Chapter 66 - Clean up and shenanigans

Chapter 66

After the battle, we found a new way through the cave. Once things had calmed down, we could look at the map and see finished tunnels that connected to the other side. With little effort, we were able to complete them and make our way to Team Two. 

Once we had located Team Two, they were in a safe condition, heading towards the exit. 

"Well, that was easy enough," Becky said as she surprised Micah. "I thought you guys were in trouble?" Becky asked Micah.

"Oh... Wow, you guys are okay!" Micah said in shock and amazement. 

"Yes." Becky said, "We were there was a cave-in at the last minute of our phone call; the phone was crushed." Would have crushed me if it wasn't for the fact that Kaysi got me out of the way." 

Once we got everybody back home, the peace of the village was finally restored. The same person who had cursed us out when we first arrived walked up to Matilda and Cailian. 

Village Foreman) "Sorry, I doubted you, Matilda. And I'm sorry, but your father passed away. We would all like to thank you for your help and for freeing us. I talked with some of the other villagers." The foreman turned, looking at Cailian. "I was told by them that your village suffered many attacks and that you came here to help us as well as you needed the extra manpower to restore in your village." 

That is correct, but you guys need to rest. Cailian spoke. 

Village Foreman) "We want to show our gratitude. We spent many months in solitude, forced to do work. Now that we have our own freedom, we all want to help your village out. Most of us don't know what to do but are beside ourselves with joy. Let us take this opportunity to do a job that we love—willingly." 

- It took us a little bit of time to make our way back to the village. A large group of non-disabled villagers came with us. The others finally started to take over and occupy their home. So they remained there, cleaning their village and getting settled. We have more than enough people who came with us. 

The morning sunshine shone brightly over the remnants of the destroyed village. The now-freed captives worked alongside us tirelessly to rebuild what had been lost. Despite the backbreaking labor for our untrained selves, the mood was light and filled with laughter; every now and then, you could hear playful bickering among our group. 

Duke stood in the middle of all the groups, directing us like a proud foreman. "All right, we need more wood over here," he shouted. And someone tells Evan that explosions are—NOT—a valid technique for construction! He said that's a big pile of dust puffed into the air. 

Evan coughed, "My bad! I think I mixed the wrong chemicals!" he shouted back. 

Josh stood beside a half-built fence. With hammer and hand, looking determined to hit his target. With a mighty swing of his hammer, he brought it down on a nail—only two had missed entirely and slammed his thumb instead.

"GAH!" he howled in pain, hopping around as he clenched his throbbing hand. After a moment of blind frustration, he reared back and punched the wooden board in retaliation. The already fragile beam from the previous damage shattered into a heap of splinters. 

Evan blankly stared at his brother. "Did you lose a fight with a plank of wood? 

Josh groaned, shaking out his sore thumb. "Shut up... It was a tactical error—okay." 

Meanwhile, Becky, with her newfound time abilities, put them to good use. Rewinding time whenever someone makes a mistake. A crooked beam? Rewind and straighten. Spilled nails? Reverse and recollect. 

"I think these abilities are only temporary, but I figured I'd put them to good use."

"You're totally cheating," Evan shouted from across the way as he walked over, handing Josh a new plank of wood.

Becky smirked. "I prefer to call it being punctual and efficient!" 

Matilda and the other women focused on decorating and creating a livable environment, giving a type of warmth to the home.

Baby ran around in her dog form, excitedly handing out supplies. 

It took a couple of days, but with everyone working together, we completed building the homes and addressed some of the landscaping issues. We even created a large fort-like fence to go around the perimeter of the village to keep out demons.

As the last day wrapped up and the last of the repairs were complete. Cailian shouted to everyone. Good job, everyone. Time to clean up! The bathhouses are heated and ready for everyone! — Enjoy!"

The village had two private bathhouses, one for the women and the other for the men. They were constructed from natural wood and steamed walls. The large outdoor pool, like the bathhouse, was made from a run of naturally heated springs that bubbled up from the rocks. 

The men entered the bathhouse pool last, groaning with relief from their fatigued, sore muscles. 

Ahh... Josh eased into the water. The shirt does feel good. 

After a few minutes of relaxing, Josh looked over at Evan with a sly grin as he nudged Evan. "So, uh... I have an idea. You know, on the other side of that wall is the girl's bathhouse? The girls and my very attractive girlfriend. That includes Kaysi, you know? You know what I mean? Wink...Wink!" Josh said. He gave an overly exaggerated wink with his face as he said the word. "I am just saying." 

Evan held up his hands and surrendered. "Nope! I am not getting involved in your mischievous plan. If you want to die, be my guest!" 

Josh snuck around to the other side of the pool. He found a small gap between the planks of the fencing. "Just a quick peek. No harm, no foul, right?" He whispered out loud to himself.

The moment he pressed his eye to the opening of the hole... 

WHAM!!! 

The wooden bathhouse door flew open, slamming into the back of his head. The impact sent him face-first into the fence, bloodying his nose. The door was installed there to facilitate easier cleaning of the bathhouse.

Josh yelped, stumbling backward, clenching his now-bloody nose. Kaysi stood at the doorway wrapped in a towel, looking like a savage warrior. 

"I knew this opportunity would be too much for someone as gullible as you," Kaysi said, arms crossed, tapping her foot.

Behind Kaysi, Micah shook her head with her arms crossed. "Really, Josh?" 

A collective group of unimpressed stares met Josh's gaze. Becky's arms crossed with a smirk on her face. "So, was it worth it?" She teased. 

Josh grinned through his blood-dripping nose, tilting his head, thinking. "Well...?"

Becky sent a well-aimed shoe right at his stomach. 

Duke peeked from inside the bathhouse locker room door. You took one look at Josh's sorry state and burst into laughter. You peeping Tom, did you try to look in the girl's bathhouse? Huh? That's a rookie mistake!" 

Josh groaned as James and Evan dragged him into the locker rooms. "I regret nothing!—Mostly! He shouted as they carried him away. 

Evan, passing by a towel, swung it over his shoulder and smirked. "You should have been more patient and waited. They still had all their towels on anyway." 

Josh shot Evan a glare! "Cheeky bastard—NOW you tell me?!" 

The night ended with laughter and warmth as I sat curled up around the bonfire. Despite everything, we were alive together, and now the village had hope for the future.

Kaysi sighed in relief, finally relaxing as she drifted into sleep, not realizing in her half-conscious state that she had rested her head against Evan's shoulder before dozing off.