Chapter 64 - Resentment

It is 3 PM.

Despite the intense heat, clouds are beginning to gather. Ay and Gwen, on their destriers, finally arrive at the encampment. A crowd comes into view, facing the young women. Guards, some equipped with pickaxes, others carrying binders, are controlling the perimeter.

_ Ay: “ Who are all these guards?? ”

_ Gwen: “ There are several bodies in body bags. “

The air, heavy and thick, is imbued with the scent of blood and death. They advance slowly, their eyes fixed on the unsettling spectacle before them.

_ Ay: " Too many bodies are present. At least twenty. And the camp is in a bad state, it's infuriating. "

_ Gwen: " Let's ask the guards about the situation. "

Without the slightest suspicion, each guard discreetly monitors the young women who have disembarked, identifiable by their armbands.

_ Ay : “ Excuse me, what happened here? “

_ Guard 1 : “ Clashes occurred, but we don't know anything more. We are tasked with building a necropolis in this sector. “

_ Ay : “ You don't know anything more? Aren't these your comrades? “

_ Guard 1: “ No. Different Recluses from this Zone are in these bags. ”

_ Gwen: “ Why are you in charge of burying them? ”

_ Guard 1: “ Because we get paid, quite simply. ”

A regular sound of footsteps approaches, accompanied by a sinister creaking sound of a pickaxe.

_ Guard 2: " What a mess, honestly. Traveling all this way just for some nobodies, I seriously couldn't care less! "

_ Guard 3: " Don't worry about it, Bernalt, just keep thinking about the fat paycheck coming soon. "

_ Guard 4: " You might as well take the opportunity to buy your favorite booze, you walking piss. "

_ Guard 2: " Shut up, I don't need criticism from an old geezer who throws out his back every 10 minutes. "

Everyone laughs at the friendly confrontation between colleagues, under the neutral gaze of Gwen, who is an uninteresting spectator to the show.

_ Guard 1: " Among the batch is our nemesis's. His death is a relief. I'm really glad he's dead. "

_ Gwen: " Do you mind if I look at the victim's face? " she said, dismounting her horse.

_ Guard 1: " No, but you're going to have a lot of trouble seeing anything. He's burned everywhere. "

_ Gwen: " Burned? "

_ Guard 1: " It's that body right here, you can't miss him with his size. "

She walks in the direction of the body in question, observing the body bags covering the victims' bodies around her. Only the upper limbs remain visible. Crouching, she lifts the veil, revealing an atrocious sight: the head, unrecognizable, is charred. Without reaction, she continues her action, gradually exposing the upper body, but immediately stops.

_ Gwen: " Phosphorus again!? "

Meanwhile, and detached from all of this, Ay continues to look around until she stumbles upon an unexpected scene. A familiar color appears in her field of vision. A brown armband stands out. She, in turn, dismounts her horse, then, nonchalantly, walks forward, fearing the worst-case scenario.

_ Guard 5: " A problem? “

Ignoring the question, too focused on her thoughts, with a slow gesture, she unzips the bag, revealing a pale and frozen face. Her worst fears are confirmed. It is indeed an acquaintance she discovers inert. A small girl, completely cold, with chestnut hair and bangs. A pang in her heart seized her. A flood of questions overwhelmed her before her little protégée, Jenna, frozen in the marble of death.

_ Gwen: " Ay! I found phosphorus on another one of the victims. Moana is involved, we must… "

His partner's eyes, two wells of bitterness, challenge the guardian. Instinctively, she interrupts her sentence, sensing the drastic change in atmosphere.

_ Gwen: " Did you discover anything? "

The doctor's silence, heavy and oppressive, awakens an anxiety within her.

_ Gwen: “ Ay answ… “

_ Ay: “ Hey, Gwen. “

Suddenly interrupted, eyes widen. The doctor, facing her, turns her head. Their pupils meet, the gaze intense.

_ Ay: “ Can you tell me why Jenna died? “

Gwen sees a palpable hatred in the latter's eyes. Although her face remains impassive, a dark gleam ignites in them, revealing a contained rage.

_ Ay: “ She was an innocent little girl with big ambitions. I was going to take care of her personally. She had a clear future ahead of her. So… “

Then, she approaches.

_ Ay: “ Tell me, at what point did we screw up? “

_ Gwen: " … "

_ Ay: " Answer me. Did we wait too long? Should we not have taken a break? Or should I have thought of this campsite sooner? "

_ Gwen: " It's not your fault. "

After this comment, a slight smile appears.

_ Ay: " It's always the same. When I get close to someone, they end up succumbing. I feel like I bring bad luck around me. "

_ Gwen: " Don't say that! I also have my share of responsibility. I should have been more proactive after they left. "

A long silence hangs between them, still under the gaze of the guard, who, in a blur, finally returns to his duties. Shortly after his departure, Ay slowly turns her head toward the deceased, before crouching down.

_ Ay: " I didn't even get the chance to teach you medicine. We could have had a lot of fun together. "

Then, closes the bag and straightens up.

_ Ay: " You will forever remain in my heart. "

Without meeting the tutor's gaze, the doctor approaches her, a mask of indifference on her face. A chilling wind emanates from her, a precise goal glittering in her eyes, and nothing seems able to stop her.

_ Ay: “ Let's leave. I'm fed up with this place. “