The Good Land: No More | TWICE & ITZY Book 2

11) Midnight Training

"What cure exactly?" Mina asked.
"Ah right... like a cure for diseases, you know the usual stuff they've been trying for years and always never get near. I guess this was just as bad as everything else." Chaeryeong just shrugged.
"Real bad." Tzuyu scoffed.

They had been up all day, walking all through the silent night and morning had arrived. A new day had begun. Finally, they found a small town and since the sun was at its highest, they dragged their feet into the first open house closest to them.

"So. Tired." Lia groaned and flopped onto the floor.
"We can sleep here for tonight." Jihyo took a deep breath and laid down her things.
Each one of them spread out into the living room and the kitchen to catch a break from walking, the dark clouds loomed over and no light was to be seen outside. Conveniently, Sana had packed a lantern just in case.
"Woah, what's that?" Yuna asked as she fiddled with the equipment.
"It's a lantern, have you ever seen one?" Lia questioned.
Yuna shook her head, "I've never seen one in person nor have I known how to use one."

"Lucky for you it's easy, since there's already oil in the lantern you turn the wick up just enough to get a match and when it lights you just push the wick down." Sana explained, "Speaking of matches, we have none."
"There's surely some in the kitchen, I can go check." Yeji offered.
"Sure." Sana replied.

When Yeji crossed towards the kitchen, a few of the group were sitting around.
"Have any of you seen matches?" Yeji politely asked.
"Nope, but I'll help search." Jeongyeon said.
They both continued to search as the others minded their own business.
Dahyun sat quietly on the counter, her eyes darted around with no reason at all, then a glimpse she saw in the corner of her eye. A sharp object caught her eye.

"Found it!" Yeji called.
"Nice, I guess you didn't need my help after all." Jeongyeon smiled.
Yeji went back to the living room and gave the match box to Sana who lifted the wick up just enough room for the match to light it and pulled it down. A small fire started and lighting the middle of the room.
"Alright, I'll just leave you guys." Sana left to the kitchen and stood besides Tzuyu.
"Are the young girls doing okay?" Jihyo asked.
"Yes they're around the lantern." Sana answered as Jihyo nodded her head as she joined them.
"Where's Mina and Chaeyoung?" Sana asked.
"They're both outside, don't ask why." Momo chuckled.

Dahyun sneakily took the sharp object which she found out to be a kitchen knife, just the same as Chaeyoung had. Maybe she could use some practice.
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Jihyo walked into the living whilst the young girls were cheering in laughter, they immediately quietened their voices as she walked in.
"Don't stop, I'm just here to relax." Jihyo sat beside them.
"Ah sorry, we just though we're too loud." Ryujin said.
"It's fine, we're all friends here."
"Yeah... uh Jihyo?" Chaeryeong spoke as she linked eyes, "I know your group have known each other before, but did you trust each other when you first saw them?"

Jihyo shrugged her shoulders and smiled, "It's hard to say, in any particular situation I wouldn't have trusted them, but somehow I never felt that way, maybe because we were all desperate and in need of help. We clicked and I felt that when I saw you guys."
Everyone was fascinated and yet confused.
"Well, that's my interpretation."

"You've been through a lot." Yeji said.
"Very much so, but this may be the biggest one yet."
"We'll do it together." Yuna smiled.
"Yeah, we can do it." Yeji nodded.
"I'm in!" Lia exclaimed.
"Why the heck not!" Ryujin chuckled.
"Great." Jihyo smiled.
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When everyone else rested inside away from the cold air, Mina and Chaeyoung stayed outside not only to catch their breath, but to see the sights of in the dark night just the two of them together alone.
On the green grass, Mina laid and gently closed her eyes whilst Chaeyoung followed her exactly.
"Now this is privacy." Mina sighed and stretched her arms above her head.
"You get me, all of us are always together with no walls to separate. It's really nice that we stopped here." Chaeyoung sat upright.

There was no moon, no light that could brighten the sky. The only light they saw was the dim yellow gleam from the inside of the house. Yet even through the darkness they saw the good. What happened to them in the airport would only strengthen themselves, it is what human beings are, they fight for survival.

The sky darkened more and water fell slowly, it began to pour and pour until each part of their body was damp.
In the distance, a flash of light appeared. They both jolted to catch a glimpse of it. Lightning, the first time in a few years they've seen nature takes its stance. Fascinated as they were, they hoped for another one this time with bang. Though the rain pattered harder onto their heads, drenching their clothes.
"We should go back inside." Chaeyoung stood up, but felt a tug from her sleeve.
"Stay a little while." Mina smiled.
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Those in the kitchen started to doze off giving Dahyun enough time to swipe at the air at any given direction.
From a side swipe to a lunge, she had manoeuvred back and forth and visualised an enemy in front of her hoping it'll help.
"What are you doing?" Tzuyu asked.
Dahyun didn't seem to stop, "I'm using a knife as a weapon."
"Why?" Jeongyeon asked.
"Since I can't use a gun, I'll use a knife."
"I'm very concerned how you use that knife." Nayeon looked worried.

"Here, I'll give you some tips." Momo walked towards her and positioned Dahyun's right arm with her elbow upwards with the knife placed firmly in her hand. She moved her right leg justly the side and let her lean forward
"Usually holding the knife downwards for an overhead strike is strong. But if you want more control, hold the knife as you would when you're cutting, more free to move your blade." Momo stood back and nodded.
"I just really want to ask how you know this." Nayeon said.

"I had lessons with the people from our settlement." She slightly smiled.
"Right, no wonder you're skilled." Tzuyu smirked as all of them further watched Momo's training giving Dahyun enough tips for her own survival.
They watched intently mostly for their entertainment and also to learn.
Jeongyeon had stepped up and offered as a partner, Momo had shown a few self-defence techniques with barehands.

"Just give it all you got." Momo said.
Jeongyeon shrugged and threw the first punch towards her head. In a second, Momo grabbed her arm and pushed her towards the floor, firmly locking her into place.
A great cheer of laughter boomed through the kitchen, Tzuyu tried to cover her laugh, but it was already noticeable who it was.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning appeared slightly startling them as they finally noticed that rain started to pour.
"To add insult to injury; it's raining." Nayeon sighed.
More elements of the storm had come into play, the hailstone bounced off the windowpane and clattered onto the ground like ice.
Then, a loud rumble came from the sky as clap of thunder hit the ground.

Sana screamed and curled into a ball. She shook her head and covered her ears tightly. Momo stopped what she was doing and tended to her friend with Tzuyu beside her.
"What happened?" Jihyo peeked around the corner.
"Sana's scared of thunder." Momo replied and placed her arm around her.
"I...I'm sorry..." Sana mumbled.
"Hey, it's okay." Tzuyu smiled and another clash stuck again, Sana quickly hugged Tzuyu's legs in fear.
"I'll train Dahyun now." Jeongyeon said.

A few more minutes past and most of the group had fallen asleep, mostly the younger girls.
Chaeyoung and Mina eventually returned with everything drenched and had to be put aside for a while.
The night only grew fearsome as time rolled on, the unknowing creatures that lurked in the shadows had been on their minds even since.
"We should take in turns watching the area." Jihyo spoke.
"I agree." Mina replied.
"Who wants to take first watch?" Jeongyeon asked.
"Let's say three people. I'll join." Momo raised her hand.
"Me too." Nayeon nodded.
Finally, Tzuyu volunteered.

"If you suddenly get tired, just wake one of us up." Jihyo said as they nodded.
"I think we'll be fine, the breeze will keep us awake." Momo chuckled.
"Be careful." Dahyun quickly mumbled.