The Mistwalker

Chapter 6

Milly didn't have a nice, cozy sleep whatsoever. It felt like her worries had followed her into her dreams, and that's all she could think about. Then the lights flashed to life and, just like that, a new day in the frozen hell had begun.

Gorge gave the same "Oh for fuck's sake," morning grumble. Milly thought that might have been the way he usually wakes up in general if he was back at home. The thought amused Milly. Gorge, on the other hand, was not amused. He was in a dark mood.

"Y-You alright, Gorge?" Her amusement had turned to an unsettling concern as Gorge jumped down from his bunk.

"Hm? Yeah, I'm-." He gave a heavy sigh. "I'm... I'm alright."

Boy was that convincing, Milly thought, but didn't push it. Their neighbor, Omar, had already disappeared. They found him with the others of the core group. Omar and Kristen seemed in good spirits. Ayman was always tough to read, but he seemed to be doing fine. Sly, on the other hand seemed out of it. He still seemed trouble, but, of course, with the current environment, who could blame him. He probably had the same kind of sleep Milly had. Troubled and unfulfilling. There was also a new face in the group. A boy around maybe a year or two younger then Milly. She realized this was the same kid that was giving her a strange look with his green eyes on the first day. The kid had disheveled brown hair and freckled, olive skin. He didn't say anything, but still gave her that weird look.

The group went through the morning with the idle chit chat. Sly and Gorge were a bit distant with these talks. The breakfast they had was uneventful. Some stale bread and soup. Milly couldn't help but miss the taste of a fresh red apple. Her mother had made the best apple pies. Just like that, she was lost in the memories of the past.

Most of the group's good cheer quickly died when Malcolm approached them. "Seems like moral is a bit low at this table." He noted.

"Care to change that by bringing good news?" Sly asked.

Malcolm tugged at his collar nervously. "Mostly likely not, unless you were a fan of yesterday."

The table in unison slowly shook their heads. "Sometime in the afternoon?" Gorge muttered.

"Ah, more... like ten o'clock." Malcolm gave a slight shrug. He wasn't too thrilled, which at least Sly could appreciate.

"Ten?!" There was no appreciation in Kristen's voice. "Isn't that in an hour?"

"A bit less than that." Malcolm admitted and quickly left. Seeming to not be able stomach the guilt.

"How is that guy a soldier?" Gorge questioned.

"What?" Milly asked, snapping out of the past.

Gorge looked at her curiously. "You on planet Novus, Pinky?"

"What happened?"

"Another match." Ayman stated, and a bit more dread filled Milly, which she thought wasn't possible.

It took no time at all for team six to arrive at their "locker room" to prepare for the coming match. There was a different aura this time around. They had a better idea of what to expect, but everyone was more uneasy.

"So we don't know anything? Not if the terrain is the same or who were fighting?" Kristen asked.

Gorge shrugged. "Pretty much. Same as last time."