Chapter 95: Spot the Difference

“And the leader is breaking the rules himself,” Stacy smirked at Chad.

“And whose fault was it?” He shot back, his voice tender as he ruffled her hair. She poked her tongue his way. “You.” Her head was still reeling from the previous activity. Chad chuckled. “Yes, of course. It’s my fault,” he decided to humor her as he settled down on the edge of bed beside her.

“You’re just going to agree?” She raised her brows at him. “Of course. Do you want me to disagree?” Smooth. Too smooth. “Whatever, you rule breaker,” she replied with a smile. He gave her a nudge. “You like it.” It was a statement.

“Like what?” “All of it,” he smirked as he leaned in, “I dare you to disagree.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re a jerk.” His smile widened at that. “You said it already,” his low voice brought her back to a certain memory. Right on cue, her face flushed a deep shade of pink. “Jerk.”

“Your jerk,” he flashed her a smirk, “I can show you what a jerk like me can do again.” She stood up so fast he didn’t even have a chance to say the next word. “Don’t be ridiculous! The sun is up and the men are all around the place,” the words tumbled out in a breath. Chad watched her in amusement. “Said the one who started the whole..” She cut in before he continued on, “I should leave you to sleep.” With that said, she bolted out of the room, leaving Chad sitting on the edge of the bed.

He chuckled. What sleep could he get? He got up from bed. He would first take a cold shower before continuing with any other tasks.

Stacy bolted into her room, leaning against the closed door as she tried to calm her beating heart. What just happened? All of it, did it really happen? She covered her face with both her hands. The memories of what just happened replayed in her mind, causing her blush to deepen. ‘What would happen if those men didn’t come knocking?’ She wondered. Would they have already continued the.. ritual?

That evening, Stacy walked around the compound as usual. She had spent the whole afternoon in the workshop, trying to learn more about weapons. She found them amusing. When she started her study, time flew quickly and the next thing she knew was the sun setting.

As she walked, she saw a familiar figure squatting some distance away. The figure had her back to her, focusing on something on the ground.

Slowly, she inched towards the figure while making her footsteps lighter. Her muscle memories from all the hiding in the past came in useful. There wasn’t a sound that suggested she was moving. When she reached her, she bent down and whispered near her ear. “What’s on the ground?”

Nelly jumped with a loud scream, causing Stacy to smile in satisfaction. “So long, my doctor,” she flashed her teeth at Nelly. “You almost lost one,” she deadpanned after calming down, causing Stacy to burst out in laughter.

“What happened?” Nelly raised a brow at her. “Nothing! I’m just taking a stroll and you’re here,” she was all smiles. “I can’t point out what, but you’re different today,” Nelly narrowed her eyes, scanning all over Stacy, trying to find out the “evidence” like she was playing spot the difference without the original picture.

She was so focused in her detailed scan, Stacy flushed under all her fussing. “What? I’m the same person. I didn’t kill anyone!” She exclaimed wide eyed. Nelly clicked her tongue while shaking her head, as if reprimanding herself. “I’m not sure but there’s something different with you.”

Stacy waved her off. “Guess I’ve grown another few days older since you saw me.”

Nelly wasn’t satisfied. Her eyes lingered on the girl in front of her a little longer before she finally looked away. “What were you doing on the ground anyway?” Seeing the opportunity, Stacy changed the topic quickly. She squatted down at the same spot.

Nelly was quick to lower her body beside Stacy. “I’m picking up leaves,” she explained. Stacy’s mouth opened but no words came out of it. She snapped it closed and looked around the place. It was full of leaves. Then she turned back to look at Nelly like she finally went nuts. “But why?” She gestured at all the leaves on the ground. “Are you too free that you start cleaning now?”

“Noooo,” she dragged the word as she untied her pouch and showed the contents to Stacy. In it were two medium-sized leaves.

“Oh! You’re using it for something?” She turned and grabbed a handful of leaves from the ground. “Here’s more?” Nelly shook her hands quickly. “Those are dried leaves. I’m looking for fallen leaves that haven't dried up.”

“What for?” Stacy’s eyes were already scanning the ground. “I’m using it for surgery practice,” Nelly explained. Stacy simply nodded. She didn’t ask for the details. She won’t understand anyway. They started moving around like ducks, lifting up dried leaves to look for any fresh ones. “It’s like looking for a needle in the middle of the ocean,” Stacy said but she continued her movements.

“You mean looking for a needle in the haystack?” Nelly replied. “Yeah, that. And that. I think they are the same,” Stacy said absent-mindedly. “Well, I’ve never heard of the saying but it makes sense.” Stacy smiled. “You’re finally accepting something that’s not in your textbook?” Nelly shrugged. “I’m not that inflexible, no?”

Stacy simply gave her the side eye and continued looking for leaves without giving her an audible answer. “Guess not,” Nelly laughed at herself.

“That’s why we need someone like you in a group,” Stacy said from afar, “you keep the group grounded when everyone goes around the place and starts to fly.”

Just when Nelly was about to reply, someone ran over in a hurry. “Girls! There’s an emergency!” Both of them immediately stood in attention. “What happened?” Stacy was the first to ask. “There was a fight in one of the bars,” the man panted.

“Neil and Will were both seriously injured.”

Nelly’s pouch fell to the ground in a thud.

Her limbs moved on their own as her legs carried her back to the clubhouse.

‘Hang in there..’