HEY. OK FIRST OF ALL. GOD. I AM SO SORRY.
I'm literally the world's most horrible updater, and I've never been able to update consistently BUT!
I'm going to try and change that, so please accept this long-awaited fourth chapter!
Please enjoy, and tell me what you think!
Chapter 4
[48:0:0]
Twilight approached rapidly, stretching a variety of long shadows across the purple-hued forest floor.
Paolo shivered, the lack of sunlight swiftly plunging the woods into a dusky chill. He glanced towards the new members of their group: the tall, beady-eyed fellow and the stocky, stoic-faced woman from before.
A few yards in front, Renata led the way, bulldozing a path through the dense greenery that lay before them.
The man and woman introduced themselves as Alfonso and Miriam, respectively. Both were sent to join as an act of prestige rather than as a punishment (to which Paolo rolled his eyes, seeing as Renata was confirmed to be a complete outlier in her case.) Alfonso seemed like a bit of a sleaze in his opinion, while Miriam was most definitely best suited to being the leader of their little group.
"It's about time to set up camp." Miriam glanced up at the darkening sky.
Paolo sighed in relief, dropping his satchel to the ground. His aching feet nearly screamed aloud in joy.
He grimaced as he caught sight of Renata in the distance, finally snapping out of her tree-wrecking frenzy, not a bit less energetic than before.
"That one's a real monster, huh?"
Alfonso dropped down next to him with a soft thud.
Paolo flinched in surprise, before replying miserably.
"Yea, you could say that again…"
"In that case, I'm glad we're not competitors here, or we would be in trouble!"
Alfonso chuckled lowly, unaware of the frightened look that twisted over the face of his companion.
The cause for that terror bounded towards them eagerly, Miriam in tow.
"Bad news you guys! Miriam says we can't start a fire because it would attract the attention of other groups! She says they're likely to be out to get us while we're resting!"
Renata grinned like the "bad news" was the best she'd ever heard. Paolo felt obligated to cringe, but his facial muscles were now far too sore to respond.
"There are heat blankets inside our supply bag. We will take turns keeping watch and leave as soon as it is light enough to see."
Miriam joined their circle, pulling the necessary supplies out of the communal survival kit:
- A canteen of water and 2 calorie food bars for each person
- Heat blankets (4)
- A compass
- A map
- 4 watches that all read '45:30:26'
She looked around after distributing the goods.
"If there are no objections to this plan, then I propose we get to sleep quickly. I will take first watch."
Renata cheered, and setting down her newfound possessions, began to rapidly dig at the forest floor.
Paolo refrained from a spit-take as she burrowed into the newly-dug pit, blanket pulled under her nose. He didn't know if he'd been expecting anything less.
As he stretched out underneath his own blanket however, Paolo lost consciousness almost as quickly as his new friend…
.
.
.
[38:30:15]
The pale light of predawn found the foursome setting out from camp, the brisk morning chill hastening their footsteps into a half-jog. It is almost half an hour in before Miriam increased her pace, muttering a low warning as she passed the rest of the members.
"We're being followed."
Renata grinned ( not a bit out of breath, as enviously noted by a gasping Paolo) in acknowledgment.
"There's nothing wrong with that is there? The point of this test is just to get back to the finish line right? It's not like there's an award for being first, since we all have the same deadline."
"Fool!"
Miriam interjected, visibly disturbed by the sudden turn of events.
"The instructor said only the first 3 groups will pass, and it's already the second day. People are growing desperate. Knowing the type of people who'd qualify as potential Varia members, they're definitely here to finish off the competition."
Paolo screamed mentally. As if they needed any more obstacles when they were already lost in this death-trap of a forest.
His thoughts were rudely interrupted by a sharp whistling past his ear.
Paolo screamed again (out loud, this time).
"IS THAT A GUN?!"
"Nope! Those are blow-darts!"
A cheerful voice resounded from his right, and Paolo turned to see Renata jogging up beside him, a multitude of said blow darts sticking out of her back. He screamed yet again.
"Jesus, will you cut that out? It's really starting to hurt my ears."
Alfonso appeared next to her, with equally as many darts bristling from the back of his head.
"YOUR EARS SHOULDN'T BE THE ONLY THINGS THAT ARE HURTING!"
Miriam pulled up to Paolo's left.
" On the count of 3, let's stop and split up. I'm more than capable of holding them off if it's one-on-one,and I am sure that I can assume the same for the rest of us."
"3."
Paolo began to sweat, a thousand objections collecting on the tip of his tongue.
"2."
On either side of him, his comrades tensed.
"1."
"W-wait a minute, I-"
"Now!"
Alfonso dropped to the ground, rolling underneath a bush.
Miriam swung onto a low-hanging branch, before disappearing into the darkened canopy.
Rena somersaulted into a pile of leaves, knocking over Paolo in the process.
.
.
.
A hush fell over the clearing.
Paolo wheezed, clutching his leg (which he'd twisted on the way down). Nearby, Renata's head poked out from the leaf pile.
"Why did you do that?!"
He took the chance to hiss at her through the pain, despite having little to no effect in intimidating the youth whatsoever.
"Heheh, sorry!"
Renata chirped back, the leaves in her hair suddenly becoming a temporary home for a family of chipmunks.
They sat silent for a moment, as the woodland creatures crawled over her face. The sounds of their pursuers had all but faded into the rustle of leaves and steady sawing of cicadas.
A sudden chill pierced through Paolo's body, the hairs on his neck standing on end. The feeling of unease was so sudden, so strong, he barely restrained the nausea tugging at the bottom of his stomach. Shaking, the boy turned to his companion.
"Rena. Someone's coming."