Sara and the others started the game as Jake instructed. She'd already picked three flags tied to the trees.
Back at the campsite, Jake and the security guard kept glancing at their watches.
"It's been 30 minutes," Jake said, frowning. "We still have an hour and a half left. Everything will be okay, right?"
The security guard nodded. "Yeah. With the GPS trackers, everyone should be safe."
Jake hesitated. "Actually, I wanted to ask — why did you insist everyone wear a tracker?"
"It's a long story. I can't tell you everything now. But I'll share what I can," the guard said.
He lowered his voice. "There's a dilapidated house deep in this forest. Years ago, a man lived there. He fell in love with a girl who visited the forest every week. The day he planned to propose, her guards mistook him for a threat and killed him. People say his spirit still wanders the forest, trying to finish what he started."
Jake blinked. "Wait… you believe in ghosts?"
"I've seen things," the guard said quietly. "His wish was never fulfilled. That's why he's still here. I marked a boundary line. If any student crosses it, their tracker will sound an alarm. It keeps them away from that side."
_
In the forest, David had collected 15 flags. The second he stepped past a fallen log, his tracker buzzed and shrieked.
He looked at his wrist. "So this is the line. We're not supposed to cross it."
"Rabbit, be careful. Finish the game and get back ASAP," he muttered.
_
Sweety clutched seven flags, scanning the trees. "Oh my god. How many more do I have to collect?"
A twig snapped behind her. She spun around. Nothing. Then footsteps. Close.
"Who's there? Is anybody here?" she called. No answer. The footsteps came again.
"This isn't funny," she whispered, grabbing a thick branch. Her heart pounded. Someone tapped her shoulder.
Sweety swung the branch with all her strength.
"You're dead! Who are you? Why are you following me?" she yelled.
"Ms. Junior, stop hitting me! It's me, Vicky!" he gasped, shielding his head.
Sweety froze. "Vicky? Oh my god, sorry! Sorry! Why were you following me? I called out so many times and you didn't answer! Are you okay? Did I hit you hard? What do I do now?" The words poured out before he could speak.
Vicky covered her mouth. For a second, they just glared at each other. Sweety's pulse raced.
"Shh. Give your mouth a break," Vicky hissed. "I'm moving my hand. If you start screaming again, I don't know what I'll do."
Sweety nodded frantically and mimed zipping her lips.
Vicky sighed, rubbing his arm. "I was trying to scare you. That's why I didn't answer. Then you went full warrior mode on me."
She saw the red mark forming. "I'm really sorry," she said, guilt thick in her voice.
"Vicky, wait. I have a first-aid kit. Let me clean that." She reached for his hand.
"I'm fine. It's nothing," he said, pulling back.
"No, it's not. Give me your hand or I'll bite you," Sweety threatened.
"Fine." He held it out. It's better than listening to her talk, he thought.
While she dabbed ointment on the scrape, Vicky looked at her. Hair stuck to her forehead. Brows furrowed in focus. Flushed cheeks. Pink lips. His heart stumbled.
He yanked his hand back. "Alright, let's go. We're wasting time."
Sweety nodded.
"I got 10 flags. You?" he asked.
She held up her seven.
"Then let's move," Vicky said, taking her hand before he could stop himself.
Sweety stared at their joined hands. What am I thinking? Why is my heart racing again? she thought.
They walked on. The moment they crossed the fallen log, both their trackers blared.
"This is it, I think," Vicky said.
"Yes," Sweety whispered.
_
Sara had collected 11 flags. "Is this enough, or do I need more?" she asked herself.
"There might be more around here. And there's still time. Come on, Sara, you can do this." She motivated herself.
She stepped past the fallen log. Her tracker stayed silent. Frowning, she moved deeper into the trees, searching for flags.
_
Stella returned to camp with 13 flags. Jake took them and counted.
Poor Sara. God better help you today. This is your punishment for sitting beside David. From now on, I don't want you near him, Stella thought, smiling to herself.
One by one, students came back and handed their flags to Jake and security.
After some time, Jake finished counting. "Okay, the winner is Mr. David. He collected 16 flags. Everyone, give him a round of applause," he said, clapping.
David ignored the cheers and scanned the crowd. Sara wasn't there. He walked over to Vicky and Sweety.
"Hey, where's Sara?" he asked, his voice sharp.
Sweety snapped out of her daze and looked around. "I don't know, sir. She might be here. I'll go look for her."
David and Vicky searched the group. She wasn't there.
"Sara!" David shouted.
Jake, Stella, and the students turned. David walked up to Jake. "Sara isn't back."
Jake faced the group. "Guys, has anyone seen Sara?"
Heads shook. Murmurs spread.
"Sara's missing," Jake said, his voice grim.
"Sir, I saw her heading toward the forest near the old house," a student said.
Security and Jake went pale.
"Didn't her tracker go off?" Security asked.
"I don't know." Jake shook his head, then straightened. "We need to search for her. Now."
Panic rippled through the students. "Okay, everyone, split into groups. We'll search for Sara."
"Vicky, Sweety, you're with me," David said. Rabbit, are you okay? Where are you? his mind screamed.
Stella watched David's face. Jealousy twisted in her chest. Why do you care about her so much? she thought.
"Ms. Stella, come help us find Sara," Jake called.