A muffled voice was heard from the other side of the door.

“Come in.”

The creaking door opened slightly. “It’s me.”

“Nadia? Surprise seeing you at this time. Aren’t you a little dizzy from the Welcome Back party?”

“I didn’t drink. Plus, parties aren’t my thing.”

“Same. But I must keep the people entertained. Besides, the returners deserve it after helping the village prepare for us.”

Nadia stepped into the room, silently closing the door behind her. Per usual, there were fresh candles lit on Ruby’s work desk, illuminating as much light as their little lives allow.

“You had your fair share of fun, handing out presents with a delighted look.”

“It’s a small token of appreciation.”

Nadia returned a smile, though it wasn’t as pure as Ruby’s. “Is that so? Years ago, the Ruby wouldn’t bother celebrating. But today, you’re smiling, laughing, living life’s worth. It feels good, doesn’t it?”

“Nadia.” She paused, taken aback. She lightly touched her chest, squeezing her shirt with another smile. “Ya, it does feel good.”

“I’m glad. But there’s something else I wanted to speak about.”

Ruby offered Nadia a seat. She took the offer and scooted the seat further from the table. She stretched her legs under the table and twirled her ankles around. Her ankles cracked like bubble wrap, though it was more annoying rather than painful.

“So, what’s on your mind? Did your scouts find something?”

“No. There’s something else I want to discuss. It’s about the last raid.”

Ruby loosened her shoulders, looking around the room as if she heard something. “For the last time, there’s nothing to discuss. The scouts' misjudgment led to casualties. That’s it.”

“Are you saying my scouts made a mistake? A crucial one, might I add? It's one that got an entire sub-squad wiped out. I doubt it.”

“Your scouts never make mistakes?”

“They do, hence why I assign scouts in bunches. Six overlooked the base and found low equipment, little-to-no defenses, and poor building structure. To have elite bandits pair up with a low-caliber base is ridiculous.”

Ruby was in her iconic stance. Interlocked fingers acting like a bridge with her chin resting on them. She looked down at the table, avoiding Nadia’s hypnotizing stare.

“It may be ridiculous,” she uttered, “but it’s not unheard of.

“It is unheard of. Not once had this happened before.”

She wasn’t wrong. Of all the years as squad leader, her comrades rarely failed their task. There was no way they made a mistake. Not just any mistake. A fatal one. One that cost the lives of almost an entire unit.

“I’m going to bed; you’re dismissed.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Nadia stood up, slamming the table with both hands. “Don’t avoid the conversation.”

“This is the third time we’re discussing this. There’s simply nothing else to say.”

Nadia sat back down, her forearm veins on the verge of bursting. “It’s because of Jill, isn’t it?”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s because of Jill,” Nadia said more clearly. “You’re defending her potential actions.”

Ruby raised her voice. “What potential actions?”

“I’m not sure myself. She has to know something, though. How did the weakest one survive? And if everyone died, who was alive to kill the bandits? We don’t know this because you’re not properly questioning her.”

Ruby leaned back into her chair, exhaling a much-needed breather. “She killed the last bandit alive. She had to have.”

“Certainly, that’s a possibility, but I say we question—”

“There’s nothing to question. There’s no reason she would lie to us. Whatever she said is the truth.”

“Ruby, you can’t be serious. You’re not going to investigate further?”

“No reason to further investigate. I trust Jill with everything, so there’s no point to assume she’s lying.”

Nadia balled her fist, wanting to break something.

“Jill this, Jill that. You have ample faith in her. Is there favoritism?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she hissed with a cold glare.

“It’s a safe assumption. You’re always with her in your little group. Are you sure there’s nothing special going on?”

“What are you referring to?”

“What happened to the Ruby who would work like a horse? The Ruby, who wouldn’t care to socialize with others? Now, you sacrifice work to be in your little group. Imagine if I went back in time and told your younger self that. I bet she would be disappointed in you.”

Ruby stood to adjust her peacoat. She adjusted the collar and unbuttoned the sleeves. She was silent. Too silent. The silence was so immense that the delicate gust of wind sounded like a thunderous storm.

“Are you going to remain quiet, Ruby?”

Ruby stared at the wall like someone would gaze out the window. “There was a time when I didn’t care to form relationships. I shut myself in to focus on work. Leading an entire cult is a time-consuming job. But time wasn’t the reason why I hibernated myself. The truth is, I was scared. I didn’t form relationships because I was scared I would lose them. I lied to myself, saying it was ok. If you think about it, it’s funny how happiness and honesty work—their symbiotic states of being. When one lies, oftentimes, the other does as well. I decided not to lie to myself and be both honest and happy. I can say for sure it makes a difference.”

Nadia stood up. “Why tell me this?”

Ruby kindheartedly smiled. “One day, I hope you realize how much the people around you matter.” She paused. “I’m going to bed now. You should as well.”

Ruby escorted Nadia out in silence. She didn’t wave or say “goodnight.” Nadia didn’t think about it, but deep inside her cold heart, she wished for a better exit.

Outside was brutal. Every day, the air got harsher, and the wind got stronger. Nadia despised the cold but never verbally complained. It’s one of the many things she kept bottled up. Luckily for her, her cabin isn’t far from Ruby’s.

On the way back, she heard chatter behind a tent. Who could it be out at this time? She came around the corner to find someone violently vomiting next to a rock.

“I told you not to overdo it on the drinks,” said a woman patting the dying bird’s back.

“Sowwy.”

Nadia watched from a distance. Those two bonded together like roots on the planet. The girl who joined for her ambitions and lived life like it was their last day alive. They were inseparable.

How could someone be so close to another? It didn’t make sense. Did she possess some hypnotic ability? That couldn’t be. She hardly spoke; when she did, it was mainly within her group.

Speaking of groups, Ruby’s spirit lifted after Jill joined the cult. It wasn’t surprising, considering how much she spent with her. But that got Nadia thinking.

What about the times I was with you? Did you not care enough?

She was with Ruby for much longer, fought alongside her for more battles, and combined their brainpower to plan raids.

So why don’t you look at me the same?