The Accidental Journey: Battle of the Last woman Standing

Eating Worms

I saw myself walking in a beautiful garden with different flowers, trees and animals I have never seen before. I was wearing a full armour as if I was going for war and I had a sword in my hands. I walked for a long time until I got to a Junction with two paths, I was confused on which one to take. I tried to turn back but it was blocked by a wall that appeared out of no where. I didn't know what to do, I was lost and confused. Just then I saw a man clothed in white, he smiled but that was all I could see, I couldn't see his eyes for they were covered. 

''Come here child.'' he said stretching out his arm. I wanted to run to him perhaps he would be able to clear my confusion but I noticed a wide gap separating us, it came out of nowhere like the earth separated, creating space between us.

''I can't cross it, it's too wide.'' I said him.

He laughed for a while and said, ''Have you even tried?''

I stared at him confused, No one could jump that high, It's impossible.'

''No human can jump, the distance is great, It's not possible.'' I told him.

''Child, sometimes we have the power to do things and achieve great feats but end up not doing it because of fear. You have to face your fears, only then will you will cross this path, only then will you realise the next right path and finally will get to the place that has been prepared for you, you just have to believe in yourself, everything you need has been given to you.'' 

''That was when I woke up, What do you think it means? I am not one to have dreams.'' I told Xander. I couldn't fathom the dream I had but I knew it meant something.

''It's a weird dream, to be honest. My dreams are usually about becoming the greatest  and most handsome warrior in the Gamza facility, what's with a smiling man in white? It's more like a nightmare than a dream if you ask me.'' Xander says thoughtfully and I took the mental note to never ask him about such issues again.

''Last night was really fun, I've never had that much fun in years.''

''That's not surprising, you kept talking about it in your sleep.''

''I did not.'' He says defensively.

''Oh really? then tell me how I know you were the one who tied Kimer's hair with that of a girl named Danno Or how I know you farted and blamed it on your friend named Sam and don't get me started on the prank you played on one of the guards.....Oh and the fact that you were the one who ate the ceremonial cake!''

''Fine, I get it, I might have said a few things.'' He says looking flustered.

''A little?'' I ask in disbelief. ''You wouldn't shut up.''

''Trust me, whatever I said isn't close enough to half of all the fun I had, not even close.'' He says smiling and I couldn't help but laugh in return.

Xander kept me busy with stories about the facility, legends and of course some of his achievements of which I am sure not all of them are true. Apparently, their father is a very respected man in the Facility. He is third strongest man to the head of the Facility named Scarrio.

He told me all about Scarrio and how powerful he is. Xander described him as a very powerful and strict man who cared for the members of the territory. He referred to him as very strong and wise and that many people loved and respected him while others looked up to him. He is one of these people.

Everything was going fine. I was actually starting to get comfortable. I met some of the guards who came for routine checks and we had a normal conversation, well sorta, well the good thing is so far, no one has suspected I am a girl, no one looks at me like I am garbage and out of place, I was treated really well, like a very important guest. It was all great until it was time for breakfast. 

Xander brought the food to the room, it was covered in a beautiful ceramic plate with a lot of decorations. It looked really nice until I saw it's content, then I froze in shock. 

''Trust me, you're going to love it.'' Xander says oblivious to the mini panic attack I just had. Never in a million years would I imagine seeing worms dished out as food in a fancy bowl and the worst part was that I was the one holding the bowl!

''Are you okay?'' Xander asks looking worried.

''To be honest, not so much.'' I tell him.

''Please tell me, these are chocolate flavoured gummy bears and not what I think it is. I add on the verge of passing out and believe me I was so close to doing that.

''Well I do not know what gummy bears mean nor do I understand how a bear is going to fit into a small bowl but what I do know is what you're holding in your hands is a very delicious and nutritious meal.'' He says smugly.

''You cannot be serious.'' I say in disbelief.

''Oh I am.'' He responds.

I stare at it trying to look for a bright side and mentally slapped myself for even considering that in the first place.

''I'm sorry Xander but I really can't eat this.'' I say

He looks at me visibly hurt.

'' I spent two hours making this delicious meal and you couldn't even appreciate my effort by tasting it at the very least, I thought we were friends.'' He says and I felt really bad.

''Okay fine I'll take a bite.'' I tell him, I didn't want to be an ingrate.

It wasn't a pretty sight. I almost puked when I thought I saw one of them moving, I really hope it's just my imagination.

He smiled when I said I would take it and watched me excitedly.

I took a deep breath and imagine I was about to stuff my mouth with chocolate. Just as I was about to put it in my mouth, someone barged into the room.

''Hey Xander, Can I borrow......'' He starts and stares at me horrified.

