The table was nothing more than a couple of crates pushed together and one actual small table, but with bowls and tin plates spread across it. It almost looked like a proper dinner table.
The smell of the veggie soup Mary had made lingered in the air, and it was mixed with a faint, sweet smell from the peach creme cheese cake Kai had helped, or more so, Sol had helped Kai make. For the first time since they'd been trapped here, they found some comfort and peace.
Mary ladled soup into Ivy's bowl, blowing on it gently before dipping her spoon in and getting a small amount for Ivy. "Here we go. Try it while it's still warm," she murmured and held the spoon in front of Ivy's mouth. Ivy sipped on it, and her eyes lit up. "Mmm, more, mom. Please."
Mary laughed and gave her daughter the spoon so she could have as much as she wanted. Ivy gripped the spoon, and her smile widened.
Sol sat beside them, Kai next to him. He smiled lightly as he watched Mary and Ivy enjoying the soup. Mary noticed him staring.
"Sol, how did the dessert turn out?" she asked and set her soup aside.
He awkwardly tried to answer. "You know, I'm not much of a cook," he admitted honestly, scratching the back of his neck. "But I think Kai might have saved me from poisoning all of you. So, it turned out pretty good."
Kai smirked and leaned back in his chair while looking at Kai. "Don't put yourself down. You picked out great ingredients, I just helped make them taste good together."
Mary stood up. "I think it might be time to taste the dessert," she went over to the tray on the small table. "Looks edible," she said as she picked it up and brought it over to the table.
"Looks edible enough," she joked as she carried it.
Sol smiled awkwardly.
She passed around pieces and gave the last to Chastity and Richard. Ivy took the first bite and almost gobbled down the whole thing. "Calm down, sweet. You might choke on your food." Mary warned. "So sweet!"
Mary glanced at Kai. "Just how much sugar did you put in this?" She took a bite, but she had to admit it was pretty good.
Kai shrugged. "Made with love, and not quite the best precision for a quick recipe."
Chastity's nose scrunched when she took her first bite of the cake. "Eugh, too sweet..." Ivy chimmed in. "That's what makes it good!"
Suddenly, Richard, who oddly kept quiet for most of the dinner, snorted from the far end of the table. "Sweet doesn't get us fucking out of here."
The mood suddenly dipped for a moment, but Kai still leaned forward, his grin sharp and his eyes narrow. "Maybe not. But it keeps us from tearing each other apart. That's worth something." Mary appreciated him trying to lighten the mood for Ivy's sake.
Sol also nodded, grateful for the deflection. "Right... We can't spend every second thinking about how trapped we are. We'll never escape that way."
Richard rolled his eyes and raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, so what, we just sit here and play family instead?"
Mary finally spoke up, her voice calm but firm. "We sit here and remember we're human. That's how we survive."
Richard muttered under his breath, but Ivy's laughter cut through the tension. She held up her spoon proudly. "I helped stir!"
Sol chuckled. "Must be why the soup tasted impeccable."
Kai leaned slightly toward her and lowered his voice, something that Sol noticed when he spoke to Ivy. "Don't tell anyone, but I think you're clearly a better chef than Sol."
Ivy giggled again, and Kai's smile seemed to widen as well. Sol groaned, but his smile betrayed him.
For a while, the conversation drifted. Mary asked Kai where he learned to cook, and he shrugged, offering half-answers that sounded more like riddles than stories.
After half an hour, they finally started to clear the "table" and tucked away scraps of food.
It was probably getting late, and Mary guided Ivy toward her blanket, helping her and humming softly as Ivy curled up against her side. Richard slumped against a wall and muttered something about wasted time while Chastity continued to clean the "dining table".
Sol lingered near the supply room, wiping his hands on a rag. Suddenly, Kai joined his side, leaning casually against the frame. Sol froze slightly and glanced at him. He hesitated before asking, "Do you think we should check what's behind the door again?"
Kai tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly. "I thought that was set in stone. Are you having doubts?"
Sol looked to his and crossed his arms over his chest, his face tightening with unease. "Everything here feels wrong... I don't even know if there's a way out. Do you believe what Richard said about the voices?"
Kai studied him for a moment, then shrugged. "Maybe I do. Or maybe those voices Richard kept whining about are the real clue. Either way, rushing at it again tonight won't change anything."
Sol sighed, tensing up slightly. "I don't really enjoy waiting..."
Kai smirked, his tone softer now." Patience isn't weakness, Sol. For now, waiting is the only move we've got."
Sol nodded, softening his posture and expression. "Okay, tomorrow, then. We'll look at it again."
Kai pushed off the frame, stretching. "Tomorrow, exactly. Tonight, we sleep. Try not to dream about creepy voices and locked doors."
Sol gave a faint smile, shaking his head.
The two of them moved back toward the others. Mary was already half-asleep beside Ivy, Chastity had settled into her corner, and Richard was snoring faintly against the wall. Sol lay down on his sleeping bag, and Kai dropped a few steps beside him with casual ease.
The room had gone completely quiet and still.
Kai was stretched out on a thin blanket, one arm folded under his head in place of a pillow. He looked perfectly at ease, as if the hard floor didn't bother him at all, but then again, he was great at hiding his emotions.
Sol noticed and frowned. He whispered, "You don't have a pillow?"
Kai cracked one eye open, his face slightly stoic. "Do I look like I need one?"
Sol shifted, pulling on his own pillow. "It's not exactly comfortable, right?"
Kai chuckled softly. "Comfort's overrated. Besides, I've slept on worse."
Sol hesitated, then pushed his pillow toward him. "Here... Take it. I'll manage."
Kai raised an eyebrow, sitting up slightly. "Generous. But if I take it, you'll just lie there awake all night regretting it."
Sol sighed under his breath, embarrassed. "But still... You should have it."
Kai studied him for a moment, then shook his head, settling back. "Keep it. I like the blanket and the hard, concrete floor against my back. Makes me feel... humble."
Sol lay back down, staring at the ceiling. He sighed softly and gave up trying to negotiate. He pulled the blanket tighter and listened to Kai's breathing to fall asleep. For the first time in a few days, the silence didn't feel suffocating. It felt almost... safe.