"The river is supposedly safer than this forest"
"How did you know that?"
"That was the first place I went when the game started"
I looked at Iavan and Miisa who were both talking to Damian while they were walking ahead of me. I purposely walked slower than them so that I'll be able to see every movement the guy was about to make.
I bit my lower lip, I was anxious if I'm being true here. The mere fact that he knows about the mutiny is setting all my senses on edge. This guy was bad news. Not to mention the fact that his memories were in my dreams. This wasn't some kind of fantasy-driven story so there must be more to it.
We left Simon and Claire and had set out as soon as possible, what might happen to the both of them, that I don't care anymore. The gun definitely had a serum in it, I found two on Claire's pockets, a bottle with blue liquid and another one with red liquid in it. I had a hunch that one of those might be used to temporarily erased an event in a person's mind, they might have used it to clear Damian's mind that's why he said he didn't hear any gunshots.
Why do I know this? The SDC has the same serum, a serum to erase a memory.
I heaved out a sigh, the mutiny was a plan made by people who don't want to submit to this fucking government anymore. With a little help from other Asian countries, they were able to make a calculative plan on how to drive the Westerns out. The plan was already set in motion, however, they made strict plans regarding what a person should know.
Each person is given a mission, all futile to the uprising that is yet to happen. The person's memory of the whole plan and the people related to the mutiny will be stored deep within their subconscious.
This was made so that either one of us gets caught they would have no way of knowing who and what the mutiny is all about. The only information that will be left on our conscious minds is our own mission and the fact that the mutiny is happening. That's why I'm extremely cautious of Damian. If he is part of the Seditionem Coeptabat, then he should have no idea who I am and what part I play in the uprising.
That doesn't seem to be the case though.
"Maia why are you gawking there like an idiot"
I snapped out of my own reverie and looked up realizing that I had stopped walking all along and that they were far ahead.
Damian set his eyes on mine and raised a brow like he was amused at the fact that I was gawking in the middle of this deadly game. I shook my head and smile at Iavan.
"Just trying to remember the taste of that croissant we ate before we went here"
Miisa smiled and put her right hand below her chin before closing her eyes. She looked like she too was trying to reminisce the sweet taste of the dream that had faded away once we had set foot on this island of hell.
"Indeed the taste lingers in my buds up until this moment"
And as if on cue, both of our stomachs growled out echoing throughout the quiet, wide vicinity. I suddenly remembered that a certain someone urged us to move upon waking up. I sent a glare at Damian's position only to find him clearing his throat before looking away. Iavan was trying to stifle her laughter but as far as we're concern I know she was trying hard not to laugh at our insufferable state.
Well, can you really blame me? My adrenaline was rushing and at a high peak may I add yesterday with all of what happened with Winston and William as well as Claire and Simon. And as my body had told me, she needs to replenish that wasted adrenaline.
I looked around and saw that not far from where we stood was a cavern. Well, I don't really know if it is a cavern, it was a small space made by the inclination of two large stones the size of an average house wall.
"Why don't we stay there for a while"
I told them while pointing at the small space. Although two people can fit in that space I think we can manage on it.
"Fine, since it's beginning to get dark anyway let's just stay there for the night"
"Then I'll set up the fire"
Iavan volunteered to do it but was soon scolded by Damian by saying that we would become easy targets with fire insight.
"That is dangerous but I don't suppose you recommend us freezing to death would you?"
Upon commenting, Damian looked at me with squinted eyes as a reply I smiled sweetly at him before going over to the large stones. I set up the little bag that I was carrying (since Damian forcefully carried almost all of my belongings saying he can't risk me opening up my shoulder wound). As soon as I did that I started making the fire inside the small space of the cavern. Iavan and Miisa hurriedly went to my side and squeezed themselves in to get near the source of heat.
I took out some food from our backpack and gave them their share, I looked at the entrance where Damian had situated himself comfortably and offered him a piece of our food. As an answer, he just nodded away and buried his head on his one knee. Whether he wants to sleep or avoid talking to any of us, no one can know.
Not while later, after getting enough heat and food already I stood up and sat on the entrance of the cavern where Damian was seated. I glanced at his side and he was just looking up at the sky. For a moment, he looked sentimental and utterly unrecognizable. It was like a moment of peace passed through his face. I wanted to ask him about the mutiny or how he was able to remember it or if he does remember it but I also wanted to be cautious. I can't risk endangering everyone's life just because of my curiosity.
