimed with a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Oh, it’s you, what do you want? And make it quick, Monday." She demanded with impatience.

"So, the kid got away?” Monday teased with a weary tone.

"I’m in no mood for this. The bastard just vanished. We're looking for him right now.” Tuesday explained.

She leaned against a tree while speaking with Monday. Her mood completely switched when she heard his voice.

"Of course he vanished, you're dealing with someone who can teleport." Monday retorted with a laugh. “I’ve heard everything from Thursday. You should seriously stop toying with your prey.”

“Don’t tell me what to do. Besides, I know they’re still in the area.” She shot back with annoyance.

"I would wish you the best of luck in your search, but…” Monday remarked, smirking.

“But? But what?” Tuesday approached impatiently. Her firm grip on the mobile almost crushed it to pieces. “Spit it out already!”

“C’mon Tuesday, surely you’re not this dense right?” He mocked. Monday knew how to push the right button when dealing with Tuesday.

His playful and calm tone combined with the insults was just enough to provoke her.

“Think about it. Several years ago, another girl ran away from the same orphanage.” He explained cautiously. He had played around enough and wanted to cut to the chase. “We all know where she ended up.”

Tuesday took a deep breath to calm herself before answering. “You mean Cherry? She joined STAB.”

"Exactly, I have a feeling that this group of kids is heading the same way." Monday answered with his theory.

“That could be the case. Which just means we must find them before STAB does.” Tuesday added impatiently.

Monday reverted to his teasing manners. “Oh Tuesday, you’re so naïve.”

Tuesday couldn’t stand his mockery no more. Before she could even say anything, Monday had already explained himself.

“Those kids are the bait. If we follow them, they could lead us straight to STAB’s hideout.” He reasoned.

The plan itself wasn’t bad, but it didn’t sit right with Tuesday. She had no interest in STAB, only in correcting her own failure.

“How about you come here and do it yourself!” She snapped, dissatisfied with the idea. “Besides, how will you follow someone that can teleport away.”

“STAB is of higher priority, Tuesday!” He argued back, raising his voice. Monday too was getting impatient.

Monday took a breath before continuing. “Thursday is already on board with my plan, order your men to do the same.” He hung up the call after that.

Tuesday stood there in silence for a while. But deep down she was boiling with rage. She gripped her phone so hard that it crushed into many pieces.

She raised her head and looked at the starry night sky, closing her eyes for a while.

“Hey, you!” She pointed at a soldier in the perimeter as she called him out.

“Y-yes?” The man asked nervously.

“Bring me a new phone.” She ordered calmly.

Back at the cave 4 hours later.

“Sis, do you think they’ll find us here?” Tom remarked, worried about having to experience that horror again.

“They’re most definitely looking for us.” I replied sternly. “You bought us some time to rest up but we’re going to need a plan.”

I thought about multiple possibilities, but the problem was that we stood out too much in the snow.

The sun slowly showed itself in the sky. We no longer have the night to hide us. This is so troublesome. I thought.

The children slowly woke up from a well-deserved nap. I tried to concentrate in the middle of all the yawning and whispering.

“Tom, I only see one solution.” I determined as I addressed Tom.

Tom looked at me with a worried face. He could tell what I meant. It was clear I was asking him to teleport us away again.

“No, I’m not doing that again!” He yelled. Almost throwing a fit, still terrified by his curse.

I tried convincing him, “But you saved us last time, if you weren’t ther-“

“If I weren’t there, this wouldn’t be happening in the first place!” He interrupted.

Tom was taken over by panic. I put both my hands on his shoulders to calm him down, but also to convince him that he’s our only hope.

“Tom, only you can do this! We can all get out of this mess!” I pleaded, looking straight into his eyes.

Tom went silent, looking at the ground. Tears started forming in his eyes. We were surrounded by the kids staring at us.

“I’m sorry… I… I just don’t know.” I admitted. “I need you, Tom! I can’t think of any other way.”

Tom looked into my eyes. “But… I don’t know how it works. I… don’t want to mess it up.” He replied, worried. He was still in a state of panic, but his breathing calmed him down.

