"5, 6, 7... where's Nadim?"

Mei counted, searching for the last head. Lukos offered an answer, throwing a thumb over his shoulder.

"It's his time for prayer."

"I see. We'll wait then."

Flickering orange light lit the faces of my brooding companions, avoiding unnecessary conversation. The latest blockbuster hits were all irrevocably cut short and celebrity gossip made little sense. There was no lavish meal that gathered them together; a measly campfire sprung up because someone felt that sitting in a circle without one seemed stupid.

I explained my plan and reasons to Mei; she mended the ice between the rest of the group and myself. Not enough for them to respect me, or listen, but enough to tolerate my presence.

"How does he know it's time for prayer? Does he have a working watch?"

"Phones. Stupid."

I shook my head. I really needed to get one. I hadn't been holding onto mine when I got transported here. Zeke might have had one, but I didn't find it on his body.

We returned to watching the flickering fire, each other, or the dark entrances whispering danger. Not ten minutes ago we were attacked by more ComCats. I snapped one in twain and caused the rest to retreat, but they'd be back. They're endless.

My teeth bit into some jerky. It tasted better than you'd think, especially on an empty stomach. It was bewildering to see fresh jerky drop from a ComCat's corpse. It seemed the Hosts finally worked out the bugs in the drop system. That meant that someone's obtained their class already.

Finally, our last member joined us.

A thin, dark-skinned young man that looked to be eighteen, maybe nineteen, and wore a blue tracksuit. A staple of Russian mobsters and isekai protagonists.

"As-salaam 'alaykum."

"wa 'alaykum as-salaam,"

Mei, Aaron, and I greeted him.

"Thank you for waiting, friends. Let us talk."

"You okay?"

Nadim turned to Lucas. The burly man had been nearest when Nadim's father was taken by the Parasite.

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"Yes, yes. Very good. I always feel better after prayer. It is like that thing, what do you call it? It is like that experiment with the dog and its saliva. Palova?"

"Pavlovian Conditioning?"

"Yes. Happy hormones."

Zoey looked at him cross-eyed.

"You do realize that's a bad thing, right?"

"Not necessarily."

Nadim was all smiles.

Lucas stood up, holding onto an axe he stole from the dwarves.

"We're all here Mei, but are you sure we should listen to anything he has to say?"

"If you don't want to listen to me, then we can go back to votes. How about it? Should we go around again? Shall we waste more time arguing and debating who should be allowed to speak?"

Mei looked around the group for any challenges. I followed her gaze and counted the survivors.

Alice sat close to Mei. She wore a white button-up shirt that seemed a size too large.

Aaron dwarfed her. He was as large as Lucas, but ten times more handsome. With his finely trimmed facial hair and sexy Spaniard vibe, he could have been a famous actor. He was supremely comfortable in his own skin and with the way Zoey was drooling over him.

Zoey fought for the seat next to him. She seemed plain in comparison.

Next to Zoey was a bespectacled man with dirty black hair. It was parted 50/50, hanging down to touch his ears. One of the sleeves of his t-shirt had been ripped off by something that was probably dead now. Everyone called him Specs, and he didn't object to it. He seemed to be mostly mute.

He said nothing as Lucas looked to him for support. The big man found comfort in gripping his weapon harder. Alone, he stood on his feet before a silent crowd. Finally, he turned to Nadim for an answer. It was he who lost the most, after all.

"Zeke seems like a friendly fellow."

Nadim's words seemed to hurt Lukas.

"What about Samir?"

Nadim blinked and turned his head at all the faces staring at him in sorrow. He sputtered.

"Oh? That's right. None of you know. A story. Maybe if I tell it, you will understand my smiling, yes?"

Everyone looked at him.

"My father was a terrorist. A terrible one at that. He always backed out last minute. One time, he tried, and the switch didn't work! The other bombs went off, damaging government buildings, but my dad remained. He couldn't go back after failing his mission, and he didn't want to complete it at that point. Not to mention that my father was unlucky enough to escape anyone's notice."

"Jesus Christ."

"That's what I said! Do you know how surprised you have to be to shout the name of someone else's god? Anyway. My father quit his faction and we ended up moving lots. Police and extremists, maybe they didn't care or really couldn't find us. But my father was never happy. So, the reason I am smiling now should be understood, yes?"

Nadim looked around expectantly. When all he got back were bewildered eyes, he continued.

"I loved my father. It was his dream to die for something he believed in. He died for me. His dream is fulfilled!"

No one spoke.

"Is this clear, or are my words scrambled?"

Mei breathed out haltingly. She reached past me and put a hand on Nadim's shoulder.

"We understand. It is... you've been very kind to share that with us. Thank you, Nadim."

"You're most welcome."

They shared a moment as I watched Zoey across from me throw her head back.

"Murdering men and now a terrorist's son. Take me now."

"Zoey!"

"Okay. Okay. Sorry. Anyway. Can we get on with it already? I could really use a shower and those peeping rooms aren't cutting it."

After Nadim's honest admission, everyone joyfully turned my way in a hurry to escape the atmosphere. Mei kindly handed me the floor.

"Go ahead, Zeke. Tell them what you told me."