Starts Of The Second Trial

The dense forest enveloped Hakim's group as they ventured deeper into the unknown, their senses on high alert. The trees towered above them, casting eerie shadows that danced with the shifting light filtering through the thick canopy. Sarah kept a close eye on their surroundings, her earlier unease now replaced with a focused determination.

"We should find a clearing, somewhere with open space but still near enough to the trees for cover," Hakim suggested, scanning their surroundings for any signs of potential danger.

Ezat, ever the cautious one, voiced his concern. "We need to be wary of wildlife. This forest looks like it's home to a variety of creatures, some of which might not be friendly."

Rizman nodded in agreement. "We should also keep an eye out for water sources. It's crucial for our survival."

"I think we should hurry and prepare for the shelter. It looks like the clouds are heavy right now." Sarah said.

"Huh, heavy clouds. Oh, you mean the rain might come sooner. I see," Rizman replied. Sarah nodded in agreement.

"But, this place doesn't have any space for a tent," Ezat remarked as he touched one of the trees. Shortly after, lightning struck that tree, instantly burning it. They quickly moved away until they found a specific area suitable for camping.

"I think this place is okay for us to stay. Since the rain hasn't started yet, Ezat and I will find firewood to make a fire. Rizman and Sarah, you two can prepare the tent," Hakim said, and they each began their tasks.

After gathering some firewood, Hakim and Ezat returned to the camping spot to find Rizman and Sarah setting up the tent. The sky grew darker, signaling the impending rain, prompting them to work swiftly.

"Hurry up!" Rizman said to Sarah to work quickly. As they finished setting up the tent and starting the fire, the first droplets of rain began to fall. They hurriedly took cover inside the tent, grateful for the shelter they had managed to prepare just in time. There were two tent that Rizman and Sarah setting up. The boys covered inside one tent while Sarah covered inside her tent.

"It looks like we made it just in time," Rizman said, glancing outside at the rain.

"Yeah true. But, it is evening already. The firewood that we collected, I don't think it can hold quite longer." Hakim said.

"Let's hope that the rain will stop soon." Ezat continued.

As the rain intensified outside, the group huddled together in their tents, their voices hushed by the sound of the downpour. Inside, the atmosphere was a mix of anticipation and concern, their survival instincts sharpened by the challenges they faced.

Sarah peered outside her tent, her expression thoughtful. "We should conserve our resources until the rain stops. It might be a long night."

Ezat nodded in agreement. "We can't risk venturing out in this weather. Our priority should be staying warm and dry."

Rizman checked their supplies, making sure they had enough food and water for the night. "We'll have to ration what we have until we can replenish our resources."

Hakim, his gaze fixed on the flickering fire, spoke up. "Let's use this time to rest and conserve our energy. Tomorrow, we'll need to assess our situation and plan our next steps."

As for the next day, Sarah shake up the boys tent. As Hakim wake up, he unzip the tent door. He looks at Sarah face, mixed with worry and anxiety. "Hey, what's wrong Sarah?" Hakim asked her while rubbing his eyes.

"Our supply. Our supply disappeared." Sarah said.

Hakim's heart sank at Sarah's words. He glanced over at Rizman and Ezat, who were now stirring awake from the commotion.

"What do you mean our supply disappeared?" Hakim asked, his voice tinged with urgency.

"I checked this morning when the rain stopped. All our food are gone," Sarah explained, her voice trembling slightly.

Rizman quickly unzipped the tent further and crawled out, followed by Ezat. They gathered around Sarah, concern etched on their faces.

"This is bad," Rizman muttered, looking around their campsite. "We need to figure out what happened."

Ezat nodded, his expression grim. "It could be animals or... someone else."

Hakim stood up, his mind racing. "First, let's search the area. Maybe we missed something."

The group fanned out, combing through their campsite and the surrounding area for any clues. They checked the ground for tracks, the trees for any signs of disturbances, and even the nearby bushes for hidden supplies. 

After a thorough search, they reconvened near the tents, empty-handed.

"It doesn't make sense," Rizman said, frustration evident in his tone. "There's no sign of an animal raid, and if someone took it, there should be tracks."

Hakim rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "We need to be more vigilant. From now on, we'll take turns keeping watch during the night."

Sarah nodded in agreement. "We also need to find food and water. We can't survive without them."

Ezat looked up at the sky, now clear and bright. "Let's start moving. The sooner we find a new source of supplies, the better."

But for some reason, Hakim knew that their supply disappearance was because of someone inside their team. He suspected that there was a traitor among them. Determined to catch the traitor, Hakim began devising a strategy.

The four of them packed up the tent and moved away from their campsite, needing to explore the area. As they walked through the forest, Ezat approached Hakim and asked, "Do you think Sarah gave our supplies to another group? That seems like a possible reason for their disappearance."

"Why do you say that?" Hakim asked.

"Well, since her tent had more space than ours, we all put our things inside her tent. If something went missing, it should be her fault," Ezat continued.

"I need to think more about this. Although what you say sounds convincing, we can't accuse anyone without evidence," Hakim said.

