107 THE LAST TIME

Zoe stared at Raigon from a distance. He was alone and he was not talking to anyone. 

As if he is craving to go back to his homeland, he stared out into the horizon with a longing look in his face.

Zoe couldn't control her itch anymore.

She drew near to Raigon and initiated a conversation with him.

"Hi!"

Raigon gave him a tepid smile.

"A-are you and Azra alright? Don't you have any dog marks?"

She was hoping to lighten up his mode by joking around. 

But it seemed it was to no avail.

Raigon drew in a deep breath.

"Listen, Zoe. This will be the last time that I will step foot on this land for now."

"What? Why?"

"Things are getting complicated. The royal guards were more numerous and merciless than before. I only came here for you."

This time Raigon faced her and pressed her shoulders gently before removing them away. 

Zoe tried to study his face but she couldn't understand what was going on in his mind.

But obviously, he was not at all happy right now.

He continued on. "I know how important this is for you. So I will let you finish it. But after it is done, I want you to go with me."

"What? But if I come with you, I cannot go back anymore, am I right?"

"Yes."

Zoe stared at Raigon's oceanic eyes to check if he was serious about what he is just saying right now. 

They looked chaotic as their angry waves were aggressively fighting against each other within them. 

"There is something else that you're not telling me."

Raigon bowed his head and looked away. 

He returned to the cold and indifferent man a while ago. 

"There you are again and your secrecy! I will be logically insane to choose to live in that City which I don't know anything about! And they hate an alien in their land like me!"

But she has disagreeing thoughts inside her head.

'What about your past? And what about Raigon? Don't you want to see him anymore?'

"Stil…. Uggh!" Zoe breathed out as she stomped her feet.

"This is a very hard decision that you're asking me!"

"I'll give you time to think. I'm sticking around until the end of the game. You can tell me your answer then."

"But -"

Zoe was about to ask how she would live there or is there another option. 

But Erin clapped her hands and called everybody's attention. 

"Let's get the ball rolling. We don't have all the time in the world, people."

Zoe furrowed her brows at Raigon as they walked back to their tribe. It looked like there was a lot going in his mind that he was not even casting a glance at her.

Zoe's face softened, thinking that there may be a lot more that he didn't tell her that is upsetting him right now.

"Listen, everyone! This will be our last game and it will be called Warrior's Choice."

"The last game?!" Everyone blurted out in dismay and disappointment.

"But we're only just starting to have fun!"

"I know. But our time on this island is only limited. So we have to bear with it." 

Zoe peeked at Raigon. 

"It's just a short time to think things through!"

Erin continued on with her instructions. 

"Each of you can choose your own tribal weapon. We have a blow dart, spear, and bow and arrow."

Erin then presented the weapons on the table with Koby guiding them. 

"The mechanics of the game will be as follows. There will be a playdown between both representatives in each team. The closest castaway to the target wins. The losers will be out in the challenge completely."

"What? You're getting scarier, Erin!" Enzo blurted out.

"I'm sorry in advance, Enzo!" Erin apologized to Enzo in a coy manner.

"Don't worry, winners of each tribe have a choice to bring back a lost member or to slay one of the opponents' team members."

"Wow, that's a good twist!" Clay reacted.

"But a member cannot be brought to life twice," Erin explained.

"Aww, that's just sad. I thought I could be resurrected twice even just in the games."

Kristie thought out loud. 

She had a car accident before. But fortunately, she was given a chance to live again when she survived it.

But doctors have found a tumor in her brain, which she was battling right now.

"Ssh! Don't say that."

Zoe embraced Kristie and kissed her on her hair.

"Thank you, big sister."

Kristie beamed back at her.

"The last man standing will be the Survivor King or Queen. She can choose between the $100,00 cash award or the one-month free hotel and lodging and Eco Tours at Lord Howe Island Grand Hotel. His or her tribe will also have consolation prizes!"

"Yehey! Who could it be?" 

They all murmured and cheered on each other.

"Okay, you can choose your weapons now and try to practice with it before we start our game," Erin concluded the orientation.

Everyone circled the table with the weapons. Zoe picked up a bow and arrow.

"Who do you think will win this game?" The Norfolks asked as they grouped together.

"I don't really know. Whoever she or he is, she or he surely deserves it. We all work hard." 

Zoe smiled at everybody.

"Yeah. And even though we don't win the monetary awards, we won the greatest prize of all. Each other," Kristie grinned at everyone. 

"I think this calls for a group hug!" Anika shouted. 

"Wait, I'll call on Mr. Gao! He's also a Norfolk!" 

Kristie dashed to Raigon and pulled him toward their circle.

"Wait!" Raigon tried to pull off his arm gently.

But Kristie is decisive as he tugged him all the more.

He pulled him beside Zoe, who also gave him a welcoming smile. 

"Group hug!" 

They squeezed each other and laughed as they stumbled upon one another. 

Raigon couldn't help but chuckle as he sees Zoe laughing also with them. 

"Give me your hand!" Zeo cheerfully said as she put out her hand

They all put their hand on top of each other and shouted. "We are the Norfolks!"

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Friendship is one of the best gifts you can give to anyone.

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