After last night's terrifying incident, no one woke up with energy. The air was heavy, their minds weighed down by unease.
Everyone silently gathered for breakfast.
"Damn that creature… because of it, we're stuck with just bread again today," muttered Professor Charles Dickens.
"If Edward did see that animal, then it has to be real. Otherwise, where the hell did the leftover boar meat go?"
Francis replied, his tone skeptical.
"I'm not saying he lied, Professor. But maybe what Edward saw wasn't some horrific beast. It was probably just a wild dog or something. He got spooked—and his fear turned it into a monster."
Daniel leaned in, speaking softly to Francis.
"Lower your voice. If Edward hears that, it'll turn into a whole new problem. He didn't even come for breakfast today after everything that happened last night."
Francis nodded slightly and fell silent.
Daniel looked around at the rest of the group, then addressed them all.
"Some of us have to head back into the jungle today. We need to hunt something. That damned creature ruined our stash—we lost all the leftover boar meat. That was at least one day's food gone. So we don't have time to waste."
"As soon as we finish eating, we move out."
Once breakfast was over, Daniel and five others picked up their makeshift weapons and headed into the dense jungle—hoping to hunt and maybe, just maybe, find clean drinking water.
Time: 10:15 AM
Inside his tent, Barry was busy cleaning his piano.
He paused suddenly—he had the feeling that someone was outside.
A moment later, Charlie stepped in.
"Barry, are you busy right now?"
"What is it? Tell me, Charlie."
"You remember yesterday, when a group of us went into the forest to catch the boar? On the way back, we saw something. Honestly, it was the most beautiful sight I've ever seen in my life.
It was a huge waterfall.
I have this wish… to see it again, just once. But I'm a little scared to go alone. Would you come with me?"
Charlie's eyes lit up as he expressed his wish.
"Why not? Let's just go.
Nothing much is happening here anyway.
Just the two of us, right?"
"Actually… we need two more people. Come on, let's find someone."
They first went to meet Harry.
After sharing their plan, Harry agreed immediately, without hesitation.
But someone else was listening to their conversation from behind a tree—
It was Max, the little girl.
The fourth person they decided to invite was Edward.
Just as the four of them were about to leave, Max stepped out and asked:
"Where are all four of you going?"
Charlie smiled sheepishly.
"Nowhere special… we're just heading into the forest for a little walk."
"I know you're going to see the waterfall," Max said, grinning. "I heard everything while hiding."
The four froze for a second—caught.
Charlie approached her and spoke gently.
"Sweetie, please don't tell anyone, alright?
We'll be back very soon. Promise?"
Once Max gave her silent nod of understanding, the four of them turned and headed into the jungle, toward the waterfall.
Leading the group, once again, was Charlie—walking confidently ahead.
To be continued.....
Next chapter release date 7/7/25