*Crackle Crackle Crackle*

The smoke around the campfire continued to rise through the air as the smell of barbecued meat covered the whole cave. A person was lying near the campfire. His messy hair covered his body full of bruises and his clothes could barely hide his broken bones. Beside him were a few supplies.

When the meat was close to being charcoal, the man suddenly woke up and swiped the meat out of the fire in a panic state.

*Sigh*

"...I overcooked the meat again. This was my last meat and my supplies are running out. I think death will come to me soon... and I deserve it."

As he looked through the fire, he began remembering the mistakes he had committed that resulted in his current desperate state.

"Fire, our life is funny don't you think? Haha... we were both shining and burning with passion in the beginning, clinging to society's embrace and their praises like you are to this firewood. All is well, until I realize all the people around me left me behind... similar to how you will die out when all this wood become ashes... haha. But in the end, we can't blame anyone you know? We.. forgot our nature... and that's why we also forgot how to control ourselves."

. . .

Daniel Rich, 29-years-old. When I was a young boy, my only dream was to make my parents and younger brother proud. With a lot of positivity back then, I tried my best to discover my own talent like any other ordinary kids yada yada.

But, as I grew older, I began to realize that talent is a limitation to one's self. I realized that being the best at one field takes a lot of effort for a person to achieve in real life.

Since then, I changed my mindset of being the best at something to being better at anything that I fancy. That was what my mind focused on my whole life. Overtime, the things I knew multiplied which earned me the title of "Jack of All Trades" in my college years. I tried random fields specializing in drawing, sports, poetry writing and cooking until everything lead me to computer engineering.

After college, I got a job in a food factory which was not quite on point with my college degree. But it all went well as I worked hard for two years to be a permanent employee.

*Sigh*

And this desperate situation happened because of that... day.

. . . .

Two years ago, on a normal winter morning, the factory's Operations Manager began her daily speech with her sexy color lips and usual enthusiasm.

"Good morning~ I hope everyone will do their best to finish their quotas today. We only have to wrap ten thousand more products to satisfy the contract of our cute client. If we finish today, everyone can prepare early for the upcoming holidays. I assume everyone would want that, am I right?"

"Yes ma'am!" everyone replied.

Dan looked at her. Wearing her red leather jacket on top of her black uniform, she had a sweet face with plump red lips and black hair. Her eyes beneath her glasses were the bewitching-type people would not dare to stare for too long.

Rosse Scarlett. She was a former senior of Dan back in high school. As the President of the Student Council back then, she was naturally loved by many. It was not just her beauty that captured everyone's heart, but also her charisma that makes people give their admiration and respect. Her family owns majority of the food factories in the country and a few factories overseas. Despite coming from an extravagant background, she was never cold to anyone below her social ranks.

As Dan continued staring at her, Rosse suddenly looked back. Feeling her stare, his heart fluttered, and yet it vanished right away when he suddenly felt some pain on his side.

"Ugh..! Shit...!"

"Dan, she's staring back. Stop looking at her..!" whispered someone beside him. This person was a man with an honest appearance and average strong build. He had a big brother aura that gives people the impression that they could all depend on him even if the ceiling suddenly collapse.

Jasper Johnson, Dan's best friend since childhood. He was the grandson of Old Shelly who lives next to the Rich household. When his Old Shelly died, he was invited by Dan's father to live together with them. Ever since then, Jasper and Dan went to the same school and treated each other almost as brothers. However, they got separated during college when Jasper's family appeared and decided to bring him back. Jasper rebelled against his family's decisions back then. He didn't want to trouble the Richs with his business and so he left. He has been living alone in an apartment in the city ever since.

Hearing his best friend being a pain the ass again, Dan annoyingly replied while waving his hands, "I know, I know..."

'Everyone is staring dude! Who cares if she's staring back at me? If you were not here, I would have this lovely session every morning--'

Remembering it was him who persuaded his best friend on taking this job, Dan's nerves cracked, 'Why did I even suggested this job with this guy again? I certainly did not miss him and his crazy controlling nature! Tsk, I think my sense of valuing relationship got the best of me this time.'

*Kriing!*

After his endless rambling on the back of his mind, the morning assembly ended.

And so began the daily shouting of commands and pushing of buttons as they went to their work station and got busy.

...

"Daniel! Can you help us here? The machine is getting glitchy again!" shouted someone from the back.

Dan paused his work and shouted back, "Coming!"

Being the "Tech Genius" in the factory, he knew all the machines in the place like the back of his hand. A lot of factory workers gathered to watch him fix the machine.

