After talking for a few more minutes, everyone decided to stay or go to the nearest outpost. And wait for someone to contact them.
There was a map of the region inside the main stall of the post, Ralph cleared the table and opened the map completely.
There were three outposts in total, they were all about ten kilometers apart. There were rivers between them and the relief was difficult, so it would not be easy to get to another post.
The region they were in was bordered by Venezuela and there was no urban center within a radius of 200 kilometers.
Ralph studied the map for a few minutes, as it might prove useful later. Soon he realized that the three posts seemed to form an almost straight line, as if it were a line of defense. Towards Venezuela, the relief was flatter and easier, and rivers were scarce. In the opposite direction, however, the relief became more and more difficult, with rivers getting bigger and bigger.
"I think I understand why they call these three places outposts." Ralph commented and left the tent.
It didn't look like it was going to rain, and the weather was hot and humid. After taking a deep breath, Ralph started checking everything at the gas station, the power generator, the fuel tank, armaments, provisions.
The fuel seemed to be enough to supply the generator for a few days, the generator seemed to be in good condition so there was no need to worry. There were no weapons anywhere, just a few rounds of ammo 5.62.
Provisions ... were scarce. Perhaps it wouldn't last two days for five people.
Ralph hoped that other Walkers would also arrive at the outpost he was at, so he didn't think he would be left alone with "brown ice".
She seemed to be making preparations for herself, as she looked busy.
The rest of the day basically consisted of that, reviews and preparations.
When the sun was setting, however, Ralph found something strange. No Walker arrived at the outpost!
Ralph's expression grew serious and he spoke on the Walkie Talkie:
"Is anyone heading to station B?"
There is no answer, someone then spoke on the same frequency:
"Is anyone heading to Post C?"
There was no answer.
"Shit ... Is anybody heading to station A?" Victor asked.
No answer again.
Only ten Walkers made it to the outposts before noon. But none arrived during the afternoon.
"Is this a joke?" Someone spoke.
"..." Everyone was silent.
Ralph was beginning to doubt the whole situation, it was all very strange.
First, they did not receive communications from the military. Second, the posts were hastily abandoned. Third, there was no further communication with the Walkers who did not reach the outpost.
There were two possibilities in the latter case: The first most likely is that the military rescued them. The second however ... is that everyone is either dead or has lost the ability to communicate.
Ralph felt a chill in his spine when he thought about it and decided to light a fire.
One of the things that Walkers learned during the week was basic survival skills. For example, make a fire in a primitive way, fish without using a fishing rod and how to make a temporary shelter in the forest, with leaves, vines and branches.
Although the post had lighting posts, Ralph thought it best to light a fire, as it would serve as a way to keep warm.
When it was completely dark, Ralph took a packet of food and prepared the meal.
The feed pack came with a portable cooker and a small pot to prepare food. But Ralph used the campfire for this, since the stove had little gas.
The ration consisted of a few cereal bars and sweets, but had three main meals. The food was dissected and he needed water to cook, which he took from a gallon at the gas station.
The woman seems to have had the same idea as Ralph and started to prepare her own meal, with the provisions available at the station instead of the food.
Ralph understood her line of thought, but he didn't agree.
Although the ration with the portable stove was practical, it was heavy and needed to be in the backpack at all times. In case of combat, he would not hesitate to drop the backpack in a corner.
Besides, his plan was to stay at the post, so he didn't worry about it so much.
After eating, Ralph put the rest away and lay down against a wooden log.
The sky was strangely clear for the Amazon rainforest, since the normal thing during the night is for the sky to be cloudy.
Ralph hadn't seen his family in months, but ... for some reason, Ralph felt at home in this place. It is as if his family has not left his side.
All sorts of experiences he had during those months, the friendships and obstacles overcome. All of this has influenced everything in Ralph, he considers himself different from before, in many ways.
Ralph raised his hand towards the moon, as if to catch it.
-If this is really a game ... I must play with all my heart.
Ralph thought with a slight smile.
