𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐎𝐟 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞

4.

Strained Twilight

The forest grew darker as Onika and Beyoncé trudged through the underbrush, their footsteps sluggish and heavy with fatigue.

Onika glanced back at Beyoncé, her frustration evident as she noticed Beyoncé's slow pace.

"Come on, Beyoncé," Onika called out impatiently. "It's getting dark, and you're moving like a snail."

Beyoncé gritted her teeth, her voice strained. "I'm trying, okay? My knees are killing me."

Onika turned around fully, her eyes narrowing as she saw the blood seeping through Beyoncé's torn jeans and the scratches on her shoulders. "What happened to you?" she demanded, her tone accusatory.

Beyoncé shrugged weakly, her face drawn with pain. "I crashed into the tree when I was running from the ape."

Onika shook her head in disbelief. "You cr-? Seriously? This is just great."

Beyoncé looked up at Onika, hurt flickering in her eyes. "I'm sorry if I'm slowing us down," she said, her voice tinged with bitterness. "But I can't move any faster."

Onika sighed heavily, rubbing her temples in frustration. "Well, I'm not going to help you," she snapped. "You're on your own. Just get over it."

Beyoncé stared at Onika in shock, her heart sinking at the callousness of her words. "Fine," she said quietly, her voice trembling. "I don't want your help anyway. Not if you're going to be like this."

Onika's expression softened for a fleeting moment, a flicker of hurt crossing her features. "What's that supposed to mean?" she demanded, her voice defensive.

Beyoncé met Onika's gaze steadily, her own hurt and anger bubbling to the surface. "It means," she said slowly, each word measured, "that I don't need help from someone who would rather see me struggle than lend a hand."

Onika's jaw clenched, her fists tightening at her sides. "You have no idea-"

"I know enough," Beyoncé interrupted, her voice rising. "I know that you've said worse things to me than I've ever said to you. So don't act like you're the victim here."

Onika fell silent, her chest heaving with emotion. After a tense moment, she muttered, "Okay."

Beyoncé sighed heavily, her anger deflating slightly. "Look, I'm sorry," she said quietly, her voice thick with regret. "I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just been a really tough day."

Onika's expression hardened again, her walls going back up. "Save your apologies," she said coldly. "Let's just get back to camp."

They continued walking in strained silence, the darkness deepening around them. Beyoncé struggled to keep up, her knees throbbing with every step.

She wanted to reach out to Onika, to bridge the gap between them once more, but she didn't know how.

-
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It was growing darker in the forest, the air turning chilly as evening settled in. Onika found a spot and sat down, fatigue etched on her face as she stared into the distance.

Beyoncé, keeping her distance, chose a spot a few feet away, folding her arms around her knees to ward off the cold.

As Onika glanced over at Beyoncé, their eyes briefly met before Beyoncé quickly looked away. The tension between them was palpable, a heavy silence hanging in the air.

Beyoncé shivered involuntarily, rubbing her arms in an attempt to warm herself. Onika noticed and sighed softly. "Are you cold?" she asked, her voice softer than before.