Passages

Chapter 10

The place they were staying in was modest- just like an army hangout should be. Kaspar was very fond of it, and Baylee, a girl without the constant ambition for the best that some of people her age were showing, enjoyed it too- in a reasonable measure.

To be precise, she was walking around looking at everything, muttering about how everything was dusty. In this situation Kaspar couldn't help but laugh.

And Baylee laughed with him.

"Okay, we should stop," she said, sitting down.

"We should, but I really don't want to."

"Me neither, but this is the war. Gotta get used."

"I thought warriors liked to joke around. It's, like, the only entertainment they have access to."

Another moment of laughter.

"Fine now, let's do something useful."

"What? We're kids, and we're just here for safety."

"So we must stay safe."

"Very useful job. And very exciting."

"And well-paid."

"Why, that's at least half true."

The two cracked up again. Baylee could barely control herself right now. She fell to the ground, incapable of saying a word.

Soon they stopped.

No sounds.

Finally, Kaspar stood up.

"Let's do something else. There must be something to do here."

"Such as killing people."

"Stop making me laugh!"

"You stop!"

"I do nothing. I'm simply myself."

"Everyone is themselves. And stop speaking in cliché sentences."

"Oh, and did I mention that I can't be original?"

More chuckles.

"I really have no clue what we're doing right now, but we need to stop," she smiled softly and exited.

Kaspar nodded.

"Yes, at least for thirty seconds."

One chuckle.

"Do you think thirty seconds have passed?"

"Um, no. Seriously, it's gone too far now."

"I know, right," the girl buried her head in the pillow and giggled silently. "But we can't stop, so why try?"

"You know, just to look normal."

Finally, Baylee forced herself to keep a straight face. Her lips hurt.

"This is great, Kaspar. It's great here."

"An unexpected thing to say about war," he broke into the room.