Phoenix

34. Survival Show

​Dusk was beginning to settle over Duivendrecht, a heavy, violet blanket that seemed to stifle the usual sounds of the Dutch countryside. The villa, an island of opulent silence, stood amidst the darkening shadows of the large green trees that formed a canopy around the estate.

​Arya sat on the second-floor balcony of her room, her posture rigid. She wasn't just sitting; she was guarding. Despite the presence of Gus Fork and Win Friebel patrolling the grounds below, the air felt charged, as if the atmosphere itself was holding its breath.
Jin had insisted on this—a secondary watch post—because trust was a luxury they currently couldn't afford. They were taking turns, a rhythmic cycle of vigilance that kept the exhaustion at bay through sheer force of will.

​For a moment, her eyelids grew heavy. The silence of the garden was hypnotic. But as the sound of footsteps echoed against the polished floorboards inside the room, she sprang up, her hand instinctively reaching for a weapon she didn't yet have.

​She relaxed only when she saw Jin stepping out onto the balcony. He looked tired, his bandages stark against his skin in the twilight, but he carried a plate in his hand. A small, knowing smile played on his lips.

​"What, have you fallen asleep?" Jin asked, his voice a low rumble.

​"No... Yes... I mean..." Arya stammered, shaking off the fog of a micro-nap.

​"Relax," Jin said softly, stepping closer. "Your body needs a little rest considering how we are running on pure adrenaline." He offered her the plate.

"Have a bite. You’ll get strength. We have more work ahead."

​Arya took the plate, her fingers brushing against his. She checked the clock on the wall through the open balcony door—it was twenty-past six. "Where did you go? You were supposed to come twenty minutes ago to take the guarding post!"

​Jin pulled a second chair over and sat down beside her, looking out over the garden. "Just scouted around the whole house. That took some time. I saw you talking with Eva earlier, and I thought I would give you two some time to catch up."

​Arya rolled her eyes, a small, genuine smile finally breaking through her weary expression. "Like I needed that time! Jin, I know you have questions. Just ask away."

​Jin turned his head to look at her, his expression unreadable. "Why?"

​"What why?"

​"Why her?" Jin asked simply.

​Arya let out a short, mischievous laugh. "Don't get the wrong idea. We dated, yes. But that was just for fun."

​"How is that fun?" Jin’s eyebrows knitted into a frown, his conservative sensibilities clashing with Arya's casual recollection.

​"Just think," Arya said, her eyes twinkling with a bit of the old mischievousness. "Some handsome man suddenly asked you out. Think how interesting would that be? It would have been so much fun! Wouldn't you want to play along a little?"

​"No!" Jin’s frown deepened. "You are weird. Who would do that?"

​"Well, I was waiting for some certain  man to approach me," Arya countered, her tone turning slightly teasing. "Turned out they were all just cowards. Nobody ever approached me, can you imagine?"

​ Jin looked away, shrugging his shoulders as he stared back into the darkening trees. "They were idiots."

​ Arya’s smile softened into something more intimate. "Don't assume that I forgot that you were among them too! Anyway, Eva and I were classmates. We worked on a few projects together. She was a nice girl, and we quite enjoyed each other's company. But suddenly, one day, she asked me out."