The price of comfort

Chapter 1: A Journey into Reblen Della stood at the bustling train station in Vexar, the capital city of Reblen. The crisp morning air was filled with the scents of street vendors selling breakfast pastries and the distant hum of conversations in various languages. She glanced at her friends, each absorbed in their own excitement for the day's adventure. Eden, Gemma, Ada, Rory, Mara, and Evie were like a patchwork quilt of personalities, each bringing something unique to their group. This trip was supposed to be a carefree escape, a break from their everyday lives. They had planned it meticulously, choosing Reblen for its rich history and stunning architecture. Plus flights were inexpensive this time of year. The country, ruled by King Nikolai, was known for its strict regulations but also for its breathtaking beauty. Today's destination was the Grand Monument, an architectural marvel built to honor the ruler himself. After that they planned to walk a local trail that ends at a breath taking waterfall. "Everyone ready?" Eden's voice cut through the chatter. She was the de facto leader, always organized and prepared. "Absolutely," Rory replied, adjusting his backpack. The only male in the group, Rory was used to the company of his female friends and often found himself in the role of protector. Della smiled, feeling a surge of excitement that spread through her like wildfire. The monument they were about to see was rumored to be a masterpiece of engineering, a symbol of Reblen's strength and unity. She and Evie had spent the previous night poring over guidebooks, eagerly discussing the stories behind its creation. Despite being constructed only five years prior, the monument had already attracted over two million visitors, drawn by its towering 200-foot height and the architectural brilliance that made it an instant icon. The sleek, efficient train arrived with a whisper of brakes, and the group boarded, quickly finding seats together. As they settled in, Della glanced out the window, watching the bustling cityscape blur into the serene countryside. The rhythmic motion of the train was soothing, and she found herself lost in thought. This trip had been on the group's bucket list for the past three years, a dream that seemed almost out of reach until now. They had decided it would be the perfect post-graduation adventure before they all embarked on their new jobs in the real world. Della smiled, feeling a surge of excitement that spread through her like wildfire. The monument they were about to see was rumored to be a masterpiece of engineering, a symbol of Reblen's strength and unity. She and Evie had spent the previous night poring over guidebooks, eagerly discussing the stories behind its creation. Despite being constructed only five years prior, the monument had already attracted over two million visitors, drawn by its towering 200-foot height and the architectural brilliance that made it an instant icon. "I can't believe we're finally doing this," Evie said, her voice tinged with wonder. She was the dreamer of the group, always seeing the world through a lens of possibility. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, reflecting the adventure they were about to embark on. "I know, right?" Gemma chimed in, flipping through her own guidebook. "I heard the view from the top is absolutely breathtaking." "It's going to be amazing," Della replied, squeezing Evie's hand. "Just wait until we see the monument in person. All those pictures we've seen will pale in comparison." The sleek, efficient train arrived with a whisper of brakes, and the group boarded, quickly finding seats together. As they settled in, Della glanced out the window, watching the bustling cityscape blur into the serene countryside. The rhythmic motion of the train was soothing, and she found herself lost in thought. This trip had been on the group's bucket list for the past three years, a dream that seemed almost out of reach until now. They had decided it would be the perfect post-graduation adventure before they all embarked on their new jobs in the real world. "I'm so glad we made this happen," Rory said, leaning back in his seat. "Three years of planning, and here we are." "Yeah, it feels surreal," Ada added, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery. "I can't wait to explore every corner of Reblen." The train ride was smooth, and the friends chatted animatedly, sharing stories and laughter. The atmosphere was light, filled with anticipation. They passed fields of golden wheat, dotted with quaint villages, and the occasional glimpse of the majestic mountains that bordered Reblen. Eden pulled out her camera, snapping photos of the picturesque landscape. "Look at those mountains," she said, pointing out the window. "They're even more beautiful than I imagined." Mara nodded in agreement, her smile wide. "This whole