"I'm just confused, what their goal is," said Monti, laid back on a bamboo lounger with a laptop balanced on his thigh.
The hotel was always an amazing place. So many different rooms, each unlike the last. Right now, they were lounging by the pool, shielded by a massive wooden canopy woven from dark, polished bamboo. The pool itself stretched out like an Olympic-sized basin, lined with shimmering granite tiles carved into intricate, floral designs. Truly, it was built with meticulous detail and patience.
"What do you mean?" replied Kínitos, wearing only swimming trunks, the jagged scar from a knife wound still stark against his black skin. He walked over with a plate of fresh fruit and laid down beside Monti, grabbing a handful of tart elderberries.
"Like, are they trying to be the only gangs?" mumbled Monti, dark berry juice trickling down his chin before he quickly wiped it off with the back of his hand.
"Hmm, it really doesn't make sense. They're a group of paradox users dealing with ordinary people—it's like they personally cause problems," said Kínitos, tossing a berry into his mouth.
"Because they are. If they're looking for paradox users, the biggest problem is that there aren't many of us," said Dante.
"So what—they trying to make more paradox users by creating more paranoia?" said Monti.
"I mean, then why do they need Marco? What does his ability do that they want so bad?" said Kínitos.
"No clue, man... Can we trust him?" questioned Monti, grabbing a chunk of pineapple from Dante's plate and taking a bite. As he chewed, Kínitos finished his orange juice, leaving a sticky citrus sheen all over his lips.
"Marco? Why not? He hasn't done anything bad, has he?" pondered Dante. Just then, the doors slid open and in came Sarah, wearing a sleek, tight-fitting one-piece swimsuit that clung to her athletic frame.
"That's not it. You're not seeing it—we trust him too quickly," said Monti, grabbing a napkin and gently wiping the lingering juice from the corner of Kínitos' lips.
"He got attacked by them, so what's the issue?" said Kínitos.
"Hi, y'all," said Sarah, waving at them, her toned physique clearly defined through the wet fabric.
"Hey, gorgeous lady, how you doing?" said Dante, as the other boys waved back.
"Good, just doing some workouts," replied Sarah.
"I don't know, I still find it weird, man," said Monti.
"He was real quick to join and accept his position," said Kínitos, frowning.
"I mean, we're just going to have to see, huh?" said Dante. Just then, his phone started ringing. Picking it up, he began to walk away. As both men hung around eating and Sarah continued to swim, time passed by effortlessly. Before they knew it, an hour of rare, quiet peace had slipped through their fingers.
Sarah eventually climbed out of the pool, wringing water from her hair as she walked through the door. Right after, a crackling message came over the intercom: "Everyone to the dinner table for a debriefing."
"That sounds important," said Kínitos, throwing his flannel shirt back on. Monti followed suit, hastily pulling his t-shirt over his head.
Walking into the dining hall, both men sat down next to Dante. Sarah and Jes were already sitting beside each other, while Violet and Vex walked in last, looking slightly out of breath.
"What's the word, ladies?" said Dante.
"Nothing much—it was the fake toy maker. We grabbed a briefcase stuffed with files and some important blueprints. Turns out, the toy maker and Two Fangs are meeting up," said Vex, setting a sleek leather case on the table.
"Well, zombies are being made and spread, so I don't know about any of that," said Sarah, shaking her head.
"True. I hate that damn river—it's always packed with illegal contraband going through there," said Vex.
"We can't find them, and the gangs are mad at each other," said Dante.
"Well, looks like two gangs," he started to say.
Then, something popped into Kínitos' head like a flickering light bulb.
"Wait. Let's go after the undead," said Kínitos, sitting up straight. "Who's to say it won't lead back to them, you know?" he continued.
"I see what you mean," replied Vex, nodding thoughtfully.
"I mean, I just need their scent and I'll locate them," said Violet, her dark eyes narrowing with focus.
"Well, the Stack is a good place to start. Also, speaking of the Stack... Elena. What are we gonna do about her?" said Dante.
"Well, she's pretty much healed up, so somewhere safe she needs to go," said Jes, folding her arms.
"I know someone. Her name's Bái—she runs a quiet little shop out at the edge of the district. Real nice lady," said Monti.
"Then I'll go over and talk to her. Want to join me, Monti?" asked Jes. Monti nodded in return.
"Kínitos, do you want to go with Violet to the Stack and see if we can find any more evidence of Two Fangs?" asked Vex.
"Yeah, I'm down," answered Kínitos, giving a firm thumbs-up.
"How about me?!" asked Dante, perking up with boyish excitement.
"Actually, Jade has something for you, so..." said Vex with a sly smirk, leaving the sentence hanging.
In a burst of speed Dante was off.