Chapter 71: 66

Chapter 65

The moon shines brightly in the sky, and Amber finds it hard to fall asleep.

She promised herself that she wouldn't take on everything by herself this time by committing the same selfish act all over again.

Since they're a group of six now, they can assign at least two lookouts to watch over them in their slumber.

Salt and Drake are working hard to ensure everyone's safety. They're currently monitoring their surroundings as there's a long list of wild animals that prefer hunting during the night.

The traps that Drake had placed would be their first line of defense.

Werewolves have superior night vision compared to most animals, so it's easier for them to sense, locate, and observe their prey.

'I should really sleep now.'

That's what Amber kept telling herself in the past hour, yet both her eyes and mind wouldn't cooperate at all.

Pepper is already sound asleep beside her. It's amazing how she can drift off without any problem—she envies her in that aspect.

Amber is certain that she can stay up for days.

But not getting enough sleep has its own side effects.

Is there a way for her to mellow this spark of thrill that she feels?

Ha…

Amber put her arm over her eyes to force darkness into her vision.

How does one easily fall asleep in the middle of nowhere?

She has no prior experience in it after all.

Closing her eyes just heightens her hearing—and she doesn't need that right now. Her heightened hearing will only make her more alert of their surroundings, and being alert stomps on her chances to get some good sleep.

And suddenly…

She remembered the book that she brought with her.

She hadn't touched it for days because there was no time. They had to be constantly on the run because staying in one place for too long might invite unexpected problems.

Caitlin and her squad were reliable.

And that conclusion was only derived from a few-day observation.

They have the initiative to do things. They don't have to be reminded of what needs to be done.

They should be commended for their excellence, considering this is their first mission as a squad.

And about the issue that occurred days ago…

Amber was already over it.

Caitlin did say some horrible things to her, but it wasn't worth it to retaliate, and put their mission on the line.

She has already forgiven her, but her wolf is unwilling.

Well…

It's not like she can blame the other part of her for feeling that way. Between them two, she has always been the tolerant one.

It's useless to think about it since they're all good now, though.

Drake and Aries… their personalities aren't far from Salt's. They only speak when they're spoken to, and it seems like they feel more comfortable to open up to Caitlin about certain matters.

That's a major difference.

Because Salt would never do that.

"Umph."

Amber suffered in silence when Pepper suddenly moved, and dropped her arm on her chest. Her friend was in deep sleep, but the impact of her arm felt like an abrupt punch.

She turned to her side, and found Pepper sleeping like a log.

'She will be full of energy in the morning.'

Minutes after being in deep, reflective thought, Amber decided to get up, and take a short walk.

'It's so quiet…'

Another tent stood across theirs, and she could tell by the person's breathing in there that… like Pepper, they were probably in the dreamland now, too.

The woods were incredibly still.

And all of them agreed to not use torches.

Because that would make them easy to locate.

Where did Salt and Drake go?

Did they station themselves anywhere farther?

Amber didn't go too far, and immediately found herself a tree she could laze on. She was trying to get a visual measurement of its height when she suddenly sensed that someone was standing behind her.

"What are you trying to do?"

It was Aries.

He doesn't have a shirt on, and he's covered in sweat.

Did he…?

Amber felt her cheeks heat up when she realized that she was staring rather openly.

He might misunderstand…!

"I… I plan to go up," she answered, flustered. "I thought you already went to sleep. It appears to me you've gone… practicing."

Aries shrugged. "I couldn't sleep."

So, he's getting those jittery vibes, too…?

He tilted his head. "You look troubled. Is that why you're still awake?" She even took a small blanket with her. Does she plan to sleep on a tree instead?

Amber shook her head no. "I'm always like this," she whispered honestly.

Was it her nerves?

Was it anxiety?

She has no idea…

"You mean you couldn't sleep well during your last mission, too?"

"Yeah," she said awkwardly. "Have you seen our other members?"

