Chapter 15: Back and division?

«A starler has taken interest in you.»

«A starler is watching you.»

As the quadrate walked back to the group Alaric ignore the messages poping at the end of his vision.

He was used to them by now, though it did feel uncomfortable knowing that someone is always watching you.

'The number of starlers watching me and having an interest in me keeps increasing the more I hunt. Do these useless things watch people who hunt?' Alaric pondered as to why so many 'useless things' were watching him.

Since Alaric had killed the 'monster' that day he had been travelling through the forest searching and killing wolves, for extra rewards. He had come to know many things in these 43 hours like the wolves don't travel in a pack, they have low intelligence, the green safe zone heals you for the first time afterwards it becomes colourless.

"Thank goodness it's not shrinking."

Gautam said with relief breaking the silence of the group.

"Yes, I was so worried."

"Hu..."

Tanya voiced her agreement followed by a nod of Suraj and Alaric.

"We should hurry up the group must be worried sick by now."

Gautam said as the group increased their pace.

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Arriving beside the pond the group wasn't bombarded by question as they had expected, rather they were met with silence.

The people sitting beside the pond weren't seated together but rather in two separate groups. One was bigger than the other by around 10 people.

Both the groups were seated around the campfires. The thing to notice was that the big group consisted mostly of the people who died old, while the small group consisted mostly of young ones.

"Guys I have good news."

Gautam shouted. The people among the big group gave him side glances while the people of the small group got up, James and a few walked towards him.

"The safe zone isn't shrinking, it's just moving."

The people didn't sigh in relief or thanked God, they remained seated in silence. A few from the big group even scoffed at them.

Gautam oblivious to this just looked at people anticipating their reaction. This however didn't go unnoticed by the trio standing behind him.

James walked towards Gautam and the group was about to say something...

"Gautam! We were so worried, where had you been, leaving us with 'your group'?"

A heavy voice sounded behind James who had opened his mouth, not even bothering to hide the sarcasm it contained.

Looking at the middle-aged man who had walked to him, Gautam said...

"Uncle first no need to worry we were observing the barrier. By the way, why do you guys not look relieved?"

"Oh, we were. When 'our group' found the fact."

"So you guys found it, that's good."

'Looks like there's another leader in the group'. Alaric thought as he looked at the man.

"By the way, you found which direction it's moving to?"

"Well we are not sure at the moment but..."

Gautam looked at the yellow pillar in the distance.

"It looks like it's moving towards the safe zone nearest to us."

"Hm... I see we came at the same conclusion."

The man nodded his head walking back to the big group he has came from.

"By the way, we caught some fishes care to join us for a dinner or maybe breakfast."

Niamh stopped in his track turning to Gautam.

"Nah, I am good and looks like James want to discuss something, we would join later."

Niamh chuckled in response as he said...

"Hehe... that won't work boy, it's a one time offer."

"Hehe. Then I would have to refuse, I am not feeling hungry."

Gautam replied with the same chuckle.

"What about you guys?"

The question was answered by the silence of the trio who very well understood the true invitation.

"I see, as expected."

Niamh turned around and walked back, not before giving the wooden spear in Alaric's hand a deep look.

Gautam and the trio walked to the smaller group, sitting beside the campfire.

"Care to explain what happened here?"

Gautam asked as he looked at James.

'He is not so oblivious after all'. Alaric thought waiting for James's answer.

"It all started when you guys left to the tree section..."

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"I see..."

Gautam nodded his head, looking at the roasting fishes in silence.

'Hm... I wasn't there so it's difficult to say whether his story is true or not, but if it's false...'

Looking at the silent Gautam Alaric thought, 'then he got a counterpart'.

Gautam suddenly stood up and announced...

"I will go and apologize to them."

*Sigh*

Tanya sighed, nodding to Suraj.

Suraj nodded back, getting up he caught the walking Gautam by his shoulder forcing him to sit. Before Gautam could ask the reason...

"Don't go, the group is not separated because of that, and your apology wouldn't bring us back together."

Tanya said looking at Gautam.

"But I can atl-"

"Do. Not. Go."

Tanya repeated in a loud voice.

*Sigh*

Sighing dejectedly Gautam lowered his head looking at the ground.

"Why are things always so complicated? Why can't people just stay together... As a family?"

"..."

No one answered his question.

Leaving him with the doubt he has always been with.