*Clink! Clank! Clank*

*Clink! Clank!*

After a few minutes, he finally fixed all the gears and got the machine working again.

"Thank you, Dan! You're really the best when it comes to these things!" smilingly said some uncle from the crowd.

Before he could appreciate their thanks, his eyes suddenly bulged in their sockets.

"Mi-Miss! What brings you here!?"

The one walking towards them was none other than their Operations Manager, Rosse Scarlet. She examined the machine Dan fixed and faced him.

"Daniel, right? I heard you're good at fixing things. I was wondering if you can fix my laptop at my office?"

"Ah, no problem miss! When do you need me? I- I mean, to fix it, the laptop.. that is," Dan stuttered which made the others laughed.

Rosse smiled as she turned around and replied, "Right now. Please follow me."

The duo went together towards the office as the crowd scattered and went back to work.

'Am I dreaming? If so God please don't wake me up! Ah~ I can't believe she smells this nice up close.'

When they entered the office, Dan stopped fooling around and immediately began his busy work.

Rosse talked to him the entire time he was scanning for malfunctions. Although most of the conversation was all about her laptop, he still scored a few laughter and smiles from her. After an hour, he finally finished fixing the laptop and quickly left.

Returning to his post, he couldn't stop smiling as he recalled what happened earlier. Dan didn't notice the time nor his best friend yelling at him on the side. Jasper punched his shoulders real hard and told him not to get his luck over his head.

After work, they went to the cafeteria. They grabbed some food and drinks, sat on a bench and began chatting with each other.

"Dan, I'll tell you this. Do not be easily swayed by WOMEN. Yes they might look like pretty angels on the outside, but on the inside? Tsk tsk. Trust me, I've got countless experience dating girls. They're savages I tell you, savages!" Jasper lectured while swaying his burger.

"C'mon dude. Just say your jealous that I got Miss Scarlett's attention earlier. Tell you what, I bet it was my morning stare that gave me good fortune today," Dan giddily replied while seeping his drink.

"Pfft! Jealous? Me, out of all people? You're talking shit again Dan. And this is exactly because you always don't listen," Jasper pointed his burger to Dan.

"Hmph. That claim again huh. Typical Jasper," Dan continued munching, not minding Jasper's rants. His head was still on cloud nine over his lucky encounter with "his" Miss Scarlett. He couldn't help but smile while recalling every eye contact they exchanged with each other.

Seeing his idiotic smile, Jasper scoffed and said, "Gahh whatever man. Anyways, since holidays are already up this week, I came up with a nostalgic idea. How about we have a camping trip in the Westwoods tomorrow? You remember that time where we tried to capture some piranhas to settle some scores with those bullies when we were nine? HA HA HA HA HA! Just from those events alone, I know going back to that place would be a whole lot of fun. I already invited some of our other colleagues for some added entertainment. What do you say?"

Hearing the suggestion, Dan had a blank look on his face. "Ehh, camping trip? I think I'll pass for now. I just want to skip holidays and start working already. Maybe Miss Scarlett might want to get her laptop fix again because of that.. ticking bug I set on her system. Hehe he hehehe~"

"You..." Jasper sighed as he looked at his friend's helpless state.

"But seriously man, don't be quick to say no. You already know holidays are not my thing. My head easily melts from boredom and loneliness staying in my apartment alone. You don't want this brother of yours to suffer from retardation right?"

"Ha! As if I'll fall for that again. I know your secretary girlfriend keeps sneaking in your place, 'brother'. What do you even need me for when you have her to bond with? You just want to torture my eyes endlessly with your lovey-dovey moments," Dan said in disdain.

"Torture? What torture are you saying? It's not like I ignore you when Jaiden's around. Besides.. I also invited her for this camping trip."

"Of course you did."

"And apparently she..."

"She what? She wants you to eat her in a tent!? Ugh, disgusting couple."

"Not that dude! Apparently.. she also invited her boss."

Dan stopped midway from eating his food hearing what Jasper had said. "Boss? You mean... OUR BOSS?? Miss Scarlett!!"

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

*Sigh*

Jasper nodded his head in confirmation, "Yes, she invited Rosse... Seeing your face right now, I think I might regret suggesting this camping trip later after all."

"Oh ho ho! Your girlfriend is good Jasper! Why didn't you say so in the beginning, hahahaha! This is good, this is super good! What time do we meet tomorrow?" Dan was now all smiles about the said camping trip, contradicting to his expression earlier.

Jasper responded helplessly, "Eight in the morning, at the---"

"Eight!? That's too early! I better get home now and prepare then. You're really bad in planning this special trips Jasper. Anyways thank you for the treat!" Dan didn't listen to the most parts of what Jasper had said and immediately ran off to go home.

