Chapter 5

It was in a spontaneous struck when we were walking further in the forest to their so-called Zone.  There was no mum back or because maybe I didn’t focus on them catching two.  When we got close, I just woke up.

I realized the argument of my two companions in a whisper.

"I told you she will be one of us! I saw it in her eyes, they have uncertainty!" Psyche said with certainty, looking at the person she was talking to.

"Then we shouldn't argue about that. What if she becomes a survivor like us? It's not essential to argue about this unnecessary thing, and there's no need to focus on it," Riley calmly said while he's gripping in the strap of my bag that he's holding. 

"Uh, why is it you that I'm talking to? I know it's just not your thing."  She tsked three times and shook her head slowly.  "Sorcha and you are exactly the same."

"If you're going to argue, choose Freyja or Titus. You know those two."  Riley laughed at what he said.

When we were in front of the Zone, we saw the remaining four sitting on the plywood lying on the ground.  When they saw us, they came quickly to meet us.

"Stay here," Psyche said holding my shoulder.  "We, the official zoners, will be discussing this important matter."

I could do nothing but lean against a tree close to my seat while watching the shady clouds enveloping the dark sky.  It's like doing what she wants me to do.

They gathered around a few meters away from me so I couldn’t hear what they were talking about.  I have seen their shocked and confused faces as Psyche and Riley keep on talking.

I even noticed that the conversation didn't seem to be going well because they were getting into trouble — arguing — or maybe they really needed to argue.  But the two remained calm as they explained everything they knew.

Riley looked at me and smiled.  Psyche did the same when she saw my concern before turning her attention back to her colleagues for their decision-making.

I averted my eyes.

I just focused it on the dark forest where I was.  Slowly the clouds creep across the galaxy to obscure the unique light that illuminates the atmosphere.  The swaying and traveling of the wind in the air became even more fierce as the breeze intensified with the cold.

It embraces my whole body, but even though it is changing and not the same as before, the smell I inhale through my nose remains fresh and natural-scented.  It still gives me serenity and calmness at this moment and henceforth.

"New gal."

Less than a second later I looked at the speaker.  It's Paris.  He pouts and can't look directly at me.

When I looked behind him, his companions were gone.  Where are they?

"Come, you need rest first."  He supported me behind me and carried my arm in the front of a cabin that was between the branches of towering and ogre trees like the others.

It is positioned on the right, third, if the counting is on the left, and in front of it is on the right too.

It's still new.  It looks like someone has already settled down because of the cleanliness and comfort even though it's just outside.  Even the stairs upstairs were only painted about a month or two ago.

"Even though you're not officially here yet, it's . . . We've decided to let you use that tonight."  The man sighed.  "They went to the House Discussion to discuss your stay in this place. We're sorry for we can't offer you food right now. It's too late so it's good for you to rest first.  I'm the one apologizing here. "

I just watched him speak.  He was restless and frowning.  Maybe he was confused and didn’t know what to say.

But he's a cute stranger.

Earlier I was holding back my smile because he was not comfortable talking to me.  It's not that I'm being weirded out, his reaction is just really cute. But when he mentioned food, he influenced me in a certain manner for my tummy silently growled.

I can't do anything about that anymore.

"Uh, just," he said, stopping midway, also discontinuing to finish the sentence.  He scratched the back of his neck.  "Just for tonight, I repeat. This will be your temporary room. Also tomorrow, at seven-thirty, you have to wake up or else Freyja will wake you up. It's the right time because we haven't done anything yet, and you're about to face our Leader in this place for good. . . o-or perhaps bad.

"But you can also call him Gideon, his codename, just like we call him. It's up to him whether to allow what you want to happen or not. After all, he's the one to be obeyed. We're just a zoner here and under him in this place. "

My forehead furrowed.

These still linger on my mind.  It would be better to answer this.

"Someone said earlier that he is also its coheir. How many of them? Who are its founders? And why did they build this place?"  I wanted to say everything that bothered me, but upon eyeing his uncomfortable expression, I discontinued.

Paris smiled bitterly.

He blinked twice.

"I can't answer your question. Rules are made to be obeyed and not just to break it."

Even though he didn’t directly say what he meant, I understood him.  I nodded.  If that's the case, again, then I can't do anything about it.

All I need to do is to keep my queries inside my intellect.

"You can go in there. That's up to you today."  He leaned over so I could pass and climb there.

I was about to climb when he stopped me to do so.

"A second please."

I looked at him.  I waited for him to talk.

"Just a favor."  He stared me in the eyes.  "Don't mess with the things that are inside. You wouldn't have to change their places first. We would like them to be on their current spot."  He averted his gaze somewhere.  "We haven't—”

"Paris!" someone shouted. 

It's Freyja.

She frowned at the young man.  "We need to hear your side. Come on, let's go," she said to his colleague.

The man turned to look at me and his face begged for permission.  In the meantime, I looked at him in agreement for his departure.  I can't do anything about it.

And I must accept what their decision is.  I just hope that when I wake up, no bad news will come to me.

"Let's go," he muttered, walking ahead of her.

Freyja followed him.  I watched the two of them leave until they completely disappeared from my sight.

I was about to start climbing the tree by stepping on the trees that were nailed to it that served as proportions to get to the wide and thick floor in front of the house.  It is supported by four timbers under it also attached to the timber of the tree, entering the door currently closed.  I just noticed something made of wood on its side.  It looks like a crib without feet.  There are two ropes tied on either side of it.

When I looked up where it was connected, I saw it hanging on a big, sturdy tree branch.  It is pinched by a small but long and thick piece of iron that has been bent inside.  It's just narrowed so it's not easy to get out of there.  It's hanging with a long rope that even reaches the body of the object.  It is an odd and unfamiliar thing that I just saw, but it seems it's the only way to reach the tree cabin above. 

I heaved a sigh and test my assumption about it.  I rode there.  I pulled down the rope.

Good thing that equipment rose inches off the ground.

I tried to pull the rope down again, and again, and again until it reached the floor in front of the cabin.

I went down there and slowly laid my feet on the floor.  I breathed a sigh of relief because it was still strong to this moment.  I didn't hear any grunts coming from it.

I approached the door before opening it.  It isn't locked.  When I looked at the other cabins, even those weren’t padlocked either.  My eyes went down and I was almost dizzy because of its height.

I pushed the cute, yellow-painted door and got amazed because of what I am seeing inside.  The equipment is arranged in their locations.

Very clean.

It is appealing and has a good fragrant inside.

There is a turned-on lampshade placed on a side table next to the bed that serves as the light in the room so I can see its whole.

There is a bulletin board hanging in front of a study table.  Many pictures from different places are also posted there.  A few books are sitting on the study table on the bedside a mini cabinet on the other side.  A ceiling fan, flower vases containing a variety of flowers, and spiral chandeliers can also be found inside the room.  And its walls, their color is golden yellow.

Very comfortable to observe the whole room.  Although a bit crowded due to most of the types of furniture.

I smiled.

If anyone lived in this room, I think he or she was close to them.  And I hope it would last forever.

Just like I once longed for.