Chapter 4 Bluffing

As soon as the bell signaling the end of the workday rang, Samantha bolted like a wild horse freed from its reins.

Several older women watched her go, rolling their eyes in exasperation.

Back at camp, she found Tristan already preparing the rabbit, with Billy eagerly assisting him.

"Samantha, you're back!" Billy's eyes sparkled, likely more at the prospect of meat for dinner than at seeing her.

"Uh-huh." She glanced at the rabbit, mentally running through different cooking methods.

Though she rarely cooked for others, she had high standards for food and often made her own meals. Cooking was second nature to her.

"How about braised rabbit?" she suggested, confident in her choice.

"Sounds good," Tristan agreed without hesitation.

Neither of them bothered to ask Billy's opinion. His input wasn't exactly necessary.

As the other volunteers trickled back to camp, their eyes widened at the sight of the rabbit being prepared. But since Samantha, Tristan, and Billy had chosen to eat separately, they couldn't take advantage of the feast.

Naomi shot Samantha a resentful glance. In her mind, Samantha was being selfish, too proud to share. Tristan and Billy, both from Chicago, had always been generous with their rations, much to the benefit of the group. Now, because of Samantha, they weren't sharing anymore, and that fact annoyed Naomi to no end.

"Let it go," Natasha sighed, pulling Naomi aside.

Among the volunteers, Timothy was the eldest, and Kiara the oldest woman. They had been here for six or seven years, refusing to marry. Many of their peers had either found ways to return to the city or settled in the countryside through marriage.

Besides them, Naomi had arrived two years ago, while Tristan, Billy, Natasha, and Gary had come last year.

This year's newcomers included Samantha and Leticia, along with Henry, Kyle, and Alex, a reserved young man from the capital.

"We should get started on dinner," Natasha suggested after the long day's work.

"Yeah, I'll help," Gary quickly offered.

Natasha smiled and nodded, but Naomi stopped them. "Let's wait. Maybe they'll cook extra, and we can take advantage of it."

The others caught her meaning and stayed silent.

Natasha, exasperated, said, "They haven't even started cooking yet. Besides, I have some cured meat. Let's just make a proper meal."

"Natasha, you-"

"It's fine, it's just a little. I'll add a dish for everyone." Unlike the others, Natasha's family was well off and often sent her supplies.

"Wait, isn't it Leticia and Henry's turn to cook? Where are they?" Kiara asked, frowning as she washed her hands.

In their system, the female volunteers took turns cooking in pairs. Since Samantha had moved out, Leticia and Henry were now a team.

Sighing, Natasha replied, "Their tasks aren't done yet. They got held back."

"They weren't the only ones. Kyle, Brandon, and Lucas were late this morning too. The team leader was furious," Naomi added smugly.

She stole a glance at Samantha and Alex. Unlike the others, those two had adapted quickly and finished their work on the first day.

"What about dinner?" Gary asked, concerned.

"We could swap shifts with them," Natasha suggested.

Naomi was reluctant at first, but when she remembered Natasha's two ounces of meat, she gave in.

While Natasha and Gary took over cooking, the others went to rest. Samantha, watching the group, smirked to herself. These volunteers certainly an interesting bunch, each with their own quirks.

Their meals were simple: a pot of grain porridge, stir-fried bacon with more bell peppers than actual bacon, a Caesar salad with mozzarella, and a bowl of tomato soup. That was it.

"Samantha, you're in for a treat. Tristan's cooking is something else. Once you taste it, you'll be hooked," Billy bragged, blocking her from approaching the stove.

Samantha raised an eyebrow. Tristan could cook?

"You still want braised rabbit?" Tristan asked, chuckling.

"Definitely," Samantha confirmed, deciding to sit back and enjoy the meal rather than cook herself.

She sat near the stove, learning how to light a fire from Billy. It had taken her more than ten minutes to get one going at noon, but she was improving.

Tristan's cooking skills were no joke. His movements were practiced, fluid-almost like a professional chef.

"Rice okay as the main dish?" he asked, glancing at Samantha.

She nodded. "Love rice." In both her past and present lives, she had been a Southerner at heart. Rice was her staple.

Tristan nodded and set up three large bowls of it.

Forty minutes later, dinner was ready-braised rabbit with tender potato cubes, sautéed baby carrots, and steaming bowls of rice.

Just as the three were about to dig in, Leticia and the others returned, looking utterly exhausted.

Lucas, in particular, shot Samantha a look of pure hatred. Leticia's eyes were red, barely holding back tears of frustration.

"Samantha, this is all your fault! You signed us up behind our backs-you're evil!" Lucas shouted, drained but seething.

Unbothered, Samantha calmly ate a mouthful of rice, then savored a spoonful of the braised rabbit. Delicious. Tristan's cooking really was top-notch.

The other educated youth stared. Signing others up for forced labor was low. And yet, Samantha was sitting there, eating without a care in the world. Ruthless.

She finally looked up, taking in Leticia and Lucas's miserable faces. With a smirk, she said, "Funny, isn't this the same trick Leticia pulled on me? She tried to manipulate my job by signing me up without my consent. I just returned the favor. What, it's only fun when you do it?"

She picked up another bite of rabbit, smiling brightly. "Honestly, seeing you guys like this makes my meal taste even better. I think I'll have an extra bowl of rice tonight."

"You-!" Lucas's face burned red with fury. "I'll fight you to the death!"

"Lucas, no!" Leticia grabbed his arm, trying to hold him back.

"Sis, let go! I swear, I'm gonna-"

Samantha chewed her food leisurely. "Go ahead. I wouldn't mind roughing you up a bit. Might even leave you half-paralyzed-then you won't have to work at all."

The casual remark sucked the air out of Lucas's rage. He suddenly had a very bad feeling.

This crazy girl -she wasn't bluffing.

He clenched his fists, trembling, but ultimately did nothing.

"Coward," Samantha taunted, enjoying his humiliation.

Leticia tightened her grip on Lucas, her own resentment simmering.

The others exchanged glances. Their understanding of Samantha had changed drastically.

Vengeful. Unapologetic. Dangerous.

"Oh well," Samantha sighed dramatically as they retreated into the kitchen. "Too bad. That was your chance."

Then she picked up another bite of rabbit, grinning.

Tormenting them into questioning their very existence-now that was satisfying.