Even on the island, crickets produced a symphony. Before the coalition settled, they snuck to Zuri and Oleg's campsite. There they found a blanket to use instead of lying on the grass.
However, only a few bodies fit. Sean rested in the middle of Lily and Kaitlyn, staring at the sky, connecting stars to discover constellations. Kaitlyn lay curled up, fast asleep. Azhir sat beside Lily, keeping watch and constantly monitoring Zuri who supported herself against a tree.
"Hear anyone?" Lily broke the silence.
"He isn't within distance... yet. I'd assume he doesn't have a reliable sense of direction... or he could be waiting for us to make a move..."
Azhir summarized his theory.
"... he's patient..." Zuri commented. "But he has a short fuse."
Azhir merely acknowledged Zuri's reading. Sean failed to comprehend Lily's explanation earlier regarding khata and delving in base desires. If Azhir wasn't on our side... or if he had absolutely no concern for the murderer and keeping anyone alive... Sean shuddered at the thought.
"Lily... can you reason with khatas at all?" Sean crossed his fingers. Before Lily responded, Zuri spoke up once again.
"Why would we listen to a human's reason when humans like you don't have any strength behind it." Zuri laughed.
"Basic decency for one." Lily retorted.
"But Sean, you aren't wrong to think like that. Some of them can be reasoned with. Some don't see the point in not wrecking havoc... some are just hardhearted." Her gaze swept to Zuri who waved.
"How long have you been in this whole thing?" Sean directed his question toward Lily.
"Long enough to know how to handle these types of people."
Sean lowered his voice to a whisper and turned his head slightly. He caught Azhir observing him a little too closely. Sensing the unpleasant eye, Lily gave Azhir a simple look. Immediately, he scooted a few more feet down where everyone remained in view.
"Azhir nearly strangled me to death on the first day... and he killed Tim... but I understand that he'd have no reason to hurt Jason or Mallory... yet...
"Why is he like this...?" Genuinely, Sean sought answers.
"Too much to sift through. When we make it off this island... don't bother trying to find out. Just leave this all behind. Never think about these past few days again." Lily warned.
Sean stargazed once more, his mind more a mess than before the conversation. Dealing with khata for the rest of my life doesn't sound like a career path I can go down reliably. But after all this... would the agency... no, I doubt they know what's going on. At the same time, shouldn't they have prepared for something regarding this? Where did they find people like Daniel, Zuri, and Azhir?
... Once we kill Daniel and escape this island... all five... or four of us if Zuri proves herself... maybe I could do a private investigation. Being a journalist never seemed to suit me though, and I'm not one to ask a bazillion questions. I'll never forget what happened here but leaving Lily and Azhir behind... Lily wants me to live a peaceful life, I'm sure.
Sean's eyes looked toward Azhir. Of course, that dumbass won't say it, but he rarely disagrees with Lily on anything. From the looks of it, how did Lily work some sense into Azhir?
Playing with the different scenarios and argumentative angles, Sean drifted to sleep.
~
Glass crossed her legs as she leaned her head on a fist. On the screen, six dots beeped. Five were gathered while one seemed to wander.
And now... the finale. Wouldn't be surprised if everyone dies. Would be a real loss to lose Sean and The Demonic Trinity. Glass drank her coffee.
Marie played with her hair, staring at the screen.
"Looks like there's one less after the others disappeared. How many people were on this island?" Marie asked out of boredom.
Glass straightened.
"I never exactly kept count. I just know this is where my pride and joy resides."
"Did you expect him to survive?"
Glass delayed in her response. Expect didn't feel like the proper word to use.
"... expectations crash easily. But... I have to admit that I'm getting a little excited."
Concern flashed across Marie's face when looking between Glass and one of the dots.
"Oh, while we wait... you never told me about your impressions from that island." Glass invited Marie to elaborate.
"As expected, Satan's Favorite didn't seem hung up on anyone nor displayed much actual fear. Though, it's a surprise that she isn't the only one left on the island. One more survived."
Marie concentrated as she explained further.