trip is like a dream come true. We deserve this after all our hard work." As the train continued its journey, the friends continued to share their excitement and dreams for the future. Each conversation added to the sense of camaraderie and joy that had defined their friendship for years. Little did they know, their adventure was about to take an unexpected turn that would test their bonds and their resolve in ways they could never have anticipated. About an hour into the journey, the train began to slow. Della looked up, confused. They weren't due to stop for another half hour. She exchanged a puzzled glance with Evie, who shrugged. "Maybe it's just a routine check," Ada suggested, her tone casual. But as the train came to a halt, the doors slid open, and a group of stern-faced guards boarded. They wore the dark uniforms of Reblen's security forces, and their presence immediately cast a shadow over the carriage. The lighthearted atmosphere evaporated, replaced by a palpable tension. "Passports, please," one of the guards barked, his voice cold and authoritative. The friends exchanged uneasy glances, reaching for their passports. Della's heart sank as she patted her pockets and rummaged through her bag. Evie was doing the same, her expression growing more frantic by the second. "Oh no," Della whispered, realization dawning on her. "We left them at the hotel." Evie's eyes widened with fear. "What are we going to do?" The guard approached, his gaze sweeping over them with suspicion. "Passports," he repeated. "We...we forgot them at the hotel," Della stammered, her voice trembling. "We didn't mean to—" "Stand up," the guard interrupted, grabbing Della's arm roughly. "Both of you." Della winced at the tight grip, and Evie was pulled to her feet beside her. Their friends protested, but the guards silenced them with a stern look. "Is there no way we can resolve this?" Eden pleaded, stepping forward, her voice tinged with desperation. "Silence!" the guard snapped. "These two will come with us." As Della and Evie were escorted off the train, Della's mind raced. She had heard stories about the harsh treatment of detainees in Reblen, but she had never imagined she would find herself in such a situation. The guards' grip was unforgiving, and they were herded towards a waiting vehicle. Fear gnawed at her insides as she caught a glimpse of the other passengers, their eyes filled with pity and horror. The vehicle was stark and intimidating, painted in dark, oppressive colors. The atmosphere inside was heavy with dread. Della tried to maintain her composure, but the uncertainty of their fate loomed large. The guards' harsh treatment and the sight of fellow detainees, faces etched with fear, only intensified her anxiety. She clung to Evie, trying to offer some comfort even as she fought to control her own terror. Little did they know, their adventure had taken a dark and unexpected turn, plunging them into a nightmare from which there seemed to be no escape. As they were loaded into the vehicle, Della noticed a man among the detainees, his eyes wild with desperation. Without warning, he made a break for freedom, sprinting towards the open fields. The air was thick with tension as the guards reacted instantly. "Stop him!" one of the guards shouted, his voice slicing through the panic. A gunshot rang out, deafening and final. The man crumpled to the ground, blood splattering in a gruesome arc. The sight of his lifeless body, his blood staining the earth, left Della and Evie horrified, their fear intensifying to sheer terror. "Get in," a guard growled, shoving them into the vehicle with brutal force. Della stumbled, nearly falling over Evie as they were crammed into the tight space with the other detainees, their collective fear palpable. The ride to the detainment camp was silent, punctuated only by the occasional sob or murmur of the captives. The vehicle smelled of sweat and fear, the oppressive air almost suffocating. Della clung to Evie, trying to offer some comfort even as she fought to control her own terror. The vehicle finally stopped, and they were herded out, forced to stand in line as their belongings were confiscated. The camp was stark and oppressive, surrounded by high fences topped with barbed wire. The guards were everywhere, their expressions devoid of empathy, their eyes cold and calculating. The sky above was grey and foreboding, matching the despair that hung in the air. Della and Evie were separated from the others, taken to a small, bare room where they were left to wait. The room was cold, the walls barren and uninviting. Hours passed, each minute stretching into an eternity, the silence only broken by the distant sounds of suffering. Della's mind was a whirl of fear and confusion. She tried to reassure Evie, but her own anxiety was overwhelming. Every creak of the door, every distant shout, sent shivers down her spine.