In the Military Camp
“This place is so deserted,” muttered Danica as she gazed at the empty military barracks. “Isn’t this strange? Since we left Block One, we haven’t encountered a single predator. It feels suspicious to me.”
“Do you want us to run into a predator? Stupid wh*re!” Igor hissed with a mocking laugh.
Danica glared at Igor for a few seconds before turning to Kevin, who had just arrived with Sofia and her baby.
“Isn’t Bayu with you?” Danica asked, her forehead creased with worry.
“He’ll be along with Scholarship Girl,” Kevin replied as he wiped his face, which was wet again. He then glanced at Tyrell’s group, who were talking with the first-floor officers near several parked vehicles.
“Two open trucks and a jeep? Don’t you guys have several military trucks with higher platforms?” he asked, walking toward the four first-floor officers now with Tyrell and Aslan.
“When the incident occurred, all the military trucks were outside the prison,” explained Ben, the male officer from earlier. “It’s likely everyone in those trucks is dead. That’s why none of them returned. Only vehicles used for transporting supplies from the dock remain.”
“The safest vehicle here is this covered jeep, but it only fits four to five people,” noted Daniel beside the green jeep. “But why is this the only vehicle without keys?”
“It’s a special vehicle for Block Two. Only two researchers from there have the keys and they are trying to get here,” the officer replied, glancing at his watch. “They should have arrived by now, but they haven’t. Time is running out. We may need to leave first and have others follow.”
“Bayu, Scholarship Girl, and the twins from Block One haven’t arrived either. We have to wait for them,” Kevin said, visibly displeased.
“Do you want to be responsible if the ship arrives early and leaves before we get there because they find the situation on this island suspicious?” the officer retorted sharply. “If some of us go first, we can delay the ship from leaving before the others arrive at the dock. If we all wait here and the ship leaves early, it will all be for nothing.”
“What’s your name?” Somsak asked the officer.
“Ben.”
“Okay, Ben, what if the ship arrives later than expected?” Somsak asked again.
Ben gave him a flat look. “That means we’ll need to find a safe place to wait. It’s better to wait there than to be late. After all, we’re making a break for it to escape before we’re all trapped in the lock island system. It’s our only shot at survival.”
Tyrell, who had been listening, sighed. “He’s right. Someone needs to go ahead to prepare for the worst-case scenario. We don’t know if there will be obstacles on the way. The first team might encounter predators en route. It will certainly take longer to reach the dock.”
“Then we need to split into two teams because this open truck here can’t accommodate everyone,” said Aslan. “With two in the front seat, the back can only fit about ten people because those with weapons in the open truck need space to move and protect others.”
“So far, there are 16 adults and one baby here,” Tyrell responded. “This doesn’t include those coming from Blocks One and Two. Since this vehicle can only carry about 12 people, that means four of us might have to stay here and join the others later.”
He turned to Ben. “Do the people from Block Two have firearms?”
Ben shook his head. “As far as we know, they said they don’t have any firearms. That might be why they’re slower getting here.”
“There are six people with firearms here: me, you, Aslan, Kevin, Bayu, and Sara. Plus, Danica has a bow,” Tyrell said. “That means there are only seven people who can help protect the others. If we split into two groups, three should have firearms in each group.”
“If the first group is larger, Danica can join them. I think that’s fair,” Aslan suggested.
“Right,” Tyrell agreed. “Since Bayu is armed, the second group needs two more people with firearms. Perhaps Kevin and I will join the second group with two others, while Aslan, Danica, Sara, and Ben can assist in the first group. It’s best to prioritize the women in the first group.”
Kevin nodded at Tyrell. “I’m okay with that. I’ll wait here for Bayu and the others.”
“Captain, you’re more needed in the first group, especially since there’s a baby here,” Aslan said to Tyrell. “Besides, the drivers can come from those not carrying weapons, so the armed ones can focus on protecting from the rear.”
“Ivan and I can drive, and we’re unarmed,” Igor suddenly added, stepping forward alongside Ivan. Unfortunately, their sudden offer met disapproval from almost everyone present.
“Seriously? You guys don’t trust us?” Igor shouted, his expression offended and angry as he looked around. “F*ck you!”
Ignoring Ivan and Igor’s outburst, Aslan turned to Daniel. “You can drive, right?”
“You’re asking if Daniel can drive?” Somsak interjected, raising an eyebrow. “He participates in rally races and off-roading. He’s very skilled, even on difficult terrains.”
“In that case, you and Daniel can take the front seats while the others hop in the back,” Aslan decided. “If four of us have to stay here to join the second group, that includes Ivan, Igor, Kevin, and….”
“Me,” Tyrell quickly added. “I promised Bayu I’d wait for him here.”
“Aslan’s right. It’s better if you or Kevin join the first group since it has more women,” Sara interjected. “We’re all heading to the dock anyway. Let me be the one to wait here.”
“I’ll wait here too, so Captain can join the first group,” Kevin responded firmly. “Don’t worry, Captain. Bayu and I are not easy targets. You can assist Danica, Aslan, and Ben in protecting everyone in the first group.”
“Are you sure about this?” Tyrell asked, looking uncertain.
“Absolutely,” Kevin affirmed, smiling reassuringly at Tyrell and the visibly concerned Danica. “Your role in the first group is more challenging as you’ll be clearing the path for us behind. It makes sense for you to be with the first group to make our journey smoother later on.”
“You cheeky bastard!” Tyrell exclaimed, chuckling.
“We’ll be stuck with two dangerous guys like him and this Bayu?” Igor said, pointing at Kevin. “Besides, do you think we can trust this woman from Ukraine, Sara, who’s carrying a weapon when she’s had a grudge against us all this time?”
“Are you scared?” Aslan hissed angrily, closing in on Igor. “If you want to wear a skirt, I’ll let you join the first group.”
Igor glanced at the women around them. “Are you all going to stay silent while Aslan belittles you with sexist remarks?”
“At least he’s not like you, who keeps saying ‘wh*re’ but is afraid to be in the same group as Sara,” Danica retorted.
Sara softly chuckled. “Pathetic!”
“Cyk* bly*t!” Ivan cursedin Russian at Danica and Sara. “Keep holding onto your weapons around us because if you don’t, you’ll see what happens.”
Ivan then pulled the still-angry Igor toward a corner farther away in the military camp, where they sat down in silence. Meanwhile, Ben turned to Tyrell and Aslan.
“We need to leave now,” Ben urged, checking his wristwatch. “The ship is scheduled to dock in half an hour. If we delay, all our efforts to break out of Block One could be wasted.”
“Stay safe,” Kevin reiterated to Tyrell, Aslan, and the other members of the first group preparing to board the vehicle. “We don’t know what lies ahead. If there are fewer predators here, they might be outside the prison for some reason.”
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