Chapter 80 - Vote

In this suspended silence, their gazes, burning with the same tension, seek one another. A deep breath follows, each measuring the weight of their future choice. Meanwhile, Kona looks at me first, her serenity partially restored.

_ Kona: " All right, let's go. "

Leaving Edna slightly apart from the group, we form a circle with two meters between each of us, except for Shailly, who is still sitting on the ground.

_ Ayden: “ Anyone who wants Edna in the group, say ‘I accept.’ Those who don't, say ‘I refuse.’ Since there are seven of us, four votes for or against will be enough to settle the matter. ”

Hardly had I established my instruction when a sound rang out.

_ Kona : " I refuse. But then again, I guess that’s pretty clear. "

_ Ayden : " As the one who came up with the idea, you already know I’m in. Who else? "

After a long silence, an orphan hesitantly raises his hand.

_ Son: “ I... I accept. “

Despite the crucial context, to my astonishment, my friend holds a favorable opinion. This simple word, so significant, solidifies the invisible bond of our trust, without a single emotion filtering through. However, this choice is not to everyone's liking.

_ Kona & Maïko: " What?! "

One of them stepped closer to him, briefly leaving our circle.

_ Maïko: " Wait, are you actually serious right now? "

With his head bowed, Son clenched his fist, feeling the weight of the disappointment he was causing.

_ Son: “ I know! I know… I’m not thrilled about it either, but… "

He raises his head, his face marked by a newfound resolve.

_ Son: " I still want to believe in my friend. "

Stunned, Maïko broke eye contact, speechless, and simply gave a shake of her head as she backed away toward her original spot.

_ Son: “ Given your reaction, I imagine that… ”

_ Maïko: “ Of course I refuse. In case you’ve forgotten, one of his partners severely injured Shailly. How could I possibly cooperate under these conditions? ”

_ Edna & Shailly: “ … ”

Wanting to speed up the vote, I seize this opening to keep the momentum going.

_ Ayden: " Who else? "

After a few seconds of silence, a sound is heard coming from outside the circle.

_ Shailly: “ I accept. “

Everyone, Edna included, stared at Shailly. After that strange serenity in her voice, our eyes searched her face for an answer, a wall of silence whose downward gaze revealed nothing. Immediately, Maïko left the circle again and rushed toward her friend, narrowing her eyes.

_ Maïko : " Huh? "

_ Kaya : " What kind of bullshit is this? A moment ago, you were annoyed about being targeted, and yet you’re accepting? ” she said, joining Maïko in a calmer manner.

Without flinching or averting her gaze, she always keeps her cool.

_ Shailly : " The situation has changed. It hurts to admit it, but right now, her presence could be an asset. "

_ Kaya : " That’s not enough to accept her among us. "

_ Shailly: “ She’ll be under surveillance. ”

_ Kaya: “ It doesn’t matter. ”

In this fluid yet heavy debate, the twin steps forward a meter, yearning for an answer to a question.

_ Kaya: “ You’re seriously okay with chilling with someone who screwed everything up? You just forgiven her or what? ”

Stung by this remark, Shailly finally looked at the twin, her brows furrowed.

_ Shailly: " Don't get any ideas. Once our goals are met, she'll be gone. "

Unmoved by this argument, the twin let it rest.

_ Kaya: " We're clearly not meant to understand one another. "

_ Shailly: " … "

Kaya turns back, intending to return to her post.

_ Kaya: “ She’s your friend, right? Talk some sense into her. ”

_ Maïko: “ Don’t tell me what to do. ”

While one returns to the circle with her arms folded, the other closes the gap between her and her friend, her face betraying her distress.

_ Maïko: " Shailly… do you realize what you’re saying? This group were bastards, no matter what you think of them now. " she said, pointing a finger at Edna.

_ Shailly: " She’s not the one who put me in this state. "

_ Maïko: “ But then...?! She… ”

_ Shailly: “ I’m sorry, but it’s my choice! ” she said, averting her eyes from her friend in embarrassment.

