The morning air felt heavy, tension spreading like wildfire through the camp. Wan walked through the clustered tents, catching hushed voices and suspicious glances from outcasts who avoided his gaze. The unease was palpable, and he could feel the cracks forming in their fragile alliance.
Talia approached him near the edge of the camp, her expression grim. "Supplies are missing," she said, keeping her voice low. "Food, tools—nothing major, but it's enough to cause trouble."
Wan nodded, his mind already racing. "Do they think it's me?"
"Some might," she admitted. "Others think someone's working against us. Either way, it's feeding their doubts about you."
Before Wan could respond, a young girl named Erin hesitantly approached, glancing around nervously. "Wan, I… I need to tell you something," she whispered.
He knelt slightly, lowering his voice to match hers. "Go ahead."
"I heard Kelen and some others talking last night," Erin said quickly. "They're saying you're dangerous, that… maybe we should hand you over to the Hunters before Astra finds us. They think it's the only way to keep the camp safe."
Wan felt his chest tighten. It wasn't just fear or doubt he faced now—this was outright betrayal.
That evening, Wan sat alone near the campfire, his eyes fixed on the dancing flames. He thought about Erin's warning, about the people he was supposed to protect. They were scared, and fear bred desperation.
As the fire crackled, Talia joined him. "What's the plan?" she asked.
"We expose him," Wan said firmly. "But we do it carefully. If we're not careful, we'll split the camp apart."
Talia studied him for a moment before nodding. "I'll keep an eye on the others. Let me know what you need."
Wan didn't have to wait long to confirm Erin's story. Later that night, he followed Kelen into the forest, his footsteps silent as he moved through the shadows. He found him speaking to a cloaked figure, their voices carrying softly in the still air.
"I can't keep this up much longer," Kelen was saying. "They're starting to notice the supplies going missing. You need to tell Astra to move soon."
The figure nodded, handing Kelen a small pouch. "Keep them on edge. Astra wants the camp in chaos when we strike."
Wan's fist tightened. This wasn't just betrayal—it was a calculated attempt to destroy everything they had built.
By dawn, Wan had a plan. He gathered Talia, Erin, and Loris, outlining the steps they'd take. Together, they staged a trap, placing a small cache of supplies in a secluded spot near the edge of camp. It wasn't long before Kelen fell into their snare, sneaking toward the hidden stash under the cover of twilight.
When he reached for the supplies, Wan and the others emerged, surrounding him.
"You've got a lot to answer for, Kelen," Wan said, his voice calm but cold.
Kelen's face twisted in anger and desperation. "You don't understand! I was trying to protect us!"
"By handing us over to Astra?" Talia shot back. "How does that protect anyone?"
The confrontation drew a crowd, the outcasts forming a circle around them. Wan stepped forward, his gaze locked on Kelen.
"You had a choice," Wan said evenly. "You could've trusted us, trusted me. Instead, you chose to betray us."
Kelen's anger faltered, replaced by fear as the crowd's murmurs grew louder. He tried to step back, but Wan held up a hand, silencing the outcry.
"I'm not here to destroy what we've built," Wan said, addressing the camp. "But if we let fear and mistrust take over, we'll fall apart before Astra even finds us. Kelen made a mistake, but this camp won't survive if we let anger rule us."
Turning back to Kelen, he added, "You're not beyond redemption. You can stay, but only if you're willing to prove your loyalty from this moment forward."
Kelen hesitated, then dropped to his knees, his head bowed. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
The camp was quieter that night, the earlier tension replaced by a tentative sense of unity. Wan stood at the edge of the forest, staring into the darkness.
Talia approached him, her steps soft on the grass. "You handled that well," she said.
Wan didn't respond immediately. His mind drifted back to his village, to the lives lost because of his decisions. Back then, he'd thought he could lead, thought he could protect them. But Astra had proven him wrong, leaving nothing but ashes in his wake.
"I wonder if I can lead them," Wan said finally. "If I can really protect them."
Talia studied him, her expression thoughtful. "You're already leading, Wan. And you're doing it better than most would in your position."
Her words offered little comfort, but Wan nodded, his resolve hardening. He couldn't afford to falter—not now. The Hunters were still out there, and this camp was his only chance to make things right.
As the first light of dawn touched the horizon, Wan turned back to the camp, ready to face whatever came next.