Jasper, now alone in the table, whispered to himself, "He says I'm bad.. yet he always don't listen and does this eat-and-run to let me pay for his food. Its like his not even near his thirties.."

*Sigh*

'What is that little lady thinking of coming to this trip anyways? Don't tell me she honestly likes my idiotic best friend... God, please no,' Jasper shivered with the thought as he had a hard time finishing his burger.

...

Dan quickly went ahead to his locker and grabbed his things. His mind was preoccupied of how he might approach Rosse in tomorrow's trip as he went home to prepare.

The sun faded into the night sky when he arrived home, his mind still stuck at his "fateful encounters" of the day. He began thinking if Rosse knew him from high school by any chance, which lead her asking his help earlier. And as if his luck was not enough, she then coincidentally joined their camping trip tomorrow!

'Is Miss perhaps stalking me? Is my charming look finally working after all these years???' Dan chuckled like crazy.

Inside his room, he was happily planning what to pack inside his backpack when he suddenly noticed his mother on the door.

"How's your work son? You're quite busy, are you going somewhere?"

"Work is fine mom. I've got to pack and prepare for a trip tomorrow. It's some company stuff Jasper told me about," Dan replied as he put some clothes and sunscreen in his backpack.

"Oh, you're leaving tomorrow? I thought I told you we will be spending our holidays in your grandparent's place? You should cancel that trip for now, I'm sure Jasper would understand."

"Mom, I-" before he could say something, a man appeared beside his mother, swinging a fishing pole. It was his father.

"C'mon son! This holiday will be great this year! Your grandparents just got acquainted with the Parkers. You know the Parkers right? The one who owns a lot of gold mines in the Eastside of the city. I heard there's many hot babes coming...", his father continued with his weird winks as he further baited him, who happens to have no girlfriend since birth. The couple was worried for their son as he was quickly passing the "age of marriage".

His mother added with a giggle, "Your father’s right. And besides, pretty girls are more fun to be with than muscular men who work 24/7 in a factory, right?"

"Mom, if this is that 'gay-stuff' again, I swear... I am straight and you guys don't need to worry about my love life. I can conquer girls just fine," said Dan as he packed faster, putting a first aid kit inside the bag.

The couple looked at each other with a strange look. Their eyes indicating they were having trouble accepting what he said. Dan gave them an angry stare, and the couple both laughed. Their bickering continued as their son finished packing.

Later on, the couple told him that they will be leaving that night with his younger brother to their grandparents at the Eastside.

Not wanting to guard the house for the night, he quickly called Jasper and asked if he could stay at his place tonight for the trip tomorrow. Jasper hesitated. He said he was not home yet and told him to meet him at the coffee shop near his place.

Dan waited for quite a while and bought some coffee out of habit. As he was staring at the apartment at the corner of the street, he remembered the time where he went to this place for Jasper's birthday years ago.

His best friend was a loner back then and he knew he got no company for his birthday. However, on that day, Dan was shocked silly upon seeing a woman walk out of his apartment. Suprisingly with a closer look, he identified the lady to be the secretary of their factory, Miss Jaiden. Ever since then, he suspected that she and Jasper were going out and kept teasing his friend about it, only to backfire later on upon realizing his single virgin little life.

'Hmp. Sooner or later, I would also have a girlfriend and then I'll settle some scores for everyone who keeps belittling my manhood!'

Deep in his crazy fantasies, someone suddenly punched him from behind. Jasper finally appeared, and they then went to his place.

. . .

After a good night sleep, morning came. It was quite cloudy at the day of the camping trip.

At the edge of the city, the crowd gathered together. They checked their supplies and waited for the others to come.

"Looks like it's going to rain. I'm glad you brought some rain gears Rosse!" Someone said in the distance as footsteps rapidly approach the duo. The energetic voice came from Jaiden who was wearing a cute yellow hoodie.

Behind her, Jasper and Dan saw their boss. Dan was awed seeing her black fitting camping outfit, but he was quickly interrupted by Jasper's elbow strike and warning stare. Upon a closer look he realized that "his" Miss was not alone; a bodyguard was standing behind her with a Chihuahua on his strong arms. Dan looked at Jasper's direction and mocked his term of "other colleagues".

'In the end, without Miss Scarlett and her 'colleagues', it almost ended up with me and this torture-of-a-couple once again. Tsk..'

After introductions, they traveled to the campsite while it rained. Because of the bad weather, they tried their best to follow marked trails towards their destination. The bodyguard also put the Chihuahua on a leash to keep it from wondering around. When they reached the campsite, the rain stopped, fortunately.

