Chapter 4 - Back at the Camp

A shadowy figure crept up to them. The forest, which had been filled with the sounds of crickets and rustling leaves, suddenly fell silent. Victoria's eyes widened, while Sasha's mouth felt agape, and Jane was rooted to her spot in shock. The cold night breeze swept past them, the moon hid behind the clouds. The girls kept close to each other. They held their breaths, while fear engulfed them. The smell of fear lingered among the forest's canopy

"There you are!", a husky voice sounded. The girls sighed in unison, relieved to hear that familiar voice. "Jake, what are you doing here?", cried Sasha in curiosity. Jake was a decent man, who could be considered a big brother to them, though he wasn't the oldest in his class. "Well, none of you girls came back, so the camp got worried. I didn't want them to get some bad thoughts and worry themselves, so I volunteered to come look for you all", Jake explained, walking closer to Jane. "What happened to you? Are you alright? Can you stand up?", Jake asked, concern etched on his face. "I'm fine. I-I just.. I was just shocked of Lyra's decision, that I fell down", Jane assured Jake, smiling weakly. He helped her up and held her arm to help steady her. "T-thank you", Jane stuttered. "It's nothing, take your time", Jake soothed her. " Say Jake, how did you manage to convince the camp to let you out here? As far as I know, if anymore of us came, they would be terrified of what might happen", questioned Sasha, curiosity getting the better of her. "I'll explain it to you on the way, let's go back for now. I'll drop you girls off at the camp and go back and look for Lyra", replied Jake who was helping Jane to walk back. " Are you nuts? You wanna go back? At this hour?", Victoria shouted, rather worried. "Well, someone has to! Plus no one else is brave enough to go, so it's better for me to go and look for her", Jake retorted. Victoria kept quiet after his reply, because she knew the kind of person Jake was. He wouldn't stop searching before he finds Lyra. The walk back to camp was filled with silence the entire journey. The forest's darkness receeded, replaced by the camp's flickeeing torches and soft murmurs of conversation. Jake's presence assured Jane, who was still shaken by Lyra's decision, while Victoria and Sasha followed closely behind them.

Upon arrival, they were met with the soft, warm glow of the campfire, and the rest of the people there who were huddled close together, each speculating Lyra's decision and the events that followed. "Has Lyra by any chance returned?", Jake enquired the group, while helping Jane sit on a stump. She nodded her head in appreciation for his gesture, and he returned a nod likewise. "No, she has not", answered a classmate. "Where were you guys? I guess you didn't meet her either?" questioned another. "No, we didn't. I'm planning to leave again, in search of her. And none of you better stop me", Jake answered sternly. Silence followed... "Even if we did try, we know we don't stand a chance against your stubborness", came a reply from Marcus, who broke the silence. He had been friends with Jake for only a while, but he knew very well of his personality from that short time they spent "Hey, Jake, if you really do plan on going back, atleast take a flashlight with a battery that isn't dead", Marcus said rather seriously. "I will, if you provide me another one", Jake replied, rather nonchalantly. "Ever so stubborn, aren't you?", Marcus teased, trying to ease the heavy atmosphere that hung on the camp. Jake shot him a stern look, which made Marcus flinch. " Hey! I was just stating the fact. Just look, you got the camp all worked up with your decision, in addition to Lyra's decision." Jake looked about. What Marcus said was true, everyone there seemed tense. Worry and anxiousness hung on their faces and silence filled the air once more. Only the chirping of crickets and the crackling of the campfire could be heard for a moment. Jake sighed, "Ahhh.... I'm sorry that I didn't take your worries into consideration. I was too worried of what might happen to her that I became desperate to find her, and because of that I was ignorant of your concerns. I deeply apologize to you all for causing panic among us", and with that he bowed his head to them. "Sheesh, don't get too formal like this all of a sudden. It makes us feel awkward to stand in front of you", Marcus jested and he too sighed. "That's alright, Jake. We know you mean well. Plus, you're the only one brave enough to go get her anyway", a guy anwered him. "Yeah, you don't have to be so formal. We're all fellow mates after all", another one answered. Whispers of agreement followed by it. Some nodded in approval and appreciation. Marcus smiled at Jake, who stood there in awe, grateful of his classmates' understandings.

After a while, Jake spoke once more, "Thank you everyone for understanding this!" And he bowed once more, a result of which Marcus slapped his back. "Come on, man. We told you it's awkward when you do that", an annoyed Marcus said. " Oh sorry", came the reply. Jane, who seemed to be doing better now, sat there on the stump, grateful too for her classmates. She inwardly prayed that Jake would find Lyra soon. Victoria stood near her, witnessing this moment. She was filled with a mixture of emotions. She felt guilty for sending her to that house, while also grateful for Jake's efforts to find her and her classmates' for not saying anything against her. Sasha looked on in curiosity as the whole scene played before her. A slight smile displayed on her curious face. She turned to look at Victoria, only to find her looking troubled. "What's wrong, Vic? Are you alright? Do you need anything?", Sasha enquired in a rather low voice. "Oh, it's nothing. I was just wondering if they would rebuke me for my actions. Though I am grateful that they haven't said anything yet. I do realise it was my fault and I won't try to avoid it... But do you think they'll forgive me?", Victoria voiced her concerns. "Vic, don't think about such things. Although it was partly your fault, Lyra too shouldn't have gone off like that. So, it's Lyra's fault too", Sasha tried to comfort her. Jane, who overheard their conversation, turned to them and responded in the same tone as them, "Sasha, don't you think that's a bit unfair? I mean, we all know Lyra shouldn't have gone off like that, but Vic was the one who came up with the idea, right? Doesn't your assessment seem too biased? It's like you're putting the whole blame on Lyra, when Victoria's decision ultimately led to this whole thing!" Jane became upset that they were putting most of the blame on Lyra, her friend. She didn't think her friend deserved it. She was aware now of their decisions and how they acted out on their own accord, but she didn't think Lyra deserved all the blame that was being put on her. Sasha and Victoria stayed silent. The cold air past by them, the faint smell of roasted marshmallows filled the air, the soft murmurs and cheerful conversations of the rest, could be heard. In contrast to the other to group's cheery atmosphere, the atmosphere between the three girls was tense.

"Well, it seems that it's almost midnight now. I better get going if I want to bring her back before dawn", Jake's voice broke through the tense atmosphere. His voice brought back the attention of the girls to him again. " Will you be alright all by yourself? Perhaps I can go with you?", Jane asked with concern. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. Besides, you need to rest well", Jake comforted her. "I promise to bring her back before dawn."

"Bring who back?", a voice came from among the trees...

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