Chapter 37 The Divided Path
Elena POV
The cold wind blew around me as I stood alone in a gray, empty place covered in ash. I looked down at my hands and froze. Purple light was moving beneath my skin like cracks spreading through glass, and pieces of energy drifted away from my body like smoke. Even breathing felt hard, like something heavy was pressing against my chest.
A figure emerged from the swirling gray mist. They had no face, only a hollow, shifting void where features should be. They didn't speak, but a sudden, violent tug at my chest sent me staggering. The violet light erupted from my skin, drawn into the figure’s open palms. My strength evaporated. My knees hit the ash with a dull thud. The world tilted, and I began to fall toward a bottomless abyss.
Just before the darkness swallowed me, a pair of strong arms reached out and caught me. The warmth of the touch was a jolt of life. I clung to the person’s sleeves, gasping for air, as a voice whispered my name. The voice grew louder and more insistent until it was a roar that vibrated inside my skull.
"Elena! Elena, wake up!"
I snapped my eyes open, bolting upright. The wasteland was gone, replaced by the cramped air of the nylon tent. My heart was thundering against my ribs.
"Finally," Stacy muttered. She was standing over me with her arms crossed.
"You were talking in your sleep and were saying something weird, like you were being drained. Get up. Everyone is already dressed and finished preparing for the day’s activities."
I slowly pushed myself up, my body still feeling weak and heavy. Even though I knew it was only a dream, the feeling of something draining my energy still clung to me. “I’m coming,” I muttered softly. I got dressed as fast as I could, struggling with my boots because my hands were still shaking.
Outside, the camp was already full of noise and movement. Students walked around with bags and water bottles while the cold morning mist covered most of the mountain. Mr. Miller stood on top of a large rock, trying to get everyone’s attention.
"Listen up! Today’s activity is a core part of your marks!" he announced. "We have hidden several objects in this forest. This is a puzzle mission. The first group that solves the puzzle and brings back the item will be rewarded with twenty marks. This is a big deal for your grades, so show some spirit!"
Excitement erupted among the students immediately. Twenty marks was a massive reward, and everyone started talking at once, looking toward the trees with competitive eyes.
"I've assigned the groups," Mr. Miller barked. "Group Four: Stacy, Elena, Seraphina, Marcus, and Tyler. North-West sector. Depart immediately!"
As we gathered our gear, Liam moved through the crowd. He stopped directly in front of me, his expression harder and more serious than usual. His eyes were locked on mine.
"Elena," he said, his voice a low rumble."Listen to me. Stay with your group. Do not leave them for any reason. Stick with the people you were assigned to, no matter what happens or what you think you see. Do you understand? Stay with your group."
"I'll be fine, Liam. It's just a school activity. We're all going to be out there."
"Just promise me," he insisted, his gaze heavy. "Don't leave the group."
"I promise," I said. He gave a sharp nod and watched me with concern as I joined Stacy, Sera, and the two boys at the edge of the forest.
We walked deep into the woods for almost an hour. The trees were thick, blocking most of the sunlight above us. Stacy walked ahead with the map while Marcus and Tyler pushed branches out of the way as we moved. I stayed near the middle of the group, but my thoughts were somewhere else entirely.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the dream. The feeling of my energy being pulled out of me still felt too real, and the warmth of the person who caught me lingered in my mind. I was so distracted that I barely noticed everyone slowing down.
“We’re not going to find anything like this,” Sera said as she moved closer to the front. Her voice was calm, but confident enough to make everyone listen. “This area is too big. If we keep moving together, we’ll waste too much time. We should split up and search different spots. It’ll be faster that way.”
Stacy stopped and frowned, looking at the map. "Mr. Miller said to stay as a group."
"We're just spreading out to be efficient and win those marks," Sera countered smoothly. "Elena, Tyler, and I will check the lower creek bed. You and Marcus take the ridge. We'll meet back here in twenty minutes. It makes more sense."
Tyler, thinking about the twenty marks, agreed instantly. "She's right. We’re losing time. Let’s go."
Stacy hesitated then nodded. "Fine. Twenty minutes. Don't go further than the water's edge."
The separation happened fast. Stacy and Marcus headed uphill. I followed Tyler and Sera down toward the damp, shadowed creek. The further we descended, the more the forest closed in. The sounds of other groups died away.
I walked in front with Tyler, scanning the ground for the puzzle box. My mind drifted again to the figure in the dream and the way the light felt leaving my skin. I slowed my pace, staring at the gnarled roots of an old tree, trying to piece together the nightmare. I was completely lost in thought, feeling the weight of the forest pressing down on me.
"Do you see anything, Tyler?" I asked. I didn't turn around.
"Nothing yet," he called back from several yards ahead, pushing through tall ferns that hid him from view.
I stopped near a massive oak tree, my hand resting on the rough bark. I stared into the shadows, lost in thoughts about the violet light. I was so far away in my head that I didn't notice the silence behind me.
Suddenly, a voice roared from the brush, filled with a cold, terrifying fury that seemed to shake the very ground beneath my boots.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?!"
I spun around at the sudden roar of the voice, my heart hammering against my ribs as I saw Sera standing frozen with her mouth wide open. We both turned toward the bank in total shock, staring at the person who was standing there watching us.