You are in an area with multiple other people. Would you like to form a Party with them?

Note: Once a party is formed, it may only be disbanded by the user of the skill ‘Group Ties’. The user of the skill ‘Group Ties’ is the one who will decide skill sharing and party members.

Continue?

Yes/No*

I tap yes and the screen changes. I read the new text, half listening as the next child shows their item.

*Who would you like to add to your party?

Note: You may only add up to nine other members.*

Underneath was all the names of the kids, along with a small photo of them. I realized that the photos were new; Theo was wearing his new jacket in his. A chill went down my back but I tried to ignore it. I tapped Ren’s face and it lit up, highlighted. A new button appeared at the bottom; ‘Add to Party’. I tapped all the faces until each one was lit up. Then I pressed the button at the bottom.

*Congratulations! You have formed a party of eight people!

You may now look at your party’s health, their items, and their skills.*

I looked over to Greyson, wh0 was showing off his necklace. It was shaped like a shark’s tooth, but seemed to be made of a clear crystal that reflected rainbow hues in the light. A pop up appeared.

*Greyson Nahlen

Age 4

Health Status: Good Health

Skills:

Gifted Skill-Locked

Extra-sight: Earned in Collectibles challenge. Can see body heat as well in complete darkness. Eyesight auto adjusts for user comfort and ease of use.

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Items:

Necklace of Purification-protects user from all poisons, as well as any mind, spiritual, and death attacks. Necklace can purify other items or other people five times every twelve hours.

Hero Status: Locked*

“Woah!” I said loudly as I read his skill.

“What did you do?” Ren asks, eyes scanning as he reads his own pop up. “Maisy? We’re in a party now?”

“Yeah!” I tell him. “It’s one of the rewards I got from the event!” It’s the first time I’ve been genuinely excited since this all started. This was extremely helpful and I couldn’t have asked for a better skill. Also, I had been tired of being left out, not having a way to help the group like Ren could. Now, I felt like I could actually do something.

“Well,” Ren replies wryly, “I guess it’s time for Ms. Maisy to share what she got.”

“First,” I say, facing Greyson, “I’ll tell you about what you got!” I could practically see the sparkle in his eyes as he nodded, eagerly waiting for what I’d tell him.

“It’s a Necklace of Purification. It will keep you safe from poisons, and can purify other things, like friends or items. You also got something called Extra-sight from your collectible, which gives you night vision and heat vision.”

By the time I’d finished explaining, Greyson was practically jumping up and down with excitement. I don’t think it mattered so much what I said, just the fact that he knew and how to use them made him ecstatic. The other kids began to try to crowd around me, asking if I would tell them theirs too.

“Hey!” Ren raised his voice. “If you’re not in your spot, you won’t get your turn!” The children scrambled back to their designated spots, some abashedly and some with grumbles of complaint.

“Ms. Maisy,” Ren addresses me once they’ve settled. “What exactly is your new skill?”

“It’s called ‘Group Ties’ and it means I can form a party. The maximum is ten, and it will help us in a lot of ways. For one, it means I can see everyone’s items and skills.”

“That is…certainly helpful,” Ren’s fingers run through his hair as he thinks. “And somehow exactly what we needed…”

“I want to know what my stuff does!” Theo blurts out, apparently reaching the end of his patience. The other kids agree, the noise level rising quickly. I quiet them again before going around the circle once more, telling everyone what their items did. Each time I finished, the child oohed and ahhed at their item once more with a newfound appreciation. I didn’t know how some of these would come in handy; I just hoped we never needed them. But it was better to have them just in case. Each time we got a new item or one of the kids learned a new skill, it was a better likelihood that we’d all be okay.

Or that the challenges ahead would be that much more difficult, a small voice warned from the back of my mind. I did my best to ignore it.

“Okay, time for a nap now,” Ren says, corralling the kids to the back area. Some of them complained, but I saw Kena rub her eyes and Ravi had to stifle a yawn. Checking my phone, I see that the information has been updated. I have a new timer, telling me we have eight hours and thirty six minutes until the next challenge starts.

There’s also a strange new box. This one is golden yellow. Have I seen that color before? The text is only one simple sentence, more of a suggestion. ‘Rest is recommended to prepare you for the challenges tomorrow presents.’ The way it’s worded is odd, too; not like the other factual text boxes. It feels more like some AI generated inspirational quote.

The kids had managed to find some coats, and while there weren’t enough for pillows, the rice worked well enough. We hype it up as a fun adventure sleepover, hoping that they don’t suddenly get homesick. It’s been a long day, and neither Ren nor I want to deal with that right this moment. Once they were settled, Ren told me to sleep.

“I’ll take the first watch,” he insisted. “I’ll wake you up if I get too tired.”

I want to argue, but fatigue is finally pulling at me, my eyelids struggling to stay open. I nod and snuggle in amongst the kids. Kena lays against one side while Benny presses his back against mine, close enough I can feel him breathing.

“Goodnight, kiddos,” Ren tells them. “I hope you have sweet dreams. You did awesome today and tomorrow I know you’ll be awesome again.”

*Ding*

*You have received the buff ‘Sweet Dreams’. You will feel rested 20% faster. Your mental fortitude in dreams will be 100%*

“Good night, Ren,” I say, closing my eyes as I drifted off. I did my best not to think about what tomorrow would bring.