LOST IN THE WOODS

Zoe's POV

Matteo and Noah had gotten out of the water safely and were running towards our direction. "You could have shot someone and I didn't want you to do that." I reprimanded.

"Noah was there, you don't expect me to do nothing."

"That was close." Noah said as he fell to the door.

Liam hugged him immediately. "What were you thinking?" He asked.

Matteo walked up to me. "Hi, hope you're not injured?" I inquired, shyly.

He smiled. "I'm not."

"Huh, do you mind a small massage?" I asked.

His eyes widened, he was shocked and the words came out from my mouth before I could even stop myself. "Sorry, I wasn't supposed to say that." I said and looked at Liam, he was still cuddling Noah and I smiled.

"Those two are something else." Matteo admitted and I laughed.

"Where's Tracy? I haven't seen her."

"I don't know, maybe she's just busy or she has gone back to the camp."

I nodded. "She can do anything she wants, her boyfriend is the commander."

"You're right." He sighed.

Picking my gun, I faced the others. "It's time to go, we've wasted her time here, that sea animal could have killed you."

"I'm never coming back here." Noah muttered as they both stood up.

We were walking through an umber-brown, ancient forest. It reeked of age, Its woody incense was from centuries of snapping branches crashing to the forest’s floor and rotting silently.

The further we went, the more mystical and spellbinding it became. Huge roots spread-eagled the ground, twisting like the great backs of sea dinosaurs. The foliage became thick and lush, forming an arch of fairytale-green above our heads. Arthritic boughs, gnarled with age, dripped their bounty of nuts onto the path. Briars, brambles and berry trees flanked the trail, making it impenetrable on either side.

Every sprawling tree we passed under reminded me of a watchful guardian, a silent sentinel of the groves. We decided to venture deeper into the tangled heart of this primeval forest. We hoped that it would reveal its dark secrets to us.

Shuffling noises came from deep in the interior, deadened by the cunningly woven web of leaves. A troupe of shambling badgers crossed the winding trail in front of us at one point. They were finishing up their early morning foraging and looked startled to see us.

We arrived at a wide glide, where the trees fell away, revealing the bespeckled sky. The last of the morning’s stars were glinting like silver pin pricks, luminous and bright. As if on cue, an avian aria erupted from the knot of trees. The solitary songbird was soon joined by his beaked companions, creating a symphony of song. I risked a glance over my shoulder. The forest glade looked freeze frame perfect in the enhanced light of the full dawn.

As we walked into the thick forest, I suspected that we took a wrong turn, we were supposed to go back to the camp but the road was different. I wanted to talk but I wasn't sure. We continued walking.

The composting, organic smell rose up in waves like a miasma. I noticed the tree leaves, it varied in shades of green, some were still budding, emerging a fresh, limey color into the summer, whilst the grown, flatly panned leaves were brushed a lush emerald under the overhead sun. "I'm talking to you, Zoe." Liam's deep voice jerked me back to reality.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't listening." I apologized as I pushed a strand of my hair behind my ear.

The woods stood silent, no shuffling of movement. "Now, we're definitely lost." He said and it dawned on me.

We stopped and I looked around me. I definitely didn't recognize this part. "I knew we took the wrong turning about half a mile back." I admitted.

"Then why didn't you say a word?" Liam quipped, angrily.

I frowned. "I wasn't sure."

Scott's POV

I got angry immediately. "How could you do such a thing?" I asked, slamming the table with my fist.

"It's not like it's my fault."

"He ordered you to make a box and then, he wants to use my girlfriend as an experiment, can't he use Tracy?" I asked.

She frowned. "If you were the commander, would you have used your girlfriend?" She asked.

I studied the weight of her question. She was trying to make me feel like I was wrong and he was right.

"What the fuck are you saying?"

"I'm saying that we're using Zoe for the experiment."

"So what happens if she gets trapped in space."

"That's her concern and not mine." Alex replied and I chuckled.

"Really? I thought you were her friend."

"I'm doing this for the sake of our people."

"By killing one of ours, you're helping others?" I asked.

"If that's what you call it." She answered.

My heart raced quickly, I wouldn't let them do anything to Zoe. "Zoe is my girlfriend, I don't know if you understand but she is my girlfriend. I can't let you do this to her." I said and snatched the box from her hand.

She made an effort to stop me and I snapped my fingers. "Stop right there or I'll break this box." I warned, giving her large brown eyes.

"You wouldn't do that, would you?" She ventured, cautiously.

"Why don't you take a step further and watch me do it?" I dared.

"I'm calling the security." She said and pressed a button.

"What did you do that for?" I asked.

"You're a criminal and you should go to jail," She said and paused. "No one's worth fighting for, just give me the box and everything would be okay."

I looked at her, then looked at the box. "I'm never going to give you this box." I said.

"Bravo," Jake clapped as he walked in together with his men who pointed their guns at me. "Just give us the box and we'll let you live." He suggested.

I looked at the box again. "You're a liar and a cheat, how am I supposed to trust you?" I asked.

He chuckled. "We've been friends for a long time and that's how it will remain, I've always got your back." He said with a smirk.

"Fine, I'll give you." I gave up, reluctantly.

"Good, drop the box on the floor and kick it gently to Alexa."

I dropped the box gently on the floor and stood straight. I knew he wouldn't listen to me, he wanted to get rid of Zoe.

I stamped my leg on the box and it broke into pieces. Jake screamed in anger and shot me with his injection gun.

Falling to the ground, everywhere was blank. "Zoe." I muttered as I passed out.