After some work, we rested, and I saw Angeles, whose waistcoat had not been damaged at all. It still looked clean as if he had put it on a few seconds ago.

He looked annoyed and was not wary of the horrors we had witnessed. He approached me in the shade with his hands behind his back and asked, "What name shall we give the species?"

I raised my eyebrow. "Their names are the least of our concerns right now."

He gave a small, soft laugh. "We have plenty of time. Surely we can come up with some nice names."

"Species get their names after they are carefully studied. We barely know about the animals we have encountered here."

"Oh, Blackwood, you're such a killjoy."

My eye almost twitched. I was not in the mood for games. Angeles then said, "Amazing, isn't it, this island?"

I scoffed. "This island is amazing but also a nightmare." Angeles shook his head. "Nonsense, Blackwood, it's beautiful." I couldn't understand his logic.

"It's filled with nightmarish creatures. Open your eyes, man." He laughed again, this time louder. "Blackwood, this place is different. It's isolated. It may look monstrous to normal humans, but for our predecessors, it's normal." This was the Angeles I knew, the annoying one. "You again with the intelligent creatures before us? There is yet no evidence of them here, and again only wild speculation." Angeles gave off a cheeky smirk. I could never predict what he was thinking.

"Perhaps, Blackwood, but I'm sure we'll find many more surprises." He walked away into his tent.

When night arrived, there was a change on the island. Unlike in the mornings where it felt dead, at night, it was alive. Horrific screeches, growls, and screams filled the night. Not a single sound was recognizable to me.

Night watch was pointless as the sounds kept us all awake. Angeles, on the other hand, was fast asleep in his tent. That idiot must be a heavy sleeper.

It wasn't until the sun began to rise when the sounds slowly faded away, and we were able to get two hours of sleep before we were awoken. The river had risen overnight.

We started making the finishing touches to the two rafts we made, and I went to wake up Angeles. His tent was clean and tidy, the man slept like a baby in his waistcoat. I saw that he had several purple waistcoats with him, so this fool had been changing them nonstop.

We all had breakfast. I sat next to Angeles and asked him, "So, what made you get into exploring islands?"

He twirled his mustache and smiled. "It's simple, really. I adore how they sway away from the mainland and are their own. Exploring islands is much more exciting as isolated islands always have a rich history untouched by mankind, and those who first find the secrets are destined for greatness, that, of course, if they're not greedy fools who don't know any better."

Interesting, I thought. "I got into animals after Grandpa gave me a handbook on big cats. I cherished it and still have it. Though it is painfully inaccurate as it said that the cheetah was a big cat, which it is not. Nonetheless, it was special. Without it, I probably would have no desire to drag my parents into a zoo. If I hadn't seen the creatures of the zoo, I wouldn't have gotten into biology and expeditions of seeing wild animals."

Angeles listened to me and nodded. "And what about your experience in the Great War?"

There was silence for a few seconds before I answered, "It was mandatory enlisting."

Angeles narrowed his eyes. "You can't hide away your past, Blackwood. You must face it."

"There is nothing to face. It was simple enlisting. I have nothing to hide."

Angeles looked away and covered his mouth. I think I...saw a glimpse of a grin.

"Excuse me," I said as I went back to the bushes to make it look like I was taking a leak.

What was that smirk? Why did he mention my past? Does he know? No, no, he can't. Stop it, Warden Blackwood, you're being paranoid. Angeles is just screwing with you... But why? What does he have to gain? Is it simply his nature to be so two-faced? I'm overthinking it. Breakfast is done, and we're on the move. Just don't overthink it, Blackwood. Angeles is simply an idiot.