Chapter 96: CH 096: Challenge and a Bet

Chapter 96: CH 096: Challenge and a BetAs the challenge was issued, Dave nodded, a determined glint in his eye. "Alright, I’m in," he said, his voice firm. The twins, Aurora and Eldora, exchanged a look, their faces alight with excitement. Jackie, however, looked less than thrilled. "Girls, are you sure about this?" he asked, his brow furrowed with concern. But the twins were resolute on their decision, "No interference, brother," Aurora said, her voice firm. "This is between us and Dave." Eldora nodded in agreement. "And you don’t have watch the fight either. We need to see if Dave is truly worthy of leading us." Jackie’s face twisted into a mixture of worry and resignation. He knew better than to argue with his sisters when they had their minds set on something. With a final glance at Dave, Jackie turned to leave. "I have to go, anyway," he said, his voice low. "I need to oversee the beast outing and make sure everyone gets out of the factory safely." The twins nodded, their attention already focused on Dave. As Jackie bid Dave farewell, his voice was tinged with concern. "Take it easy on my sisters, okay?" he asked, his eyes serious. Dave nodded, a reassuring smile on his face. "I’ll be careful. I won’t hurt them... badly," he added, trying to lighten the mood. With a final glance at Dave, he turned to leave, his footsteps echoing through the corridors as he made his way to oversee the beast outing. As Jackie departed, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The twins’ eyes locked onto Dave, their expressions intense and focused. Dave, sensing the challenge ahead, steeled himself, his muscles tensing in anticipation. The fight was about to begin, and obviously, only one person would emerge victorious. The twins then proceeded to lead Dave to a large courtyard, the space transformed into a bustling training room. The sound of clashing fists and feet filled the air as women trained and sparred with each other. Some sat on the sidelines, discussing strategy, while other rested between their sessions. The atmosphere was focused, yet relaxed, with an undercurrent of camaraderie. Dave’s eyes scanned the area, taking in the various training sessions between different girls as he followed after the twins. Aurora’s voice rang out across the courtyard, her words clear and authoritative. "Everyone, clear the area. We have a fight to settle." The women training and sparring paused, their faces curious as they gazed at Dave. The sound of footsteps and murmurs filled the air as the women stepped back, creating a circle around the twins and Dave. Their eyes scanned Dave’s unfamiliar face, his features a stark contrast to the faction’s members. One of the women whispered to another, her voice barely audible. "Who is he?" The other woman shrugged, her eyes fixed on Dave’s clothing. He stood out, his attire a far cry from the faction’s standard blue and black uniforms. The faction’s members wore their colors with pride, the blue and black, a symbol of their unity and strength. But Dave’s clothing was different, a green T-shirt and a pair of black jeans. He looked like an outsider, and the women exchanged curious glances, wondering who this stranger was and why he was here fighting. At that moment, the twins stopped in the center of the courtyard, their eyes locked onto Dave. "Let’s get started then," Aurora said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. Eldora nodded, and the two girls assumed fighting stances, their movements fluid and practiced. Dave mirrored their movements, his eyes darting between the twins as he prepared for the challenge ahead. The air was filled with anticipation, and the women in the courtyard could only turn to watch, their faces filled with interest. Aurora and Eldora stood tall, their eyes locked onto Dave, their movements were fluid and concise. Aurora’s eyes then narrowed, her voice firm as she issued another challenge. "Fight us with everything you have. Don’t hold back or pity us." Her words were laced with skepticism, her gaze piercing as she studied Dave. Dave, on the other hand, stood casually, a hint of a smile on his face. He raised an eyebrow, his voice laced with amusement. "Are you sure you don’t want me to hold back? Hope you won’t regret your decision later?" Aurora’s expression remained resolute, her voice sharp. "Wanna bet?" Her sister, Eldora, shot her a worried glance, her eyes flashing with concern. She knew Aurora was always defiant when it comes to fighting, but there was something about this guy that she noticed, he is so confident, which keeps on worrying her. And she wasn’t sure if provoking him was a good idea. But Aurora’s determination didn’t waver, as he propose her challenge. "If you’re able to defeat us, then we’ll accept you as the leader of the Merger’s faction. We’ll do whatever you wish for us to do." Her words hung in the air, the stakes high. Dave’s eyes locked onto the twins, his expression serious. "And if I lose?" Aurora’s smile returned, her eyes glinting with confidence. "If we defeat you, you’ll forfeit your position as leader, and you’ll have to do anything we ask you to do. Deal?" Dave tilted his head, his eyes never leaving the twins. "Deal," he said with a firm voice. "But you better keep your promise to do whatever I ask you to do." Aurora’s face darkened, her expression unyielding. "Same goes for you." The air was thick with tension, the challenge issued, and the stakes were high. ***** In another location far from where Dave currently was, the sun cast its early morning rays over a building, as it illuminated the weary faces of Simbi and her group. They sat in a huddle, their eyes fixed on the hospital in the distance. The building’s imposing structure loomed before them, its gates guarded by soldiers with stern expressions. Simbi rubbed her temples, her mind racing with the problem at hand. "We’ve tried everything," she said, frustration etched on her face. "But those soldiers won’t budge. What could they be protecting so much inside that hospital?" The group fell silent, their eyes scanning the hospital’s perimeter. They had seen what happened to the last group of strangers who had tried to enter. The soldiers had shot them without hesitation, and the memory of the sound of gunfire still lingered in their minds. Simbi’s eyes narrowed, her mind working overtime to come up with a solution. "We need a new plan," she said, her voice firm. "One that won’t get us killed on sight." The group nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination. They would find a way into the hospital, no matter what it took. But for now, they sat in silence, their eyes fixed on the hospital, waiting for inspiration to act. As Simbi stirred from her makeshift bed, her eyes scanned the group, her mind already racing with the day’s challenges, but then she notice the absence of someone. "Where’s Tasha?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. The other women exchanged glances, but their expressions didn’t convey the same level of worry. One of them shrugged, her eyes drifting back to the hospital in the distance. "She’s probably out scouting," another woman said, her tone nonchalant. The group’s usual banter and chatter filled the air, but Simbi’s attention remained fixed on the surrounding area. She expected Tasha to return at any moment, but as the hours ticked by, and the afternoon sun beat down on them, Simbi’s concern turned to alarm. Simbi’s brow furrowed, her eyes narrowing as she looked around the camp. She didn’t see Tasha’s familiar figure anywhere. And then, she had decided to meet the other women again. "Tasha hasn’t returned since morning, could something have happened to her, shouldn’t we start looking for her now?" she asked, her voice firmer now. The women exchanged worried glances, their faces reflecting a growing realization. Tasha was indeed missing, and no one knew where she was. ***** In a certain space, Tasha’s eyes had fluttered open and she find herself in a dark empty place. At first, the ground felt soft but then she noticed that she was on the bed. Not just on any bed, she was on the bed where Dave had tied her to. Her hands and feet were tied to the bed, but the place she was, she couldn’t understand it. She recalled everything that had happened between her and Dave, and although she said to herself that she won’t give in to him, she couldn’t believe that she eventually gave in to him. The memories flooded her mind, and it seems almost as if she was drunk and had just woken. She looked around her, but everywhere was dark, there was no sound and she also realized that she was naked. She couldn’t help but wonder what was going on, and with no other option, she had decided to yell out for help, maybe if someone could hear her voice they would be able to help her out. "Hello, please help me!" "Is anyone here, please help me. I’m tied to a bed over here!" However, there was no one that could reply her, because currently she was inside Dave’s void space.