Days Are Numbered

33. A prize For A life

As the boys stepped out of the cabin, they strained their ears for any ominous sounds that might signal danger. The night seemed to hold its breath, shrouded in an eerie stillness. Evan and Browne, resolved to stay behind, disappeared down a separate path, their decision weighing heavily on their minds. Meanwhile, Noah and the others forged ahead, guided by the moonlight that cast long shadows across their path. Determination etched on their faces, they pressed forward under Noah's steady lead, each step a testament to their resolve.

They all knew that their journey would be fraught with obstacles. Not long after they took a turn to the dense part of the wounds where slithering snakes lurk, their eyes gleaming in the darkness ready to bite both humans and animals and make them meet their fate, Dhakirah who had knowledge of the area swiftly dispatched the snakes, his movements fluid and precise, ensuring the group's safety with a cutlass.

The boys carefully crossed over keeping safe in Dhakirah's tracks, their path led them to a wide river, its currents swirling ominously beneath the moon's silvery glow.

"We have to cross over," Noah announced.

"Beware of the waves," Rafael warned and the boys one after the other got into the water. Vincent, who was nervous and barely a skilled swimmer, struggled to keep up with the group in the water, he struggled against the relentless pull of the waves and found himself on the brink of drowning. With lightning reflexes, Rafael lunged forward, pulling him to safety just in time, his breaths ragged with relief when they hit the ground. Everyone stared at Vincent sympathetically.

However, their trials were far from over, the sun sat among the clouds emitting the worst heat but they persevered. As they approached the final stretch before the cave, they were met with rocky hills that loomed ominously before them. Ethan, paralyzed by his fear of heights, trembled at the prospect of scaling the treacherous terrain, Noah noticed his fazing but remained silent. With shaky hands, Ethan reached out climbing with his heart pounding in his chest. The boys advanced gradually to the top, only for Ethan to miss a spot causing him to drop with a shriek, Noah who was observing him all the while reached out to catch him before he slid further. The sun made it hard for him to hold on to Ethan's sweaty hand, but he pulled as hard as he could getting to the top safely with Ethan who was more than grateful that he could barely utter the words, "Thanks."

As they crossed the rocky hill relief hit their lungs when they spotted the cave looming in a closer distance. With a collective sigh of relief, they stood on the threshold of freedom, their journey marked by unwavering courage and unbreakable bonds.

"WOHOU!" Vincent screamed while bolting to the cave, his voice echoing through the space.

"Slow down!" Rafael's admonition cut through the enthusiasm, his voice carrying a note of caution as he hurried after the boy. Ethan followed suit, his steps measured and deliberate, while Dhakirah offered Noah a knowing wink before joining the others.

A flicker of amusement danced across Noah's lips at the sight of his companions' antics, a brief moment of levity amidst the tension of their escape. But his smile faded as a sudden jolt of pain shot through his neck, the familiar ache signaling the lurking danger that still surrounded them. Frantically scanning the surroundings for any sign of the elusive wolverines, Noah's heart raced with worries. His senses heightened, every rustle of leaves and distant sound magnified in the silence of the area.

Then, like a haunting specter emerging from the shadows, a hand broke through the crest of the hill causing Noah to jump. The hand struggled to hang on covered in blood. With a surge of adrenaline, Noah dashed towards the figure, his heart pounding in his chest as he reached out. His fingers intertwined with the blood-stained hand, and relief washed over him like a tidal wave. It was Evan, his enemy, battered and bruised but resilient.

"Evan?" Noah's voice quivered with concern as he guided his adversary down the slope, noting the myriad cuts and scratches that marred his skin. The boy's expression was a mixture of horror and tremulousness, his ordeal etched in the lines of his face.

"B-Browne," Evan stammered, struggling to find his footing as Noah helped him up and brought him to the group gathered around the cave entrance. The boys' faces reflected a mixture of confusion and fear, their eyes darting between Evan and each other. Ethan wasted no time in going to inspect his twin's injury.

"Where is Browne?" Rafael's voice trembled with concern, his brow furrowed in worry.

"Why are you here?" Vincent's tone was tinged with suspicion, his gaze probing Evan for answers.

Evan swallowed hard, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as he recounted his harrowing encounter. "B-Browne, Augustine, we met him," he began, his voice quivering with fear. "He was furious, he wanted to know... he had the Wolverines with him. A-and..." Evan's voice trailed off, the memory of betrayal weighing heavily on his trembling frame. "B-Browne, he betrayed us. He told him everything, making Noah look like a villain. It turns out that all this while he was a spy. He turned on me, I narrowly escaped, the wolverines attacked me but I got into the river." He sighed. "God, I shouldn't have returned."

A sense of urgency gripped the group as they absorbed Evan's words, the gravity of their situation sinking in. Noah exchanged a solemn glance with Dhakirah, a silent acknowledgment of the dangers that loomed ahead.

The pain in Noah's neck intensified, a sharp reminder of the peril that lurked in the shadows. "Move! Quickly!" he urged, his voice edged with urgency as they hurried into the cave. Dhakirah hesitated, his features contorted in anguish as he grappled with his own pain.

"Can't you try?" Noah pleaded, his eyes pleading for Dhakirah to join them on their journey to freedom.

Dhakirah shook his head, a wistful smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You don't want to go home with my corpse, do you?" he replied softly.

Noah's heart ached with sorrow as he bid farewell to his steadfast companion. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "If I could, I'd deactivate your spinal cord, haul you through the cave, and out of here. I'm so sorry I can't do it, Dhakirah."

Dhakirah's smile was bittersweet, a testament to the bond they shared. "That's okay, not your fault," he reassured Noah, his hand gently squeezing Noah's shoulder. "This is my home. I wish you all the best. You brought them this far, keeping the rules and taking responsibility. See, you didn't need this camp; you just needed to know yourself more."

Noah's eyes glistened with unshed tears for the first time in a long time, as he bid farewell to his guardian angel, his heart heavy with the weight of their parting. With a final embrace, Noah slipped into the depths of the cave, his resolve steeled for the journey ahead. The cave stretched into a dark tunnel with light at the end, Noah could only see Dhakirah's proud face fading in his mind. Goodbye, my friend.

Emerging into the light at the tunnel's end, Noah found himself greeted by the vast expanse of a sandy beach, the promise of freedom beckoning on the horizon. As his gaze fell on the boys heading towards a boat bobbing in the gentle waves. Then his gaze swept across the sandy beach, and a nagging feeling of unease crept over him like a shadow. The sight of the boys jubilating as they approached the boat should have filled him with relief, but instead, a sense of foreboding settled heavily in his chest.

A boat? Noah's mind whirled with questions. It felt too convenient, too perfectly orchestrated. The wolverines' absence during their escape, Browne's sudden betrayal – it all seemed too calculated to be mere coincidence. Vincent's observation about the trees being oddly artificial resonated in Noah's thoughts. What if this entire landscape was fabricated, a meticulously constructed facade designed to lure them into a trap? The realization struck Noah like a bolt of lightning, sending shivers down his spine. With a deepening sense of dread, Noah scanned the horizon, his eyes narrowing as he pieced together fragments of doubt and suspicion. If DREAD was capable of such elaborate deception, then their lives hung precariously in the balance...