Pressed for time and annoyed by the length of the overall debate, I decided to step in.

_ Ayden: “ That’s quite enough. “

_ Maïko: “ Did I ask for your opinion? "

_ Ayden: “ She’s made her decision, whether you like it or not. I don’t care if you’re angry. Now, stop interfering. ”

Teeth clenched, his jaw tightens.

_ Shailly: " I’m not asking you to understand, just to believe in me. "

Maïko put her head in her hands, her fingers buried in her hair. Annoyed and witnessing the point of no return her friend was reaching, a grimace mixed with sadness tightened her features. Afterward, her eyes lacerated me with disgust. My gaze, cold and empty, met her hatred. Breaking this silent duel, she took her seat again and I continued.

_ Ayden: “ Three votes in favor, two against. Just one more 'yes' and the debate is over. "

_ Kona: " It’ll be fine, only Kaya and Hazel are left. They’ll refuse, for sure. "

I look at the two of them: one with her arms crossed, the other with her chin resting on her fingers.

_ Ayden: “ What do you decide? ”

_ Kaya: “ What do you think? I refuse. ”

Most do not react, having already guessed his/her answer in advance. Only Kona lets a confident smile blossom. Finally, in the shadows, Maïko lets her fingers clench briefly, a tiny, almost invisible gesture, betraying a satisfaction she is striving to hide from her rival. The ultimate fate thus rests with young Hazel. His answer will decide this vote once and for all.

_ Kona : “ One more refusal and the deal is done. ”

_ Ayden : “ No matter what you decide, Hazel, I will respect it. Just choose what feels right to you. ”

_ Hazel : “ I… ”

Everyone watches for it eagerly, holding their breath in feverish anticipation. While anxiety tightens the features of most, Kona radiates an insolent confidence, a striking contrast that sows doubt in her beloved’s mind.

_ Ayden: " So, what’s it going to be, man? "

The downpour having completely stopped, the wind also ceases to blow. Only the beating of wings from birds flying over our position echoes. He scrutinizes each of his companions in turn before fixing his gaze, straight in the eyes, on Kona.

_ Hazel: " I accept. "

In the blink of an eye, Kona’s face crumbles, feature by feature, under the shock. The dissonance of the response from Hazel, his only anchor of trust, has just drifted, echoing like a stab in the heart. In her eyes, this dissonance is equivalent to choosing the enemy, thus redefining the relationship between them. Knowing what he's done, the burden of his actions weighs heavily on him. In a desperate move, he looks for the right words or gestures to ease the pain he just inflicted.

_ Hazel: " Kona… I… "

_ Kona: " Don't touch me! "

With a heavy heart, Hazel watches Kona slip away. Her own hand clenches, betraying a silent ache as her twin retreats step by step, struggling to keep her emotions in check. At the heart of the circle, she pivots, her eyes casting over each of us.

_ Kona: “ Do as you wish. "

Then, she left the circle, intending to continue her journey into the depths of the Forest. Isolated from the group and on her way, she had no choice but to pass close to Edna. Only a few centimeters separate them. The Recluse bends her legs slightly to bring herself down to the other woman's level. Then, she leans in close to her ear, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

_ Edna: “ It looks like you're not going to get rid of me that easily. "

At this provocation, the twin pivots slowly, her face contorted with icy hatred, her eyes boring into her sworn enemy. Then, with a deliberate gesture, she shoves her shoulder, seeking to brush her aside. A wide smile then spread across the hooded woman's face, delighted by the rage she was projecting in the young girl's eyes.

Taking the initiative to slip away without a word, Kona prompted Kaya to follow her twin sister's lead, after casting one last glance at Hazel, who was standing beside her.

_ Kaya: " Moron. "

Though whispered and audible only to Hazel, the word carries enough weight to strike her very soul. Not wanting to be left out, Maïko later copied the twins, leaving us behind. After this significant vote, I quickly realize that the rest of our journey could potentially be life-changing.