Aria entered the bathroom and after 20 blissful minutes, she emerged, radiant and refreshed. Her hair was freed from its ponytail, flowing down her back, she hadn't taken a bath, just cleaned up and wore new clothes.
"Your turn," she said, smiling at Ryan and Samuel. Ryan stepped into the bathroom next, closing the door. The sound of running water was heard, after him, Samuel followed as each took their turn.
Finally, they gathered in the living room, dressed in comfortable, clean clothes. Samuel let out a bored sigh and stood up from the couch. He walked to the flat screen TV that was mounted on the wall.
"Doesn't this work?" he asked, turning to Ryan and Aria, his voice tinged with boredom, he needed something to distract and to do away time.
Ryan shrugged, settling deeper into the couch, "Haven't checked it." Aria mirrored Ryan's gesture, her stick laying close to her.
Samuel's eyes examined the television, checking connections and cables. Satisfied, he pressed the power button.
The TV sprang to life, its screen illuminating the room with a soft blue glow. But instead of channels, a "No Signal" message flashed in bold, red letters. The TV's silence seemed to echo through the room.
"Guess we're stuck with ourselves," Aria said, breaking the stillness. "Let's tell each other stories about ourselves," she suggested and Ryan leaned back into the couch, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I'm game."
Samuel paused, his fingers hovering over his hair. "Sounds like a plan." Aria settled more into her chair, a smile spreading across her face.
"I'll start," Samuel said, clearing his throat while looking at others,"I am... or sorry was a boxer before the apocalypse," he announced, and Aria's eyebrows shot up, her curiosity piqued. "A boxer?" she repeated in surprise.
Samuel nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah. Started training when I was 15, in my dad's old gym. Won a few local tournaments, turned pro at 20."
Ryan's interest was also piqued, he leaned forward. "What made you choose boxing."
Samuel smile, his eyes drifting into the past. "Growing up, I was always the smallest kid in my neighborhood. Got picked on a lot and when I say I lot I mean it." The memories were still raw as he spoke.
Aria nodded, she can relate to what he was saying, she had a rough childhood too.
Samuel's gaze snapped back to the present as he continued his story "But boxing changed everything. It taught me discipline, focus, and how to take a hit." He paused, Ryan could relate to the hit because damn, when they had fought at the cabin, he knew Samuel could take a punch and could deliver it well.
"And how to get back up," Ryan added for him and Samuel nodded to Ryan. "Exactly. Life's not always easy. But with every punch, every setback, I learned to get back up, to keep fighting." The room fell silent, for some moments taking in Samuel life story before Ryan broke it "My turn." He paused, collecting his thoughts.
"I grew up with a sense of duty, wanting to serve in the military. I wanted to make a difference, to protect our country, and ensure freedom for future generations."
Aria nodded, so he wanted to be in the military. "What changed your mind?" she asked and Ryan's expression turned introspective, his brow furrowed. "My parents. They were terrified of losing me, their only child. My mom...she begged me not to enlist, her tears and fears etched in my memory forever."
Aria nodded, understanding the weight of family expectations. "Tough spot," she said with empathy, she had been there too when her mom had begged her not to enlist but her stubbornness had led her to make that choice.
"Yeah but I applied anyway and my parents' fears weighed on me. I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd be leaving them behind, vulnerable, and constantly scared." He paused, reflecting on the past.
"That must have been incredibly tough," Samuel said, his voice filled with compassion.
Ryan's voice continued his story. "My mom...she convinced me to take over my dad's company instead. A science company, specializing in advanced materials, and high quality technology." He smiled wistfully. "Yeah. I never thought I'd end up running it, but...life takes unexpected turns."
Samuel's interest piqued, he leaned forward. "What's the name of the company?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
Ryan's expression shifted, his eyes darting nervously around the room as if searching for an escape and his senses on high guard. "Yati," he whispered barely audible, the word hanging in the air like a challenge.
As soon as Samuel heard the name his eyes flashed in anger, his face reddening and he lunged at Ryan"You bastards!" he spat, his voice was venomous and laced with a deep-seated resentment.
Aria reacted swiftly, her reflexes honed from years of military training . She quickly picked up her walking stick and tripped Samuel, sending him crashing to the floor.
"What is the matter?" she asked calmly.
Samuel's anger boiled over, his words tumbling out in a furious rant. "Yati's the company responsible for the environmental disaster and those fucked up mutants, the devastation, the lives lost...all because of their fucking experiments!" His voice trembled with rage.
"I..i..," Ryan stammered to defend himself, he knew it's was his company fault but he was against the experiment from the beginning.
Aria's grip on her walking stick tightened.
Ryan took a deep breath, his words spilling out to explain the situation. "Yati's my family's company. I inherited it but that doesn't mean I was the one operating the experiments, yes I know am the owner and I stopped the scientist from doing that experiment but I didn't know my uncle was going behind my back to conduct it and for that I apologize." Ryan said with his head down.
Samuel's glare intensified, even when he was still sitting at the floor with Aria stick on him. "Apologize? You can't undo the damage! You can't bring back the lives lost!" His voice echoed through the room.