DYSTOPIA | BOOK 2 of Death of the Future Series

NINE

MIN SEO 

Min Seo could sense the tension between Ricky and Jae. She was unhappy with her twin brother for his selfish request back at the base and hadn't been speaking to him much but it didn't mean she wasn't aware of what had been happening with him. He seemed to be fidgety, almost restless and every time she looked at him, she noticed that Jae would be looking at Ricky.

Half of her wanted to ask him, break the silence between them at last, to find out what was going on between him and Ricky. But the other part of her didn't want to step into the mess that was brewing. When Jae had volunteered to find water with Ricky, cutting Uncle Mike off, she knew whatever thin string of patience he had had snapped. She sighed under her breath, keeping her eye on Jae who had come back to the camping site with two bottles full of water.

"You found some," Uncle Mike said.

Ricky nodded, a small box in his hands. He went to the bags he had placed on the ground and crouched down, shoving the box into one of them. Min Seo noticed Ricky's rigid posture and frowned, glancing at Jae who seemed to be in a similar condition.

She opened her mouth before she thought otherwise.

"Let's get some rest," Uncle Mike said, moving to grab one of the bottles from Jae's hands. "Elly."

Elly hesitated briefly before she took the canister of water, drinking out of it a little. She wiped her lips with the back of her hands before she looked at Min Seo.

"No, it's fine," Min Seo said.

"Dehydration isn't fun," Elly said with a smile, walking to her and handing it over.

Min Seo found herself unable to argue but she felt uneasy drinking the water. It wasn't that she didn't know that someone could die from the dehydration. It was just that the thought of taking something that wasn't hers — when it should always be the team first before her — had her stopping herself from actually drinking it.

"Seo," Jae said, catching her attention. "Drink it."

"Jae," she said, her voice low.

"Seo," he said, raising his eyebrows.

Min Seo bit her bottom lip, dropping her gaze to the drink in her hand. She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes, tipping her head back as she forced herself to drink a little of the water. After one gulp, she pulled the canister away from her mouth, opening her eyes before giving it to Jae.

Her brother didn't hesitate to take it and drink as well. Min Seo frowned at how he seemed to not hesitate in his movements, swallowing the rest of the water that was in his mouth. Once everyone had their fill, the canisters were placed on the ground next to the bags.

"Come on, let's go to sleep," Uncle Mike said. "I'll keep first watch."

"You sure?" Ricky asked.

"Yeah. I'm sure. Get some rest, Ricky."

Ricky looked at him for a few seconds before nodding. "Wake me up if you need to switch with me."

"Will do."

Uncle Mike then proceeded to grab his bag and head to one of the trees closest to them, sitting on the ground, his back against the bark. He also ruffled through the sack and grabbed his tablet. The screen lit up briefly before he fiddled with it and the light disappeared.

Min Seo guessed whatever that Uncle Mike did, it would help keep himself awake and them safe.

"Seo," Jae said, catching her attention. "We should sleep."