The tournament

1000: Choice

She studied me for quite a while before she begins: "Let say we all make it, only one gets to cross the bridge, and Daphne I would honestly tell you the chances are little given our limited air. I have less than thirty hours left. Even the both of you with the highest have less than required to reach the bridge, and we all know what will happen if we run out of air."

I nod repeatedly, thoughtful about the whole situation but I promise: "We will figure it out."

"There's nothing like figuring out on this ground. It's contaminated, an empty earth with dozens of teenagers haunting on each other."

"You don't give up this easy, my father says to never give up easily," I mumble the last part more quietly but I'm apprehensive about what's next. Though none among my two mates heard.

I'm sure about that because it turns apparent when Harper glances at quiet Cuthbert and draws in a deep breath before out of the blue suggesting: "I will take a nap, besides I've been steering this for hours now." She uttered and fix the paddles by each side of the canoe.

"I would help." I offered and begin scooting to reach for the stern but Cuthbert is quick to insist: "No, I think one hand can do for a while, you should rest too."

I smile and share the same soft gaze, expressing my gratitude. "Thank you."

Cuthbert’s smile widens, even though the glass protector his beauty can not be hidden, he's cute and attractive, it got me suddenly having mentally vision of him without all these radiation protection shielding his physique until it became even more awkward and I knock my self out of the reverie and bring my mind and eyes to our benign surrounding.

The look-like pristine sea; it's deceivingly attractive. Peaceful in different aspects.

The waves simmer a specific sensational feeling I cannot quite put into words.

My eyes flicker to my left where I notice the boat behind us is now by our side due to weak paddling from our end.

The other boat has two female passengers on board. They both wave at the same time, and I flash them a kind smile, believing the two quite timid girls meant no harm, I know that because fear simmers in the two sets of ocean eyes.

Afterward, I relax and turn back to Cuthbert with a cautious question in my mind: "If I ask you something, will you be honest?"

There are creases between his brows but he thoughtfully nodded: "Yes, anything."

I take in a deep breath and quietly ask what I fear since I wake up laying on a foreign land: "Do you think we have a chance of making it to the ultimate planet?"

Suddenly appearing concerned, Cuthbert ceases paddling the canoe.

"Maybe we do, maybe we just need to be courageous and believe in the possibility neither than having the tendency of expecting the worst." His eyes were in contact with me while he explains until I admit: "I am afraid." I divert my eyes from his luminous ones.

"But is okay, fear can be an element that pushes you to survive." His voice was equally low and soft, almost like a whisper.

"You believe that?" I questioned and swallowed, keeping my eyes down on my trembling fingers sitting on my thighs.

"It something my father once told me before he fails to believe I can fight my own battle."

From his posture his utterance seems depressing, suddenly he looks sensitive, he diverts his eyes from me, it's clear he's chewing on his inner cheeks.

"You have a family?"

"Yes, the only child though." He answered, a small but fake smile playing on his lip which left me wanting to wipe away the hue of sadness on his expression.

"I think most of every door in Archiefield consists of either two or one parents and one child."

The smile on his lips widened until I could see his white set of teeth: "Quite smart." Cuthbert praises.

I return a smile and briefly look around the quiet surrounding immersed with water, tolerating us to travel above it in some wooden item called a canoe.

"Your both parent are alive?" The desire to ask was too strong, I couldn't hold back. With Cuthbert, I find myself wanting something I can't quite explain.

"No, my mother died giving birth to me." He replied and take a deep breath.

Why does my curiosity keeps getting awkward and uncomfortable? I wish I have better things to say instead of digging into unfortunate stories.

"I'm sorry about your mother," I murmured, my gaze intensified on his beautiful inclined face.

"Is okay." He brings his eyes to meet mine, they were soft and bright, he continues: "I think that's something we have in common. We both lack the mothering warmth."

I flash him a smile of agreement: "I think so... Though my mother is alive."

"How? What? How do you know?"

"Before I came here, the chairman have me listen to my mother's recording, she made it to the ultimate planet. And among the winner’s package, she pleaded with the court to let me in this year, and so here I am, luckily on my way."

"Daphne I am so happy for you."

"I can't wait to see her, I want to ask her why she didn't come back, why she left us, why she abandoned my father. You know I have a lot of questions even a notebook can't put up with." I sadly smile.

Never in my life did I ever thought I would get my questions answered, and so knowing there's a possibility accelerate a strength I never know I have.

"I understand." Cuthbert softly says before insisting in his quiet voice: "I need you to promise me something."

My eyes instinctive narrowed when I ask: "What is it?"

Just like I predicted mentally, his words came with unsettlement that plastered a frown on my face. "If at the end it comes to two of us standing, promise me you will take my sword to succeed, promise me you will take my wristband and you will cross the bridge."

An ache stings at the middle of my chest, arising a lump in my throat when I fumble my response:

"If you and I are left the only participant in this tournament, is either we walk in together or we turn back, but if those aren't a good option then you would have to use your sword against me, besides it's your sword, not mine, a sword shouldn't be used against it owner, I'm not using it against you."

"You must know the rules from the beginning, I am positive you know there's only one winner, and if I have to choose, I will deliver you to the bridge safely." He promised, somewhat annoyed instantly.

His expression arouses anger in me, I exasperatedly clarify: "I shall not walk any step without you. We started together, we will finish this together."

He says no word, he fixated his inspective eyes on me and a small smile tugging on his lips: "You're naive, Daphne." He murmured.

Knowing he is right, I didn't disagree, instead, I look up above us, to the dark clouds covering the blue sky.