I think sitting with him might ease it. I take a seat on a rock near the fire.
"What is it, son? Can't sleep?" he asks.
I shake my head slightly.
"Just a bad feeling. It makes the back of my neck feel heavy."
He turns to me and smiles.
"Same here," he says.
I'm quiet for a moment.
"Do you have a plan yet?" I ask.
Oliver tilts his head slightly.
"I think I do. But that plan will change if this feeling of ours becomes an obstacle," he says, ending with a soft laugh.
I give a faint smile and stand.
"Thank you, Oliver."
"Sleep well, son."
"You too, Oliver."
The weight at the back of my neck eases.
Sunlight brushes my face. Morning arrives. Along with the light, faint noise drifts in from outside the tent.
I slowly open my eyes.
"HIRO!" Rose shouts as she throws the tent flap open.
I jolt upright.
"Wake up. Everyone's waiting. Breakfast is already done, you know," she says.
I let out a long, heavy breath. Too heavy—because today means facing it all again.
I sit up slowly.
"Alright. I'll be there."
Rose starts to close the tent.
"Hey. Leave it open."
"Do it yourself."
When I step outside, the smell of roasted meat hits me immediately. Everyone is already sitting in a circle by the campfire—Santiago, Bartra, Grizz, Gruzz, the crew… but not Oliver.
Rose stands nearby, handing out skewers of grilled meat.
"Where's Oliver?" I ask.
"Hard to wake up," she replies. "Just like you."
I glance toward his tent. Come to think of it, what time did he even sleep last night?
"The Captain's always like that," Bartra says while eating beside me. "No problem starting without him. Besides, he likes his food cold, son."
I nod slightly. Rose hands me a skewer, and I take it. She sits beside me.
"Eat before it gets cold," she says.
"I like food when it's cold," I reply.
She snorts.
"You're just like my uncle."