Marco, Ben, Jonathan, and Brandon had returned to the cabin, only Thermomix was missing.
- I'm glad you're back. But... where are Thermomix and Cesar?- Son said.
Vexana grew worried; she looked out the window with concern, waiting for Thermomix to appear.
The boys, seeing that they hadn't returned, also grew worried.
- Don't worry, they're strong. They probably just got delayed, but they'll be back- Marco said, trying to calm his own worry more than anyone else's.
- You're right. I know they'll come back- Vexana said with a smile, trusting that Thermomix and Cesar would return.
Roberta clung to her sister's leg, also worried about Thermomix.
- What do you say we serve dinner while we wait? When they get back, they'll be hungry too- Jonathan said to lighten the mood.
- It's a good idea, let's do that- Brandon said at Jonathan's suggestion.
- Finally, I agree with you on something, Jonathan- Ben said as he walked toward the kitchen.
Everyone chuckled softly. Jonathan rolled his eyes but also laughed, following Ben toward the food.
Everyone sat at the table with their food served, waiting for Thermomix and Cesar.
- Fuck, that forest is insane — we barely made it out- Jonathan said.
- You're right, those damn anacondas wouldn't stop following us- Marco said as he cut a piece of meat.
- Yeah, I thought I'd die there- Brandon said.
- Die and have your body eaten by an anaconda?... Disgusting- Ben said.
They started laughing again, lifting the mood.
- I told you it wouldn't be that easy- Son said with a smile.
At that moment, the door finally opened. All eyes turned to look — it was Thermomix.
- THERMOMIX!- everyone said when they saw him.
Though... their smiles disappeared when they saw his condition and that Cesar wasn't with him.
Vexana stood up quickly and ran to him to hug him and help him stay on his feet.
Son also approached him with concern to check his wounds, but was more terrified not to see Cesar with him.
- Th-Ther... wh-where's Cesar?- Marco asked, trying to keep his smile but his voice shaking.
- Cesar... he...- Thermomix looked up at Marco, his eyes reflecting deep sadness and guilt.
- He's dead- Thermomix said as tears welled up in his eyes and rolled down his cheeks.
Everyone's eyes widened in terror. They couldn't believe what he'd just said — Jonathan, Brandon, and Ben froze.
Marco approached with quick steps and roughly grabbed Thermomix by the collar of his shirt, pulling his face close to his.
- WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE'S DEAD, THERMOMIX?!- Marco shouted in anger.
Vexana got upset and tried to pull Marco's hands away.
- Let him go now, Marco!- Vexana said.
- That's enough, Marco, calm down- Son said firmly.
- I'm sorry... I couldn't do anything... An anaconda's acid fell on him and his stomach opened up- Thermomix said between sobs.
Marco still held onto Thermomix's collar tightly.
- SHIT! HOW COULDN'T YOU STOP THE ACID FROM FALLING ON HIM?!- Ben said, also angry.
Jonathan and Brandon also had looks of anger and fury toward Thermomix.
- YOU'RE USELESS, THERMOMIX! YOU ONLY HAD TO TAKE CARE OF HIM LIKE HE TOOK CARE OF YOU!- Jonathan said in anger.
- I'm sorry... I didn't notice...- Thermomix said between tears.
- STOP APOLOGIZING AND JUST SHUT UP- Marco shouted as he kept holding onto Thermomix.
Vexana squeezed her grip on Marco's hand tighter.
- Calm down already, and let go of him- Vexana said.
- He... he was suffering so much... he didn't want to suffer anymore and... I had to end his life with my katana...- Thermomix said with guilt, unable to hold back from saying it.
Everyone stayed still for a few seconds. Everyone's eyes couldn't believe it. The silence was threatening until... Marco let go of Thermomix to lunge at him, trying to hit him.
Son managed to stop Marco; she hugged him, trying to pull him away from Thermomix.
- FUCKING BASTARD!- Ben shouted as he threw his glass to the floor.
Jonathan drew his katana with a cold and threatening look on his face.
- FUCKING SHIT MURDERER!- Jonathan said coldly — he didn't look angry, but he was filled with rage inside.
Brandon stayed frozen, unable to believe it, as words of contempt and anger came out of his mouth.
- Son of a bitch- Brandon said.
Thermomix was filled with sadness as he heard their words, watching them approach him with deadly looks. Roberta started crying from the other side, scared by the situation and the tension.
Son lifted her foot and stamped it on the floor, making the table shake and freezing the boys in place.
- THAT'S ENOUGH!- Son said with authority, still holding onto Marco so he wouldn't get closer.
With a huff, Jonathan, Brandon, and Ben went to their rooms, upset. Marco pulled away from Son's grip, gave Thermomix one last angry look, and also walked away.
Thermomix started crying as he hugged Vexana. Roberta stood up and approached Son, while Son said to Thermomix:
- It's okay, Therm... you need to rest. It was my fault for sending them there- Son said.
Son looked at Vexana, telling her to take Thermomix to his room. Vexana carefully led him to his room.
Son picked Roberta up in her arms as she spoke to her with sadness she tried to hide from her daughter.
- It was my fault... if I hadn't sent them...- Son said as tears formed in her eyes.
Roberta hugged her with her little arms, trying to calm her down. Roberta understood the situation despite her young age.
Vexana spent the night next to Thermomix, who felt bad about his friends' words toward him.
The next day, Vexana woke up but didn't see Thermomix next to her. She got out of bed and started looking for him.
When she opened the back patio door, she saw him sitting on a rock. Vexana approached from behind and hugged him gently, her arms wrapping around his neck.
- It's okay, it's over. I know everything will work out later- Vexana said with kindness and affection.
- But... it was my fault. I couldn't protect him...- Thermomix said with tears again.
Vexana shook her head softly.
- No, it wasn't your fault. You couldn't do anything. It was a tragedy, but no one is to blame- Vexana said softly and slowly.
Thermomix's body trembled a little as his hand clung gently to Vexana's.
- But Cesar wouldn't have wanted you to die either, right?- Vexana said with a small smile.
Thermomix's eyes widened at Vexana's words. A memory of Cesar came to his mind where he said: "I don't want you to die, Thermomix. Vexana would be very sad."
Vexana kept hugging Thermomix and stroking his hair gently. Thermomix calmed down a little.
- So don't give in, don't be sad. Cesar wouldn't have wanted you to be like this- Vexana said with a smile.
Finally, Thermomix calmed down, breathing deeply and knowing Vexana was right.
- Yes... thank you so much- Thermomix said softly with affection.
Time passed. Two months went by, but during that time Jonathan, Brandon, Ben, and Marco avoided Thermomix. When they looked at him, it was with contempt and anger — they no longer spoke to him. The only ones Thermomix spoke to were Vexana, Son, and little Roberta.
Finally, the day of the entrance exam arrived. The boys got ready to take the exam. Son said goodbye to them, wishing them luck.
- Good luck, boys. I hope it goes well for you and you manage to get into the academy- Son said with a smile.
Thermomix said goodbye to Vexana with a hug.
- See you later, take care- Vexana said as she hugged Therm tightly.
After the hug, Thermomix said goodbye to Son and Roberta before leaving, walking away from the cabin and heading toward the entrance exam.