" Kian, I think we are going in circles. I know it seems like every way looks the same but I can guarantee you, I have seen this tree with a single red flower, now for the fifth time. We are lost. "Mira sat on the muddy, water logged path with a thud, splashing Kian as well. " We were already lost Mira. Why are you suddenly getting so worked up? Don't worry. I am here to protect you. I will fight the wolf if it comes to bother you again. "He was gearing up into a Muay Thai fighting stance but then Mira's stomach growled and she looked up at him with apologetic eyes. " I'm sorry, but it's difficult for me to control my hunger. I couldn't even find any edible looking fruits. What kind of foliage do they have in this place? It's all decorative , useless. "Kian nodded his head. " Makes sense why the place doesn't have any population. Never mind. Get up. Climb on my back. I will carry you around until we find some food. "Kian bent low and extended his hand. Mira looked at him with

" Thank you Ma'am... " Stella turned to wave their savoir angel goodbye as soon as they saw the base camp and one teacher waiting with a few more students. But the moment they turned their head, she was gone, with no trace. They looked at each other but the joy of being saved was too great. They ran to meet the others as the teacher checked on them. One by one students and teachers kept coming out. Some individually limping and bleeding, perhaps from steep falls or slides , and some came out soaked and muddy, hurdled in mini groups. It was almost night so they immediately started a head count before trekking back to the ground, where the buses were. " Kian... Kian is missing.... I couldn't find him... "Betty had come out of the forest with the earliest groups but she had gone back again to look for Kian. She was the last one to come out again when the head count started and crashing on the ground, yelled with her hands up. " Mira is missing as well..." Razzak came forward with wo

At Chemora- present day" Sitara, it's time. Help me with the submersion. "Kilian was standing inside what looked like a very big and deep bath tub. It was gradually filling up from the bottom. But the liquid was not water. It was red. Red like blood. " Are you sure? I mean can we completely trust the source? "She looked hesitant. " There has never been a hundred percent when it comes to 'First-times'. We have to take the risk. "He said as she helped him get his clothes off. " But your health... " She tried to protest but Kilian put a hand on her lips. " If they have gathered indeed and are all close to the source, my absence could mean someone else taking this golden opportunity. I can risk my life but I cannot risk that. I have a promise to keep Sitara. "The liquid had almost filled up to the brim. And he slowly lowered himself, completely naked in the tub. " I might need your assistance. Try to keep in touch. "He smiled at Sitara as she watched him go down under the surf

Mira's POV" Mira, hurry up... I can hear a chopper near by. It must be here to save up. "Xen was carrying Braze on his back and Kian was hanging from the wall as he peered outside, trying to look for a way out. I looked hesitantly behind as the unconscious Watcher. The heat that I had created was too much for people like us. It must have taken a toll on him as well. It felt bad leaving him behind in that state. " Should we not get him out of here at least? " I asked with shy eyes because I knew it was already difficult trying to make our way out. " You got a death wish or what, Mira? I am doing him a favour, by not killing him. You want to give him a piggy back ride outside so he can take us all to his torture chambers? No thanks. Did you not hear anything that your uncle said? "It was difficult countering him but I found my way around anyways. We pulled him out of that rabbit hole and placed him at the mouth of the cave before we left. It was Kian's grandfather who was leadin

At Chemora-Kilian sprang out of that tub holding his chest and throat. Sitara rubbed his back as he coughed blood on the floor. The colour of the liquid in that tub had just changed to turquoise as Kilian reappeared. " Breathe... " Sitara instructed , hitting the back of his lungs. Kilian struggled for several minutes before finally letting out a very loud gasp and collapsing on the floor . Sitara carried him to bed.Put him down and then pulled his hands and legs up of it as well. She administered several injections after which Kilian's breath finally normalised and he slowly opened his eyes. " Thank you... " his voice was hoarse as he pressed Sitara's arm in appreciation. Sitara looked away and pretended to organize the syringes. " It's good to see you come back alive... " Then she turned at him and asked, " how did it go? "" They believe me. " Kilian smiled. " I finally got to see the girl for whom I had to leave my wife behind... my pregnant wife... I didn't even know th