While Brandon explained to the group why they shouldn't report anything to the authorities—if they survived—Tyler pulled Liam aside.
"So we wait and watch what happens to the people who report it first?" Tyler asked.
"Exactly," Liam replied flatly.
"Mike's on the other side."
"Then tell him not to report it the moment we get out."
"That still puts everyone else there at risk. If you're right about the people behind this 'game'…"
"We don't even know who they all are. We're blind. Our hands are tied."
Tyler clenched his jaw, dissatisfied but unable to argue. It made too much sense.
"Anyway," Liam said, facing the ocean "we should soak ourselves before heading in. We're walking into a burning forest."
With that, he made his way to the beach. Two other volunteers followed, and after a short pause, Tyler trailed behind.
They submerged themselves fully, dunking their heads while a few others kept watch for snakes. Tyler lingered under the water longer than the rest. The pressure in his lungs was calming somehow—like self-punishment. A quiet part of him whispered:
*Maybe I could just stay here. Just a little longer…*
"What are you doing?"
"Ah!" Tyler jolted upright, gasping.
"I... I..." he stammered, eyes lowered.
"Breathe first," Liam said simply.
Tyler obeyed, drawing in deep, shaky breaths.
"I... I... " The deep breaths didn't help much though.
"It's time. Let's go," Liam added, already heading out of the water.
"…Okay."
Back with the group, Brandon approached with a satisfied nod. "Looks like the crowd understands the plan, Liam."
Liam said nothing, his usual cold expression giving no reply.
"Alright then. Let's move."
"Wait," James interrupted. "Liam suggested we soak ourselves first."
"Good call. Give me a second." Brandon jogged off toward the shore.
James turned to Liam. "It's like only you and Brandon are useful on this island."
"You're useful too for having the guts to step forward," said Chris. "The useless ones are them." He pointed to a group lounging by the shore—neither helping defend the camp nor gathering resources.
"They're just scared," Tyler interjected. "I'm scared too."
"But you're still here," Chris said. "That already puts you ahead of them." He glanced back at the idle survivors with a sneer.
Liam didn't argue. Instead, he shifted the focus. "The snakes… they're unlike anything I've seen or learnt. But they're fragile, absurdly fragile—one solid blow to the head, and they're done. Don't bother with sharp weapons. Blunt force is more effective and easier to land."
The group exchanged their pointed sticks for thicker branches.
"I'm back!" Brandon returned, dripping wet. "Let's do this."
They tied strips of torn shirts around their noses and mouths, shielding themselves from the smoke and ash, then headed into the forest fire.
"On your right!"
"Harh!"
They encountered only a few snakes—most had perished in the fire. The ones that remained were quickly dispatched with tight coordination and practiced swings.
"If there were 80 snakes on this island, we've probably taken out half by now," Brandon called out as they passed several blackened carcasses.
Suddenly, Liam stumbled upon a corpse. Rotting. Black veins were spreading. Its eyes were glassy, mouth agape. But Liam barely spared it a glance. After a moment's pause, he moved on.
"Anyone out there?! Hello?!" Brandon shouted.
"Bad idea," Liam said softly, almost to himself. "They can hear."
Only Tyler heard. He turned to the group.
"Be on guard! The snakes can hear our screams!"
"Shit."
"Form a circle!"
"Chris, your side!"
Chris swung his branch like a bat, shattering the skull of an incoming snake. Tyler followed with his own strike, then Liam.
The snakes came faster now, but not as frenzied as before. The team held them off.
Then—a sound.
"Help…"
A faint cry, barely audible.
"Someone's out there," Liam muttered, eyes narrowing.
"Someone's crying for help!" Tyler relayed loudly.
"Chris! Left side!"
"I've got it!"
They continued forward, following the voice, intercepting the occasional snake along the way.
"Help!"
It was clearer now.
"This way!" Brandon led them through a thicket.
"There! In that cave!" James pointed. Two survivors—one man, one woman—huddled inside, smoke behind them and fear in their eyes.
"Take this!" Chris handed the man a branch. "Fight with us!"
"There could be more survivors. Let's keep looking," Brandon said.
"No—there isn't!" the man cried. "Everyone else… they're gone. We saw it happen."
"How can you be sure?" Tyler asked.
"We saw them die! All of them!"
"You survived. Why you, and not any one of them?"
"We just—got lucky! Please, believe us!"
Standing at the cave entrance, Liam crushed another snake's skull, listening quietly. "If he's lying…" he thought, "I'd do the same. Say anything to stay safe. That's to be expected."
He didn't judge. Just readied his branch for the next snake.