Chapter 49: Terror in Resonance

"The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference." —Elie Wiesel

"One, remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Two, never give up work. Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it. Three, if you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is there and don't throw it away." —Stephen Hawking

"A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts, and his feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." —Albert Einstein

***

The stomach-whirling discovery about the weird cannibalistic attributes of the tribe put Xenia on a pedestal. Instead of feeling hungry about the aromatic scent, he felt lightheaded, though he fought the urge to throw up.

Why was he feeling sick and grossed about it when he ate human flesh himself? The difference was that Grenoble had been dead for over several hours and they still ate him, partaking in a feast wherein the main ingredients for their dishes were their kin.

"Around 50 meters from here, I could smell an awful scent of rotten blood."

Children, adults, and elderly people suddenly began dropping on the ground one after another for an unknown reason.

Those that were unaffected by the unknown cause tended to their kin's aid. Terror formed in their faces as the mouths of those that abruptly felt ill began foaming.

"O-Oi! What's the problem with you?!"

"Get the doctors! Have them checked up!"

Panic ran over the tribe, worried that the same thing would happen to everyone.

"Were they poisoned?!"

"Seemed so... But who would do this?!"

Xenia immediately knew that if he was caught there, all of the responsibilities and blame would befall him. And the real perpetrator for poisoning the food would eventually get away scot-free.

"We all know there is only one person that would do such an irredeemable sin!"

"Who?!"

Who else would it be but the same person that killed Grenoble and ate his flesh.

"The same person that cannibalized Grenoble! There is a traitor among us! A foolish one at that!"

And this was when the doubt turned into a much worse situation. Of course, they would not suspect their families or direct relatives, but those they think could do such an evil thing. Trust among them was dissipating—failing as more of their kin fell victim to a heinous crime in their tribe.

"Everybody! Lakambini is missing! She is nowhere to be found!"

"Bad news! Bad news! Even our doctors were killed! Our people are dying!"

It was no commotion. Chaos ruled over the tribe, everyone's trust couldn't be given anymore to anyone as they started to question the loyalty and honesty of those around them. They never felt so doubtful of their families, friends, and kin before that they did not know what to think.

"All of you! We need to calm down, otherwise, we won't be able to solve this problem!"

"How exactly are you gonna solve the problem when people are dying and only our doctors can treat them?!"

Denial, refusal, doubt, and acceptance were the major stages of grief. They could not look at each other the same way as before. From verbal abuse to physical abuse, they transitioned into.

The women they dared not touch before were defiled by the lustful men. Their carnal desires seemed to have resurfaced, stronger and running wild.

"Aphrodisiac?"

"Claudio! Get off my wife! What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

Claudio's eyes were red, and he was drooling all over his sister-in-law, which was his brother's wife. All sorts of evil things transpired. That soup became the tribe's ultimatum. And none of them, even Xenia, has any idea who the mastermind was.

"Hehehehehe! I've always wanted to know what it feels like to make love with your wife, Gregory! Let me do the deed! My body's in heat. I can't stop my desire any longer!"

Not just rape, those that harbor ill intentions, holding grudges towards their kin, outrageously revealed their urges to inflict pain. The worst thing was killing them.

Moreover, they displayed their hatred towards their kin without a shred of sympathy. Mercy does not exist anymore, for their eyes could only see each other as enemies from kinship.

"I said, get off my wife!"

The realization after Gregory smacked his own brother on the head with a rock. Claudio immediately passed out and blood dripped from the open wound on his head. He didn't mean to do it. To protect his wife from his lust-driven brother, he inadvertently picked up a rock and used it to inflict an injury on his young brother.

"I--I didn't mean to..."

Gregory's wife checked up on Claudio and she freaked out. Claudio died right there and then. As she screamed, it quickly died out and was masked off by the indispensable noise and commotion in their tribe.

"Utter chaos! Everybody has become insane! Our brothers, sisters, children, and parents were poisoned! Who in their right mind would instigate this terrifying transgression?!"

All of a sudden, someone fell near Xenia's hiding spot, shoving the pile of grass everywhere on the ground.

"Shit! I didn't see him coming! I'm fully exposed! I must hide before people can see me!"

Inside a house Xenia helped himself in, barging and hiding not to uncover his location and the fact that he was in their land.

If people ever see Xenia, he would be the target of their impulsiveness and blame. All of the suspicion will be directed to him and the insanity among them might even stop if that happens. So, he must do his best not to be revealed to everyone.

"Phew! I almost got caught! Thankfully, that guy I had made eye contact with was so high at the moment he thought I was one of them!"

Something crept up behind him and touched his shoulder. Chills were sent across his body when the cold blade slid under his neck. His mouth was covered and the person behind him did not let him look over his shoulder.

"Make no noise, Xenia. It's me, Pack."

"Pack?! I'm glad that you are still... alive."

That last-second realization took away the joy he had for a second. Xenia knew that Pack would have to go too if he wants to survive and carry on with life. Freedom shall fall under the person that will remain standing.

~