Earlier, the fifty qualifiers were called to the assembly hall to be made aware of the event rules.
"To win this event, each group must comply with the following rules; the first thing to note is that the event is like a quest. Each group must use the knowledge of History and Geography to discover as many as possible artifacts that has been hidden."
"Each group will be given a pamphlet that contains information of the artifacts to be discovered. In the pamphlet, there'll be a list of tribes and images of artifacts that you can discover. It's up to you to use your knowledge to relate the tribes to artifacts. A map will also be given to each team to help you in discovering."
"In addition, each team will be given a recording device so you can record the artifacts you've obtained. You must mark the artifacts with your group's marker before recording. Please, note that this is to avoid cheats and arguments."
"Furthermore, each artifacts obtained and recorded will give the team five points. This applies to all the artifacts discovered except from one. There's an artifact known as the moon stone... whichever team that discovers this artifact, a whooping twenty points will be given." Eric, the Biology teacher explained.
The students were listening all along and it's safe to say they all have one thought in their mind—'my team must get the artifact worth twenty points.'
"I hope we all understood all that I have said?" Eric continued. "Once we arrive at the venue, you'll be given more information and be provided with all necessities."
"Lastly, I want you all to know that the artifacts you see are just replicas. Have in mind that they are not worth anything if you intend to keep them to yourself." Eric said and looked towards James's group.
With that said, they all gathered at the school gate and boarded the school bus to the venue of the event.
The fifty students were accompanied by four teachers, namely; Eric (the Biology teacher), John (the History teacher), Stella (the Geography teacher) and Dave (the Chemistry teacher).
They've been on the road for about an hour and thirty minutes and it didn't look like they'll stop anytime soon.
"Aren't we there yet? How far is this place? We've been on the road for about two hours, and for the past thirty minutes, I've only been seeing trees. Are we really out of town?" Robert, a student from 10A lamented.
"We're almost there students. Everything has been prepared!" Eric replied with a huge grin on his face.
'Haq! This man freaks me out. What a weirdo.' James thought.
"So are we going to decide who the leader is going to be or not?" Tolly asked.
"I don't really care who you pick as the leader, as long as it's not that butt head." James replied, pointing at Jeremy.
Jeremy just shrugged in response to James.
"I think Kelvin will do a good job." Priscilla timidly said.
"Yeah, Kelvin is fine." James said.
"Ok then. Kelvin it is." Tolly said.
"Seriously? No one is going to ask for my own opinion?" Jeremy complained.
"I think the group has decided. Whether you're in support or not, majority wins the vote." Tolly replied.
'For someone as pretty as her, she is cold. I like it.' Jeremy thought with an evil grin plastered on his face.
The bus halted as Jeremy finished his thought. When the other students looked at their surrounding, they could see many trees all around them.
The bus parked somewhere in a forest.
"Great! Now we have a flat tyre." Robert complained.
"Flat tyre? Who said that? Students, we've arrived at our destination.
"WHAT?! IN THE WOODS?!" Robert shouted.
"This is not what we signed up for! Why are we here?! Dangerous animals can attack us anytime." Robert continued raving like a mad dog.
"Relax boy. There's no animal that'll attack us here. There's nothing here other than trees and the artifacts of course." John said , trying to calm Robert's nerves.
"Let's not pack by the roadside sire. Let's move to somewhere away from the road." John told the bus driver.
Most of the students were quick to alight, while others were reluctant for fear that something might happen.
"Since it's late, we'll set tents and give y'll sleeping bags."
Just as it was said, each team were given a tent and sleeping bags for each members.
Before the event, the qualifiers have been told to consent their parents and to give them a letter to sign. It stated that they should sign that the students will be away for a day and to be under the care of the school.
Of course, many parents disagreed, but, since the letter stated they'll be under the care of the school, they gave in.
******
The tents for each group had been set in a circular form, and all students were given their sleeping bags.
A campfire had also been set in the middle to keep them warm.
Each team was also given a food box for the night.
The students were fast to fall asleep after eating, all except from one tent.
James and his mates were still awake, whispering to themselves.
"Why do we have to be in a tent with boys?" Tolly complained.
"There's nothing bad as long as we don't do anything..." Kelvin said with his face turning red at the end of his speech.
"Let's put that aside. What strategy are we to implement to win this event?" Priscilla asked.
Jeremy was about to reply when they heard a sound coming from another tent.
"What's that?"
Not sure of what is making the sound and where the sound is coming from, they all leaned on the side of tent.
"Be careful or you'll ruin the tent." Kelvin warned.
"Shhh." The others said in unison.
After listening for ten seconds, it was clear to all of them what the sound was and where it was coming from.
James, Kelvin, Priscilla and Tolly returned to their position with a horrid look on their face.
But Jeremy had a creepy smile on his face.