Everyone was ready to take action. They were determined to take the final step, despite knowing the risks and the punishment that might await them.
Every one of them was dressed in cloak-black to blend with the dark and move within the silent night.
Abel stood among them, straining his eyes in the oppressive darkness.
He focused, squinting to pierce the shadow of their hideout. He could clearly make out the outlines of the figures around him, the minute details of the rough cloaks, and the glint of the moonlight on Iris's sharp profile.
He blinked, remembering the constant blur and headache of his first few years. Six years ago, he couldn't have seen a foot in front of his face without his damn glasses. He mentally accessed his Status Panel, confirming the System's conditioning had paid off.
"Hey, you damn runt!" Kane barked. "Get your ass over here. We need to go over the plan one last time."
Abel sighed, but he joined the group in their tight circle to listen and go through the plan for a final time.
Iris straightened. "Alright you guys… this is the exact moment we've been waiting for. After years of silent planning and patience, finally we have a chance to kiss this hellhole goodbye."
That was more than sweet music to all of their ears and for a moment, it seemed almost real already.
But she quickly continued her speech. "But hey, let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet."
Kane snorted. "Yeah, we can do all of that after we leave this place."
Iris smiled faintly. "Right. Now remember, the plan consists of three phases that are easy to understand but also dangerous to exact, so listen up closely, 'cause I'm only going to say it once."
Abel grinned and quietly whispered to Kane beside him, "Hear that Kane? It's gonna be 'easy to understand,' so make sure that tiny brain of yours can keep up, okay?"
Kane clenched his fist in irritation, lowly growling. "Watch it, you damn runt. I'm seriously not in the mood. Besides, I'd rather save my energy for what's coming. Unless you want to screw this up, I say you do the same."
That was harsh, and what Kane said was a valid point to follow and put into practice, but what shocked Abel the most was…
'Huh… guess he's not an absolute moron after all. That's good to know, I guess.'
Without any more delay, Iris began explaining the plan, "Okay, like I said before, there are three phases."
…
"Phase One: Sabotage. Now, I don't mean killing or anything like that, no. What I mean is we are going to set fire to the greenhouse and let the chaos rain. The group that's going to handle this are…"
She then pointed, "Luna and Lena. You guys are going to take care of the fire and make sure it spreads."
Lena saluted with a grin. "No problem, just leave the flames to us — we'll handle it."
Luna laughed. "Yeah, yeah, just leave it to us, ha-ha!"
Iris nodded. "Great. We're counting on you two." She turned and added, "Now, the group set to lead the actual fire at the greenhouse are Abel, Kane, and me."
Kane and Abel shot each other tense looks but said nothing, Abel then finally asked. "Okay, but… what about Bruno? What's he going to do in this phase?"
Bruno fidgeted and murmured. "Well, I wanted to help but I guess I'd only get in the way, so I asked if I could just stay out of this one."
Abel hesitated but nodded, "Oh… that makes sense, I guess."
Bruno lowered his eyes. "I'm really sorry I can't be of more use to you guys."
Kane snapped. "Hey, don't worry about it. You already pulled your weight."
Iris smiled softly. "Yeah. And besides, I was planning on keeping you safe from the start, so don't worry about it."
Bruno was surprised but whispered, "Thanks…"
She then shifted. "Okay, we went through the details of the first phase. Now the other two phases are more critical than the last one, you see…"
"Phase Two: Escape. This is where we use the chaos as a distraction and put it to our advantage to break out of the estate. That is when we move to… Phase Three: Freedom. Reaching the stolen lifeboats and sailing to our freedom."
Though it did seem like a solid and reliable plan, it was still a fragile one, filled with its own deadly risks. They were ready, but also a bit uneasy, as the mood hardened.
'It was a good plan, and we have all the tools we need to make it happen. But…' He thought.
He looked at their faces and understood one important thing, 'This is real. Our lives are on the line, so failure is not an option.'
"I need everyone to understand the risk involved. If we get caught, or if the plan fails, we'll all pay with our lives." Iris warned.
Kane nodded. "Yeah, which means the best option we have is not to screw it up. We all know the risks Iris, and we'll all accept the burden and the price."
Lena sighed. "I hate to admit it, but Kane's right… annoying as that is."
Luna grinned. "Yeah! For once he's actually right. Being the idiot he is."
Kane snapped. "Oh shut it! Who asked for your damn opinion anyway?"
Bruno adde. "Yeah, Iris. Even if all of that is true, we all still trust you, and we'll follow you no matter what."
Everyone was united, and Abel, seeing how much everyone trusted Iris and each other, made him understand something very important.
"I think I get it now…"
Everyone turned to him.
…
"Ever since I got here, I always thought the only person I could trust and rely on was myself. I thought I didn't need anyone's help that I could do it all on my own. So…"
Yes, Abel was a stubborn and reckless person. That said, he knew he couldn't win on his own, especially with what little strength he had.
But now…
"I understand that it was foolish of me to think that way, I was being arrogant. But… I'm glad I got the chance to meet all of you, it made me realize how wrong I was, and so in a way I'm grateful I could be a part of this even as a burden."
Kane gritted his teeth in frustration; he raised his fist and nailed Abel hard in the head.
"You dumbass!"
"Huh?" Abel blinked.
Kane snarled. "The hell did you just say, you damn runt?"
Abel winced he ignored the pain and snapped back. "Bastard! I was being honest, what the hell is your problem?"
Kane grabbed Abel by the collar and shook him.
"My problem is your attitude! What's all this talk about you being a burden, huh? Let me tell you something, the moment you joined us we didn't consider you as a burden or a tag-along. Hell no… we considered you one of us, in other words… you're family."
Abel's eyes widened. "…What?"
Kane growled. "Yeah, that's right, to us you're part of the family. So don't you dare forget that you hear me?"
Abel was stunned… completely shaken by what Kane just said.
Lena teased. "Whoa, Kane, way to make it sound so corny, you softie."
Kane flared. "Huh?!"
Luna snickered. "Yeah, but what else do you expect from a meathead like him, sister?"
Kane fumed. "The hell did you just say, you little shits?!"
Bruno sighed. "Easy, Kane. You didn't have to hit Abel. You could've explained it more calmly."
Kane snapped. "Yeah but if we keep babying him he'll never toughen up, he will be a weakling for as long as he breathes. That's why we should push him while he's still growing."
Iris nodded. "Yeah, I guess you've got a point there. Hey Abel — you got that?"
To everyone's surprise tears silently slid down Abel's face and Kane stiffened. "H-Hey, what's with the waterworks? You better not be crying."
Abel snorted. "Hell no… I'm just sweating, that's all, dumbass." He wiped his eyes quickly.
Kane released his collar and grumbled. "Good. Now let's get the hell moving already."
Abel grinned. "Yeah!"
"Alright guys, it's time to move!" Iris commanded.
"YEAH!"