“You won’t mess up, I’m sure of it.” I assured. I looked around me, hoping to find a small object.

“I’ve got an idea.” I proposed, holding up a small rock. “Why don’t you practice on this?”

Tom looked at me with questioning eyes? “A rock? What am I supposed to do with that?”

Tom took the rock out of my hand and inspected it for a second before looking back at me with confused eyes.

“You can try teleporting this small object, just to get a feel for it.” I explained. “There is no risk involved that way.”

“Uh, sure…” He agreed as he laid down the rock on the ground beneath himself.

He touched the small rock with one finger and closed his eyes to concentrate. After taking a long breath, a blue blinding light appeared.

“It’s the same light from before!” Gin exclaimed while pointing towards Tom.

“Shush, let him concentrate.” I interrupted, my eyes fixed on Tom’s performance.

The light slowly faded away and the rock was nowhere to be found.

“Did… did it work?” I questioned as I looked for it.

“Not quite, but I am starting to understand it a tiny bit.” He replied. He held his hand out towards me. “Give me another one.” He demanded with a face full of focus.

I smiled at him as I handed him another one. “Good luck! You got this!” I cheered on.

I stood up straight, planning to leave Tom alone for him to concentrate on his training. Meanwhile, Gin approached me and spoke to me. “Sis, what should we do while we wait?”

“You don’t have to worry.” I answered as I patted him on the shoulder. “We’ll leave as soon as Tom is ready.”

“Where are we going?” He asked, worried.

I had forgotten that they weren’t aware of what was going on.

“We’re heading towards Dalico, that’s where we’ll be safe.” I assured him. The rest of the kids listened along and cheered. Their worries had taken a back seat, and hope arose in their hearts.

“Everyone, pack your things, we’ll move out shorty!” I ordered. “You guys will all be going with Tom.”

Tom heard what I said and immediately stopped his training. “With me!? W-what about you!?” He asked in disbelief.

“I can’t go with you, Tom.” I answered. “Someone needs to buy some time and hold them off.”

“Not true, I-I can master the curse and get us all out of here.” Tom panicked. The other kids also pleaded with him.

I looked every one of them in their eyes, but I had long made up my mind. Marx had entrusted me with their safety, and this is the only thing left for me to do.

They needed Tom, not me. I can try to talk or at least waste their time until Tom manages to go far away.

I put both hands on Tom’s shoulder and reassured him. “I will be fine; you make sure the children are safe. Okay?”

Tom wanted to plead even more, but he saw that I had already made up my mind.

“I trust you, Tom.” I declared. “Your big sister will take care of Tuesday!”

"No, sis, she’ll kill you!" Tom cried out, gripping my hands that laid on his shoulders.

“I’ll be fine.” I replied, smiling to reassure him.

Tom broke down mentally. Both the weight of his responsibility and the weight of losing me crushed him.

But deep down, even he knew there was no other choice. He accepted this outcome and got right back to training.

Sounds of footsteps in the snow were heard from outside. I quickly turned towards the sound. “Dammit, bad timing!” I whispered. “Everyone, gather around Tom!”

The kids finished packing up and ran towards Tom. “I’ll be alright!” I assured as I took a final look at everyone.

“Sis, I can’t do it!” Tom yelled out in a fit of panic.

“You can! Believe in yourself!” I encouraged him, watching the entrance of the cave.

“Everyone follow me!” Tom ordered as he summoned the blue light. “Please!” He begged to himself, hoping to succeed in the task.

When I looked behind me again, they were already gone. Please Marx, watch over them.

My heart pumped fast; it felt like it wanted to escape my chest.

Cold sweat dripped down my face as the soldiers slowly entered the cave.

“We found the girl!” One of them yelled, informing the rest.

More footsteps followed in. I was again surrounded by guns. I held my hands in the air.

I closed my eyes to calm myself. I could only pray for the safety of the others.

The rest of the men looked around the cave. “They’re not here!” One exclaimed.

The lieutenant grabbed my throat and made me look into his eyes.

His sunglasses covered them, but I could still see the anger inside of him.

“Tell me! Where are they!?”