**Day Three**
Zero woke up starving, with a pounding headache. He hadn't eaten or drunk anything yesterday-he just couldn't. After drinking some water, his headache eased a little, but his hunger remained. Reluctantly, he stepped out of his room, feeling an immediate pang of disappointment when he didn't see his six brothers waiting for him. He understood, though. They were upset, and if he could, he wouldn't show up for himself either.
When he arrived at the cafeteria, another wave of emotion hit him-this time, regret. For the first time, the cafeteria wasn't empty. Twenty-nine people were already there, and with his arrival, it became thirty. He had always eaten alone with the six, so the sight of a crowded room left him shocked and unsure of what to do. He didn't notice someone approaching him until a familiar voice greeted him.
"Good morning, Zero."
Zero recognized the voice instantly. "Good morning, Dr. Pill."
Dr. Pill smiled. "I know it's a little strange, but I thought it would be better if all of you ate together. It might bring you closer if you all spent time in the same place... Wouldn't you agree?"
Zero hesitated for a moment, then responded, "Agreed."
"Lovely," Dr. Pill said before leaving the room, leaving Zero standing alone, unsure of what to do next.
Still feeling ashamed of what he had done the day before, Zero would have normally left the cafeteria immediately. But today, his hunger overpowered his thoughts. He grabbed some food and a refreshing drink and sat at an empty table. Only then did he realize he'd made a mistake-he had chosen a table right in the middle of the room, leaving him feeling completely exposed. His discomfort made it hard to eat, so he only had enough to quiet his hunger and drank half of his drink before stopping.
He stood up to leave, but with each step, his feet felt heavier, each movement louder than the one before. It felt like the light in the room was aimed directly at him, every fork, every knife, and every whisper focused on him. He couldn't bring himself to look back-he just kept walking straight ahead. When he finally reached the door, he glanced to his right and saw June staring at him.
That look-he didn't understand it at first. Was it disrespect? Anger? No. It was disappointment.
The realization crushed him, obliterating every other feeling he had-not just in this room, but every feeling he ever felt. He quickly left and returned to his room, haunted by that look, a look he thought he would never have to see again.
---
Time passed as Zero stood in his room, rehearsing what he should say when he finally stepped into the room to confront the others. His mind kept drifting back to earlier when he had seen the six sitting in the corner, their faces tight with anger. He didn't sit with them then, avoiding their anger, but the thought lingered, making him hesitate.
Snapping back to reality, he paced back and forth, thinking about the best way to apologize. "I'll sit down, and I'll say sorry," he muttered to himself. "I didn't mean what I said, and I'm really sorry for what happened to you..." But then he trailed off, unsure of how to continue.
Finally, he decided it would be better to speak from the heart. "I know I don't always know the right words," he told himself, "but I'll try my best, even if I embarrass myself. I deserve that. Maybe then, they'll forgive me."
Taking a deep breath, Zero left his room. To his relief, he found U, D, and C waiting outside. C quickly pulled him into a hug, and U and D joined in, patting him on the shoulder. When they broke apart, D looked at him and said, "I hope you're okay."
Zero nodded, his voice soft but determined. "I'm fine. I really didn't understand what happened yesterday, but please... I want your help to make it right."
U smiled gently. "We'll always have your back, always. I know that Three, Four, and Five aren't here right now, but they'll come around."
C grinned, clapping him on the back. "Like we always do. Now, let's go."
With a newfound sense of hope, Zero followed them, ready to face whatever came next
---
They stood in front of the door, an unspoken tension hanging in the air. U placed a reassuring hand on Zero's shoulder and said, "Take a deep breath and relax."
D echoed the sentiment, adding, "Like U said, take a deep breath and enter whenever you're ready."
C didn't say anything but gave Zero a steady look, his hand resting on the door handle, waiting for the signal. Zero took a moment to gather himself, letting the tension flow out of him with each breath. When he finally felt calm enough, he glanced at C and nodded.
C turned the handle and pushed the door open, stepping in first with D and U following right behind him. Zero, still standing outside, closed his eyes. His mind was blank, but his heart pounded as if it were trying to drown out his thoughts.
After collecting himself for the second time, he finally stepped forward and entered the room.
The light was off, except for a single beam shining down on a chair that stood alone. He knew that was where he was supposed to sit. He wanted to convince himself that no one else was in the room, but he could feel their eyes in the darkness-piercing through the void like faint lights.
He sat down, keeping his gaze on the floor. "This isn't what I planned," he thought to himself. "What should I do now?"
He started speaking, his voice trembling, his gaze still fixed on the ground.
"I don't know how to sincerely apologize... My brothers and I, we never really do that. We just joke around-that's our way of asking for forgiveness. But I don't think I can do that now..." He hesitated, then added, "Before anything else, let me tell you a story. Maybe then, you'll pity me and forgive me for what I said..."
To be continued....