"Dodging a khata like her... avoiding unnecessary confrontations; he really is something remarkable. Is he another one of yours perhaps?"
Glass giggled. "You know I have eyes for those overflowing with potential." She sipped from her coffee as she flipped up a small glass case and pressed a green button.
~
While the darkness faded, Sean said a few things to Azhir before he gripped Zuri's arm and headed off. Sean walked to a clearing where Kaitlyn stood there, watching Lily on her knees and hands clasped together.
"You should join her." Kaitlyn encouraged. Sean hesitated in giving an answer. There was never any real harm in prayer, but he felt too conflicted and praying now came across as desperate and selfish.
"I trust her." Sean declined lightly. Finished, Lily rose to her feet and approached the two.
"Are we saving him the walk?" Lily begun.
"Azhir said that he heard him moving near, meaning we make some noise and he'll hear us in return." Sean laid out the plan.
"Since Azhir is the only one who can keep Zuri in check, she'll remain in his sights until the time she's needed. Meanwhile, he'll provide cover for us."
"With what? Cow dung?" Kaitlyn criticized.
"He's in the condition he's in because he was stabbed by a stake Zuri placed in different places across the island." Sean corrected. In other words, Sean made it clear that whatever a khata decided to use as a weapon, it'd be efficient enough.
"What... what can I do then?" Kaitlyn wished she'd be more useful, but her combat ability and instincts were lower than Sean and Lily's. One punch from Daniel and Kaitlyn had little doubt she'd be on the ground knocking on death's door.
"We aren't leaving you alone. Just stay behind us. If we fail, you can hide. Hopefully if Azhir makes it out, he can keep you safe for a little longer." Lily smiled despite the gloomy contingency.
~
The early morning breeze swept over blades of grass. Daniel stretched and popped his back.
Finishing Reyes and Oleg still irritated him. Till they're last breath, they were the most stubborn ones to die, the most stubborn people he'd ever snatched life from. They'll hold a special place in my heart. Facing the end with no hope of coming out alive. Daniel recalled stomping on Oleg's throat until he felt bones splintering. At first, he cursed himself for overreacting, but he refused to be sloppy with someone like that.
Whistling. Guess they've accepted their fate as well.
Daniel walked toward the call. Each step closer, his blood boiled. Heart palpitating in anticipation of this freedom. Indeed, this was better than following Zuri's machinations.
Daniel saw acting as a waste of valuable time, and it took extreme effort to hide his hunger. Therefore, when Sean allowed him to finally let loose yesterday, his motivation peaked.
"Over here."
Must be the little shit Azhir decided to take under his wing. Sean's ability to formulate a plan and execute said plan impressed Daniel somewhat. Nevertheless, he found his perception troublesome.
Passing more trees, Daniel heard rustling. Is he some kind of spider monkey? Rather... Daniel scrutinized the trees as he continued forward.
Hiss! However, this time it didn't come from lips. In fact, it approached Daniel. He nudged his shoulder slightly. A stone skinned his bicep. It hurt.
Daniel growled and dashed toward the stone's trajectory.
Hisss. One stone aimed at his forehead. He ducked his head as it whizzed over and threw up dirt, lodging into the soil.
A quick follow up struck his leg. Daniel grunted as he hoped on one leg for a couple seconds before regaining his speed.
Crunch! Daniel flew off his feet and crashed onto his back.
Multiple boots arrived as they positioned themselves a few meters from him. Daniel held his forehead as he rose to his feet. After a caress, his eyes widened.
Sean and Lily were in a standard stance. Zuri exhibited no tension, but she never needed to. Any underestimation would be met with consequences. Past them, he saw Kaitlyn. Clearly, she didn't intend to fight.
You shouldn't have come here then. Daniel smiled as he charged, sights on Kaitlyn. Sean stepped forward but another stone emerged like a heat seeking missile, striking Daniel in the forehead once more.
Roaring, Sean punched Daniel in his abdomen. Nevertheless, Daniel interlocked his hands and slammed them into Sean's back.
