Twisted-Wonderland: Our Precious Treasure (Part 2)

(118) TTotSS: Outburst of Complaints!

"Get a move on!" Kalim screamed from his palanquin on top of his elephant. "We're moving slower than we did yesterday!"

Ashoka let out a groan, leaning to the horse he was riding. "I don't want that..." he whined, dragging his lowered flag because of his weak arm, "Let me sleep...!"

Jamil walked slower until he could walk next to Ashoka's horse. "Hang in there, okay?" he said, patting the other student's thigh. "Just a little more and we can rest!"

Ashoka's eyes were shining in gratefulness. "Vice Prefect..." he sniffed, "You're so kind..." Jamil gave a small smile and strode back to his position.

Kalim huffed and pouted, not enjoying his time. None of them were. It was as if nature was conspiring against them along with Kalim. The sun and sand were hotter than yesterday, it felt like they were being grilled alive and the hood of their uniform, nonetheless their black, heat-absorbing, sleeveless uniform, and sandals didn't help at all.

Kalim glanced up when they finally arrived at the oasis. "Everyone, stop!"

Grim took off his feather crown and threw it to the ground. "I'm so thirsty..." He crawled on his stomach to the oasis, letting a scream when it was empty. He looked back to Kalim who still on the elephant. "Kalim, can you summon some water or something?"

Even from the place, Kalim's glare could still be effective and dangerous. "You dare to ask me like that?!"

Grim squeaked. It wasn't just Grim, mostly everyone, including Jamil, turned to Kalim in surprise. Kalim raised his chin. "I'm not your personal water supply. If you want water, then draw some from the oasis yourself." He pulled the curtain of his palanquin close, blocking him from everyone else.

Chandra fell to his knees. "We... We have to... It's a fucking dried-up oasis!"

Mustafa glanced to the said oasis, hissing through his gritted teeth. "This is getting too far."

Yudhi wiped his brow, looking like he was about to cry. "What happened to the prefect...?" He inhaled sharply. "How long are we supposed to take this...?!"

"Hey, it's okay." Jalim pressed a water bottle onto Yudhi's cheek. "I knew this would happen, so I packed some water." He looked around at the thirsty students. "Go get them from the camels and share with everyone."

Yudhi sighed. "Thank you very much, Jamil." He opened the bottle and gulped the entire content. "You know, you would be a great prefect."

"I second that," Ashoka said. "Ever since he started acting like that, you've been doing the prefect's work, Senior Jamil." He crushed the now-empty plastic water bottle in his hand. "How do you bear taking orders from someone like him?"

Jamil sighed. "Because..." He glanced at the closed palanquin. "Because he's Kalim al-Asim."

All of these exchanges didn't go unnoticed for Jonah who leaned against a dried-up tree, still holding his water bottle. Grim was sitting by his feet, drinking his water. Jonah knelt beside him, putting his hand on the cat's head to gain his attention. "Remember, Grim," he whispered. "If anything happens to any one of us, the other must escape and call for help."

Grim looked up to him, questioning him. But Jonah couldn't just give him the straight answer. He knew why they had to do this. The reason was obvious: they had to escape from this nightmare. But...

Jonah's eye was still on the Scarabia students. One of them to be precise...

-----

Evening came to Scarabia and the students gathered in the lounge, including Jonah and Grim who sat the furthest from the group. "I managed to get Kalim to sleep," Jamil said, stepping to the front of the students. "I..." he cleared his throat, before continuing, "I understand that you're feeling unsatisfied with Kalim right now. He's keeping you all in the dorm and making you train during the holidays. He's definitely being unreasonable." He sighed. "I don't think that he's doing the right thing either."