After about a minute or two of awkward silence. The complete darkness shifted through the hologram space above us. A small screen appeared in the sky and it showed the faces of those who had died yet again in this battle. 1..2..3..4..5
Another 5 faces that we knew off were dead, I counted in my head how many more would need to die before the game ends. And when I realized how many, a bucket of cold water splashed unto me. There were 13 of us that were left. For the game to end, 3 more would need to die.
"Only 13 huh, it would be bad news if the 9 other remaining students were to form an alliance to hunt us down."
I looked at Damian who finally spoke. His eyes were still fixed on the sky but you could tell that there was a deeper meaning on that look. Something that had a connection with the uprising. Once again my voice got caught in my throat as I try to make out the words that I need to tell them.
"Maia what should we do?"
I looked at Iavan and Miisa who stopped eating already. Both of them wore uncertainty and anxiety on their face and it really was quite visible.
It wasn't the fact that the 9 other kids may ally against us that scares the hell out of me. It's because the number 13 was a part of the mission given to me. It was an indication that I need to start making a move and fast.
"You two better get some rest, let me talk with Maia about this stuff and then we'll wake you up when we reach a consensus."
My gaze shifted when Damian suddenly spoke, when I looked at him, I only found that he was also looking at me. Oddly unsatisfied by Damian's suggestion, the two looked at my way before Iavan made small sign languages roughly translating to "Does he bother you? Should I punch him?"
I laughed at the unnecessary protectiveness of Iavan and signaled her that it was fine. Damian stood up and started walking towards a tree not far away from the cavern. We would easily see the entrance to the cavern and at the same time the tree had enough shade to conceal the hologramic sky above. I stood up and waved Iavan and Miisa off before walking in Damian's direction.
As soon as I was near him, he grabbed my hand and pinned me on the tree caging me with his two rough arms. My eyes were wide open from the shock of his sudden movement. He wasted no time as moved his face near the space between my ear and neck. I gasped slightly when I felt his hot breath on my skin. A blush was slowly creeping up my face as I take in the image of our position right now.
"Damian what the hell"
My voice nearly cracked at those four words and I can definitely feel my legs getting all wobbly, it was a good thing that the tree was there to support my weight. Not a little while later, he started whispering.
"We're being watched"
"Don't you think I already know that?"
I hissed at him as I try to battle out the dirty things my mind was playing. I hate himself for being attracted to him like this. Maia, you're going to fucking die and all you think about is how to flirt.
"It's not just the sky, they installed cams on trees and stones."
I suddenly looked up at the tree in front of us, I had to squint my eyes before finally noticing a little red light beating between the branches. So that was why he buried his face on my neck, to prevent the cameras from picking up the movement of his mouth.
Still, of all the places that he had to bury his face, it has to be this one erogenous zone. I hissed again when I felt his breath near my skin, an indication that those lips of his were only centimeters away from the skin of my neck.
"My nin is the same as yours, Maia"
I looked at him from my peripheral vision as he said that but all I get was the image of his almost buried face in my neck.
"I know you wanted to know where or how, but I can only tell you that you're the only person that I remembered that had a connection with the SDC. That and the nin that we both share"
In another Asian culture, the word nin roughly translates to 'mission' he's being thorough with his words that I can give him credit for. I held on to his arms that were still spread out on both of my sides before burying my face on his neck, copying what he was doing.
"If so, then why can't I remember you?"
"How do you think I can answer that question of yours when I can't remember any reason at all?"
I raised an eyebrow and thought about it too. Touche.
"13 was the first signal, the second one is the hunters, and the last one would be by the river"
I stood straight and pushed his body away from mine. Those were the three necessary signals that would indicate my mission. When a mission was given to us, there were only three people inside of the room.
The administrator, the one who gives out the missions.
The scientist, the person who created the device that lets you bury your memories into your subconscious mind.
And the person being given the mission too.
No one knows what the other's mission was, so that would only mean that Damian was given a mission same to mine but was given additional information regarding my existence.
I looked him straight into the eye and saw that fire. It wasn't an emotion but rather it was his determination. Determination to what? That I do not know of. But can I really trust him after all of this? I was about to open my mouth when we heard a soft howl. I immediately glance around to see where the noise came from.
All my senses were quickly turned on high alert and I could that Damian was doing the same. With our backs at each other, we studied the surroundings and listened closely.
Another howl came cutting through the wind again, only this time it was louder, fuller. And as if on cue, another one came after, and then another and another. Until we could finally see the whole picture of the disturbing noise that was setting my senses on edge.
Damian and I looked at each other as if understanding what the other meant. Our eyes were wide open, but neither of us wanted to mumble that one word.
That one word that had sent my entire being into frenzy pushing into fight or flight mode.
No doubt about it.
This was the second signal.
This was the hunters.