Slowing pace

Day 14.

Their never ending progress through the park continued. After three days of pressing forward Quin and Issac had already completed more than half of the obstacle courses. After a few more hours of exploring, Issac found that their pace had slowed slightly. It made sense after all the work they've been putting in. Their bodies must be getting tired.

Not wanting to get sluggish he suggested that they take a late lunch break. Well it sounded like a suggestion. But the no nonsense look in his eyes made Quin feel like he might be hurt if he said otherwise.

"If you're hungry just say so." Quin mumbled.

He quickly shut his mouth after a glare pointed daggers at his throat.

________

On the bright side, Quins long list of restaurants also made great progress. Everythings better in his book if there's delicious food in front of him. Even Issacs disgusted looks couldn't bring his mood down.

As they neared the end of their meal Quin couldn't help but notice Issacs mask once more: "Always needing to turn away. Do you really think that you'll be able to keep that up the whole time?"

Issac ignored him.

"Okay fine don't answer but at least think about it. You really don't know how long we'll be together. It's only been two weeks but that's got to be getting uncomfortable."

No response from Issac.

"Oi. Here's an idea! Instead of blocking the bottom half of your face just block your eyes. Like really dark sunglasses or something."

Issac completed his meal and quietly got up to leave. Being left behind Quin quickly ate his last few bites and ran after him.

Walking through the main street Quin pointed out a small shop. This place had a wide range of accessories and trinkets to choose from. Quin grabbed a few options and handed them to Issac. He put one on himself: "See? You can get some really tinted ones and nobody who hasn't seen you will recognise you."

Issac was in a mood and refused to converse with one pestering him. Even so he examined the glasses. Though he wouldn't admit it, the mask really was a hindrance. He had actually already considered ditching the thing but he always ends up second guessing himself. The idea of Quin knowing what he looks like wasn't a pleasant thought.

So far Quins attitude hasn't been all that evil. Even so, giving his enemy extra knowledge, even though he didn't show it, actually worried him. Issac wasn't one to panic over things but he overthinks enough to stress him out. Having half his face covered might at the very least calm his nerves.

Even so refused to follow Quins advice. He picked a pair, bought them, shoved them into his bag and left without Quin.

At this point Quin could mostly guess what Issac was thinking. If Issac was to relax around him it couldn't be because Quin told him to. Accepting this Quin brushed off the cold shoulder and stopped bringing it up.

________

Day 15.

Although more progress was made Issac once again found that their pace had slowed. It was worse than yesterday. Before he thought that they were just getting tired. After a few more hours he quickly realized that Quin was the problem.

He wasn't making any big mistakes or causing any problems. Even his bad luck wasn't the blame. It was his walking pace that slowed. Plus his moves grew sluggish. He wasn't picking up on the hidden marks as quickly either. And his energy seemed to go down with each passing hour.

They already made good progress early on so Issac didn't care about their pace all that much. But the difference was bewildering. He also kept walking the wrong direction. It was like his directional sense got thrown out the window.

Eventually Issac grew tired of it and decided to call it in early. Once again it was completely Issacs choice and Quin was left to follow along.

_________

On the way out of the obstacle gate Quin spotted a familiar face: "Well hello Mr. Weston."

Mr. Weston was the ice cream vendor they met on their way into the park. He gave them the town's warning and was worried about participants enjoying themselves.

Quin made sure to keep in touch and cheer him up every so often by sharing their progress.

"Hello you two. Now did I see you walk out from the level 3 difficulty zone?"

Quin gave a proud smile: "I'd be lying if I said we didn't."

"Wow. The two of you have been making some remarkable progress. Especially for your first time."

"Well sometimes you only get one chance."

"That's very true. Have you been satisfied with the hunt so far?"

"Of course! It's been a blast. We've been working through it like crazy. I tell you we're going to win this thing for sure."

Weston laughed with delight: "That's truly wonderful to hear. If you don't mind, do you think I could check your map progress?"

"No problem. Here."

"Hmm I noticed that you're slowly working your way out. I hope you haven't run into any trouble so far."

