Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 234

Chapter 234 A Tent Full of Sparks 

45 Pearls 

Malory stuck her tongue out and leaned in close. “Okay okay, my bad. I’ll drop it. Don’t be mad at me 

Meanwhile, Kenneth had gotten a fire going on the other side. 

Ava started the pasties in a cold makeshift oven, letting the heat build slowly. Fifty–five in total–breakfast for the next morning was sorted. 

“Kenneth, keep the fire strong. Don’t let it die out,” Ava said. 

“Got it. I swear it won’t.” 

Ava went back into the tent to rest a bit, only to see Holly lying there with her back toward her. Ava didn’t bother speaking to her. The tension between them had already snapped, and she had no intention of dealing with her anymore. 

All the girls shared one tent. Ava sat on the other side, half–closing her eyes as she settled into a light rest. After a while, she opened them again and stepped back outside. 

Holly waited until she was gone before clicking her tongue in disdain. 

The pasties finished baking–plump, flaky, and golden. They looked good enough that Malory couldn’t help swallowing hard. 

Ava walked over to Linden. “Captain Oestergaard, the pasties are done. Keep an eye on them, okay? They’re our breakfast for tomorrow.” 

Linden nodded. “Alright. The guys will take turns on night watch. You’ve worked hard today–get some rest.” 

Ava hummed in acknowledgment and headed back toward Malory. The two girls linked arms as they made their way to the makeshift pit toilet behind the campsite before returning to the tent. 

The moment Malory crawled into the tent, she turned into a whole different creature–practically a wolf in a girl’s clothing. She groped Ava here, then there. 

“Malory,” Ava said, “go to sleep.” 

Malory lay down in her own sleeping bag. “Ava, let’s share one sleeping bag.” 

Ava stared at her. “Are you hearing yourself?” 

“Oh, c’mon, I like you!” 

Ava broke into a cold sweat. “Please don’t. The two of us will lead nowhere.” 

Malory burst into laughter. “Alright, alright. I’ll come back as a man in my next life then! I’ll win your heart over!” 

No sooner had she spoken than Holly snapped, “Are you two done? If you want to talk, take it outside! Some people are trying to sleep!” 

“What is wrong with you? You weren’t even asleep! And it’s not that late. How are we bothering you?” Malory rolled her eyes dramatically. 

Holly shot upright in an instant, fury flashing in her eyes. “You started yapping the moment you came in! 

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10:48 Fri, Jan 23 

Chapter 234 A Tent Full of Sparks 

I’m warning you–I’m a light sleeper. I can’t stand noise 

45 Pearls 

Malory gave her a slow once–over. “Oh, please. Do you think you’re still at home playing princess? Everyone has to cater to you now? This isn’t your private tent. Why should I tiptoe around just because you’re a light sleeper? News flash–we’re all human. You’re not any bener than me.”, 

Already simmering with anger from earlier, Holly lungel without warning. She slammed Malory down and slapped her hard across the face. “Lackey!“, 

Malory had never expected her to actually attack, and lying trapped in her sleeping bag, she couldn’t even get her hands out. She could only take the blow. 

Ava hadn’t expected Holly to start hitting people Yell all you want, but how can you hit her?!” 

Malory immediately tried to struggle, but couldn’t break free. 

Holly! 

ressed under Holly’s weight and tangled in her sleeping bag, she 

After that first slap, Holly grew even bolder. “This is for bullying me! I dare you to bully me!” 

Malory took two more hits. Ava immediately climbed out of her sleeping bag and grabbed Holly by the wrist. “Who’s the bully here? You really love playing the victim, don’t you?” 

Holly’s chest rose and fell sharply. Seeing Ava restraining her, she snapped, “You didn’t bully me, huh? You made me wash dishes–how is that not bullying? And you two were chatting when I’m trying to sleep–that’s disturbing my rest!” 

Ava was stunned by her logic. “Having you wash dishes is bullying? Everyone worked today–except you. And asking you to wash dishes wounds your delicate pride?” 

While the two argued, Malory finally managed to wriggle free of her sleeping bag. In all her life, she had never been slapped before, and rage flooded her eyes. The moment she broke loose, she tackled Holly to the ground, straddling her and raining down blows from both sides. 

“How dare you hit me?! I’ve put up with you long enough. I ignored you, and you thought I was scared of you?!” 

Ava watched them grapple. At this point, aside from the first sneak attack, Holly wasn’t getting the upper hand at all. Ava stayed right where she was, making no move to intervene. Only once Malory’s anger had mostly burned out did she finally say, “Alright, Malory. Let’s go find the captain.” 

Malory spat to the side and dropped her hands. Her cheek still stung, and when she checked a small mirror, she saw a thin scratch where Holly’s nails had caught her. Furious all over again, she stomped forward and gave Holly one last hit. 

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