DYSTOPIA | BOOK 2 of Death of the Future Series

EIGHT

MIN JAE

Min Jae was unhappy with the situation they found themselves in. It wasn't like he didn't understand that surrendering would mean giving up their cause but was it truly worth it? When he heard of the lives before the Uprising, he only ever heard of the bad side of it but it left him wondering — maybe there had been good sides to it.

Maybe that was why there was still a side that supported the World Government.

Because life hadn't been truly horrible like how it was painted out to be.

Min Jae didn't voice that opinion out, however. He had tried alluding to this and it hadn't been well received. He rubbed the back of his neck, adjusting the bags he was dragging with him. Seo wouldn't meet his eyes since the talk back at the old base and he would feel guilty if not for the fact he stood by what he said.

His heart clenched in his chest at the thought of his only family not wanting to support him but if the Uprising was where she would truly be happy, he had no right to stop her. He would just have to make do without her — and still make sure she was safe.

Min Jae wasn't sure how he was going to achieve this but he would figure it out.

His legs were aching by the time they stopped for the night. His eyes were heavy with tiredness and with one glance at the sky, he noted that the stars were shining a bit too brightly for it to not be late at night.

"Are we stopping here?" Min Jae asked, a yawn escaping his lips toward the end of the sentence.

"Yeah," Uncle Mike said, dropping his stuff on the ground before he looked around. "We can't really start a fire and we can't use anything that can emit light or sound since we're still not at a safe distance away just yet."

"So, we're just going to freeze here then?" Min Jae asked, raising his eyebrows.

"We've survived worse, Jae," Seo said. "We'll be fine."

"Right." Min Jae wouldn't deny that they had gone through worse but it didn't stop him from feeling frustrated.

"We should get some rest," Elly said, her voice soft. "We need to start moving when dawn comes."

Min Jae rubbed a hand down his face. He looked at the dark, grassy ground and winced at the fact he had to sleep there. His muscles were aching and he was sure that if he slept there, he would be in more pain tomorrow. Still, he was aware there was no way comfort could play into survival here so he had to just tough it out. He dropped the bags on the ground, rubbing his shoulders as he let his eyes scan everyone before they landed on Ricky, who was crouched down and rummaging the bags he carried.

He raised his eyebrows, wondering what the man was doing. He was about to say something when Ricky stood up, a small box in his hand.

"I'm going to check if there's any water supply nearby," Ricky said.

"This late at night?" Min Jae couldn't help but ask, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Water is essential," Ricky said, shaking the box in his hand. "I'm hoping this would let us know the nearest water source so we can gather some before dawn."

"I'll go with you," Uncle Mike said.

Min Jae spoke up, "I'll go with him."

Uncle Mike looked at him, frowning. Min Jae shrugged, ignoring the curious look tossed by Seo and Ricky's slightly annoyed one. He had things to talk to the man about and this was a good time for that. He hadn't been able to speak to Ricky properly since Appa's funeral and as much as he hated to admit it, Ricky was important to him.