Chapter 14. Last-Day Deal

***

The next day.

Noah woke up from his sleep, seeing the sunlight beginning to peek out and illuminate the forest. The young man glanced to the side and saw Kira fast asleep on the wooden hut floor, her tiny body wrapped in a blanket.

A faint sound came from outside as Noah tried to slowly open the hut's door. The sound made Noah abandon his attempt.

"We need to find the rest of the cadet team immediately; perhaps they already have the pendant," says someone sternly, like a leader speaking to his men.

Noah peered through the hut's window, seeing that the person in question was Caleb. Caleb's team was near the stream, with his teammates and a woman Noah was familiar with, Susan.

"It's Susan," Noah whispered.

The young man poked Kira's leg, causing the petite girl to wake up instantly and look at Noah, who was vigilantly looking out the hut's window.

"What's wrong, Noah?" asked Kira.

"Shush!"

"Caleb's team is near the river," Noah replied.

Kira was startled, sat up slowly, stepped clos