Chapter 54
As we trekked through the dense forest, the air buzzed with an undeniable sense of anticipation, while the sun’s relentless intensity bare down upon us My thoughts were consumed by the future, by the anticipation of the fresh start that lay ahead at Blackacre, even as the heat bore down relentlessly. The day had been long and tiring, but as we talked excitedly about our future, our exhaustion melted away.
“I can’t believe we’re finally going to Blackacre,” Sammy muttered under her breath, her eyes shining with excitement, as she anxiously tightened her grip on the strap of her bag. “Just think about all the new opportunities waiting for us there.”
I nodded enthusiastically, feeling a grin stretch across my face as I indulged in the limitless possibilities that danced through my mind.
“I know, right? Say goodbye to never–ending chores and work that’s physically exhausting. Just the freedom to do whatever we feel like.”
Saminy’s laughter filled the forest, bouncing off the trees, as she playfully nudged my shoulder.
“Think about all the new people we’ll meet and the adventures we’ll have. It’s gonna be amazing. We can finally say goodbye to those assholes who hurt us, putting others before us.”
Grinning in response, I could feel a rush of anticipation running through my body.
“You better fucking believe it.”
With each word exchanged, the weight of our previous obligations seemed to vanish, replaced by a palpable feeling of liberation and boundless opportunities. It had been ages since I felt this alive, my heart pulsating with a renewed sense of purpose and a glimmer of optimism for the unknown journey that lay ahead.
As we were talking, a sharp gasp from behind made us turn around, and we heard the unmistakable sound of something heavy crashing to the ground. As I spun around in alarm, my heart thumped loudly in my chest, and my breath caught in my throat as i saw Nadia’s lifeless form on the forest floor.
“Nadial”
My heart pounding, I cried out and quickly rushed to her side, Sammy following closely on my heels. I knelt down beside her, feeling the adrenaline coursing through my veins as I desperately tried to wake her up by gently shaking her shoulder. Nadia’s complexion had turned ghostly pale, her closed eyes and glistening forehead indicating the presence of cold sweat, her trembling intensifying by the second.
“Nadia, wake up!” With desperation coursing through me, I let out a piercing scream. Without thinking, I instinctively raised my hand, attempting to rouse her from her slumber with a slap, only to realize it was having no effect. Falling to the floor, her body becomes as limp and helpless as a ragdoll. “Nadia, cut it out! This is not the time to be dramatic. Wake up!”
There was no response, no twitch of a muscle in Nadia’s body–she remained unconscious. The realization that something was seriously wrong hit me like a tidal wave, sending panic coursing through my veins. The pack members of Blackacre closed in around us, and I stared up at them, my eyes filled with fear. As Axton forcefully made his–way through the crowd, his eyes finally landed on Nadia, and a concerned look washed over his face.
“What do we do?” I asked with a trembling voice, frantic with anxiety, my words rushing out in a jumbled mess. “She’s not waking up, Axton. What if something’s really wrong?”
“Holy fuck, what happened?” Rushing forward, Axel exclaimed in concern as he knelt beside Nadia’s limp figure. With a furrowed brow, she reached out and gave her shoulder a gentle shake, her worry evident. “Is this bitch really faking it, Maya? She’s been so desperate for attention the entire trip-
Shaking my head, my heart pounded relentlessly in my chest as I held Nadia’s lifeless form, my fingers trembling as they brushed against her quivering body.
“No, something’s wrong.
My voice, barely above a whisper, carried my words to them. As I placed a hand on her pack, I could feel the intense heat radiating from her.
16:40 Wed, 19 Jun GB
Chapter 54
sinking feeling washed over me as I realized she was burning up with fever.
“Fever?”
53%
Axton asked, his voice filled with desperation, hoping for me to say no. When I sighed and nodded, I could sense Axton’s frustration as he muttered curses. under his breath. As he knelt beside us, his usual calmness gave way to an unmistakable sense of urgency.
“We need to get to Blackacre as soon as possible,” he said, his voice tight with worry. “Our first aid kit won’t cut it, she needs a real infirmary”
“I still think she’s faking it-”
“Axel, can you shut up? We can’t let her die out here,” Once again, Axton couldn’t contain his frustration and squeezed the bridge of his nose, cursing under his breath. Axel’s expression shifted to one of surprise as she was caught off guard by Axton’s sudden outburst, but her brother quickly made amends by affectionately tousling her hair. “Sorry. I’m freaking out. If anything goes wrong with the future Luna of Thornholde, that fucker Zeke would freakin‘ kill me.”
“What are we going to do?”
As I looked up at Axton, I could feel the warmth of Nadia’s forehead covered in sweat, and I frantically tried to wipe it away, hoping it would help her stop shaking. With a grim nod, Axton’s jaw tightened in resolute determination as he carefully surveyed the scene before us.
“I’ll carry her to the nearest clearing. We take a break and then keep going, that way we’ll get back to Blackacre by dawn.” he said, his voice firm with resolve. Axton gives me a smile that calms my nerves a bit. “Don’t worry, Chesnut. She’s going to be fine.”
With caution, Axton gently hoisted Nadia’s lifeless body off the ground and securely placed her on his back. As he started to walk ahead of us, her limp form hung lifelessly from his broad shoulders.
With two fingers in his mouth, he let out a sharp whistle, the sound echoing through the air and grabbing everyone’s attention.
“Everyone move out!”