''You do not want to eat that.'' He says shooting Xander a half frown and Xander only laughs in response, he laughs so hard he falls to the ground and the stranger who just came in was struggling to keep a straight face.

''What is going on here?'' I ask half relieved for the distraction and dropped the bowl in a hurry and half curious to what was going on at the moment but Xander ignores me and turns to the stranger.

''Domien, how many times do I have to tell you to stop entering my room unannounced.''

''Once and that's today.'' He says with a curious smile.

''You've never complained, is there something you're hiding?'' He asks suspiciously. I could see Xander tense a little at this. 

''Very funny Domien, I am a free man, what could I possibly have to hide? My awesomeness? He says regaining his composure and runs his hands through his hair and as if on cue, his friend I now know as Domien rolls his eyes just when I do.

''It's obviously not that, you can't hide what you do not have.'' Domien says with a knowing smile and Xander scowls in response.

''I am talking about the ceremonial cake, don't tell me you ate it all without leaving some for your best friend.'' He adds.

''I would....if I had one.'' Xander says in return and they both laugh.

''You didn't tell me you had a guest?'' Domien asks

''I don't have to tell you everything about myself Domien.'' Xander says 

''You honestly have no idea how happy I am to hear those words, you never shut up.'' Domien says with mock relief and Xander shoots him a frown that in actual fact looked more like a smile.

''I apologise for interrupting your little chit-chat but I really need to know what's going here.'' I say but they both laugh in response. 

''I almost tricked her....I mean him, because he's definitely a boy.'' Xander says nervously and I try as much as possible to stop myself from slapping some sense to him.

Thankfully Domien didn't seem to notice as he doesn't say anything.

Okay so I spoke too soon,

''You're not wrong though, he does seem to have a few feminine features. He must be one of those pretty boys.'' He says with a laugh and Xander joins him trying to stay calm.

I know I should be freaked out that he pointed out I had feminine features but all I could think about was that he called me pretty. In all my teenage years dressed as a girl, I have been popularly known as the Ugly Swan and now dressed as a boy with short hair, someone thinks I'm pretty, seriously, what is wrong with people?

In the bid to remove Domien's attention from me, Xander brings up the topic about why he was laughing like a crazy person the other time.

''You should have seen your face, you were horrified and I must admit; I do have awesome acting skills. 

''I was like, I thought we were friends.'' He says again laughing obviously enjoying himself.

''And you were like, I'll take a bite.'' He adds laughing so hard while I was fuming in anger.

''It's no longer funny Xander, you're no longer a kid, act your age.'' Domien says when it was clear he was trying desperately to keep a straight face. Xander notices this and laughs even harder.

''Just to be clear, you don't eat worms?'' I ask.

''Of course not, That's disgusting.'' Domien says.

''Xander plays that prank on everyone, don't mind him.'' He adds.

I stare at the bowl of worms in front of me and before I knew it, It was on Xander's head. I poured all of it's content on him and he literally fainted, well not exactly but he almost passed out but for a short while and Domien and I laughed like never before. That'll teach him.

''My hair....My beautiful hair.'' Xander says as rushes out of the room in horror muttering his grievances as he did so.

After spending two hours taking his bath, Xander comes back to the room ignoring me completely. 

The situation was so funny I tried hard to stop myself from laughing because I know how his mind works, I wouldn't be surprised to see a dead rat in my mouth the next morning.

Thankfully, Domien came to my rescue when I almost died of hunger. The food was edible, not as good as mine but definitely better than Fred's and my aunt.

''What do you have to say for yourself young man?'' Xander asks me, his hands crossed across his chest.

I stare at him uninterestingly and tell him nothing.

''Well that's a shame because I have a lot of things to say to you. He says and I knew this was going to be long speech.

''Thanks to your little stunt, I had to spend hours bathing. I had worms everywhere Riley.'' He says and I cringe in response.

''My ears...hair, there were millions of them, disgusting worms in my beautiful hair, my hairstyle and a portion of my self esteem was ruined because of that and most importantly.... you made me proud. He says with a smile I was so not expecting.''

''Besides the fact that I wanted a little laugh, I also wanted to see how you would react to certain situations that are not in your favour and you did well. When you start your training, the first message you want to pass across is that you are not weak, if anyone tries to push you down, stand up and push them further down. Your image matters a lot.''

''One day with me and you've already changed from confused little Riley into 'don't mess with me Riley.' I am such a good influence.'' He says dramatically and I laugh wondering if what he said was true. Have I really changed?

He cuts me off from my thoughts and says,

''Get some rest young man, we have a long day ahead tomorrow.'' He says like some wise old man talking to a small child and I for one had not gotten used to being called a man.

''But it's too early.'' I say in disbelief

''Don't object just do as I say, I'm in charge!'' He says immaturely.

I shrug and do as he says. I was a little tired anyway.