Rise Of The Hoarder

~What other choice do we have? We fight!~ Charles's voice came out of the speaker beside me as I lay on the mattress.r

"So that's your plan. Interesting…"r

The discussions after that were one-sided since Charles was explaining his strategy to the Camp executives.r

The summary of the matter was that a couple of scout teams would be sent to scour the area in order to confirm the possibility of a horde approaching. r

The scout teams had two days to complete their mission and return to the Camp to warn them of any impending danger, or assure them of the absence of any.r

The scouts were going to be a group of two each, and a total of four teams. They were sent to various areas to make the exploration faster.r

~In order to be safe, I'd like us to be as thorough as possible.~ Charles added.r

After they had agreed with this decision, Charles began making plans for Ana's team to retrieve my remaining supplies in the Base, as well as to try searching for other supplies… If they can find any.r

~That concludes the decision for today's meeting. Any additions?~ Charles' voice once again sounded through the speakers.r

No one responded.r

'I guess that's a wrap then.' I smiled.r

The meeting was dismissed, and I heard the sounds of the people present with Charles leaving the office, most likely hurrying so they can begin preparing for their tasks.r

"Hold on, Melissa. Where do you think you're going?" Ana suddenly said.r

A wide grin formed on my face as I heard this.r

"This should provide some entertainment for me."r

-----------------------------------------r

Daniel's team had started trickling out of the office, and Melissa had decided to take this as her chance to escape Ana's accusation.r

However, the goody goody, Ana, wasn't going to let her slip away.r

"Hold on, Melissa. Where do you think you're going?" Ana asked with a scowl on her face.r

Melissa froze upon hearing Ana's voice, turning back to glare at her.r

"What now, Ana? We've been given special instructions by Charles. Is this any time for a personal squabble?" r

Melissa tried using her silver-coated tongue to get away from liability, however, Ana's unflinching expression told her that the trick was going to be ineffective in the current situation.r

Charles noticed that the two women had yet to leave his office, then suddenly remembered what Ana had spoken of at the start of their meeting.r

"Oh yes, Ana, You wanted to discuss something?" He asked.r

Ana nodded, pointing towards Melissa who was already by the door.r

"Melissa assaulted Jeremy. Not only did my team and I catch her in the act of beating him up, but bruises were also found on Jeremy's body!" Ana declared.r

Charles' eyes widened upon hearing the news. A bead of sweat dripped from his forehead as he couldn't contain his shock.r

"You mean… she was caught… assaulting Jeremy?" Charles repeated, as though mulling over the words he had heard.r

Melissa's glare deepened as she quickly turned and looked at Charles' conflicted expression. She had to explain herself before the tables were entirely turned against her.r

Fortunately, Charles didn't seem entirely convinced about the whole thing.r

"Y-you don't believe that, do you, Charles? I mean… I was just-"r

"Melissa, do you still intend on lying?" Ana cut her short.r

'What is this bitch's problem? Why is she so particular about Jeremy?!' Melissa groaned internally.r

"You don't trust her words, do you? Why would I suddenly harm someone?" Melissa protested to Charles.r

The Camp Leader was still silent, though. It wasn't because he was considering Melissa's words or anything, but rather he was trying to understand the reason why someone like Jeremy would be hit by Melissa… and even have bruises.r

'Why… what's his game?' Charles thought to himself.r

"Melissa used to bully Jeremy when they were in High School. She must have thought she could do the same here." Ana revealed.r

Upon hearing this, Charles' eyes bulged and he lifted his face, looking at both girls.r

Upon seeing his stare, Melissa froze. She knew instantly that she was in trouble. r

'Shit, shit, shit! Charles is mad. He's mad at me!' Her mind rang.r

However, Charles wasn't even thinking about that in the slightest. He was just astonished by the connection between Melissa and Jeremy.r

'So, that's why he let himself be hit. He wanted to cause this controversy? It must have been for revenge…' Charles smiled slightly.r

He just realized that Jeremy had a petty and childish side to him.r

'That must mean he knows Daniel too since Melissa and our trump card go way back. This is quite the revelation… what do I do?' r

As Charles was still considering what to do concerning the issue brought before him, the door to his office opened, and everyone in the room looked at the intruder.r

"A-ah, am I interrupting something?" Daniel smiled awkwardly.r

It took a few moments of silence before anyone spoke, and the first person to take advantage of this sudden interruption was Melissa.r

She quickly clung to Daniel and began her teary act.r

"Babe, what are you doing here?" She asked, looking at him emotionally.r

"I was on my way back to our room when I noticed you weren't with the team. I thought you were being held up, so I can back for you" Daniel replied, looking at Ana's scowl, as well as Charles' serious expression.r

Apparently, he came at a bad time.r

"Since you're occupied here, I think I'll just wait for you in our-" Daniel mumbled, moving towards the exit.r

Even he could sense that he wasn't welcome here.r

"N-no, don't leave!" Melissa suddenly protested in a high-pitched tone.r

Her face was aghast, displaying shock that Daniel would just abandon her amid her accuser and judge.r

"Ana is accusing me of beating up Jeremy. Even though she was actually the one who assaulted me and even used her Gift first, yet she's trying to put all the blame on me." Melissa spoke, trying to appeal to Daniel.r

If he could take her side, then she would be protected from any harsh repercussions of her actions.r

'If I'm even lucky, I can turn this around and blame Ana instead!' r