While Daniel showered, Kristi organized the medical supplies. She placed the needle and suture thread back on the tray. Kenny kept glancing toward the hallway where Daniel had gone.
The silence between them was comfortable, yet heavy with something unspoken.
Kristi was the first to break it, without looking away from the supplies she was organizing.
"He's... interesting."
Kenny let out a sound that was half laugh, half scoff, shaking his head. "Interesting. That's one way to put it."
She shot him a sideways glance, head tilted as she finished putting the instruments away. A small smile lingered on her lips. "And you? What did you think of him?"
He hesitated, his hand automatically going to the back of his neck, a nervous habit she knew well. "He's way too confident. It's like nothing shakes the guy."
"Or maybe he just knows how to hide what he feels." She pulled a medical bag closer and began organizing rescue supplies with mechanical movements.
"Or he's just reckless. Haven't decided yet." Kenny pushed off the wall, his shoulders still tense. His tone wasn't entirely serious. There was a hint of reluctant admiration mixed with frustration.
Kristi stopped what she was doing and turned fully to face him. Amusement danced in her eyes. "Are you jealous?"
He looked away quickly. "It's not jealousy. It's just... he got here, and he's already completely at ease, like nothing surprises him. That kind of confidence gets people killed in this place." He spoke too fast, clearly trying to mask his discomfort.
"He ran all the way here to ask for help," she reminded him. "That's no small thing."
"Yeah," Kenny admitted, relaxing a bit. "Maybe. Still, I'm keeping an eye on him."
Kristi closed the medical bag and walked toward the door. "I hope so. Someone has to." She looked at Kenny with that look that always left him flustered. "But you don't need to worry. He's not my type."
He blinked, surprised. "I wasn't—"
"Of course you weren't," Kristi cut in, clearly enjoying his discomfort.
Kenny opened his mouth to reply, then closed it again, shaking his head with a small smile. "You're impossible."
She shrugged and walked out, leaving Kenny alone with his thoughts.
---
Daniel took a quick shower with liquid soap, feeling the sweat and grime wash away. The cold water helped clear his head and ease the tension in his muscles.
After a few minutes, he heard a knock at the door.
"Here are the clothes," Kenny said.
"Thanks. How are the preparations to rescue the idiot?" Daniel took the clothes through the crack in the door. Blue jeans, a gray plaid vest, and a pair of underwear.
"Could be worse."
"Boyd is almost ready to go," Kenny replied from the other side of the door.
"Good. I'm coming too."
Daniel opened the System shop and bought a pair of underwear, black socks, and a towel for a total of thirty silver coins. No way I'm wearing that underwear without knowing where it came from.
After drying off, he put on the new underwear and stored the one Kenny had given him in the inventory. He put on the jeans and the sleeveless plaid shirt, which was really more like a plaid vest that left his arms exposed. He stored the sweaty socks from the run along with the towel, then put on the new socks and his military boots.
He took a quick look at himself in the foggy bathroom mirror. The plaid vest fit his build well, leaving his muscular arms exposed.
[Ah, yes, the 'rugged survivalist' look. The girls will love it. Or think you're a lumberjack.]
"A lumberjack is popular these days, too."
When he stepped out of the bathroom, Kenny was waiting outside.
"I don't know if Boyd will want to take you."
"We'll find out when we get there," Daniel said, adjusting the vest. "Let's go."
Daniel left the clinic with Kenny and Kristi. They headed to the sheriff's station and saw Boyd organizing tools in the back of an old pickup truck. In the truck bed were thick ropes and a chainsaw.
Boyd looked at Daniel as he approached. "You should stay here and rest."
"That's not happening. Let's go, Sheriff. Let's avoid the argument." Daniel kept his tone firm. "We don't know the idiot's condition, and the sooner we go, the better."
Boyd stared at him for a long moment, making everyone nearby uncomfortable. There was something about the kid that bothered him. The excessive confidence. The way he spoke like he'd already seen worse. But on the other hand, he had run all the way to town and made it in time. And he'd given a useful suggestion for the rescue.
"All right," he conceded, running a hand over his face with a sigh. "But you stay quiet and do what I tell you. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Daniel replied with a military salute.
I'm already regretting this, the sheriff thought, rubbing his face.
Kristi let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Stubborn, huh?"
"Persistent," Daniel corrected.
Kenny rolled his eyes. "This is going to be trouble."
"Probably," Daniel agreed, still smiling.