Quin shook his head: "Nope none. We're playing it safe."

"I see. Well it's good you kids are having some fun."

Quin reiterated as he put the map away: "I keep telling you. You don't have to worry about it so much. Your town truly has an amazing system here. There's plenty of opportunities for participants to have fun so don't get too down yet."

Weston grinned: "It's nice to hear that. But I can't help but wonder when people will stop enjoying themselves."

"I get it. But it's not all on you to figure out. This is Esterfield isn't it? It's a large community with plenty of smart and fun people to put their heads together and create even more fun events. You've proven yourselves over and over again for many years now. I'm sure you'll figure the matter out somehow. Besides with ice cream this good nobody will ever give up."

Weston laughed once more: "Look at you cheering this old man up. For your kindness you get a free scoop to go."

"Ooh! Never say no to free ice cream." Quin happily accepted.

"And one for you too young lad."

Issac who usually kept quiet while they talked was taken aback. With the ice cream already being handed to him he could only thank him and take the gift.

Feeling awkward he took his dessert and walked on ahead. Quin couldn't help but laugh at the sight: "That guy. Too moody for his own good."

"You're certainly a neat pair of opposites."

"You got that right. Well anyway I should catch up to him."

"Alright then you keep enjoying your time here."

"I absolutely will."

"I expect a good score on points day."

"And you'll get one. Bye!" Quin waved goodbye and ran to catch up with Issac: "Well that was fun."

"Shut up."

Quin couldn't help but poke the bear: "Oh come on. You got free ice cream, shouldn't you be a little happier?"

Issac refused to talk to him again so Quin gave up and finished his treat quietly.

_____

After eating an early dinner at a restaurant the two walked back to the inn. As usual Quin filled the silence with his endless chatter. At some point Issac wondered why they called it early if he's still this energetic. He was quickly reminded of why he made his decision after Quin nearly sent them the wrong way multiple times. His mouth still worked but his brain was obviously scrambled.

"So anyway that got me thinking, why didn't John just tie the boat up at the docks? That's like his favorite part. And everyone knows how serious he is about boat etiquette. And then Jane was like 'no I'm the one who usually ties the boat's.' And at that point I was like I didn't even know they were related. Anyway the point is you really have to read the genres before you open a book because that was nothing like what I thought it was going to be."

"Left."

"Hmm?"

Issac pulled him towards the right direction: "If you don't know the way you shouldn't walk ahead."

"Eh? Oh. Wasn't paying attention I suppose. Well at least one of us is dependable. I can let myself be a little airheaded."

"Don't expect me to be responsible."

"But why? You've been doing well so far. Besides, it's been like two weeks already. Don't you think we can rely on each other at least a little bit?" As he said this Quin walked a few steps ahead. Just as the last words left his lips he tripped and landed flat on his face.

Issac paused a few steps behind him: "Yeah the universe says no."

Quin pushed himself up."Well that's not a good sign." He said while wiping the blood from his nose.

"No kidding. You practically tripped on air."

"It's just poor timing."

"Whatever you say." Issac pulled the gadget out of his bag. Quin dodged before it reached his arm.

After realizing why, Issac scoffed: "Relax, it's not fatal. I'm not thinking of a needle for a bump on the nose."

Quin squinted at the gadget: "To think my own tool could be used against me like this."

"Scary isn't it?" Issac grabbed Quin's arm and jabbed the gadget into it. Quin flinched at the action: "Could you not act like you're trying to stab me with it everytime?"

Issac stepped back and stuffed the gadget back in his bag: "Nope. Fear is important. It keeps you on your toes."

Quin rubbed his slightly sore arm as Issac walked ahead: "Not sure that you're meant to enact fear on your companion but sure whatever works."

_____

That evening they both went to their rooms early. Issac didn't go to sleep immediately and took the extra time to relax by the window seat. As he read for a bit he was expecting to see Quin head out for his night snack but surprisingly never saw him.

He suspected that Quin probably went to sleep already. Otherwise he absolutely would have been hungry again. When the sun finally set Issac also went to sleep.