Edian slumped into the worn-out couch of Cabin One’s common area, rubbing his temples as the chaos around him unfolded.

“So, theoretically, if I were to replace my blood with a high-conductivity fluid, I could become the perfect human battery,” Julian said, tapping his pen against his chin. “What do you guys think?”

“I think you should do it,” Miniet responded instantly, eyes gleaming with something Edian didn’t trust.

“I think you should both shut up,” Edian muttered.

“No, wait,” Liam piped up from his usual spot in the corner, where he sat cross-legged with his iPad, typing something Edian was sure would get him on a watchlist someday. “Julian might actually be onto something. You’d need a stable, non-toxic electrolyte… Oh, oh, what about ionized saline—”

Edian threw a pillow at him. “Shut up.”

Liam caught it with one hand and smirked. “Not my fault you don’t appreciate science, Edian.”

Silas, sitting beside the cabin’s ancient chessboard, let out a sharp breath through his nose and rocked forward slightly, eyes locked on the game in front of him. He hadn’t moved a piece in five minutes.

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“Silas,” Friden said, voice calm, patient. “It’s your turn.”

“I know,” Silas snapped, hands twitching. “I’m thinking.”

Edian sighed and turned to Friden, the one person who didn’t actively grate on his nerves—only for her to give him a quiet, knowing smile that made him even more annoyed. What, was she pitying him?

“You all suck,” he muttered.

“You suck,” Julian shot back.

“Fantastic comeback,” Edian said dryly.

At that moment, Miniet, who had been scribbling in her notebook, looked up with a wicked grin. “Hey, does anyone want to see my new knife?”

“Yes,” Julian said.

“No,” Edian said.

Miniet pulled it out anyway.

“What the fuck is my life,” Edian muttered, dragging a hand down his face. He was so tired.

*

Edian watched from the shadows, his gaze fixed on Lilia as she moved through the medical center.

“Are you stalking her?”

Edian jumped. “Oh shi- Liam don’t scare me like that!”

“Are you?”

“No.”

Liam eyed him for a moment, and shrugged and walked off. “I don’t believe you-”

He rolled his eyes in response.

Everyone in this dumbass cabin was all bitches. They were soft, unlike Lilia. Too many of them fumbled their little selves around, unsure of what they’re doing. He wanted to mock them, to call them weak, but instead it was his silence that was going to speak volumes to them. They all knew they weren’t cut out for this, obviously.

Lilia was different though. She didn’t even flinch. She had this quiet power about her. And it wasn’t just the way she handled herself—there was something in her eyes. A determination he couldn’t quite place, but that made his insides tighten.

It wasn’t fair.