[Win – 1:07 a.m.]
The fire's just a glow now.
No one says anything.
Not after what Kao told us.
Even Dean's stopped fidgeting.
I look around the circle.
Best's group used to eye her like she was made of knives.
Now?
They watch her like she's a war survivor.
Like someone who's been through hell… and chose to stay behind for us.
Best clears his throat.
"That story was…"
He doesn't finish.
But he looks at Kao.
Nods once.
Respect.
That's what it is.
I sit up, rub my palms together.
"Well, now I feel boring,"
I say.
Jack snorts.
Emily smiles.
"I used to hate school,"
I begin.
"But there was this one stupid day—"
---
[Flashback – Win, Age 16]
We were in the science lab.
Palm mixed the wrong chemicals and set the table on fire.
Min screamed.
Lin threw her slipper at him.
Even the teacher laughed.
I remember laughing so hard I fell off the stool.
We got detention.
All of us.
We sat under the stairs and shared chips like prisoners.
That was the first time I felt like I belonged somewhere.
---
[Back to rooftop]
"I didn't realize how lucky I was,"
I say.
"To laugh like that. Freely."
Everyone's quiet again.
I look at Palm.
He's staring into the fire, expression unreadable.
Best shifts.
"I wanted to save my little sister,"
he says.
"She was stuck in a bathroom when it all started. Screaming. I broke down the door. But I was late"
He doesn't say more.
He doesn't need to.
[1:20 a.m.]
"I know we might not make it,"
I say.
"But…"
I pause.
Then smile.
"If we survive this — really survive — let's have a campfire again."
"A real one."
"With marshmallows. With stupid stories. In a deep forest. With no monsters."
Jack gives a tired thumbs-up.
Dean mumbles,
"Marshmallows are gross."
FahFah says,
"I'll bring a guitar."
Palm… just smiles softly.
[1:26 a.m.]
One by one, they drift off.
Kao lays beside Lin.
Emily snores softly.
Even Dean curls into a ball beside the crate of food.
I'm still awake.
Watching the fire.
Watching Palm.
He looks peaceful tonight.
I wonder—
If I'd said something sooner, would we have had more time?
The sky above us stays dark.
But for once—
We're not afraid of it.
Was this the calm before storm hits?
___________________________