Ack! Sean collapsed on his face. Swiftly, Daniel dodged another stone thrown. Where the fuck did, he get all these stones from? Lily kicked Daniel in his side. He barely staggered. Before Daniel grabbed her, Zuri seized his forearm. Their eyes locked.
"You can still help me..." Daniel offered with a smile.
Zuri landed a boot in his abdomen. She quickly retracted to make another swing for his head, but Daniel caught her by the calf and threw her several meters away across the ground.
Sean raised slightly to jab at one of Daniel's legs. As if in insect was bothering him, Daniel peered down. Grasping the opportunity, Lily shot her boot into his chin. Daniel snapped back. He stepped forward, one strike disorienting Lily.
Heaving, Lily attempted to raise her guard. Nevertheless, Daniel struck again. Before Lily fell, he struck her jaw.
"Fucking..." Daniel mumbled as he threw Lily into a tree. Lily crashed into the tree, then flopped on the ground, limp.
"And now for you." Daniel twisted his fingers in Sean's shirt as he lifted him off his feet.
Kaitlyn trembled in the background, tears full of despair flowed out.
Sean gritted his teeth as he reached out and wrapped two hands around Daniel's throat, squeezing with all his might.
"Do you honestly think that'll do anything? You aren't a khata. I doubt that you'd have the mental fortitude to become one. But go ahead..." Daniel smirked. The vanity of his strength only empowered Sean's will.
"And while you do that..." Daniel wrapped his hand around Sean's throat.
"We'll see who passes out first." He challenged as he applied pressure, slowly, but it was still much more effective than Sean's attempt.
Suddenly, a quickening pace approached behind Sean. Daniel opened his mouth to taunt more but behind him, an arm wrapped around the upper part of his neck.
Zuri pulled him back in a chokehold. Sean let go and collapsed to the ground, inhaling weakly for air.
Daniel growled and screeched as he thrashed to separate from Zuri. Then his vision narrowed - Azhir emerged, fast approaching. One of his pupils were flooded with that same crimson.
Daniel gritted his teeth, struggling more.
Rushing past Sean, Azhir's fist carried raw hatred.
Crack! Daniel only had his arms up for a proper defense, but it wouldn't last long. Another khata was the last person he needed to receive any punishment from.
Where? Where do I...? One glance at where he saw Lily flung to and he retracted his gaze, searching elsewhere. As Azhir and Zuri tussled, Sean crawled.
A boulder? Panting, Sean worked his way to his feet and wrapped his fingers under the boulder. Gritting his teeth, he huffed and grunted as he brought it to waist level.
Drawing toward Daniel, Sean's arms screamed for release. He forced his legs to drag. Azhir and Zuri wrapped themselves around Daniel's arms, applying pressure as if to break it. He thrusted his body up, desperate to escape.
"Let go of me! I'm going to fucking...!"
Over him, Sean breathed heavily then screamed as he raised the boulder a little higher then chucked it into Daniel's face.
For a moment, Daniel twitched. His struggle weakened. Not enough?!
Sean picked the boulder up once more and dropped it again. And again... and again... refusing to stop, despite the apparent corpse.
~
Glass stared at the screen. Two dots faded. Four dots constantly blinked. For a split second, she narrowed her eyes, expecting more of them to vanish.
After fifteen minutes, she let out a sigh.
"Looks like they managed... mostly." Glass sipped her coffee and kicked her feet up.
Marie rolled her eyes. "You..." Her sight landed on the open case with the green button. Marie nodded as she turned back toward the screen.
"Good. Good. So, the retrieval team is on their way." Marie stated before bouncing to another topic.
"Now... you really think he'll stay after all this? No normal individual would. And from what I've seen regarding his file, there's nothing wildly abnormal regarding his life." Marie made her argument.
"That's the thing, Marie. Not all of my recommended candidates will survive. Fewer do want to be involved in this whole ordeal... but it's always nice when you know you've got a sense for these people." Glass leaned forward with a smirk.
"He's not going to stay. You might as well enjoy the high now." Marie cut in.
"Such a buzzkill." Glass whined.