𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝘆𝘀

✨16 ✨

As of tomorrow, we are to set on foot and set up camp as soon as we find a place. So far, everything looks barren, deprived of life, if there ever was such thing as life. This forest we are driving in is just purely dead. Trees so darkly grey, that they must have died long before I or any of us were born. The soil was now stone and anything that wasn't stone looked as dead as every carcass we had passed. I wondered what had happened here, and what awaited us even beyond this place.

MJ is driving, and he was not the least happy about it. He whined and complained over and over until JinJin gave him a stern look, and he was soon quiet for the entire drive.

Boredom overtook me during this trip. I watched the way every member interacted with their leader, and it was vastly different with each person. With Eunwoo, JinJin appeared to be the calmest. They were cordial with one another, and it almost seemed that Eunwoo was a co-leader with his "suggestions" and "advice." It was subtle decision-making for JinJin when he seemed unsure what to do.

For example, we were running low on supplies medicine-wise if we ran into an emergency after Sanha and MJ suffered bad migraines, but JinJin feared separating the group or even letting MJ teleport in fear that a camera might see him. Eunwoo was quick to calm his worries with no visions of a scenario where we'd need an abundance of first aid and if we were to need it, he was sure that there was enough for the seven of us. There was then scheduling drivers and JinJin's persistence in keeping me and Sanha away from the wheel because of us being younger, not to mention Sanha's powers being useful for distractions and mine not being in full control. Eunwoo disagreed, and mentioned that Sanha's powers were best not used if anybody did catch up to us, and I should be the only one that shouldn't drive, given that I do not know the area the way they do.

JinJin was very gentle with Sanha, I noticed. While others always voiced when they were thirsty or hungry, Sanha never had to as JinJin always asked him instead, almost every hour. When Sanha did say or do anything that may attend correcting, JinJin was not as harsh as he was with Moonbin. Instead of a raised voice or accusatory tones, he'd be quick to forgive and forget. I don't think it was Sanha's nymph-like powers. JinJin just genuinely worried more about Sanha. For good reason, as MJ explained that when Sanha lost his memories of his powers and most things that had happened, he became prone to forget to take care of himself, and for a while, had problems with keeping up with eating. I understood the concern then, but not to this extent of a super vigilant parent now that he was getting better.

When it came to MJ, JinJin was direct and straight to the point, with authority always behind his voice. It wasn't in an aggressive way, but as I watched them converse about possible routes to take, it was more of a "You owe me," way. Of that, MJ did not want to talk about. It seemed as though the two had common respect for each other, but when it came to ordering MJ around, MJ could get away with little complaining or defiance before that same stern look of before would take place. I wonder what MJ did to owe this much obedience from JinJin or if I was even interpreting their interactions correctly. MJ was very much unpredictable. Some days he was hyper and a jokester and complained about doing anything. On other days he was quiet and was quick to do whatever he was told. It was like watching two different people inside one body.

Rocky was rarely ordered around by JinJin. The scientist of the group was always typing away on his computer, I never once saw him take a break this past week on the road. The times that JinJin did approach Rocky to ask for something, it was entirely confusing to watch. It almost seemed like JinJin feared him, taking slow steps, using a soft voice, being careful with his words, as if Rocky were a wild beast. When JinJin needed calculations of how long we could go without having to stop and wash our clothes, JinJin barely got any words out before Rocky gave him such a dark look, JinJin nervously just said, "Nevermind." Before, I use to think Rocky and JinJin were probably the most communicative with each other, but I suppose they rarely spoke unless necessary.