The Trials

Cards // Chapter 18

A day off sounded wonderful, despite me being able to relax at all. How could I? There was so much happening, so much stress and confusion. I could just use a super long nap, in all honesty. But, Avalon had an idea of us all meeting up and hanging out for the day. Evan and I snagged some food and soda from the cafeteria, and with some help from Zoe, Arin managed to find some playing cards, dice, and some books to keep us occupied for the afternoon. We all walked down the tunnel together, chatter among everyone, which was rather refreshing. 

After a bit of a stroll, we finally reached the end of the mall tunnel, and into the opening of the abandoned station itself. It was rather eerie, and seemed to be more than the last time we briefly viewed it. Immediately when walking in, the railroad tracks are to your right, and on the left is a staircase blocked off by rubbed and a few benches, where passengers waited for their train when the station was active. Who knows how long ago that was, this part of New Chicago has been abandoned for a while it seems like. The main station lights seem to be operating just fine, which is a positive, to say the least. 

"Hey Avalon, can you help me move this rock? We can use it as a table" Evan yelled from across the room, gesturing towards a bigger rock, with was flat on top, allowing us a place to socialize. Reyna was preparing some food to the left of me, while others chatted in smaller groups. I noticed Amalia standing alone near the tracks. Is she okay? Without thinking much more about it, my feet carry my body over to her. 

"Hey Amalia, everything alright?" I ask her, getting a good look at her overall composure.  She was petite, with her short bobbed hair and gold pins, and her casual pink short dress. Even though she was smaller, her confidence could be seen on the outside. She was a force to not be messed with. 

"Hey Orion" She smiled as she turned towards me. "Oh yeah, I'm okay. Just reflecting back on the last few days, still trying to understand everything" She smiled again faintly, but it was obvious she was tired, and was not sure about the whole situation. 

I placed a hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes. "It's gonna be alright. We're all in this crazy situation together, we can make our way through" I say, the words leaving my mouth more confidently than I expected. Before any further conversation could be made, Reyna throws a playing card towards our direction. 

"Hey, pick that up and come join us" She said with a smile. Reyna was kind, but strong. Physically strong. Her double black haired braids lay on her shoulders, as she sat on a bench that was placed near the rock in the middle of the room. 

Walking towards the table, I notice that everyone seems okay. No one is distraught or in shock about the situation. Despite how fast this entire situation came upon all of us, and the death of Clint, we're adapting, and we're finding some sort of happiness in the situation; us. 

We play cards for what seems for hours, and most probably is. Through the hours of games, I begin to pick up and memorize pieces of everyone and their characteristics. Evan teaches us a few new cards games, ones he's learned at parties back home. At first, my impression of Evan was all football jock and partyholic, which is mostly true. However, he treats us like his siblings, and is super down to Earth the entire time he's been with us. He's different from your regular high school jock. Jack is a complete science, computer nerd, which suits him more than you'd think, and he loves his title of "Cyberboy" that Arin gave him. He's calm, cool, and well, nerdy. But he's smart, top of his class and never willing to give up. Arin, on the other hand, is a bit of chaotic, fun mess. She's funny, and a bit all over the place, but her and Evan know each other from school, which is pretty cool. 

Maia is unique, she's very focused, and on edge. Never letting anything bother her. She's also witty, she's the one winning most of these card games, a strategist. Amalia comes from a rich family, but doesn't fall into the "rich girl" category. She's made a name for herself in her home town, she's class president, and above all that, super positive. Avalon, has been super intentive about listening to everyone else's stories but hasn't said a whole lot. It worries me, but I know he's okay by his demeanor. 

"Yo Orion, play your card" Evan says, giving me a look, not happy that I slowed down the game with my distracted thoughts. 

"Sorry" I mumble, throwing my card down while Jack chooses his next ones. "So, I already know the answer, but about the Clint scenario" I say, and everyone changes their demeanor.

Avalon speaks up at this, more than he has the entire time. "Ace and Spade, those were the two who killed Clint, and broke into the headquarters. Apparently, after talking to Miles, they are ex Corp 4 members" Maia lets out a small gasp next to me. "They were after a flash drive"

"Geez, Miles sure told you a lot" Amalia said, playing her card. 

"Yeah, that's all I know about the situation. What's on that flash drive? No idea. Why did they want it? No clue" Avalon said, placing his final card down and winning the game. 

Whatever Ace and Spade wanted, is unknown. Unless there is more Cameo and Miles isn't telling us, and that's probably true. They shot Clint, almost killed Cameo and Miles, and could have killed us all. All for a flash drive, that they think is here at Corp 4. 

Whatever is on that flash drive, it must be important. And I want to know.