Morning arrived, but the world outside remained cloaked in darkness. Thick, heavy clouds stretched endlessly across the sky, blocking any trace of sunlight.
The storm had calmed, but the air remained damp and cold, carrying a lingering unease that no one could ignore.
The plateau, once battered by relentless winds and rain, now felt eerily still.
It wasn’t the peaceful kind of silence, it was the kind that made people glance over their shoulders, expecting something to emerge from the mist.
Despite their exhaustion, those who were still in good condition moved to help each other.
The scent of food, however meager, soon drifted through the camp as they prepared breakfast.
Some boiled what little water they had left to make it safe to drink, while others rationed supplies, stretching them as far as possible.
No one complained, but the worry was evident in their eyes. They all knew the food wouldn’t last long.
Athena stood off to the side, gripping the communicator tightly in her hands. Her heart sank when she saw the same message flashing on the screen, No Signal.
She lifted the device higher, turned it in different angles, even walked a few steps away from the camp, but nothing changed.
The storm had likely damaged whatever system was keeping them connected to the outside world. Or worse, something was interfering with it. Either way, they were on their own.
Lowering the communicator, Athena glanced back at the camp. The others had already begun eating, sharing quiet conversations, but the atmosphere remained heavy with unease.
No one knew when help would come. No one even knew if help could come. Their best option was to stay put and conserve their strength, but even that would only last for so long.
Her gaze fell to the food. There wasn’t much, just dried rations, some rice, and whatever ingredients they had left.
At best, it would last a couple more days. The real problem was water. The containers they had brought were nearly empty.
If they didn’t find a fresh source soon, dehydration would be their next battle. Athena exhaled sharply. They needed a plan.
She turned to Darren and Lisa, who were both standing nearby, eating quickly while keeping an eye on the others.
"We’re going to run out of supplies," she said, keeping her voice low. "If we don’t find food and water soon, we won’t last out here."
Lisa swallowed her bite and nodded grimly. "I was thinking the same thing. The rations are barely enough as it is. We need to start foraging."
Darren scratched the back of his head, his exhaustion evident. "Foraging’s one thing, but hunting? We don’t know what’s out there."
He shot Athena a look, clearly remembering the unease she had expressed the night before. "You’re sure someone was watching you?"
Athena’s jaw tightened. "Yes. And I don’t think it was just a coincidence. Something is out there, and it’s watching us."
Lisa shifted uncomfortably, glancing toward the forest. The trees loomed tall and motionless, their trunks darkened from the storm.
The thought of venturing back in wasn’t exactly appealing. "We don’t have a choice," she said finally. "If we stay here and do nothing, we’ll starve."
Athena nodded. "We go in pairs. No one goes alone. We’ll search for edible plants first, and if we’re lucky, we’ll find a water source."
Darren exhaled. "And if we come across whatever was watching you?"
Athena met his gaze. "Then we deal with it."
The tension was thick, but there was no room for hesitation. They split into groups.
Marco and another contestant, Evan, would check the nearby rock formations for any signs of water collecting from the storm.
Lisa and Darren would scan the outskirts of the forest for anything edible. Athena, despite everyone’s reluctance, insisted on going deeper into the woods.
She didn’t just want to find food, she wanted answers. Before they set off, she reinforced the repellents around the camp.
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The herbs she had gathered the night before still held their strong scent, but she added more just to be safe.
The last thing they needed was another attack from whatever had stung the woman.
Athena stepped into the forest once more, feeling the weight of the previous night pressing against her thoughts.
The eerie quiet still lingered, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves. The further she walked, the stronger the unease became.
The morning light barely filtered through the dense clouds, casting everything in a dull, lifeless gray. She focused on her task, searching for anything that could sustain them.
Her strange knowledge of plants guided her once again, and soon, she found several types of roots and mushrooms that she knew were safe to eat.
She gathered as much as she could, stuffing them into the small pouch she had brought. Then, she noticed something unusual.
A set of footprints, half-erased by the rain, leading deeper into the woods. They were human. But they didn’t belong to her, or anyone from camp.
Athena’s grip tightened around the handle of her knife. Someone was here.
Her pulse quickened, but she forced herself to stay calm. Carefully, she followed the tracks, her footsteps silent against the damp ground.
They led her to a clearing, where something caught her eye, a torn piece of fabric, tangled in a low-hanging branch.
She reached out, rubbing the material between her fingers. It was damp, but fresh. Someone had passed through here not long ago. Then, a sound, a low, muffled breath.
Athena spun around, heart hammering.
Nothing.
The trees stood still, the shadows stretched long. And yet, she knew. She wasn’t alone. A sharp snap of a twig.
Her instincts screamed at her. Without thinking, she ducked behind a tree, pressing herself against the bark. Her grip on her knife tightened.
Then, silence. Whoever it was… they were close.
Athena held her breath, her senses on high alert.
Then, she caught a glimpse, a shadow shifting between the trees. It was tall, moving with careful precision, almost as if it was hunting. A chill ran down her spine.
Slowly, she began to back away, careful not to make a sound. She had gotten what she came for.
Now, she needed to leave before whoever, or whatever, this was decided to reveal itself.
She turned and walked quickly, resisting the urge to run. The moment she reached the tree line, she picked up her pace, rushing back toward camp.
Lisa and Darren had just returned when she arrived, both looking relieved to see her. "We found some edible berries," Lisa said, holding up a small bundle. "Not much, but it’ll help."
Athena barely registered her words. "We’re not alone," she said, breathless. "I found tracks. Fresh ones."
Darren tensed. "How fresh?"
Athena swallowed. "Someone’s out there. Watching. And they’re getting closer."
A heavy silence fell over them. Then, from deep within the forest, a distant sound echoed, low and guttural, almost like a voice.
But it wasn’t human. Athena’s stomach twisted. Whatever was watching them… it wasn’t just some lost survivor. It was something else entirely.