Chapter 46 - Confession (2)

Shortly after, the nurse returns to Son's room with three identical dishes. Spicy chicken broth accompanied by slices of bread. Finally, vanilla ice cream to finish.

_ Son: “ Wooow, what a feast! ”

_ Hazel: “ Yes, it's much more generous than what we have at home. ”

Our forks meet on our plates, and it's a shared revelation: our palates, suddenly won over, revel in unexpected flavors.

_ Son: “ This is delicious, I feel alive again! ”

_ Ayden: “ It's a nice change from our usual dishes. ”

Gradually, Son's facial expression changes.

_ Son: “ Fuck, this is so frustrating, Jenna would have loved to eat this delicious meal. ”

A heavy silence descends, everyone clearly sensing the shift in the atmosphere.

_ Son: “ You don't know how much I hate myself. When I think that she's the one who saved me. When I think that she was more responsive than me when faced with the Recluse. I'm ashamed of myself. She did what a real man is supposed to do. Instead, I was powerless! ”

The realization that Son wants to bear the burden alone prompts me to interrupt my meal, eager to lighten it.

_ Ayden: " I'm more to blame than you are. I wasn't able to neutralize him and get you and Jenna to safety. What's more, I was the one who suggested we come to this rainforest. With Moana's explanations, I just feel like I've condemned everyone for nothing. "

With a frown, I also clench my fist.

_ Ayden: “ I've never been so angry with myself in my life! ”

_ Hazel: " You're being too hard on yourself. First of all, Ayden, you couldn't have known how the story would unfold. And secondly, if the villagers and Chief Moana were indeed our enemies, the situation could have been much worse. "

He puts his dish back down.

_ Hazel: " We just faced something stronger than ourselves. We faced the harsh reality of life. "

_ Ayden: “ That's true. This sad experience will benefit us in the future. ”

Determined as ever, my gaze intensifies.

_ Ayden: “ For my part, I still need to improve, tactically and technically. If I don't have the ability to protect a group, then I must at least be impervious to any eventuality, even if it means getting my hands dirty. ”

In this rather heavy atmosphere, a body rises from its chair.

_ Hazel: “ Well, how about we go outside for a bit? The rain has stopped. ”

_ Ayden: “ Good idea. ”

Putting my plate with theirs on the same tray, I get up in turn, approaching the door.

_ Son: “ Enjoy! ”

So we decide to leave the room to clear our heads. At the same time, we see Kona and Maïko coming out of Shailly's room.

_ Maïko: “ Oh? Did the nurse let you out too? ”

_ Ayden: “ Yes. ”

_ Maïko: “ Great! Let's go together then. ”

_ Ayden: “ Sure. ”

We all finally leave the clinic together. In front of us, narrow streets paved with cobblestones are lined with half-timbered wooden houses. Their thatched roofs stand out against the changing sky. Their mullioned windows let in a soft light. The air is filled with the scents of the surrounding fields and fresh bread coming out of the communal oven. The inhabitants, dressed in coarse woolen garments, lead a simple life rhythmically punctuated by working the land and religious festivals. In the central square, a market is set up, offering a profusion of local products. Fresh vegetables, cheeses, honey, and poultry. Merchants shout out their wares, attracting a colorful crowd of peasants and bourgeois.

_ Kona: “ It's impressive how many people are here. ”

_ Hazel: “ This village clearly has the means. ”

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a flicker on Maïko's lips, the hint of a secret smile.

_ Maïko: “ Oh! A cat! ”

_ Kona: “ Huh? Where?? ”

_ Maïko: “ Damn, it just ran away. Ayden, come on, let's go catch it! ”

_ Ayden: “ ? ”

_ Maïko: “ Go on without us, we'll catch up later! ”

With a firm grip, she pulls me along, forcing me to keep up with her frantic pace.

_ Kona: “ Huh? But wait! ”

With every passing second, the space between us stretches, gradually blurring our outlines in their eyes.

_ Kona: " Damn, I can see right through her. I understand more and more why my sister is frustrated with this girl… "

_ Hazel: “ Since that's the case, we might as well continue on our own. ”

_ Kona: “ Haha, yes. Anyway, she doesn't mean any harm. I'll take this opportunity to talk to her. ”

In the same interval.

_ Ayden: “ Say. ”

_ Maïko: “ Hm? ”

_ Ayden: “ That's an excuse you just came up with, am I right? ”

_ Maïko: " Haha, you can't hide anything from you. But don't worry, I'm doing this for a good cause. "

_ Ayden: “ Don't worry, I don't want any details, it's none of my business. ”

Without missing a beat, she calmly put her arm around my shoulder.

_ Maïko: “ Hey, do you ever laugh? You're always so expressionless. ”

_ Ayden: " Instead of talking nonsense, let's find an adult who can guide us and explain their rules. "

With confusion in her eyes, Maïko gently removes her arm from my shoulder.

_ Maïko: “ Okay, okay. ”

Under this illuminated sky, Hazel, her hands buried in the pockets of her shorts, continues walking alongside Kona, matching their pace to the leisurely rhythms of the other villagers strolling down the cobbled street.

_ Kona: “ By the way, I haven't had a chance since, but I wanted to thank you. ”

_ Hazel: “ For what? ”

_ Kona: “ For saving me from the Recluse last night. ”

A moment suspended in time, half a second of emptiness passes as the young man's memories rush through his mind.

_ Hazel: “ I didn't do much, but I had to intervene. ”

_ Kona: “ But you were also busy fighting your own battle. ”

_ Hazel: " I had a moment to catch my breath. I took the opportunity to look around and noticed you were in trouble. If you have to thank anyone, it's Maïko and Shailly. It's thanks to their efforts that I was able to help you."

_ Kona: “ Still, you're the one who took action. And besides, that's not all I'm talking about. ”

Hazel’s eyebrows are slightly raised, a silent interrogation floating on his lips.

_ Kona: “ You were present another time to defend me, notably when Brent provoked me during the return from exploration. “

_ Hazel: “ Ahhh that. I had to establish the truth. ”

Then, he turns his head in the direction of the twin.

_ Hazel: “ By the way, I embarrassed you that day, excuse me. ”

_ Kona : “ You see, you’re doing it again haha. “

_ Hazel: “ How’s that? ”

Kona begins to wrap her hair with her finger. Slightly embarrassed, she look away.

_ Kona: “ You have a protective and caring side that I like. You better not never change that. “

The news takes Hazel by surprise. He mechanically removes his hands from her pockets, his pupils dilate under the effect of emotion. A single word, hesitant, escapes him of the lips.

_ Hazel: “ Thank you. “

Several seconds pass without the slightest word. Again at ease, a sound emitted from a mouth.

_ Kona: “ Speaking of Brent, I hope he and Taïga are doing well. ”

_ Hazel: “ No idea, but in principle they are safe, away from this shit. ”

_ Kona: “ That’s right. ”

Eyes rise up to the sky.

_ Kona: “ But I have faith in us. We’ll get through this. ”

_ Hazel: “ No choice. “

Kona meets her gaze with that of Hazel, their pupils meeting in a mutual smile.