Chapter 72: 67

Chapter 66

It was around 2 o'clock in the morning when Salt and Drake decided to switch places.

The forest was tranquil so far—which was something they didn't expect. They may have seen a few wild animals here and there, but that's it. Those creatures didn't try to approach their campsite.

Apart from their chosen location being a far off beaten track, Drake surrounded the area with chemicals that could ward off potential intruders.

Salt must say that the guy's specifically good at this kind of thing. Thanks to the traps that he planted around, their security was tripled.

Amber and Pepper are leaving in a few hours from now, and Salt feels somehow conflicted.

He's the only one who has been taken away from their main squad.

He's not saying this because he feels lonely, but instead—for the apprehension that builds up inside his chest.

Aries did seem like a capable person, but Caitlin could only speak for him. They're relying on what she sees as the guy's teammate, and not on a solid piece of evidence.

She could be biased for all he knew.

Amber and Pepper will do well, there's no doubt about that.

Hopefully, they won't stumble into unpleasant things anymore.

Salt did a quick research about Talgar before they left, and nothing much could be drawn from the region. Both the place and its dwellers remain isolated from this era's current trend, and most Akkads aren't exactly interested in Talgar.

That's why research materials are scarce, and no information is readily available when you need them.

Based on the orientation that took place before this mission, it was obvious that Amber did her reading, too. She refused to believe in the circulating rumors, and firmly stood by her ground against the Beta that day.

'I wonder what she found out…'

To be that unyielding and persistent in the knowledge that she possessed…

Which books did she read, and what did she learn from them?

"You brought a bow," Drake remarked. They plan to meet half-way, and exchange pleasantries before heading to their new designated posts. "I didn't see you with one earlier." He was talking about the time before they departed from the camp—he was sure that Salt didn't take anything with him.

"Just in case." Salt shrugged. There's nothing to explain to the other person. Any item that he carries shouldn't matter as long as it's essential to the task they're facing.

Though he's a little bummed for not having a chance to use the weapon in the past hours.

He hadn't found something that was worth to be targeted, and hit by his arrow yet.

"Just in case…?" Drake watched him with a confused expression. Is he saying that his traps aren't enough of a stoppage?

No.

He shook his head inwardly.

Salt isn't the type of person who holds back with his comments. That was, at least, based on his observations of the guy's behavior in the short span of time they had worked together.

"Just in case a great source of food materializes right before my eyes," Salt stated flatly. The guy seemed genuinely confused, and he was well-aware of the hazards their group could suffer from a simple miscommunication.

So, he made up his mind, and decided to reveal his plan instead. To him, it's a great idea. Apart from playing sentries, they'd also get the chance to secure food in the process. It's hitting two birds with one stone.

Drake nodded thoughtfully. "That's really productive." Then, he scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly. "I don't know how to use a bow, though. It's unfortunate that I can't join you on this one."

"It doesn't matter to me. Your traps should do the trick. You've already made your contributions."

The way he said those words…

It was indifferent.

But Drake didn't view it that way.

Instead, he felt… acknowledged.

And it felt good for your hard work to be acknowledged by your fellow.

"Should we go now?"

Salt nodded stiffly. Before he goes to his next spot, he plans to check on his twin sister first, too. Though he was positive that she was already fast sleep, he couldn't say the same thing for Amber. Her head is constantly filled with bizarre ideas, and he wants to make sure that she loosens up this time.

Drake gave his shoulder a friendly tap, and went on his way with a relaxed smile. Going by his self-confidence, it seems like he believes that their hideout is impregnable.

At this rate, it won't be a sin to sit back, and lower their guard.

Salt shook his head, and began to meticulously patrol the area. He could already see their tents from where he stood, and he was a bit relieved to know that the girls weren't loitering around still—with the excuse of being unable to fall asleep comfortably.

His eyes narrowed suspiciously at one specific tent as soon as he reached the central site; its zipper had been tampered with. There was no signs of intrusion as he looked around, though.

The air is still, but it's no different from earlier. Heady, damp moss… no one else had been here.