Ralph started to feel sleepy and quickly got up. The week had been exhausting, but he didn't want to be vulnerable.
To Ralph's amazement, the woman seemed to be lying by the fire, too, only she was sleeping in a sleeping bag.
Seeing this, the corners of Ralph's mouth twitched. If he had also slept, they would be more vulnerable than a dodo.
Ralph shook his head and took his rifle to keep himself prepared for any situation.
The night, as expected, was cold and Ralph thought he had done the right thing by lighting the fire.
As there was little pollution in this region, the atmosphere was clean and the stars could be seen easily.
"Milky way ..." Ralph murmured as he looked at the sky.
For someone who has always liked to follow science, rationality ... All of this was an attack. Ralph sometimes wonders if he was really crazy, as Carmen said.
Thinking of Carmen, she surprisingly managed to endure the whole week and is now one of the remaining 30.
Julio couldn't take it and left on the fifth day. Junior managed to make it to the end too.
If Ralph had to answer whether he had made friends during that time, he would immediately think of Victor. The bastard proved to be a damned womanizer and liar, but he was still a good man. Ralph thinks Victor looks a little like Lucas, another bastard.
-How are they? We haven't spoken for a long time ...
Ralph thought about his colleagues at the university.
Time passed, and Ralph continued to struggle with sleep. Sometimes I have to pinch myself.
-That little bitch ... Does she think about sleeping all night?
Ralph thought as he decided whether to wake her up to keep guard while he rested for a while.
Ralph decided and started walking towards the woman.
When he was two steps away from her, the woman suddenly stood up with a pistol pointing at Ralph.
"What do you think you are doing!?" The two asked in unison.
Ralph tried to remain calm and the woman said:
"Don't come any closer, unless you want to die."
Ralph frowned and said:
"If you don't know, I was on guard while you slept comfortably on the cold, damp forest floor."
"AND?" The woman asked coldly.
Ralph contained his own anger and said:
"I happen to be a human too, and I deserve to rest while you stand guard."
The woman thought for a moment, made a strange expression and said:
"If you don't want to die, you better not sleep." She then lay down again and closed her eyes.
Ralph smiled angrily and ground his teeth.
-She knows I'm not going to sleep, and is taking advantage of the situation.
Ralph thought for a moment and went to the river bank with a bucket, and came back with the bucket full of water
~ Shuuu
The sound of the fire being extinguished resounded.
Ralph dropped every last drop of water on the fire and nodded in satisfaction.
"Sorry, but this fire is in the wrong place. Good luck with the cold and mosquitoes." Ralph spoke as he went elsewhere hitting the bucket and whistling.
After finding a good spot, Ralph lit another fire and continued to fight the old enemy. He decided to sit on his sleeping bag to keep himself a little more comfortable.
-That little bitch ... I think I understand why Victor doesn't like her.
Ralph thought as he smiled bitterly.
To pass the time, Ralph kept thinking about everything he could. The skills he saw in other Walkers, the hard training, his family.
Ralph's eyelids, even as he struggled, slowly lowered. Whenever he realized this, he pinched himself, but this time it wasn't working.
-Damn ... I can't sleep.
Ralph thought and stood up with an effort.
It must be a while before dawn, so Ralph decided to hide himself with something that would be useful.
He liked his sleeping bag, but he doesn't like sleeping on the floor, due to the risks.
He started to set up a net with some vines that he cut using the rifle's bayonet. Then he took leaves large enough and covered the entire net. The net was tied to two trees.
After making sure that the hammock was firm enough, Ralph put the sleeping bag on it, to ensure maximum comfort, and began to wait for the sun to come up.
Even if there was still danger during the day, it would be considerably less than at night. A man does not live without rest, but Ralph has not slept for three days and continued under extreme pressure.
He had a wristwatch that could serve as an alarm, and decided to sleep for only 3 hours from dawn. It is little to make up for all the tiredness, but enough to keep him alive.
Fortunately for Ralph, there was no attack from animals or beasts, and the sun slowly appeared on the horizon.
