Operation: Retrieve
Jay-jay's POV
The bonfire we made was burning strongly. Good thing I wasn't drunk tonight or I might've ended up yelling something random.
Like that one time!
I shook my head trying to erase that memory. Damn it! I looked like such an idiot back then—and there was a video too. I just hope I never do that again.
So embarrassing!
"Still no sign of them?" David asked.
We looked over at the lookouts, but they just shook their heads at us. A sign that our scouts hadn't returned yet.
We had a strong feeling we were robbed. We needed to be sure, and the plan we came up with was to send spies to other sections. We were only supposed to start with Section B since one of them owned the handkerchief we found. But Keifer thought we should send scouts to the other sections too.
So spy mission it is!
"There! They're here!" Mayo shouted.
We quickly turned to look. Rory and Edrix were the first to return from Section A. Next came Kit and Eren from Section B. Lastly, Blaster and Drew came back from Section D.
There was still one team missing—from Section C.
"Why aren't they back yet?" Eman asked, worried.
Even I was starting to get anxious. Maybe they got caught. We had sent two people to each section. It's not like we were suspecting Rakki's group, but we had to be sure.
"I see them!" Mayo shouted again, and we saw Ci-N and Felix approaching.
"Everyone accounted for?" David asked.
"They're here!"
"All complete! No one missing!"
"We're good to go!"
Everyone gathered around the bonfire. It was like we were holding an important meeting. Well, it was important—we were talking about food!
"Rory and Edrix! Did you find anything?" Keifer asked.
"Yes!" Rory answered. "Our cooler is with them!"
"Shit!"
"Why is it with them?!"
"What do we do now?!"
Yuri raised a hand to silence everyone, and they all obeyed. Rory continued.
"The worst part? They put alcohol in it. We can't report this to the organizers anymore." He sighed. "They might think it was ours in the first place."
Most of us agreed. We couldn't point fingers at Section A. They'd definitely turn the blame around on us.
"How about you, Kit and Eren?" Keifer asked again.
"We found it too," Kit said. "Our rice is with them."
"They split up our food?" David asked, annoyed.
Even I was pissed. Why the hell would they steal from us? We didn't do anything to them.
Did we?
"Our canned goods and noodles—six whole boxes—are with Section D," Blaster added.
"Section C is clear!" Ci-N reported with his hand raised. "Rakki me'love is nice. He'd never do that to us."
Whew… good thing.
That's what I was thinking too. Rakki would never do something like that to us. So it seems our food was only spread among three sections.
But what about my Snorlax?
"It's confirmed. They definitely have it," Yuri said as he paced around, thinking. "…But how do we get it all back?"
Great question! But no answers!
"We can't report this to the organizers," Rory reminded.
"What if we confront them?" I suggested.
"They might report us instead and flip the narrative," Edrix replied.
He had a point.
Suddenly, Ci-N raised his hand and started jumping. "Let's blow up their tents, steal our stuff back, kill the warriors, and enslave the women!" he shouted, laughing like a maniac.
We all grimaced. I wasn't sure if it was just me, but Ci-N seemed a bit too brutal lately. What on earth is this kid eating in his condo?
"Did you eat breakfast?" Drew asked him.
Ci-N scratched his head and nodded, confused.
"Did you take your meds?" Eren asked.
"Meds for what?" Ci-N asked innocently.
"For your brain! You're seriously messed up!" I said, annoyed.
He just laughed. This kid probably just needs more sleep.
Rabies symptoms, maybe!
"No time for jokes! We need to come up with a way to get our food back," Keifer said seriously.
Honestly, he was right. It was still early for dinner, but I was already starving. Once our stomachs start growling, we'd be in serious trouble.
I wonder if anyone's seen my Snorlax?
Everyone started throwing out suggestions. While we were deep in thought, Ci-N kept bugging us to follow his plan instead—and then something fell behind him.
He looked at it, and before we could ask what it was, he suddenly screamed like a girl.
"Snake! Snake! Snake!" he yelled.
Everyone panicked and scattered. Some tripped and fell. My legs and body were still sore, so I couldn't get up quickly.
I clearly saw the snake's head, scanning around as if looking for its next victim.
"We're going to die."
"Aaaaahhhh!"
"I don't wanna die yet!"
I tried to get up, and just my luck—Ci-N jumped on my back, screaming.
"Jay-jay's best friend! It's coming for us!"
Best friend?!
Since when did I have a snake for a best friend? What is wrong with this kid?
My body hurt, and he was heavy, so I couldn't move right away.
"Ci-N! Get off me!" I shouted.
"Make your best friend leave!"
You little sh—!
I couldn't hold on anymore. We both collapsed onto the ground. I shut my eyes.
"Ow!" I shouted as we hit the dirt.
Just great. My whole body hurt, I was already sore, then this brat jumped on me and we fell over.
"Nobody move!" someone shouted.
I opened my eyes.
Oh crap. I was face-to-face with my bestie! That's why they shouted "nobody move!"
The snake was right in front of me, tongue flicking, staring me down.
I was the target! I was going to die!
"Nobody move!" they shouted again.
I saw Yuri grabbing a tree branch, but before he could use it, the snake raised its head even higher. It was about to strike.
Nobody dared move. If I could stop myself from breathing, I would've.
I couldn't even blink.
