When Nate, Amara, and Claire returned to the camp, a wave of joy spread among the survivors. The sight of the rabbits they had brought back sparked cheers and smiles as the people eagerly gathered around to inspect the haul. Nate, however, slipped away from the commotion, his mind elsewhere.
He made his way toward Axel, his posture relaxed but his expression hard. Just a week ago, Nate wouldn't have dared to stand face-to-face with Axel. But things had changed. Today, he stood before him with quiet confidence, arms crossed nonchalantly.
"Before the crash," Nate began, his voice low but firm, "at the museum, you were hiding an antique object when I walked in. And after we crashed here, you went into the woods alone. That doesn't add up, Axel. Nobody's ever been on this island before. You couldn't have known where to go. You must have gone to bury the object"
Axel stood abruptly, towering over Nate, though the height difference was slight. His glare was sharp as he stepped closer, his voice dripping with anger. "Why are you accusing me of something you didn't see?"
Before Nate could respond, Axel lunged forward, attempting to headbutt him. But Nate was no longer the same person he'd been a week ago. His reflexes, honed by days of survival and danger, kicked in. He sidestepped Axel's clumsy attack, letting the larger man stumble forward.
Nate didn't retaliate; he didn't want to draw unnecessary attention or create a scene. He simply turned and walked away, his cold gaze lingering on Axel for a moment. The intensity of that stare sent a shiver down Axel's spine, though he quickly shook it off.
"Who does he think he is?" Axel muttered to himself, straightening his posture and regaining his composure. Watching Nate disappear into the crowd, his lips curled into a sneer. "We'll meet again, and next time, it'll be on my terms."
When Nate returned to his tent, he paused at the entrance, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. Someone was lying on his makeshift bed—a girl with wild, curly hair spread across the fabric, her serene face illuminated by the dim glow from outside. It was Madison. She looked peaceful, far removed from the chaos of their current lives.
Nate didn't mind her presence. He quietly walked to the corner of the tent, sitting on a bag that served as a seat. Stretching his hand forward, he summoned a flickering flame that danced in his palm. His expression softened as he stared at the fire, lost in thought.
What was supposed to remain fantasy had become their reality. They had powers, abilities beyond comprehension. Yet, so many questions about this place remained unanswered. Why was their libido heightened? Why were there beasts here? What happened to the people who vanished? Why was there a portal hidden in the cave? And what exactly was this island?
Even the tourists on the plane, people who had traveled the world, didn't recognize it. There were no passing boats, planes, or signs of civilization. It was as if they had been erased from the world.
Nate's thoughts circled back to the portal he had seen in the cave. Could it be possible they had been teleported here? And if so, by whom? Why them? None of them were particularly special. The questions felt like an endless loop with no answers, and Nate pushed the idea aside, choosing instead to believe they were still on Earth.
A sudden noise outside broke his train of thought. He glanced at Madison, still fast asleep, and decided not to disturb her. Quietly, he stood and stepped out of the tent.
Outside, he saw Ryder struggling to calm down a young man who was shouting, his voice echoing through the camp.
"It's my sister! I know it! There's only one of it!" the man yelled, his voice trembling with desperation.
Nate approached them, his curiosity piqued. "What's going on?" he asked, his tone calm but firm.
The young man turned to Nate, his face red with frustration and grief. "I was out there, looking for woods. I found this buried in the sand." He held up a bracelet. "It's hers. My sister was wearing this before the crash. She always had it on"
Nate's gaze dropped to the bracelet. Dirt clung to its delicate chain, but it was unmistakably something personal, something that couldn't have appeared randomly.
The young man, still clutching the bracelet tightly in his trembling hands, turned back to Nate, his voice shaking with urgency. "My sister… she was one of the people who disappeared when we were looking for a safe place in the forest."
Nate raised an eyebrow, the weight of the young man's words sinking in. If what he was saying was true, then the island held even darker mysteries than they initially thought. His mind raced as he tried to piece everything together.
"Are you sure?" Nate asked, his voice cautious but steady.
"I'm positive," the young man replied, his tone firm despite the grief in his eyes. "I know it's hers. I could never forget something so personal."
Nate exhaled slowly, folding his arms as he considered the situation. After a moment, he leaned forward and asked, "Can you show me where you found it?"
"Yes!" the young man said immediately, his expression lighting up with a spark of hope. "I can take you there."
But before Nate could respond, Ryder stepped between them, his broad frame blocking the path. "Absolutely not," Ryder said firmly, his tone leaving little room for argument.
The young man's face twisted in anger. "Why not? You don't believe me?"
"It's not about belief," Ryder shot back, his voice steady but laced with concern. "That bracelet could've been there for who knows how long. It might've been there even before we crashed on this godforsaken island. I can't let Nate risk his life running into danger for something that isn't certain."
"She's my sister!" the young man yelled, his desperation breaking through. "I know it's hers! Don't you get it? I won't just stand here and do nothing!"
Nate held up a hand, signaling for silence. "Ryder, can I talk to you for a second?"
Ryder hesitated, his gaze flicking between Nate and the young man, but he nodded and followed Nate a few steps away.
"Why don't you want to help him?" Nate asked quietly, his voice sharp but measured.
"It's not that I don't want to help him," Ryder replied, his voice low but firm. "But think about it, Nate. That forest isn't safe. You've seen what's out there. We can't afford to lose anyone else, especially not you. You play an important role in keeping everyone alive. Without you, this camp would fall apart."
Nate frowned, his jaw tightening as Ryder's words sank in. He appreciated the concern, but his priorities were different. "Ryder," he said slowly, "this isn't about me. It's about unity. We can't just give up on people. If we start leaving people behind, then what's the point of surviving? We have to fight for everyone. For all of us."
Ryder didn't respond immediately, his face a mask of conflict. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh. "If you're set on doing this, you're not going alone. You'll need backup, and I'm not talking about some random group of people."
Nate nodded. "I was already planning to take Madison and Bella. Madison's teleportation can help us get out of trouble quickly if we need to."
Ryder hesitated for another moment, then reluctantly nodded. "Fine. But promise me you'll be careful. I mean it, Nate. This place is unpredictable."
"I will," Nate assured him, clapping Ryder on the shoulder.
Ryder stepped back, his face still heavy with worry, as Nate turned to the young man. "Pack your things," Nate said firmly. "We leave in five minutes."
The young man's face lit up with gratitude as he nodded and hurried off.
Nate headed back toward his tent, mentally preparing himself for the journey ahead. As he pulled back the flap, he was greeted by an unexpected sight: Madison, stretching lazily, her lithe figure illuminated by the soft glow of the morning sun. Her wild curls framed her face, and her form-fitting clothes accentuated her curves in a way that was impossible to ignore.
For a brief moment, Nate froze, caught off guard by the alluring scene. But he quickly shook off the thought. He didn't have time for distractions.
"Madison," he said, his voice steady but urgent.
She turned to him, a curious smile on her face. "What's up?"
"We've got an important mission," Nate said, his tone serious.
Madison's smile faded as she caught the gravity in his voice. Without hesitation, she straightened up and nodded. "I'm in. Just tell me what to do."