Is this destiny?

~ the main base of the Voronin family ~

The first round of one-on-one fights didn't end as the organizers expected. Their goal was to sort out competitors and to pick the most promising ones while giving to the others minor roles within the organization. However, two deaths and seven heavy injuries later, they decided to stop the fights and to reconsider their approach.

All the remaining competitors rested, and the ones with minor injuries got medical care. The unfortunate ones that earned heavy injuries (or died) were eliminated since something like broken bones takes months to recover from (and death is incurable), and they can't drag this competition for so long.

To prevent this from becoming a complete disaster, the rules changed: there will be no direct fighting; the competitors will get to show their skills and abilities by performing some tasks or activities on which they will earn points.

The Voronin family offered a list of activities that will allow them to evaluate competitors on speed, agility, strength, balance, as well as various skills that can be useful in the field such as mastery of weapons.

Every competitor needed to pick three categories to compete in, and Aiden selected the obstacle course, swimming, and shooting with a pistol.

Based on the overall points, they will be ranked, and the top 20 will get a chance to move onto the final test where they will form teams. No further information is available, and Hong guessed that the organizers don't know more than that either.

"This outcome caught them by surprise, and they are winging it…", Hong said. "But it should not be anything too dangerous because they don't want to risk losing more people."

Sarah was getting impatient. This was the evening of the third day how they arrived at the main base of the Voronin family and other than Aiden's one fight and meals in the cafeteria, they are stuck in their room.

Without internet or other entertainment, there is a limit to how much lazing around can pass time, and she already heard a hundred versions of Aiden's plans for their wedding. She knows that he is only trying to keep her occupied and talking about their fur-babies and kids and anything house-related only reminded her of the things she is missing. Sarah was desperate for some air and to talk to people or at least with Eve. A computer would help. But nothing was available. And the pregnancy hormones made everything worse.

"Why can't we go for a walk?", Sarah whined.

"We will risk bumping into our competition and being ambushed.", Aiden responded. "Since they can't take us out in official fights, they will be more aggressive."

Sarah exhaled in frustration. "I need to stretch my legs and get some air. This is suffocating. I already counted all the cracks in the ceiling. How dangerous can it be if we take a drone? And with our lenses, no one can ambush us."

Aiden gave in. "Let's wait for the nighttime. When the coast is clear, we can sneak out and head toward the lake. No one should be there…"

Part of Aiden hoped that Sarah will sleep off or forget about it, but he neglected how much excitement a promise of a romantic walk will bring to Sarah. She was almost bouncing on the bed while looking at the daylight fading away through the window.

Aiden peeked into Hong's room to tell him that he and Sarah will be out for some time. Hong didn't agree with this, but there is nothing he could do to stop them.

"I will get an ulcer before this ends…", Hong grumbled. "Why can't you stay put?"

"It's just a small walk.", Aiden said sheepishly.

"It's never JUST a walk. The two of you attract trouble. Hmph! Whatever happens, deal with it on your own. I don't want to know about it."

"OK. We will let you know when we are back so that you don't worry."

Hong snorted. "Fine."

Sarah and Aiden used the drone and Eve-lens to find their way to the lake without bumping into anyone. They circled on the opposite side so that they are away from the base. The lake is not massive, and they reached their destination in about fifteen minutes.

Aiden brought a blanket, and he picked a spot under a willow tree. With the lake in front, and lights from the base in the background, the moonlight above, and the darkness all around… it was romantic.

Sarah stretched on the blanket happily before snuggling in Aiden's embrace.

Sarah thought of something and got her phone. "I knew it. The jammers are much weaker here. Look… I have a signal. Almost. It's not enough for a phone call, but if we go another minute or two to the North, I'm confident that we will be out of range and we can use our devices."

Aiden thought that it makes sense. "Jammers are probably inside buildings, and they can't have a big range."

"I suggest we walk North and see at what point we walk out of the coverage of jammers."

Aiden agreed.

Just as Sarah suspected, about one minute later, she got a signal strong enough to make a phone call.

She spoke with JoAnna and Sophia and they heard updates that the Lebedev family is fine, their kids are doing their internships as planned, their fur-babies are restless (missing their human-parents), and that Gabriel's divorce is a done deal. Also, Gabriel's in-laws-are robbed of everything. The only thing they were left with were clothes they were wearing, their house, and the car. Their business was plundered as well. Only the walls and the empty space were left.

"I heard that they even emptied their fridge.", JoAnna said.

Sarah laughed. "That was savage. But… why did they leave the fridge?"

JoAnna and Sophia laughed.

Aiden exhaled in relief. This walk, hearing Sarah laugh like that… it was worth it. Now they only need to return to their room without bumping into problems.

Before ending the call, Sarah assured her sisters that things are fine and that they got everything under control.

Well, they all know that the 'under control' part is not true, but so far so good.

On their way back, Sarah slowed down when they reached a big rock that stood out next to the lake.

"This is a nice spot. It's peaceful.", Sarah said while leaning on Aiden.

The reeds swayed in the breeze that made small ripples on the surface of the lake and a few fireflies gave it a touch of magic.

Aiden agreed. "Yeah. It's almost like a separate world from the one in the base behind us."

"Can we have something like this on our property?"

Aiden smiled. "Absolutely. How about at the White Rock Lake? There is a lake already with reeds, and we only need to plant some trees and create marshy conditions at the riverbank for fireflies to start a colony."

Sarah approved. Aiden already has a plan. He is amazing like that. "Sounds perfect."

"I never thought much about fireflies, until you took me to the private island and used fireflies in the treetops where we slept. It was magical. I will never forget that."

Aiden's heart expanded from joy. "I am glad I managed to create happy memories for you."

"You created many. And you still do."

Aiden hummed in approval and he leaned to kiss Sarah. They were a fraction apart when they heard voices.

Aiden rolled his eyes in annoyance. Whoever it is, will get a beating. This was the lovey-dovey moment! And now it's ruined.

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