Chapter 18: The Canteen, the Guilt, and the Steel Echo
Interior – Abandoned Military Canteen – Day 3 Morning
CLANK!
The sound of a falling metal tray echoed through the empty halls like a gunshot.
But it wasn't an enemy.
It was Akash — sitting cross-legged on a dusty table — devouring food like a man who'd just survived three apocalypses and a diet.
> "MmmmmmmMMMMM… Sid, Shiva, you have to try this! I think this one's chicken curry in a can! Or maybe mutton. Or maybe… who cares!"
Around him were open cans, scattered forks, and an old heater tray with steam rising from it.
Shiva stood near the door, holding a spoon suspiciously.
Sid just stared at the chaotic buffet Akash had created.
> "Akash… you do realize that can says 'high-protein preserved ration #048, prawn -flavored paste' right?" Sid asked, eyebrows raised.
Akash paused, mid-bite, blinked… then shrugged.
> "Still tastes better than that mess we had on the ship before it sank."
The three had stumbled upon the military canteen earlier that morning — almost hidden behind a collapsed hallway. To their relief, the food storage was untouched — hundreds of sealed cans, war-ready, stacked in airtight lockers. Some were even marked with expiry dates six months into the future.
It was a feast — and they needed it. After days of crawling through tunnels, triggering traps, and nearly dying five times before lunch, they were starving.
Shiva popped open a can and sniffed it.
> "Smells edible. Looks… questionably edible. Good enough."
The three sat and ate — for once, almost like a normal day.
But then…
Akash leaned back dramatically, patted his belly, and pushed the half-eaten tray away.
> "Okay, that's enough for me. Sid, finish it off. Or Shiva. I'm full."
Sid narrowed his eyes. "You're seriously wasting food? Here? Now?"
Akash gave his usual grin. "Come on! There's a mountain of these cans in the storage. What's the big deal?"
Sid's expression hardened.
> "The big deal is — we're on a war bunker. Surrounded by who-knows-what. No idea how long we'll be stuck. You think just because we found food today, we'll always have it?"
Shiva chimed in, voice calm but serious.
> "In war, more soldiers die from hunger than from bullets. Starvation has killed armies long before the enemy did. And you… want to waste food in a place like this?"
Akash blinked. The grin faded.
He looked down at the tray… then quietly picked up the spoon.
> "Okay, okay. Fine. You guys win. No food wasted. I'll even lick the tray clean. Happy?"
Sid smiled faintly. "Very."
They sat in silence for a while, letting the warmth of food and friendship fill their bodies — and for a brief moment, the war felt far away.
But then…
CLANG!
A sudden sound shattered the calm.
A sharp metallic clang echoed from outside the canteen — like steel falling onto concrete.
They froze.
Shiva immediately stood up. Sid reached for the emergency flashlight. Akash quietly put down the spoon, eyes wide.
> "That wasn't me this time," he whispered.
The echo repeated — faint, distant… but intentional.
> Someone — or something — was moving nearby.
And now, the mission wasn't just about fuel…
It was about finding out what else lurked on the island.