Veiled Horizons

Chapter Thirteen: Adlyn

The others were deep in conversation, speculating wildly about the island’s mysteries. “Wh-What if we are being punished for our sins?” Cassie shivered, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Adlyn, uninterested in their theories, quietly moved away and slipped into the tent where the girl he had saved was resting. He sat beside her, absently twisting the ring he had taken from Joel’s pocket after his death. Memories of Joel flooded his mind, mingling with the weight of the ring on his finger.

“You lost someone here, didn't you?” a soft voice broke his reverie. Startled, Adlyn realized the girl was awake.

“You’re up,” he muttered, surprised. “I should tell the others.” He began to rise, but a cold hand stopped him.

“Not yet,” she whispered, “They’ll shatter this peace. You seem like the quiet type.”

He sat back down, meeting her gaze, her dark red eyes probing his. She pressed again, “Who did you lose?”

“He was my friend,” Adlyn replied, his voice thick with emotion, “maybe more than that, a brother.”

Silence enveloped them until she asked for water. Adlyn handed her a bottle they had scavenged from their bags, watching as she drank deeply, not spilling a drop. Her skin, marred by scars and injuries, hinted at a beauty worn by hardship. Her red hair, disheveled and dirty, hinted at a past life far removed from their current nightmare.

They talked, their conversation unexpectedly captivating for Adlyn. She introduced herself as Scarlett, and he shared his name, “Adlyn. Adlyn Fox.”

“Nice name, Fox,” she laughed, and for a moment, the tent felt like a sanctuary. Scarlett shared her story, contrasting with their own. “It was a school trip. We didn’t get a free ride for winning a competition,” she teased.

“Well, you ‘paid’ for this? We’re lucky compared to you,” Adlyn replied with a quiet, teasing tone.

“Not for ‘This,’ but yeah, we had to.” Scarlett continued, “A tourist guide convinced our teachers to explore this island.”

‘And that’s how she ended up here,’ Adlyn thought, a strange warmth blooming in his chest. But the warmth vanished when the others burst into the tent, shattering their fragile peace.

Adlyn’s thoughts drifted as they gathered outside, only to snap back to the present when he heard the man, who had saved them from the creatures, say, “You have no idea what you've gotten into”

Then the man introduced himself, “Edward. But, you can call me Ed”

The gravity of Edward’s words pulled Adlyn back to the present, the memory of his quiet moments with Scarlett lingering like a distant echo. The strange warmth he had felt with Scarlett was replaced by a gnawing uncertainty, a sense that their ordeal had only just begun.

Without wasting a single second, the man said, “Follow me.”

Adlyn glanced at the others, exchanging a quick, uncertain look before falling in line behind Edward. They hurried through the tall grass, Edward’s pace brisk and determined, as if the weight of some imminent revelation drove him forward. After a lengthy walk, they emerged before a cave nestled amidst the normal grass. The contrast was striking, the cave appearing like a hidden sanctuary amidst the wilderness.

The cave’s entrance, partially concealed by a massive rock, resembled a lion’s den—both ominous and inviting. Edward approached the side of the cave and, with a swift motion, turned a lever. The huge rock groaned and began to slide aside, revealing a dark, gaping entrance. He stepped back, gesturing for the group to enter.

“You’ll be safe here,” he assured them, his voice carrying an unspoken urgency.

As they filed into the cave, Adlyn’s senses heightened. The air inside was cool and damp, carrying a faint, earthy scent. Edward followed them in, turning another lever just inside the entrance. The rock ground back into place, sealing them in with a final, echoing thud. The weight of the moment settled heavily on Adlyn.

Inside the cave, everyone sat in a circle around a modest bonfire, its flickering light casting eerie shadows on the walls. Frightened and confused glances were exchanged, each person silently questioning the bizarre turn of events.

Ron and Eva, having been the last to witness Harvin’s legless state and the appearance of the red-haired girl, Scarlett, wore expressions of utter bewilderment. The silence weighed heavily until Adlyn’s intense gaze fixed on Edward. Suspicion and rage burned in his eyes, a barely concealed fury simmering beneath the surface. Adlyn couldn’t shake the feeling that Edward might be playing them, and if that were true, he’d make him pay for Joel’s fate.

Edward, sensing the hostility, cleared his throat and began, “If you have any questions—”

The cave exploded with noise, questions flying from every direction. Eva was the first to shout, “What the hell happened to Harvin?”

“And who is this girl?” Ron quickly followed.

The previously quiet and dark cave now buzzed with chatter, voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony of concern and confusion.

“Wait, that’s not what I—” Edward attempted to regain control, but his voice was drowned out by the cacophony of questions.

“Where the hell were you?” Zane’s voice cut through the din, yet it only added to the chorus of unanswered inquiries.

Amidst the uproar, Anderson raised his voice, “Enough!” The cave fell silent, the echoes of their questions fading into the stillness.

With a sense of authority and a hint of exasperation, Anderson looked around at the anxious faces. Adlyn felt a brief surge of gratitude that a grown-up was there to restore order. Then, Anderson added with a wry smile, “And no, I don’t know where we can get Wi-Fi, so don’t even ask.”

A few chuckles rippled through the group, easing the tension just enough to allow everyone to breathe again. Even Adlyn felt a tiny, reluctant smile tug at the corner of his lips.

“Alright,” Anderson continued, his tone more serious but now with a gentler edge. “Let’s take it one question at a time. Edward, I believe you have some explaining to do.”

All eyes turned toward Edward. The cave fell into a hush, creating a stage-like atmosphere where every ear was tuned in, ready to catch every word he would say. The flickering flames of the bonfire cast dancing shadows on the cave walls, adding a sense of mystique to the moment.

Edward took a deep breath, the weight of their collective gaze heavy upon him. “Alright,” he began, his voice echoing softly in the cavern. “I owe you all an explanation. But before I say anything about this island, you need to know who I am. Who I was...”

The cave fell silent, the flickering fire casting dancing shadows on their faces. Edward's eyes moved from one person to the next, ensuring he had their full attention.