"Grandma!"
I woke up from the dream terrified. The moment from 10 years ago still etched in my mind. Sweat dripping from my face. The image still frozen in front of my eyes. I couldn't help but replay the incident. It's my fault. It's all my fault.
"Mei!"
"Huh? "
"Are you okay? You are crying."
"Crying?"
I touched my face and I could feel the tears.
"Are you okay?" her voice was laced with concern.
"I'm okay."
I was breathing hard. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing, trying to remove that image from my mind. After a minute I opened my eyes and looked at my watch - 3:28 am.
"I'll keep watch now. I'll wake you up at dawn."
"Okay."
The cold air gave me goosebumps. I looked at the forest lit with the light of the fire. The light cast a few shadows onto the ground. I focused on the sounds of the forest. They calmed me down. I looked up and saw stars. I started climbing a tree. I climbed to the top and laid down on a branch and looked at the stars. Before I knew it, it was dawn. I climbed down and was about to wake Celine but I saw she was already awake.
"Come on, we have a lot of ground to cover. The sooner we get out of here the better."
Celine put the fire out while I filled the empty water bottle with water from the lake. I wore my bag and began leading the way. We headed further into the woods.
It was noon already. Thank goodness the trees provide good shade. Still, it was very hot.
"Hold on. I'm tired."
I let out a sigh.
"Okay. Let's take a five minute break."
Celine quickly sat down under a tree and drank some water. It felt good to finally rest.
"Guess you're more tired than I am," she teased.
"No, I'm not."
"Sure."
We sat in silence.
"What's your favourite colour?"
"Why?"
"It's boring and quiet. I thought I'd start a conversation."
"Don't. I like it quiet."
"You're very boring, aren't you?"
"I'm actually a very fun person for your information. I just don't like talking to strangers."
"What strangers? I've known you since we were kids."
"We've met once when our families met for the first and last time for that meeting. Anyway, why haven't you killed me yet?"
"I already told you. It would be too risky to go though this forest alone. Why haven't you killed me yet?"
"Same reason. Okay! We've rested enough. Let's get a move on."
"You still haven't answered my question," she said in a disappointed voice.
I started walking away.
"I'm talking to you! Stop ignoring me! Mei!"
I walked without paying heed.
"Atleast wait for me! Mei!"
"Gosh! She's annoying...," I muttered under my breath.
"Finally! Caught up to you."
I let out a sigh.
"Please don't say anything. I like it quiet."
"Okay okay. I'll keep my mouth shut."
We walked until dusk. Soon we got a fire going.
"I'm hungry," she whined.
I took out the can of food and looked inside. Not much left. I shared it with Celine.
"We need food and water. We're almost out."
"We'll search for it in the morning."
I placed 2 pieces of wood on 2 opposite sides of the fire and one big piece of wood on top of it. I filled the empty can with water from the lake and headed it up. After it boiled I let it cool down.
"Can we please have a conversation? It's weird spending 24 hours with someone without talking."
"Technically it's not 24 hours bec-"
"Gosh! I shouldn't have asked."
I let out a chuckle.
"Wait... You can laugh?!"
"No."
"Oh, come on. Let me see you smile."
"No."
"Hmph," she said with a pout.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"What about... our missions?"
"Hmm."
I thought for a minute.
"Sure."
"Okay! How old were you on your first mission?"
"I was 16. You?"
"I was 16 too."
"I guess instead of having a party for our sweet sixteen we had our first missions. Oh! I've got a much interesting one. What is your kill count?"
"Hmm... Let me think. It must be around 57, I guess."
"Woah! Mine is 71", I said smugly
"Good for you. This is more of a debate topic. What do you think about LGBTQ+ people and relationships?"
"What should I think? They are also people and their relationships are normal."
"That's a nice answer. This may be a bit personal but what is your gender identity and sexuality?" she asked, unsure.
"I'm pansexual and cis. You?"
"Oh, I'm cis and omnisexual with a heavy preference for girls."
"Oh, cool. What are your plans for the future?"
"Hmm... I want to live a normal life. I guess there is no harm in telling you this, but when we leave this forest, I'm gonna run away. I don't like this mafia life. In fact, I hate it."
"Then, why are you in this business?"
"Um... I'm sorry but-"
"Sorry. That was too personal."
"It's okay. What would you have done if you weren't in this business?"
"That's an interesting one. I'd probably because a singer or something like that."
"You'd become a singer? With that voice?" she laughed.
"Hey! What's wrong with my voice?"
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing," she giggled.
"Okay Miss.Critic, what would you have become?"
"Hmm... I'd probably become someone who rescues animals."
"You're an animal lover?"
"Yeah. I love mammals. Not really a fan of amphibians, reptiles and insects," she said, disgusted.
"Celine... Don't look but there is a centipede next to you."
She screamed and stood up with lightning speed. She ran towards me and closed her eyes.
"It's not on me, is it?" she asked terrified.
"No, but there is a spider on you."
She screamed again.
"Where?!", She asked while trying to get it off. She looked like she was about to cry.
I couldn't control it anymore. I burst out laughing.
"Why are you- Oh! Meanie!"
"I'm sorry but your reaction was priceless," I struggled to say while laughing.
"It's not funny, Mei!"
She placed the sheet on the ground, laid down and turned her back to me.
"Don't let the bugs bite!"
"Stop it!"
I chuckled to myself.
"Good night!"
"I don't want it!"
"I'm not saying it to you, I'm saying it to the beetle next to you."
"Just shut up!"
To be continued.
Thank you for reading.