Within the next 30 minutes, Kieth had figured out a couple of things:
First, they couldn't leave because the cabin's door wouldn't open unless there were four different hands pushing it. It seemed like some kind of magical mechanism that unlocked only if four people were present. The windows also had an invisible barrier preventing them from getting out.
Second, the food and water were limited but sufficient to last a couple more weeks. The group had been packing everything they could find in the cabin to prepare for leaving.
Third, Kieth theorized they might not be that deep in the cave. If they were, there wouldn't be enough oxygen, and they would have perished long before he arrived.
Despite the circumstances, Kieth was surprised to find himself a bit excited. Previously, he had been stuck in a society where competition was at its peak, and the world seemed unjust to him. Now, he was in a completely different place, away from all that. He felt free.
One by one, the others came into the room and added to their supplies. When everything was packed, there were five bags in total.
"So many?" Kieth asked, finding the number excessive.
"Well, it's mainly food," Vasil replied, picking up two bags. "Besides, who knows when we'll get food again? Better to take as much as possible."
"Well, yeah, but I think you should leave some, just in case someone else shows up and starves," Kieth responded. "Also, we're not that deep in the cave. We'll get out soon."
"And what if we don't find food after we get out?" Rita asked coldly.
"Then—"
"Shut your damn mouth!" Rita interrupted. "I don't want to hear your useless opinions. Worry about yourself. If you care so much, we'll leave a bag and not give you any food. Sounds good to you?"
Kieth couldn't argue. She was right—they needed to look out for themselves. Still, he felt annoyed at how she acted like a jerk.
"Don't screw with him. He's being considerate," Akane said, patting Kieth's head.
"Let's just leave," Vasil said, trying to calm things down.
All four picked up a bag each, except Vasil, who carried two. They approached the door and pushed it together. The door clicked and swung open. For some reason, it felt intimidating.
They walked along the only path available, which seemed to slowly elevate as they went. The air grew colder.
"Think we're getting closer to the exit!" Akane said excitedly, looking at Kieth, who smiled back.
Suddenly, Rita made a hand gesture, signaling them to stop. They fell silent and listened. Faint sounds of people talking reached their ears, along with chilling screams and laughter.
In normal circumstances, hearing other people in a cave might feel like a blessing. But here, the combination of eerie screams and laughter made their blood run cold.
"Clearly, they're psychopaths," Vasil whispered to Rita. "We don't have a choice. Either they'll reach us, or we'll reach them. There's only one path."
"I know that, genius," Rita replied, glaring at him. "Stay sharp and quiet."
They crept toward the sounds and spotted a group of seven people. Five were talking and laughing, while the other two looked terrified. One of them, a middle-aged man, was screaming in pain.
Vasil covered Akane's eyes as she began to shiver, shutting her ears. The man's arm had been torn off, blood spilling onto the cave floor, while the others mocked him mercilessly.
Kieth's gaze fell on the corpse of a strange creature. It resembled a wolf but had no eyes. They killed that thing and are letting one of their own die, he thought.
It was clear stepping in wasn't a good idea—they were outnumbered, and these people had already killed a monster.
"HEY! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? LEAVE THOSE TWO ALONE!"
The last person Kieth expected to step in and reveal their location was Rita.
"What in the actual fuck is she doing?"
The group turned to Rita, their chatter silenced as they glared at her. Vasil told Akane to stay put and stepped forward to stand beside Rita.
"Boss, it seems like they've got food in the bags," a short man whispered to a taller one, clearly the leader.
The leader was silent for a moment before saying, "Kill them."
"FUCK?! DID HE JUST SAY KILL? C'MON, WE CAN SHARE, CAN'T WE? NO, I THINK I'LL JUST GO BACK TO THE CABIN—"
"Kieth, come here and help us!" Rita shouted.
No response.
"KIETH, GET OVER HERE, YOU MISERABLE CUNT!"
Kieth slowly stepped forward, a grin on his face.
"Fellas," he said to the group, "why don't we talk a bit and share the food? No need for bloodshed."
"Kieth, they're psychopaths! You wanna side with them?!?" Vasil asked, surprised.
Kieth leaned toward him and whispered aggressively, "Listen here, they killed a animal which we clearly have never seen and outnumber us. How do you expect us to win? Huh? Don't act like heroes. We aren't heroes."
"What are you three whispering about?" the leader demanded.
Kieth turned back with a forced smile. "Nothing, sir. Just telling them the benefits of your help."
Rita shoved his hand away and shouted, "HE CALLED YOU A BITCH!"
"I NEVER—"
"KILL THEM!" the leader ordered.
Kieth froze as the group advanced on them. He turned to Rita, who was smiling.
"WHAT THE FUCK."