Chapter 92 - Breakup

At the same time.

_ Son: “ A secret? ”

_ Shailly: “ What's this secret she's mentioning? "

_ Maïko: " What's this about a secret?? Since when do you share intel with the enemy?? "

_ Ayden: " Calm down! I have no idea what she’s talking about! "

_ Maïko: " You're lying! With all the time you spent with her, you could easily have leaked information! "

_ Ayden: " What? And what information do you want me to give her? "

_ Maïko: " Don't ask me, you're the one who knows! "

I sigh, already despairing of the subject.

_ Hazel: " Between this secret and Edna’s sudden proposal… There's a lot of room for suspicion. "

_ Ayden: " Shit. If even Hazel is starting to doubt me, I’m in real trouble. "

_ Kona: " Ayden… "

More calmly, she utters my name, her eyes piercing through me.

_ Kona: " What do you expect from us? "

I rest my hand on my chin, my neurons already firing

_ Ayden: “ Well, reflect for a moment: why did Edna say that? I know she is a provocateur, but she appeared sincere in her remarks. I do not see at a… ”

Suddenly, my eyes widen. A fleeting flash returns to envelop me in a new idea.

_ Ayden : " Was she referring to the sparrows? "

_ Maïko : " Why aren't you saying anything?? "

I glance up slightly, while keeping my hand on my chin.

_ Ayden: " That’s the only explanation I can see. The only time I communicated with her was when we were isolated in the cave. "

_ Maïko: “ AYDEN! “

I take my hand off my chin.

_ Ayden: “ In that case, I’ll tell them. I wasn’t planning on keeping it a secret anyway. ”

I raise my head, ready to justify myself.

_ Ayden : “ I… “

_ Kaya: " Just leave it. "

Pupils dilated, everyone caught off guard by their intervention.

_ Maïko: " What? "

_ Kaya: " I said drop it. "

_ Maïko: " Wait, are you actually taking her side right now?? "

_ Kaya : “ It’s getting dark and we’re still not under cover. Now is not the time; let’s just get back on our way. ”

_ Ayden : “ Why is she defending me? Could she have guessed about the sparrows too? ”

_ Maïko: " Huh? Of course it’s the right time. Besides, don't you find it fishy? Ever since Edna showed up, Ayden hasn't stopped helping him, starting with those Recluses earlier. "

Everyone exchanged doubtful looks, unable to contradict these well-founded remarks.

_ Maïko: “ Apparently, you also helped her escape the hyenas, and then you follow it up with that famous vote, once again for her sake. ”

_ Ayden: “ … “

_ Maïko: " Who knows, maybe the three of you planned this vote together from the start! "

_ Hazel: " I don't think so. Kaya would have no reason to vote 'against' if they had reached a common agreement. "

Teeth clench; trapped by her own words, she drifts her gaze back toward the woman, enraged.

_ Maïko: " So why are you protecting him?? "

A sigh escapes. Then, coldly, she lets go.

_ Kaya: " You’re so stupid. Seriously, you’re a liability to the group, you’re useless. "

Then she turns away, thinking the debate is over. The raw words hit her with full force. Maïko’s mouth hangs slightly open; her shock instantly morphs into a hatred that dilates her pupils. Brows furrow, fists clench, all while a faint steam begins to emanate from her body. With her ego bruised, she flares up and lunges toward the twin.

_ Maïko: " YOU BITCH!! "

The sudden lunge catches us by surprise, taking us off guard. Kaya spins around, stunned by the screamed insult, but Maïko is already too close for her to react; he tackles her to the ground and begins to strangle her.

_ All the orphans: “ Maiko!! ”

Refusing to back down, the twin strangled her in return, hoping the latter would lose her grip first. The very next moment, Hazel and Son react quickly to pull the two girls apart. They hold Kaya and Maïko back from behind, pinning each of their shoulders.

_ Maïko: “ Get off me! I’m not finished with her yet! ”

_ Son: “ Enough! ” he strained, still holding her back.

_ Kaya : " Step up and fight! "

_ Hazel : " You stop it too! "

I’m watching this scene calmly, without lifting a finger, simply despondent over their childish behavior. Meanwhile, Shailly, saddened by the spectacle put on by her best friend and the twin, painfully rose to her feet, orphaned of her lost crutches, bracing herself for an outburst.

_ Shailly: “ Sto… “

_ Kona: " FUCKING STOP THIS NONSENSE! "

We freeze, seized by the same stupor, our gazes converging on the other twin. Even Shailly goes still, realizing in that same moment that she has been outstripped.

_ Kona: “ If you're so hell-bent on fighting, wait till we get to the village! Lock yourselves in a room for all I care! But while we're out here, stop getting us into deep shit! I'm done with today, I just want some damn peace, is that too much to ask!? ”

The twin's warning and distress sound like a defusing. Aware of the current situation, most bow their heads without saying a word.

_ Shailly: “ Kona is right. Our priority is to reach our destination safe and sound! “

_ Son: " The girls are right! "

Then he focuses on Maïko, looking serious.

_ Son: " You have crossed the line! Apologize immediately. "

_ Maïko: " Not on your life! "

The two young women involved slipped out of their grasp without any sudden movements.

_ Kona: " You were too harsh with your words too, Kaya. "

_ Kaya: " I'd rather die. "

_ Kona: “ But! “

_ Ayden: " Forget it, let’s not force things. Let’s keep moving. “

Everyone gathers their belongings one by one before hitting the road again. Since Shailly is still injured, I carry her on my back, leaving last behind the group.

_ Shailly: " What just happened is so sad. "

_ Ayden: " There’s nothing we can do about it. It was bound to happen sooner or later. "

_ Shailly: “ We’re all on edge and exhausted. We don’t have many miles left, but it’s so hard… I hope our ordeal will be over as soon as possible. ”

_ Ayden: “ Me too. ”

After that, a long silence set in, then I felt a hand pressing down on my shoulders.

_ Shailly: “ Ayden, do you think we’re going to make it? “

Without meeting your gaze, I press on.

_ Ayden: " Having doubts? Where’s the Shailly who’s always ready for a fight and full of hope? "

_ Shailly: " Haha, I guess when we're all together I do my best to be the cheerleader and boost morale, it really matters to me, but… "

Then turns their head away.

_ Shailly: " Deep down, I’m scared too, and I’m not as confident as you think. I’m weak… "

_ Ayden: " That’s what you think, but… "

Then I gaze at her for the first time.

_ Ayden: " I believe the exact opposite. "

Our pupils meet.

_ Shailly: " Huh? "

_ Ayden: " You might not realize it, but you're the most ambitious girl in the group. "

Then I enumerate them using my fingers.

_ Ayden: " Tutor Keren, Kaya, the mummy in the bucket hat, Edna’s group, the hyenas… In all those moments, you showed courage, and in doing so, you boosted the group’s morale. So no, I don’t see where you’re weak. "

Touched, she breaks into a broad smile.

_ Shailly: “ Thank you, Ayden. ”

I’m staring into space in the direction of the group.

_ Ayden: “ There’s probably some naivety in his courage as well. I’m not sure it’s a quality, but anyway, that aspect played a decisive role during this journey. ”

Several seconds pass and then, naturally, Shailly rests her head on my shoulder. My eyes drift toward her mane of hair, which partially obscures my vision, yet I remain motionless. Immediately, I turn my gaze away toward the full moon.