After tidying the place, their holidays began.

Jasper's cooking skills were appreciated by everyone. Meanwhile, Dan looked at his burned piece and was disappointed. He started telling stories to pick his dropped confidence and was more than happy that Rosse was very interested in listening. He was also glad he could now address her by her first name after the atmosphere got even more comfortable.

Some days, they met other campers visiting their camp and respected them as fellow travelers. Cooking meat and smores while playing games; everyone was enjoying their time together as days began fading away.

. . .

One night, Dan woke up with nature's calling. He realized Jasper was up for he was not inside the tent. He went out and saw Scarlett's bodyguard.

The bodyguard faced him with a poker face and scoffed, "Don't get too carried away with yourself, boy. Otherwise you might not know what accidentally hit you someday. You better observe the society and the people you live in, or else... kekeke."

Dan was scared awake, as he thought the bodyguard was warning him about getting too close with Rosse. He quickened his footsteps towards the bushes and did his business

'That was weird.'

Finishing up, he went back to the tent. Unexpectedly, he saw Jasper inside packing his bags. He had some sense of panic on his face as his hands moved in a hurry.

"Where are you going at this hour Jasper?" he asked.

"I... have to meet up with my family. It is urgent, so I must leave you guys one day early.." replied Jasper.

Dan thought he was acting weird. He remembered him saying his family abandoned him years ago, so he thought there was something he did not want to say to him. But Jasper was quick as he failed to react in time when he left the tent.

He was still a little bit tired so he decided to put the matters of his friend on the back of his mind and went back to his sleeping bag.

...

Morning came. After a quick wash, Dan realized there was another person missing; Jaiden. He got suspicious, and suddenly shivered with a thought: 'Did those two set me up with Rosse perhaps!??'

"Um, where did Jaiden go?" Dan nervously asked the two people left besides him.

"She left just now, crying," replied the bodyguard.

Dan looked at Rosse and asked, "Did you know what happened Rosse?"

"Jaiden said she has to finish some business at home before she quickly left," replied Rosse.

With that, Dan didn't mind the absence of the two anymore, as he took this golden opportunity to think of a plan to convince Rosse he was a man worth dating for.

They talked and shared many things together and with a few awkward ramblings of Dan, cheery giggles of Rosse and also the constant interruptions of the bodyguard, their day camping went on normally as any of the other days that passed.

...

When it was nearing noon, Dan began to ask, "So, what do you guys plan to do next? Should we wait for Jasper and Jaiden to come back?"

Rosse thought for a moment, "Mmm~ They might not come back anymore. I think we will just kayak down the river and go home early. What about you Dan?"

"Oh, you live in the Eastside right? My family is currently staying there. Can I perhaps join you guys?" Dan shamelessly asked.

Rosse smiled and agreed. After tidying the place, they all prepared the kayak in the river together and hop inside with the bodyguard at the front, Rosse at the middle and Dan at the back. All of them coordinated very well and Dan enjoyed his last extra time being near with Rosse. The both of them continued sharing their secret experiences back in high school. As time goes by, they both began understanding the true nature of the other person. With water splashes in the background, Dan and Rosse enjoyed this moment, forgetting about the bodyguard in the front.

After a few hours, the skies were painted with colors. As Dan looked at Rosse with the color of the sunset, he fell in love with her, with real emotions this time. Rosse looked at him and laughed at his dazed face. He smiled as his mouth moved and whispered in the air, "I love you..."

*BOOM!!!*

Before Rosse could react to what he said, an explosion occurred in the distance.

"Miss, that was the Eastside!" exclaimed the bodyguard as he turned his head back.

The trio all rowed faster and approached land. When they arrived near the Scarlett Residence, another explosion occurred. Dan saw two people chasing each other from the general direction of the chaos.

"Jasper!" Rosse and Dan exclaimed at the same time.

Jasper looked at them with a twisted face, "What are you guys doing here!? RUN!!"

As he got distracted, Jasper was stabbed by the person that was chasing him.

"Oh my~ You. Are. All. Here. I was just finished with lovely Jasper. Hmm~ though I think it should be ‘Cuz' from now on? HAHAHA! Does not matter, you will be dead sooner or later!" said the person at the back.

Looking at her face, Dan, Rosse and the bodyguard all have indescribable expressions on their faces.

"Jaiden!? Get away from him!!!" Rosse shouted as she ran towards them, with her bodyguard one step behind.

Dan couldn't process what was currently happening in front of him. His best friend who left last night in panic... is now being chased by his lover.. who happens to have left early morning crying?