Drake should have noticed it, too, since he had to cross this area for them to switch places.

Salt didn't attempt to peek inside the tent. Pepper's scandalous snores are enough of an indication that they can't be disturbed now.

After refilling his jug of water, he left the central site right away. He felt uncomfortable staying for a bit more—because Caitlin's tent was left unlocked. He could literally see the sleeping position she was in, plus the drools coming from her mouth.

She sure can be laidback even outside their pack territory, huh?

Now, that's rare.

Salt would rather have a calm person for a teammate by his side than one who gets spooked or agitated easily.

His ears perked up when he heard a loud thud from a distance.

And it was accompanied by a pained groaning.

'Who was that…?'

Salt immediately rushed to the area where the sound came from, and went completely rigid when he recognized who the culprit was.

It looks like Amber still hasn't realized that he's there already because she's busy with stroking her hurt back. By the looks of it, she probably landed from the tree—hard.

She doesn't normally show the other people that she's in pain, but since she's unaware of his presence right now, Salt is witnessing a vulnerable side of his sister's friend.

'Seriously? Sleeping on top of a tree?'

With the blanket that was still carefully wrapped around her small body, that couldn't be more obvious.

"And here I thought there was an intruder."

How careless can this girl get to fall from a tree that high?

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This must be the reason why their tent was left slightly open. She stepped out to sleep somewhere else instead.

Amber stilled upon hearing his voice—probably shocked that she failed to notice him at all. She raised her head, and steadily looked up, but Salt wished she hadn't done that.

Her eyes swirled intensely with silver hues taking over what used to be her 'brown' eyes.

Amber looked… threatening.

He knows that she's staring at him rather innocently, but her dilated pupils have him taken aback.

'Who is she…?'

No.

There's no doubt that she's the Amber Santiago that he knows.

Her scent.

This is her scent.

"Your eyes… what happened to them?"

"Huh?"

Amber suddenly got up, and that startled Salt.

Is she even aware of what's happening to her right now?

Salt took one step backward, throwing her a suspicious look. "They're silver," he mumbled. Is she wearing a pair of lenses? "What did you do, Amber?"

She dusted herself off, and looked him in the eye. "I don't know what you're talking about…"

"Your eyes—" Salt had to cut himself off when he saw that her eye color was back to normal.

Wait…

What?

Amber brought her palm to touch her eyes. "Did I manage to injure them? I don't feel anything, though. My eyesight is completely fine, too."

Salt couldn't comprehend the situation very well.

Something happened.

Right before his eyes.

And he had no idea what it was all about.

"What have you been up to?"

"I… I fell asleep."

"That much is obvious," he countered. "Before that, what were you doing?"

What's with the questions…

Confusion crossed her features. "Staring at the moon?" she replied, unsure.

"What else?"

"Well, I met Aries on my way here. I think he had been practicing."

"Did he try to give you anything?"

Give?

Amber smiled faintly. "We just talked."

"About what?"

"Sports."

"That's all?"

Why is he being pushy all of a sudden…

Amber sighed softly. "Yes. Is there a problem?"

'Yes, there is,' he mused.

It didn't seem like she was possessed or manipulated.

And based on her answers, nothing significant happened before she fell asleep.

Or passed out.

"I might just be seeing things," Salt murmured, still puzzled. "You fell, didn't you? The tent is a safer place, you know? You left Pepper with no company. Are you scheming something again?"

Amber chuckled quietly, then winced at the stinging pain on her back.

Seriously? Getting injured before the mission had even officially started?

Great.

"I fell asleep, and dropped myself. That's all."

"Will you let me check your back for you? You may have wounded it."

"I'm fine…"

"I insist."

In the end, Amber conceded. For some reason, Salt looked adamant.

So, she showed him her back, and raised her shirt a little.

'She's got some bloodstains on her shirt,' he noted, 'she probably cut herself.'

Yet, for some reason, as he carefully examined her back…

There were no signs of wounds.

Amber was completely unharmed.

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