Chapter 53: Happy Meal
After that, the night had gone surprisingly well. They’d returned to the cave, lit a fire, warmed up, and above all, finally got to enjoy the long-awaited meal.
The pair of hares had been shared fairly — well, almost. Maggie had devoured one all to herself, while the second was split between Dylan and Élisa.
It had been quite a sight to see her tear into the creature with a hunger they never expected from her. She had never eaten with such... passion.
Even Élisa, usually unimpressed by anything, had stopped chewing for a second to watch her, eyebrows raised. Dylan didn’t even dare comment. He’d just looked away, a bit uncomfortable — as if staring at Maggie too long might awaken some predator instinct in her.
"She looks like she just came back from a three-day forced fast," Élisa had muttered, not really expecting an answer.
After the meal, they had slid down against the stone walls, full and finally relaxed. The warmth of the fire gently enveloped them, and even the leftover raindrops dripping from the ceiling no longer bothered them.
Silence had settled. Not a heavy or awkward one — more like the quiet of a trio who, despite their tensions, had found a fragile balance in their exhaustion.
Dylan had closed his eyes for a moment, listening to the fire crackle. He thought of Maggie, of her gaze, of this new strength she seemed to carry. He couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like, just for a second, to be in her place.
This strength... could he have it too? Deep down, Dylan wasn’t naive enough to believe everything Élisa said, but the proof was there, right in front of him. Maggie was living proof.
Élisa was right: spiritual essence could break human limits. But in Dylan’s mind, it was supposed to be modest — a little strength boost, better stamina, that kind of thing. Nothing this extreme.
Maggie had moved with the speed — maybe even beyond — of a feline. Okay, he might’ve been exaggerating; he’d never seen one in action. But that was the impression she gave.