Leave me alone

Everyone woke up to the first rays of the sun timidly piercing the thick canopy. The faces were tired but determined. Max, the natural guide of our group, spoke.

-Miroy and John, you stayed up last night. Rest now while we search for some food.

I lay down, exhausted from the night on duty, ready to finally close my eyes and find some respite. John, however, shook his head.

-I'm not tired. I will accompany you, he said, getting up to follow the others into the forest.

I stood alone by the dying fire, my thoughts blurring as sleep quickly overcame me. The calm and warmth of the morning enveloped me, and I fell into a deep sleep.

This sleep, however, was suddenly interrupted by a disturbing sensation. A hand caressed my thigh, shaking me from my sleep. I jerked back, shocked, and opened my eyes to see Victor crouched beside me, his eyes staring into mine.

-Victor, what are you doing?, I asked, my voice shaking with confusion and anger.

A smile slipped across his lips.

-Calm down, Miroy. I just wanted to talk with you, he said but his eyes didn't reflect the same innocence as his words.

-I don't want to talk, I replied, straightening up and stepping back again, trying to put some distance between us.

Especially not with you, I thought

Victor raised his hands in a sign of peace, but his gaze remained intense.

-Listen, I can protect you. This world is dangerous, and we must stay united. If you... go out with me, I'll make sure nothing happens to you

His proposal made me shudder. I looked around, hoping someone else would come back soon.

-I don't need your protection Victor, I retorted firmly. "We all need to protect each other, as a group."

Victor came closer again, his smile becoming more insistent.

-Miroy, you don't understand. Here, it's every man for himself. Personal alliances are what will keep us alive."

-No, Victor, I insisted, now standing. "What you're proposing isn't an alliance, it's manipulation. I want nothing to do with it."

Victor's face darkened, his smile disappearing. "Very well," he said coldly. "But remember what I told you. You'll need me sooner or later."

With these words, he stood up and walked away, leaving me alone, my heart beating wildly. I sat up, trying to calm my nerves. I knew I had to talk to Marc and the others about what had just happened. Victor posed a subtle but real threat, and we couldn't afford to ignore him.

A few minutes later, Marc returned with the others, carrying fruits and edible roots found in the forest. He smiled when he saw me awake. "You feel better ?"

-I think it's okay, I replied, getting up to join them.

-I'm happy, I was afraid that you would become a living dead by not getting enough sleep, he joked

-We need to talk, I whispered

We sat in a circle, and I told him what had just happened with Victor.

-That confirms what I felt, Marc murmured, frowning. "Victor is not to be trusted."

-Unfortunately yeah, I sighed

-You must not stay alone with Victor, Marc warned me, you stay with me

-Okay, thank you Marc, I replied, nodding my head.

-You're welcome, but he hasn't done anything to you, I hope?, Marc asked me worriedly.

-No, I woke up in time, I replied.

-This fucking heat dog shouted Marc, growling

-I'm really scared for the rest of the trip, I sighed, clenching my fists

-Don't worry, we'll find a solution, Marc reassured me

The rest of the group called us wanting to discuss the organization of the rest of the trip.

Max nodded. "We must be vigilant. Group cohesion is essential. And above all, don't forget the rules given to you by your guide: do not be afraid, be wary, the more beautiful something is, the more dangerous it is and thirdly, be wary of this that surrounds you."

-I hope we find these damn plants soon? John grunted, his eyes worried.

-We'll find them, we just need a little patience, replied Léo. "But for now, let's stay together and be careful of the things around us. And if anything happens, let everyone in the group know."

We took a moment to think and plan our next step. The day lay before us, full of dangers and challenges. But one thing was clear: we had to remain united and vigilant, because this world did not forgive mistakes.