Day Four: Early Morning

[Jinpo]

Three days. Three long, strenuous, exhausting days and the competition was only half over. The field seemed to be thinning out at nearly the same rate. The Namekian child had outlived more than twenty other fighters to get to this point, and he?d be damned if he would die now. The vivacious moon sat at the apex of its trajectory, lighting up the night as bright as any day. The pale white light shone through the leaves of the trees surrounding Cargo, leading him onward down the forest pathway.

Grrrrrrrr

The loud grumble could have easily been mistaken for a wild animal, if it had not originated from deep inside Cargo?s stomach. The hunger had appeared out of nowhere and hit the teenager like a freight train. Cargo doubled over and crossed his arms across his abdomen, seemingly trying to force the starvation back into the depths of his body. Unfortunately for him, he wasn?t that strong. It was on to Plan B: his remaining rations. The emerald-skinned adolescent unzipped the bag at ludicrous speed and rummaged through his contents. Regrettably, he had only set himself up for more disappointment.

?A can of creamed corn and half a piece of bread. Great . . . I knew I shouldn?t have wasted the majority of my bread on that incredibly delicious Spam sandwich.?

Grrrrrrrr

?Shit.? Hunting for the Namekian mercenary would have to wait. Gathering food instantly jumped over all other priorities on Cargo?s to-do-list. Every one of the child?s senses called to the need. The dissonant pounding of the emptiness, the crying of Cargo?s stomach, caused him more pain and anguish than any ki pistol or nail gun could. The famine teased and prodded at him to find something, anything, to satiate it. And it was very strong. The youngster quickly downed what remained of his food.

Grrrrrrrr

?What the hell!? Cargo cried as he frantically looked around for more food, similar to a pothead with the munchies. Glancing upwards, the jade-toned battler found his prize. ?Jackpot!?

A shiny red apple hung from a tree branch directly above the Namekian?s head, taunting him. Without hesitation, Cargo moved toward the trunk and began to rapidly ascend the barrier which stood between him and indulgence.

?You?re mine.? the teen exclaimed as he shimmied along his ?branch of destiny?. Cargo reached out, with his short arms, for his trophy. Only inches away, he could taste the crunchy apple. He would savor every last bite. However, the kid should have known: nothing was easy in Dante?s Abyss. Zooming in from an adjacent tree, a chipmunk leapt over to the occupied limb and snatched Cargo?s brass ring away from him.

?Damn it!? he shouted, shaking the tree to its roots. ?Get your ass back here!? Cargo followed the chipmunk as he jumped off of the branch. Landing painfully on his already injured feet, Cargo bounded after the thief as it tore down the jungle road.

?This must literally my Apple of Discord.? he mused as he chased the chipmunk. The mammal bandit whizzed out of the forest into a clearing, but the kid was gaining on it. Food was a great motivator. As Cargo closed in on his target, he dug around in his pocket before fishing out the bloody grocery bag he had taken from Pikkon. It was on.

?Got you!? the Namekian roared as he dove, in a last ditch effort, to trap the robber. The plastic bag landed on top of the chipmunk, ensnaring it. Nimbly, Cargo rolled through his all-out dive, scooping up his catch in the process. Without thought, he tied the bag tightly, depriving the animal of something more important than food: air. It was only a matter of time now. The kid sighed, as he observed his new surroundings.

?How fitting.? Cargo said, smirking. He was surrounded by tombstones. The chipmunk had led him to the cemetery. Refocusing on his catch, the creature was on its last legs. The Alvin-like squeaking stopped and the scurrying of its tiny feet slowed . . .

Its eyes glazed over and it slowly rolled to its back . . .

Its chest ceased to rise and fall . . .

Cargo could add one more to his kill count.

?Finally.? Cargo declared as he untied the bag and claimed what was rightfully his. He wasted no time sitting on the closest headstone and sinking his teeth into the fruit.

?Oh my god, this apple is orgasmic!?