Hershey's Kisses

The sight of snakes slithering along with creepy crawlies elicited a lot of screams from the girls ,the boys in the crowd couldn't help turn their face in disgust . Rin felt her body and mind freeze in fear and shock, beside her Ryan stiffened while a repulsive expression covered his face.

The chaotic crowd instilled anxiety and restlessness among the participants. Some started screaming while some tried to take off the blindfolds agitated. The sight that met them after regaining their vision send them into shock. Screaming hysterically they started banging the glass box , while some begged to bring them out.

Instructors brought help to bring out the panicking students outside the box. Calming down the frightened bunch and providing them with necessary aid was the first priority.

The instructors quieted down the situation by explaining how this activity was conducted to overcome their fear and to let oneself to be not trapped by their fear. The previous ten batches also had underwent this same training and assured us reminding that species used for this training was non-poisonous and docile. Also the wristwatch monitored the health stats and once an abnormal stat was recognized the participant would directly be removed from the box.

Shortly Asher and his friends arrived at the center of the Hall.

"We won't force anybody to participate against their will, and choosing not to continue is your choice. Nobody is going to belittle or hold this matter against you. Remember you guys have successfully made it until here, The Legendary Hades Camp's hellish training. Nobody has the rights to ridicule you. We know how much of your Blood, sweat and tears were shed here. So chin-up and straighten your backs because you guys are fighters!!!"

It was as if Asher's speech lit a fuse, all the impending frustrations and stress broke out. Many started sobbing while others felt greatly touched and motivated. Rin's eyes welled up with tears as she felt a myriad of emotions passing through her. She did not understand what to feel.

Asher's words had already made her realize that being able to be stand there at that moment was already an achievement and it was not necessary for her to beat herself up and continue. But a voice inside kept nagging her to continue. She was in an epiphany.

More than 10 people had decided to discontinue the training, but they felt no shame or discomfort, they left with their heads up before gratefully thanking the instructors and seniors.

Rin stared at the glass boxes, she had to admit that she was very fearful of snakes. But she knew that continuing this training might be a breakthrough for her.

All her life, despite being growing up happily, showered with Love and care from her friends and family she always felt that she was lacking something in her life. No matter how much she tried she couldn't understand why she felt incomplete. She always felt that she was forgetting something important which hindered herself from fully living her life.

Her gut was telling her that this was the chance she needed.

Rin tightened her fists and took a deep breath then stood up from her seat and approached Asher and his friends

She scanned his handsome face before asking "Can you give me some kisses? "

Asher and his friends sported an equally dumbfounded expression at her question.

Tristan: " Ki...Kisses!!! Did I hear wrong?? somebody please pinch me."

Aimen: "Me too!!"

Rehan pinched both of them eliciting complains about how hard it was. Rin watched in confusion before she realized that they had misinterpreted her words.

Blushing she said "Hershey's kisses, I mean the chocolates the once which we eat."

The boys chuckled awkwardly and tried to diffuse the mood when they realized they misunderstood her.

"Sure, I'll get it at once." answered Asher before quickly escaping the awkward situation.

Rin fiddled with her fingers watching the rest with skeptical eyes. Tristan and Aimen gave her an embarassed smile while Rehan stood ever so highly as if the previous incident did not just occur. She couldn't help but smile at their antics.

Asher returned with a mini pack of Hershey's and put them into her hands.

"I just need a few." she spoke handing back the packet after taking 4 pieces.

"No need!! You can keep it for yourself." Asher replied pushing the packet back into her hands. Then they both continued to toss the packet back and forth . "Its just a small pack you can keep if for yourself. Consider it as a payback for all the chocolates you gave him." Aimen suggested interrupting their passing game.

Tristan, Rehan and Asher was suprised hearing Aimen's suggestion.

"What?? I am not so Dumb. Even I can give out good suggestions." Aimen retorted snarkily giving them a stink eye. They collectively rolled their eyes ignoring him which annoyed him even more.

The guys turned their attention back to Rin who was getting increasedly confused watching them.

Rehan scrutinized a dumbfounded Rin for some time and then he sighed "Its seems like you have made your decision."

Rin paused for a few seconds before nodding yes.

Asher's eyes softened at the determined look in the girl's eyes. The only thing he could do was watch over and protect her in his own way.

After bidding thanks she left.

Asher watched as she walked back to Ryan. He didn't know why but protecting and caring for her felt like a natural thing for him to do as if it was ingrained in his blood like an instinct.

Rin informed Ryan about her decision. Ryan just smiled at her without asking any questions. She felt very thankful for receiving such wonderful friends. People who supported others unconditionally without any questions was quite hard to find. She handed him some kisses to show her gratitude before chucking some into her mouth.

The sweet taste consumed her mind. Milk chocolate was one of her favorites , she forgot all about her previous pain and frustrations as she enjoyed her chocolates.

Soon, Asher's dumbfounded expression when she asked for kisses entered her thoughts, 'he looked so silly and shocked at that moment'. She felt a great satisfaction recalling his face. Her smile deepened when she remembered the concern and worry in his eyes when she had announced her decision to move on with the training.

Rin was stunned by her train of thoughts and her smile froze.

'Shut it!!! Cute, My Ass!!! stop thinking about stupid things and focus on your training ' she chided herself while patting her face repeatedly. After she recovered from her daze she diverted her focus to the training activity.

She started by convincing herself that snakes were cute and soft creatures but the scenes of movies with snake instantly destroyed her sweet picture.

Considering how it was non-poisonous and docile she decided she would replace the picture of snake by a cat in her mind. So she tried to condition herself to believe that.

As she tried hard to relax her mind state , she felt her abdomen pain hit back with a greater force. Her whole body trembled in pain . She realized her mental strain was inadvertently affecting her body.

She tried hard to not panic and calm herself. The anxiety and fear she felt back in the dark room slowly started clouding her mind.

She felt somebody shaking her, "Rin! Rin.. are you okay?" Ryan's eyes looked up at her worriedly. "Its your turn now."

Rin stood up breaking out of her reverie ,"I am fine... Guess I should leave now. Wish me luck!!"

She walked without waiting for his reply and approached the female senior to get blindfolded.

Feeling darkness take over sight, she began to rub her palms on her pants to calm herself down. Her anxiety increased with each step she took. Finally when the senior's hands who guided her left her hands as she got seated on the chair the sense of panic started to sink in.

As minutes passed her fear also started to increase. The fact that covered eyes increased her auditory sense only escalated her fear.

'hiss...hiss... ' hearing this sound instantly made her body go rigid, she felt chills on her skin as her mind instantly collapsed.