8:00AM—Day 4
The early morning air was crisp and cool. The soft rustle of trees and the distant call of birds painted a calm picture, but Kairon felt the quiet was too unnatural. As he stepped out of the tent, rubbing sleep from his eyes, only a few students loitered around the camp.
He stretched his arms slightly, his sharp gaze scanning the area like a hawk surveying prey. His footsteps made no sound as he walked towards Aria, who sat peeling fruit.
"Where are the others?" he asked calmly.
"They went to look for food," she replied without looking up.
He nodded. "I see."
"You woke up late," Aria added, a teasing smile touching her lips.
"Yeah," he replied, his voice low. "I wasn't sleepy until late last night."
"I see."
FLASH!
Kairon turned sharply, eyes narrowing as a sudden burst of light flickered from the forest's edge. Nothing. Just wind in the leaves. But he didn't like it.
Soon, the fruit search party returned. Riven led them, branches scratching his arms, a triumphant smile on his face. They gathered and began eating in silence, laughter bubbling occasionally. But it didn't last.
RUSTLE.
The bushes trembled.
Everyone froze.
Riven dropped his fruit, grabbing a thick branch. Kei followed instantly, and Torin flanked them with silent precision.
They approached slowly, tense, every breath measured.
A body rolled out from the bushes—a girl.
Riven bent to help, but Kei raised a hand. "Wait. Could be a trap."
He tossed a stick. No reaction.
He lobbed a rock into the shadows. Nothing.
"She might be dying!" Riven barked, ignoring Kei, and swept the girl into his arms.
He sprinted back to camp. Everyone surrounded him, worried and alert. Water splashed on her face, but she didn't stir.
Kairon stared at her hands. Covered in dirt. Her school badge was scratched. Class C.
"Her name is Miya," he said softly.
"Let me try mouth-to-mouth resuscitation," Riven offered quickly.
Meira stepped forward, fuming. "Absolutely not. Why should you be the one? Let someone else do it."
"Don't let your selfishness blind you," Aria cut in. "She might be dying."
"Huh?! Who asked you?!" Meira shot back.
Riven knelt and pressed his lips to Miya's. Nothing. Again.
She coughed. Her body jerked. Ivy rushed with more water.
As Miya slowly opened her eyes, Riven moved to take her to a tent, but Kei stopped him.
"I got it. You've done your part."
Riven smiled, handing her over. "Thanks."
Ivy followed Kei, helping gently.
Riven glanced at Meira, who turned and walked away.
"Don't," Aria warned. "Let her calm down."
He nodded.
Kairon stared toward the tent.
"What are you looking at?" Aria asked.
"Nothing."
She sighed. "You think she was abandoned by her class?"
"We'll find out when she wakes up again," he answered, crossing his arms.
---
5:00 PM
The sky had begun to shift. Sunset brushed the treetops with orange and red. Everyone gathered for dinner. The mood was tense but calm.
Then, from the tent, Miya stepped out slowly. Her eyes were glassy, her balance shaky.
"Where... am I?"
Ivy rushed to help her, guiding her to sit against a tree. Torin offered a tray of fruits.
Miya looked at it, and suddenly—her eyes widened.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?!"
SLAM!
She kicked the tray. Fruits scattered. Everyone stood up in shock.
"Are you trying to poison me?!"
"What?! No!" Ivy exclaimed.
"You're trying to sedate me and mark me!"
Aria stepped forward, her tone icy. "If we wanted to mark you, we could have done it while you were asleep. You were defenseless. And even now, you're outnumbered. We could have overwhelmed you easily."
Miya paused. Her eyes flickered with doubt.
"We're the ones taking the risk," Aria continued. "For all we know, you could be a spy."
"I'm not!" Miya snapped.
"Then eat. And stop complaining."
Miya pouted, then slumped to the ground like a child. "Don't expect me to give you any information."
"We don't want it," Aria said coolly. "Just eat."
Miya devoured the fruit like she hadn't eaten in days.
Kairon, leaning against a tree, didn't miss a single movement.
---
Riven approached Aria.
"Thank you," he said.
"For what?"
"Handling Miya. That was good. Ivy couldn't do it."
"I was just defending Class D's honor."
"Then thank you for that, too."
She turned and walked away without another word.
Kairon stepped beside Riven. "Sorry for her behavior."
"No problem. Everyone has bad habits."
Kairon smirked. "I guess so."
---
Riven clapped his hands. "Gather around!"
Everyone formed a loose circle. Miya stayed by the tree.
He opened a small wooden box.
"What's that?" Sena asked.
"Weapons for us Predators," Juro said, adjusting his glasses.
"Weapons?" Ivy blinked.
She picked up a gun.
"Is this real?"
BANG!
The trigger clicked, and paint flew toward Aria's head.
KSSHH!
Kairon stepped in, a book raised. The paint exploded on its cover.
Ivy gasped. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"
"You shouldn't pick up something you can't use," Aria snapped.
"Well—I was just—"
"That's enough," Kairon said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Aria scowled and stormed into the tent.
Tears welled up in Ivy's eyes.
"I'm sorry, everyone."
"It's alright," Sena comforted.
"Don't let Aria get to you," Yua added.
"Let's not talk bad about each other," Riven interrupted.
"Why not?" Meira hissed. "You always defend her. What's going on between you two?"
Kairon answered smoothly. "There's no relationship. Aria doesn't let emotions interfere with her goals. Everyone knows that."
Meira scoffed. "...I guess that's true."
Riven picked up the box, carried it to the tent, and returned.
"We didn't waste any points today. That's a good result."
"Right! We can win this!" Caden said.
"Absolutely!" Torin agreed.
---
Miya stood.
"Why?"
Everyone turned.
"Why did you take me in?"
Riven stepped forward. "What do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean! I'm your enemy! This is a test! And yet... you helped me."
Riven smiled gently. "Because it was the right thing to do. That's humanity."
"No one shows sympathy to enemies."
"I guess Class D is special. We're kind of like... a family."
"That's right," Juro added, adjusting his glasses.
Miya blinked. Then she laughed, softly at first, then louder.
"You're all one stupid family!"
Laughter broke out around the fire.
Kairon remained at the edge, eyes on the fading sky.
"A family, huh?" he murmured. "I wonder... if that's what everyone really thinks."
He closed his eyes. The wind brushed against his face.
He could still feel the tension in the air. Something was coming.