"Come on, don't overthink it. You're still not completely recovered."
Laras looked at Alya with concern.
Ever since the strange incident she had experienced earlier, Alya had not fully regained her strength. Her face still looked pale, and she occasionally complained of persistent dizziness.
Laras did not want her friend to push herself too hard just to continue the climb.
She wrapped an arm around Alya's shoulders and guided her toward the campsite.
"Tomorrow, we'll head back down together, okay? We'll go home together. You don't have to force yourself to reach the summit."
Alya fell silent for a moment before finally nodding.
"Promise?"
Laras smiled.
"Promise."
They continued walking, leaving behind the spot where the snake had appeared.
Unbeknownst to them, something was moving slowly among the darkness deep within the trees.
A shadow, vaguely resembling a human figure, stood motionless behind a massive tree trunk.
It seemed to be watching them.
Then, in the blink of an eye, the figure vanished into the darkness of the forest.
"Wow, you finally made it!"
Keenan greeted them with a broad smile.
Near the campfire, Tissa and Rengga were busy cooking instant noodles with vegetables in a small pot. The aroma of the hot broth spread throughout the campsite, mingling with the scent of burning wood.
Meanwhile, Riki was pouring hot water into a cup of coffee.
"Come on, sit down! Dinner's ready," Keenan called out. "You must be starving after such a long trek."
Hasan immediately placed his backpack beside the tent.
"Of course I'm starving! I could probably finish an entire pot of noodles by myself."
"You greedy pig!" Rengga shot back.
Soft laughter rippled through the group.
Keenan then turned his attention to Alya.
"How are you feeling now? Any better?"
"Somewhat," Alya replied as she sat beside Laras. "My head still feels a little dizzy, but it's not as bad as before."
"Then don't move around too much," Keenan advised.
"Yeah, I know."
After placing their backpacks inside the tents, they gathered around the campfire again.
The night felt relatively warm despite the steadily dropping temperature.
They sat in a circle, enjoying instant noodles, vegetables, and cups of hot chocolate prepared to keep them warm.
The firelight reflected on their faces, casting flickering shadows across the ground.
For a while, everyone forgot how exhausted they were after the long trek.
Laughter and casual conversations filled the campsite.
Then Tissa suddenly made a suggestion.
"How about we play a game after dinner?"
Hasan, who was sipping his noodle broth, immediately turned toward her.
"What game now, Tissa? We're all exhausted. You always come up with the most ridiculous ideas."
Tissa waved her hand dismissively, not the least bit offended.
"Relax! This game doesn't require much energy."
"If not energy, then what? Money?" Rengga quipped.
"No, silly!"
Tissa reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a stack of cards she had been keeping there.
"We're going to play Truth or Dare!"
"Truth or Dare?" Rico repeated.
"Yep! It's really popular on campus right now. You guys have to try it."
Tissa held up the cards, her face brimming with excitement.
"This game can help us get to know each other better. Who knows? Maybe someone here has been hiding a secret from the rest of us."
She finished with a mischievous laugh.
Laras and Alya exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.
"I think I already know who's going to turn this into a complete mess," Laras remarked.
"Who else but Tissa?" Alya replied.
"Hey! I can hear you, you know!"
Their laughter erupted again.
However, not everyone seemed interested.
"I'm sitting this one out," Riki said, shaking his head. "I have a feeling this game is going to end in trouble."
"You're already being negative, and we haven't even started," Tissa protested.
"That's because I know you people."
Rengga laughed at Riki's response.
"Come on, just join us. At most, we'll have to answer a few weird questions."
"What if we're asked to do something embarrassing?"
"Then don't lose!"
"Oh, shut up!"
Laras, who had been listening to their argument, finally spoke up.
"Come on, let's play for a little while. We've made it to Post 3, so there's nothing wrong with enjoying some time together before bed."
She turned toward Hasan and Riki.
"Besides, we might not get another chance to gather like this after the trek is over."
Hasan let out a long sigh.
His gaze briefly shifted toward Laras before he finally raised both hands in surrender.
"Fine, I'll join."
Riki stared at him in disbelief.
"Wait, weren't you the one who complained the most just now?"
Hasan shrugged.
"How can I say no when Laras is the one asking?"
"Unbelievable!" Riki muttered.
Tissa immediately burst out laughing in satisfaction.
"That's more like it! Finally, everyone's on board."
Keenan, who had looked sleepy for a while, raised his index finger.
"But don't make it too long, okay? I'm already sleepy, and I want to get some rest."
"Don't worry," Tissa replied. "It won't take long."
Alya picked up her cup of hot chocolate and added, "We just ate, too. Sitting around for a while before going to sleep won't hurt, right?"
"Just make sure we don't stay up until midnight," Keenan said.
"Yes, boss!"
Tissa gave an exaggerated salute, making everyone laugh again.
No one had any idea that this seemingly harmless game would become the beginning of a series of revelations, exposing secrets that had remained hidden among them for far too long.