'Did Jasper broke up with her? And this is her getting her revenge? But.. that does not make any sense! Wait-- what she said just now.. they're actually cousins??? Family... But Jasper left his fa-'

Before he could think of anything else, Jaiden suddenly became crazy with her assault. She dodged, stabbed and laughed maniacally as she approached Jasper once again. Dan saw this and decided to run and attempt to save his friend. However, he was too late.

*Swish!* *Gulg*

"Ah...."

"JASPER!!" shouted Dan as he caught his falling best friend. He saw the wound on his chest that exposed his ribcage. He covered the wound and applied pressure on it, keen on saving his best friend.

Jaiden smiled showing her teeth and quickly escaped by jumping into the river. The bodyguard continued pursuing her while Rosse approached Dan and Jasper on the ground. Seeing the puddle of blood on the ground, she erupted with a meltdown.

"Brother!! Don't die on me! PLEASE DON'T GO!!!”

Dan was so shocked at what she just said that his hands suddenly stopped moving.

"Rosse... don't cry, I'll be alright. I know it was difficult for you to live in another family throughout all these years... But it's better than living with those scumba-"

*COUGH COUGH!*

"Stop talking!! Guh, it won't stop bleeding. Dan help him!" Rosse exclaimed to Dan as she shook him awake from his shock.

"No.. listen. I dated Jaiden back then... but I didn't know she was part of that crazy family," continued Jasper, as he coughed more blood.

"..Last night... Jaiden tried to drug me.. but I pushed her down. I interrogated her... to force some information. I learned that those incest-bastards planted her in the factory to seduce me.. She told me that they would appreciate me with their operations in the Eastside today..."

Dan was dazed after hearing Jasper, his hands shaking from applying pressure to the wound. He looked towards the city and thought of his family. He was afraid of the idea of them dying. But right now he was also anxious about Jasper's situation, so he opened his first aid kit to help him with his wounds.

Dan faced Rosse and couldn't stop his thoughts, 'So that's why I thought Jasper was jealous every time I look at her. They're siblings.. Why didn't I saw that coming....'

'My family.. where are they..'

He knew he should not be thinking of silly things right now, but the emotions inside him made him confused at what to think and feel anymore.

Dan was overwhelmed with shock and anxiety that he can't properly think of what to do next. He blanked out for a moment as he felt his reason to move waver. He stood still as he looked at Jasper and Rosse talking. Jasper looked at him, opened his mouth and said something, but Dan didn't hear anything. He looked at Rosse who had panic all over her face as she pulled his arms. She ran back to the kayak with him and went upstream. Dan looked blankly back to where Jasper was, as his best friend continued to bleed to death.

Rosse worked hard to get away from the place, but suddenly an explosion occurred that flipped the entire kayak.

Submerged underwater, Dan saw Rosse trying to swim to the surface to survive. As for him, his body continued to sink down the riverbed. He was washed away by the river's current as his world went dark.

When he opened his lifeless eyes, he already found himself inside a cave of a waterfall. He got injured from the rocks in the riverbed when he was washed away resulting in his messy state.

. . . .

Sideways on the cave wall, there were many engraved markings; bar lines indicating the passing of days, months and years.

"Haha... It has been two years huh.." he smiled, with sadness deep in his eyes.

...

Are you wondering what was so crazy about the Johnsons? Why did Jasper let Rosse live away from their real family? What's up with those explosions? Or where the hell did the Chihuahua go? Yeah, those are the questions...

And I don't have the answers.

That's right. I was never the hero of this story. I may as well be a know-it-all NPC working hard everyday just to see the boring sun next day. All that I ever wanted was to improve and make everyone proud; my family, my co-workers, Jasper, Rosse... all of them..

But in the end, did I really matter to anyone? It might sound funny, but at this moment, I realized that it was only my own welfare that I really cared about. I was only satisfying my own life the whole time! Haha..

..I did not help anyone, nor did I care for anyone. Not even a single soul...

I let down my family, my best friend... And her.. Rosse.. I just watched the one I love fighting until the end while I succumbed in the dark currents of these regret and sadness…

Today, it was still dark inside this cave. And it was because of this very darkness I learned that improving myself should have never been my goal. It should've been my reason. Because the goal all along was to understand my reason and live a good life.

Because the goal all along was to understand this reason and live a good life.

For a fire will be a bright fire to the beholder, but in good wood it leans to be a bright fire forever.

Haha... poetic.

...

Dan laid down as he continue to weaken, both his mind and body heavily exhausted.

"...Looks like this is the end."

With a sigh, darkness covered everything as his life slowly disappeared from that lonely cave.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Daniel, you have been murdered."