The priest Daniel recognized from the series was driving. Boyd climbed in and sat beside Kristi. She had handed the heavier medical supplies to Kenny.
Daniel and Kenny climbed into the truck bed.
The pickup roared to life, its old engine rattling.
---
The wind hit Daniel's face as the truck sped down the road. Kenny sat across from him. The engine noise blended with the rustling trees rushing past in a blur.
"So, are you crazy or just very confident?" Kenny asked, breaking the silence, still impressed that Daniel had challenged Boyd.
"Maybe both. Depends on the day."
Kenny tilted his head, eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Boyd... doesn't usually get along with people who talk too much. Or act on impulse."
Daniel raised an eyebrow, amused. "Translation. He doesn't like me."
"That's not what I said," Kenny replied, though the corner of his mouth betrayed a half smile. "Just... don't give him reasons."
Daniel nodded, his tone lighter. "Fair enough. I promise I'll behave, at least until the next disaster."
Kenny let out a brief sigh, somewhere between irritation and a laugh. "You act as if you've already seen worse. Like you already know what to expect." He remembered the conversation he'd had with Boyd about Daniel.
Daniel was surprised by the observation, but kept his gaze steady. "I've been through tense situations before. Extreme sports, dangerous trails. That kind of thing teaches you to stay calm."
"Hm." Kenny didn't seem fully convinced, but let it go. "Just... stay alert. This place changes people. And not always for the better."
"Got it." Daniel tapped the metal side of the truck bed lightly, his tone more serious now as his eyes met Kenny's. "I didn't come here to get in the way."
Kenny nodded, relaxing a little. They fell into silence for a moment, the engine and wind filling the space.
"And you?" Daniel asked. "How long have you been stuck here?"
Kenny sighed. "Too long."
"That must be hard."
"It is." Kenny looked up at the sky, which was beginning to darken. "But you get used to it. Or at least, you try."
Daniel watched him. There was fatigue there. Resignation. But also determination. He's strong, Daniel thought. The kind who carries the weight without complaining.
[Look at you, making friends. What growth.]
Shut up.
---
The truck came to a stop with a screech of brakes, kicking up dust that glowed orange in the late afternoon light. The engine shut off, leaving only the sound of wind in the trees.
Tabitha, Julie, and Ethan stood near the trailer, their expressions tense. When Julie saw Daniel, relief washed over her face.
He jumped down from the truck bed, landing with a dull thud. Dust rose around his boots.
Julie stepped closer and let out the breath she'd been holding, her shoulders relaxing. "I knew you'd make it."
"Told you I'd be back, didn't I?" He shrugged with a proud smile.
Boyd got out of the truck, already assessing the situation. "Where's the car?"
Jim, emerging from the trees after hearing the engine, called out. "Here. Stuck between two trees. We did what we could, but we couldn't get the guy out."
The sheriff nodded and began giving orders. "Kenny, grab the ropes. Daniel, bring the chainsaw. Kristi, check on them while we deal with the car." He finished by pointing at Tabitha, Julie, and Ethan.
Everyone moved quickly. Daniel grabbed the chainsaw from the truck bed. It wasn't too heavy. Kenny picked up the thick rope and slung it over his shoulder.
Daniel followed the sheriff to the overturned car, stepping over broken branches and damp leaves.
Tobey was unconscious in the driver's seat, suspended upside down by the seatbelt. Blood ran down, forming a small pool on the crushed roof.
Jade knelt beside the car, his hands trembling. "Tobey... man, wake up. Please..." The adrenaline seemed to have flushed the drugs from his system all at once. His eyes were wide, his breathing uneven.
Boyd assessed the situation, rubbing his chin. "I don't think it'll be too complicated. The car's at the right angle."
"The towing idea?" Daniel asked.
The sheriff gave a curt nod. "Yeah. We brought a strong rope for that." He turned to Kenny. "Tie the rope to the car. We'll pull it out with the pickup."
While Kenny secured the rope to the sedan's chassis, Boyd approached Jade.
"Hey," the sheriff said, his voice firm but calm. "What's your name? And your friend's?"
Jade looked up with bloodshot eyes. "My... my name's Jade. His is Tobey."
"Okay, Jade. I need you to stay calm," he said, crouching down beside him. "We're going to help your friend, but if you panic, it won't help at all. Understand?"
Jade jerked his head in agreement.
"Go see the medic so she can check you too," Boyd continued, pointing toward Kristi. "You need to be in good shape to take care of your friend."
Jim took Jade by the arm, helping him up, and led him toward Kristi.
===========================
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