"I think Drake went to set-up additional traps. I don't know about Salt. He took a bow with him, and went somewhere. Is he into archery, too?"

Amber's mind was on something else, though.

Did Aries just say that his friend went to check the perimeters again…?

For traps?

"This late?" she asked in disbelief.

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"This late? What do you mean?"

"Drake…"

"He should be fine. He won't take long."

He sounds so confident…

"Okay." She nodded, still befuddled. She was waiting for him to make himself scarce. Shooing him away would be rude, especially when he looked like he got something more to say.

Aries wasn't speaking, though.

He was just staring at her as if he was waiting for something.

"Can I help you with anything…?" Amber tightened the blanket around her body as the cold, night wind blew past between them. She could literally hear the whispers of the swaying leaves.

Now that she thinks about it…

How is he so sweaty when it's cold? He didn't even put a shirt on…!

"What sport do you know apart from kickboxing?" Aries suddenly asked.

The look on his face… he was being serious.

"Does knowing the basics count?"

"Depends on what you consider as 'basics'," he shot back. "That one is subjective."

Amber bit her lower lip. Where is this conversation going anyway?

"I guess I could say… taekwondo?"

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Really?"

She wanted to say her legs were well-grounded, but that would make her sound as if she was bragging, so she could only nod her head in return.

"Oh, okay. That's impressive, I think. Anyway, I'll go ahead now. Being well-rested for a mission is important. I hope you know what I'm saying."

Amber stared at his retreating back. "I'll be back in a jiffy…" she muttered to herself.

Aries disappeared from her sight in no time. She forgot to ask if he'd still continue his training. She hasn't tried that before.

'I'd rather go for a run that train around here…'

Amber climbed up the tree like an expert, and settled herself comfortably there.

She finally saw Salt—he was sitting on a tree as well, his bow and arrow attached on his back. He doesn't look like he has a target, and is polishing his skills during these hours like Aries.

He's really just sitting there.

Being a vigilant observer.

Amber shifted her gaze, and stared at the lustrous moon instead.

Then, a yawn had escaped her lips.

For some reason, she suddenly felt drowsy.

So, she said to herself that maybe… spending the night there wouldn't be so bad.

Besides, she won't catch a cold that easily.

And so, she slowly closed her eyes with the image of the glowing celestial body still on her mind.

'It smells like rotting flesh.'

Amber knows of it because her father brought a dead animal back to feast on before.

However…

This time, the smell is stronger—nastier.

Amber continued her walk while searching for a certain person.

A man…

But she couldn't even remember what he looked like.

What is this place…?

She was seeing a lot of unfamiliar faces.

Wait, are they in a basement?

It feels… weird. The basement was huge enough to accommodate almost hundreds of people.

And many of them were crying to the…

Bodies?

Bodies covered with a white blanket…

Her chest constricted painfully, and tears welled up in her eyes before she knew it. "Mama…" she mumbled absentmindedly.

Amber hurried over to the area where the bodies laid flat, tears rolling down her cheeks—helplessly.

"Where?" she cried out. "Where do I find you…?"

Even her soft cries remained unheard due to the noise brought about by everyone else's unrest and mourning.

And that's when it finally hit her nose like a brick. The scent may be faint, but it's there.

It's still there.

Strawberries…

"Mama…?" she muttered tearfully.

With her trembling hands, and while choking on her own sobs…

Amber dropped down to the floor, and poured her eyes out. There's nothing for her to confirm anymore. She knows that she's already gone.

Her mother is gone.

Thud.

"Ah…"

Amber fell from the tree, her back stabbed by the sharp edge of a rock. She was fully awake in an instant, touching her hurt back… and wincing in pain.

She brought her other hand to touch her face because it felt sticky…

"And here I thought there was an intruder."

Amber looked up at the person who stood before her.

It was Salt.

And looking around them, she realized that it was still dark.

His forehead creased in wonder. "Your eyes… what happened to them?"

"Huh?"

He took one step backward, throwing her a suspicious look.. "They're silver."

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