"Now, you have nine heads"

The quartet from unit 109 cast their gaze on Hawkins. His steps were languid, his legs wobbly from exhaustion.

Mike kept his face expressionless, "Why didn't you enter the Cataclysm? Did you chicken out?"

Hawkins looked aggrieved, "I was busy dealing with matters on big brother's farm at that time. I was so busy that I only just got back."

He pointed to the wilted blue flower on his head as he spoke, "See, this is due to exhaustion."

"..."

A moment of silence ensued.

Ming, the mediator of the group, interjected, "Let's give him the benefit of the doubt."

"Even though I was tired, I was thinking of you guys."

Hawkins pulled out a string of somewhat incomplete grapes, "You should know how difficult it is to get this now. I haven't had a bite, waiting for you to come back and eat it. Try it, it's really sweet."

"..."

The three were momentarily stunned, each clenching their fists.