Then, we heard the crack of a twig.
The snake opened its mouth, ready to bite.
But it didn't reach me. Someone yanked its tail away just in time.
Keifer!
He threw the snake, and it hit a tree. But of course, that wasn't the end of it.
It slithered right back, trying to bite Keifer, but he dodged and ran away.
Jay-jay's luck sucks!
"Jay! Get out of there!"
"Jay-jay!"
It was really coming for me. Before I could stand, it was getting closer. I thought I was done for, that this was the end—but then a swiss knife pierced the snake's head.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Yuri helped me up. He hugged me tightly.
"Sorry… I couldn't even help you," he whispered before letting go.
"I-it's okay... I'm alive, right?"
Then Keifer came running over and hugged me tightly.
"Shit! I didn't realize you were still behind me!"
I looked at Yuri for a moment. I could see in his eyes that he was hurt. Then he quietly walked away.
"Jay-jay's best friend is dead," Ci-N announced like a news anchor.
What the hell?!
"There was a snake here! Why would the organizers put us in this area?!" Mayo complained.
He was right! Why were we placed here? I had a bad feeling about those tall grasses nearby earlier.
I saw David pull the swiss knife from the snake's head. He wiped it clean and put it back in his pocket.
"David!" I called out, and he turned to me. "Thank you!"
"Anytime," he said, smiling.
Ci-N and the others approached the snake. They poked it with a small stick to see if it was still alive. It was still twitching, like a worm sprinkled with salt.
Then Ci-N suddenly smiled wide and turned to us.
"I know how we're getting our food back."
I had a bad feeling about whatever crazy plan this kid was cooking up—but we had to listen.
He gathered us around and explained his plan.
"Are you sure about this, Ci?" I asked.
"Of course! Just let me finish!" he snapped, and I let him continue.
When he was done explaining, everyone agreed. We divided ourselves into groups—those who would go to Sections A, B, and D, and those who would stay behind to guard the camp.
Drew left to get what we needed. David made sure the snake was really dead and wouldn't interfere.
"No one saw my Snorlax?" I asked everyone. Most of them looked around at each other, trying to recall. But nothing.
"I'm not sure…" Edrix said, and we all looked at him. "I think I saw Ella holding a stuffed toy, but I didn't get a good look."
Oh no!
No one else would bring a stuffed toy here—except me. That must be it! My Snorlax!
"It's here! I got it!" Drew shouted, running toward us with a fishing rod.
David quickly tied the snake to the rod, making sure it was secure.
Once done, the group geared up. First stop—Section D, to retrieve our canned goods and noodles.
I stayed behind with Keifer, Yuri, Josh, Mayo, and Denzel. They were trying to fix the tents that got wrecked. Looks like some people would have to share now.
"Do you think Ci-N's plan will work?" I asked.
"It will… it's Ci-N, after all," Denzel replied.
I was worried. What if they got caught? That would be a big mess. We were already on bad terms with Section D.
We spent a few minutes in silence. I kept looking at the "king" and at Yuri. They weren't talking much, just exchanging a few quiet words.
Why me?
If I weren't the only girl in Section E, would they still like me? Maybe one of them would've fallen for someone else instead.
Sigh… I feel sad again. Their situation is hurting me too. This is all my fault.
"Jay," Mayo called and sat next to me. "How are you feeling?"
"It still hurts when I move."
"Josh has painkillers. Want some?"
I shook my head. "No… it'll pass."
"You're tough… You're really going to endure the pain?"
"Of course… It's not like I've never fought before."
He just nodded, accepting my answer. Then we fell silent again. I had a feeling he wanted to say something.
"Something wrong?" I asked.
He forced a smile. "It's Kit…"
"What about him?"
He took a deep breath. "He really doesn't want this anymore. Should I just give up?"
He really asked me that.
"I-I don't know. Your situation's really complicated," I said awkwardly.
He sighed again. I could feel how sad he was. It felt like we were both meant to sit in one gloomy corner together.
Why did they both have to be boys? Why did my two best friends both fall for me?
"Maybe…" he began, "…it's time to stop."
He smiled, staring off into the distance. "It's probably for the best."
I don't know why, but his words sounded painful. Like he could cry at any moment and prove how much he's hurting.
We heard some noise and stood up quickly.
They were back, carrying boxes filled with our canned goods and noodles.
They were laughing and teasing each other. They placed the boxes in front of Keifer and opened them to check.
"Some are missing. Looks like they already took a few," Yuri said.
"It's fine. At least we got them back," David said.
"Section B, here we come!" Ci-N cheered. He must've been thrilled that his plan was working.
They marched off again, bringing the fishing rod with the snake still tied to it.
Poor bestie of mine.
This time, Kit and Eren stayed behind. They arranged the boxes and used the broken tents to cover them.
I glanced at Mayo, who was watching Kit. I could tell he really wanted to talk to the guy he loved.
I was surprised to see a tear fall from one of his eyes. He quickly wiped it away.
"I-I'll go with them," he said softly and followed Ci-N's group.
I turned to Kit and saw him watching Mayo walk away. Eren tapped his arm, and he turned back to what he was doing.
Did he see Mayo crying?
I feel sorry for both of them. I hope they talk things through. I want to help them, but I can't.
I have problems of my own.
And right now… they're both looking at me.