Ralph, without realizing it, had a big smile on his face.
"Finally ..." Ralph murmured as he lay down on the hammock.
It was very comfortable, and Ralph immediately fell asleep.
What he did not expect, however, was that a certain "bitch" had held a grudge and was waiting for the right opportunity to take revenge.
The "bitch" slowly approached Ralph with a bucket of water and spilled everything on Ralph.
However, something unexpected happened, even though Ralph was soaked, Ralph did not wake up.
The woman, seeing this, secretly scoffed but did nothing.
Even if he hadn't woken up in an instant, he would certainly wake up extremely uncomfortable, that was enough for her.
Subconsciously, Ralph cursed himself for finding the dream too 'cold'.
After three hours, the alarm on Ralph's watch started to ring, but Ralph didn't wake up anyway.
Five minutes, ten minutes ... thirty minutes passed and the alarm went on. Ralph didn't wake up.
The woman, who was irritated by the noise, approached and shouted in Ralph's ear:
"Wake up!!"
Ralph woke up with a jump and red eyes.
-But ... cold. It was raining? But I remember setting up the net in a covered place.
Ralph thought as he trembled, but soon noticed the hateful woman on his side.
Remembering the scream he heard earlier, anger filled Ralph. He was in the best part of the dream!
"You ... Who do you think you are?" Ralph spoke as he gritted his teeth.
"Hermane Grinher." The woman replied.
Ralph was taken by surprise. Now that he paid attention, she really looked like Hermane, but it was impossible for her to be Hermane.
"My God ... You are really stupid." The woman smiled coldly and scoffed.
"Shut up, don't think this is going to be like this!" Ralph shouted angrily.
The woman turned her back on Ralph and left with a smile.
Ralph took a deep breath, containing his own fury and decided to get dry first.
Fortunately, the sun was not giving a break and the weather was arid, Ralph's uniform did not take long to get dry, and he, as a form of revenge, was naked while he waited.
Seeing the woman blush and swear at him from a distance when he saw him naked lessened Ralph's anger a little, but since he is not an exhibitionist type, he got dressed right after the robes were completely dry.
After eating enough, Ralph decided to speak on the Walkie Talkie.
"Victor, you don't know." Ralph spoke while laughing lightly.
After a brief moment, Victor responded.
"What's it?" Victor noticed Ralph's tone of voice and it was on his wave.
"The girl who slept at the post I am in tonight, she is certainly insane." Ralph spoke as he watched the woman's reaction from a distance.
"Cut the bullshit, get to the point." Junior spoke.
Ralph laughed and continued:
"And to think that she was so perverted. She tried to force me to stay up all night while she slept, threatening me, saying that something bad would happen to me if I slept."
"Pervert? I don't understand ..." Junior said, but only an idiot wouldn't know his true intentions.
As if waiting for that question, Ralph said:
"When I finally slept, she wet me all over and woke me up while talking in my ears: 'Wake up ...', she said. But when I think it's over, I notice the state of my clothes and I find myself forced to stay naked while my clothes dry. You should have seen the expression of pleasure on her face in the meantime. " Ralph spoke in a disturbed tone.
"My God ..." Junior spoke in terror.
"Be calm, I'm sure I saw a rule that forbids such abuses when I signed that piece of paper. The military will rescue you, but don't let her find out!" Victor shouted in a worried tone.
"..." The girl, who was listening to everything on her Walkie Talkie, had a somber expression, but didn't move.
"Yes, I have to hide from her and make sure she doesn't find out. She will be punished by the law!" Ralph spoke softly.
"By the law!" Victor spoke in a dignified tone.
"By the law!" Junior spoke.
Ralph turned off the Walkie Talkie and started to distance himself from the woman, very obviously as he stepped on branches and made a lot of noise.
"I will not lower myself ... I will not lower myself ..." The woman murmured under her breath, but she suddenly looked at her hand. She broke the device's antenna while unconsciously squeezing it.