Unexpected Encounter. . .

The aftermath of the fierce battle on the third day left Roland and his team utterly exhausted. Despite their fatigue, the harrowing experience strengthened the bonds between them. Kai, ever the optimist, began to crack jokes, bringing much-needed laughter to the group. Even David, who had often been at odds with the others, started to relax and join in the camaraderie. He was slowly becoming more humble, recognizing the value of his teammates.

After tending to their wounds, the team gathered to strategize for the days ahead. Roland, ever vigilant, ventured out to place traps around their camp to prevent any future ambushes. The following morning, they enjoyed a rare moment of peace over breakfast. The conversation turned to their lives back on Earth.

"So, what did everyone do before we ended up in this crazy place?" Lucy asked, her eyes curious.

Kai leaned back, grinning. "I was a graphic designer. Spent most of my days behind a screen, making art for video games. Funny how that's actually coming in handy now."

Eva smiled, "I was a nurse. I guess that's why I'm the healer here. It feels good to help, even if the circumstances are...well, insane."

Lucy shared her story next, "I was a college student, studying biology. I loved hiking and being outdoors, so this environment isn't entirely unfamiliar to me."

David, who had been quietly eating, finally spoke up. "I lost my job before coming here. My parents were in an accident, and I was struggling to keep things together. It felt like everything was falling apart." His voice trembled slightly, and the group listened intently, their expressions somber. "Being here is terrifying, but...it's also given me a chance to fight for something, to survive."

The group fell silent, feeling the weight of David's words. This shared moment of vulnerability brought them closer together, solidifying their resolve to support one another.

Just as they were starting to relax, a loud cry of pain pierced the air. Instantly alert, they grabbed their weapons and made their way towards the sound. They found four girls, one of whom was caught in one of Roland's traps, bleeding from the leg. The sight was pitiful: the girls looked scared and exhausted, their clothes torn and dirty.

The leader of the girls, a petite woman with short brown hair and tear-filled eyes, tried to help her injured friend. "Please, don't hurt us," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "We're just trying to survive."

Kai stepped forward, his expression softening. "We won't hurt you. I'm Kai. What's your name?"

"I'm Emily," the girl replied. "These are Sarah, Mia, and Jess." She gestured to her companions, who nodded weakly.

"Emily, we can help your friend," Kai said. "But we need to know what happened to you."

Emily took a deep breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "We were ambushed by another team. We've been on the run, hiding and starving. We haven't eaten in days."

Kai turned back to his team, his eyes filled with sympathy. "We should help them," he said, looking at Roland for approval.

Roland remained cautious, scanning the surroundings for any signs of a trap. His teammates, however, were already expressing their desire to assist the girls. He sighed, conceding to their wishes. "Fine. But we stay on guard."

Back at their camp, the girls devoured the food they were given, their gratitude evident. As they rested, the two groups began to talk, learning more about each other.

"We should team up," Emily suggested hesitantly. "At least for now. It's safer together, and we can separate when we're closer to the end."

Roland frowned, not entirely convinced. "It's risky. We don't know if we can fully trust you."

Kai placed a hand on Roland's shoulder. "I understand your concern, but they need our help. We can't turn our backs on them."

With a reluctant nod, Roland agreed. Over the next few days, they taught the girls how to adjust to the harsh environment. Trust began to build slowly but surely.

Meanwhile, a different kind of bond was forming between Roland and Eva. Their conversations grew longer, their smiles more frequent. One evening, as they sat by the fire, Eva shyly reached out, her fingers brushing against Roland's. He looked at her, surprised but pleased.

"You've been amazing, Roland," Eva said softly. "I don't know what we would have done without you."

Roland smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him. "It's a team effort, Eva. We all have each other's backs."

Their moment was interrupted by Lucy's teasing voice. "Well, well, what do we have here? Are you two getting cozy?" Eva blushed furiously, and even Roland couldn't suppress a grin.

The days passed with a renewed sense of purpose. They hunted, Fight and trained together, growing stronger as a unit. They shared stories, laughter, and even moments of sadness, but through it all, they stood together. Eva also succeeded in getting her first kill.

On the second night, as they lay down to rest, Roland couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding about the days to come. He knew that their greatest challenges were still ahead. The forest was closing in, and they would need every ounce of strength and trust to survive.

Kill count :

Kai +8

Roland +14

David +10

Lucy +8

Eva +1