Upon returning and explaining the gravity of the situation to Vans and the others, we had all reached a consensus.
We were to leave later that night to rescue the others.
Any desire to ask for more details diminished when they looked at the dark expression on Tristan's face.
I pulled him to the side, shaking the dazed look off him. "You'll stay here."
"What?"
"You'll get in the way."
He grew quiet for a moment, as if giving in with my statement.
Gently letting go, I turned to walk away.
"No!" Tristan shouted quickly, grabbing my wrist. "I'll go."
His hand was trembling and his eyes shook.
"You're staying."
He shook his head furiously. "I'm going."
I opened my mouth to protest but he quickly cut me off.
"I know you're worried, but I can do it. I want to help."
Worried? Me?
My eyes glanced down at his clenched trembling fist.
"Snow please."
I closed my eyes, beginning to cave. "How good are you with a gun?"
"The best! I was the best of all the trainee's." He boasted quickly.
There was a moment of hesitation before I finally said, "You'll lead them to the place we went today. I'll wait for you there."
"You're going before us?"
I nodded, "I'll be monitoring the situation before you arrive."
"Alone?"
My lips curled slyly. "I'm the best with a gun and at fighting."
Tristan blinked at me before chuckling softly. "Yeah, you are. I'll see you later then, stay safe!"
My head bobbed.
He waved as he left.
"Snow."
A gentle voice caused my heart to beat louder.
I slowly turned around.
Parker stood in front of me without saying a word.
He began to fumble with his hands. "Uh- I just wanted to say- please be careful. Rescuing the others is important, but so are you. Do you understand? You're important to m- to us. So, whatever you do, you have to come back alive."
He was no longer avoiding my eyes. They begged me, telling me that he would fall apart if something were to happen to us.
"I'll keep everyone safe, don't worry."
His face soured and he placed his hands on my shoulders gently. "Does it kill you to be a little more selfish? I'm telling you to keep yourself safe at all costs! Okay?!"
I blinked.
What is he talking about?
His hands clenched at my confusion, the warmth his hands gave me caused my stomach to flip.
Seriously, what is wrong with me?
"Snow," he began to speak softly, "If I were to lose you too… I- I think I'd go crazy."
"Why?" The words escaped my lips without consent.
"I-"
"Snow?" The girls peered into the cave passage.
Parker quickly let go of my shoulders.
"Are we interrupting-"
"No!" Parker interjected, waving his hands widely. "We just finished!"
"Didn't seem like it to-"
Sani wrapped her hand around Dan's mouth. "If you're done, we'll escort you out Snow."
I glanced at Parker, who smiled in approval.
After a nod of excusal, I walked with the girls out the passage but the smallest whisper was heard behind me.
"Please come back safely."
His actions made no sense to me, though, in a way, he reminded me a lot of Benji. Selfless and caring.
Maybe Parker also sees me as a sibling? His parents did take care of me for a bit after all… The same way Benji felt I was family?
My steps faltered.
All the time I pushed all those memories- all those people to the back of my head but I couldn't help but wonder.
Is Benji doing all right?
"Snow? Are you alright?" Brianna peered over at me worriedly.
"I'm okay."
People's gazes were still harsh but for the most part, they avoided me so passing through them was not an issue.
Once outside, they all turned to look at me.
"We got a couple of things for you before you leave!" Liz grinned. "I got you these snacks, in case you get hungry."
"I got you water." Brianna lifted the bottles.
"I brought an extra sweater." Sani held up a gray hoodie as Dan held up a flashlight with a sly grin.
Their hands were full of goods they had brought, each with eager and caring faces.
The idea of carrying everything in my backpack made me laugh. "It's only one night."
The girls stared at me star-struck but I didn't notice as I began to grab a few of the gifts. They were placed in my backpack carefully.
"I'll get going now."
"Wait." Dan called out, her eyes misty. "You better be careful."
I nodded.
She reached for a hug and so did the others.
Soon I was enveloped by warmth and small sniffles.
They wrapped their hands around me so hard it almost became impossible to breathe.
Finally, they all let go, each of their faces carried the same excessive amount of worry.
But it felt nice.
"I'll-" I started, "I'll help bring everyone back. I promise."
They smiled.
"We know you will." Dan grinned.
Exchanging our goodbyes once more, I left for the camp.
Further out, I glanced back only to see them still standing there.
Liz waved frantically and was about to shout when Brianna quickly elbowed her ribs and placed a finger to her lips.
Liz laughed sheepishly but continued to wave.
My hand raised and I waved back gently.
I don't think I can deny it anymore. They've become very special to me.
I turned around and began to walk once more, more determined.
So I have to hurry and get them to safety.
…
Midnight passed and the time to act was approaching. I quietly left the hidden spot I was using for observing.
They only changed shifts twice in the interval of 3 hours. We were currently thirty minutes from the last shift.
In total, only a total of eight people were guarding at a time.
Two with the prisoners, two at the leading-official's tend and the rest patrolled around the border of the camp.
The good thing was that they were completely cafree, not expecting any sort of surprise or attack.
Sensing the agreed time, I carefully made my way a bit further away.
A total of five others, including Sani and Tristan, waited for me in silence.
After giving all of what I'd learned to Sani, she huddled us together.
She grabbed a stick and began to scribble on the dirt. "Is this correct?" She glanced at me after drawing a top view of the camp.
I nodded.
Sani seemed excellent at retaining information and picturing it in her mind.
She continued. "To start with, we need to deal with the tents holding the sleeping soldiers. Snow, do you think you can freeze it over?"
My heart faltered for a moment but I nodded anyway.
I can do it. It's not that hard.
"Great. But before that though, we'll deal with the patrols on the outskirts. We'll split into two groups for that. Once they've been dealt with, we can deal with the remaining soldiers at the camp."
"What if they take someone hostage?" A volunteer asked intuitively.
Sani thought pensively for a moment. "Then we'll cause a distraction. Snow, can you create a diversion?
I nodded.
"If they're severely injured, how will we take them back?" Someone else asked.
It grew quiet.
"I can make a sled. You'd have to cover the tracks." I said quietly.
Seeing that there was no better plan, they agreed.
"Once again, our priority is ourselves. If we die, that is less people that can protect the others back at the cave." Sani exhaled deeply, pulling out her gun. "Is everyone ready?"
Everyone followed suit, pulling out their weapons and steading their hearts.
"Let's go."