"Well, if you say so. Don't say I didn't give you a hint," Ezat said as he walked past Hakim.

'I guess Ezat is starting to make a move. He wouldn't want anyone to accuse him,' Hakim thought to himself.

Hakim's suspicions grew as he processed Ezat's words. He knew he needed to tread carefully, as accusing someone without solid evidence could further fracture their team. The four of them continued their journey through the dense forest, each lost in their thoughts.

As the sun climbed higher, they stumbled upon a small stream. The fresh water was a welcome sight, and they decided to take a break to refill their bottles and rest. 

"Let's set up a temporary camp here and regroup," Hakim suggested, keeping an eye on everyone.

Rizman and Sarah nodded in agreement, while Ezat maintained a neutral expression. As they settled down, Hakim pulled Rizman aside.

"Keep an eye on Ezat," Hakim whispered. "He might be trying to stir up trouble."

Rizman gave a slight nod. "Got it. But what about Sarah? If Ezat's right, we can't ignore that possibility."

Hakim sighed. "I know. I'll keep an eye on her. We need to be cautious and watch each other's backs."

As they finished their brief rest and prepared to move on, Hakim noticed Sarah sitting by the stream, lost in thought. He approached her quietly.

"Hey, Sarah," Hakim said gently. "How are you holding up?"

Sarah looked up, her eyes betraying her fatigue and worry. "I'm trying, Hakim. This whole situation is tough."

Hakim nodded. "I know. We'll get through this. We just need to stay focused and trust each other."

Sarah gave a weak smile. "I hope so."

With their spirits slightly lifted, the group resumed their journey. As they walked, Hakim couldn't shake the feeling that Ezat's comments were part of a larger plan. He decided to test Ezat's loyalty by setting a subtle trap.

"Let's split up and search for food in pairs," Hakim announced. "Rizman and I will go this way. Sarah, you and Ezat take the other path."

Ezat's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise, but he quickly masked it. "Alright, let's go, Sarah."

Hakim and Rizman watched them disappear into the forest. Rizman turned to Hakim. "What are you planning?"

Hakim smiled faintly. "If Ezat tries anything, we'll know. And if Sarah is involved, she might reveal something."

"What if I make our thing disappeared?" Rizman said.

"If you do that, I would have known it." Hakim replied.

"How would you know?" Rizman asked.

"Your action, as action speak louder than words. Also you are a scammer, if you do something like that. There might be a benefit for you." Hakim explained.

"I am touched with what you said." Rizman said.

They scoured the forest for edible plants and small game, occasionally exchanging theories about the missing supplies and the potential traitor. After an hour, they regrouped at the stream, each pair bringing back a modest haul.

"Did you find anything interesting?" Hakim asked, trying to gauge Ezat's reaction.

"Just some berries and a few roots," Ezat replied nonchalantly.

Sarah added, "We didn't see anyone else, if that's what you're wondering."

Hakim noted the subtle defensiveness in her tone. "Alright. Let's eat and rest. We need our strength for whatever comes next."

As they settled down to eat, the atmosphere around the campfire was tense. Each member of the group was lost in their own thoughts, the disappearance of their supplies hanging over them like a dark cloud.

After they finished eating, Hakim decided it was time to address the issue head-on. "We need to talk about the missing supplies," he began, looking at each of them in turn. "We can't afford to have any more setbacks like this."

Ezat leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I've been thinking about it too. We need to figure out who might be responsible."

Sarah looked uncomfortable, glancing away. "Are you accusing one of us took the supplies?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"I'm not accusing anything without evidence," Hakim said calmly. "But we need to consider all possibilities. We can't survive if we don't trust each other."

Rizman nodded. "Hakim's right. We have to work together and stay vigilant. No one leaves the group alone from now on. We stick together and keep an eye out."

The group agreed, though the tension remained palpable. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the forest floor, they prepared to set up their tents for the night. Hakim assigned watch shifts to ensure their safety and to keep an eye on any suspicious behavior.

Later, during Hakim's shift, he sat by the dying embers of the fire, his thoughts racing. He couldn't shake the feeling that Ezat was hiding something. Just as he was about to drift into deeper contemplation, he heard a rustling sound from the edge of the camp.

He tensed, ready to spring into action, when Sarah emerged from the shadows, her face pale and worried. "Hakim," she whispered urgently, "I need to talk to you."

Hakim gestured for her to sit beside him. "What is it, Sarah?"

She hesitated, glancing around to make sure they were alone. "I didn't want to say anything earlier, but I saw Ezat sneaking around the camp last night. I think he might be the one who took our supplies."

Hakim's eyes narrowed. "Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

Sarah looked down, shamefaced. "I was scared. I didn't know who to trust."

Hakim nodded, understanding her fear. "Thank you for telling me. We'll need to confront him, but we have to be careful. If he's desperate enough to steal from us, he might be dangerous." Then, Sarah entered back her tent and continued sleeping.

Deep down, Hakim couldn't trust Sarah yet. He needed real evidence. "If I can't find evidence, then I should create some," he thought.

After Hakim's night shift, Rizman came to replace him. Hakim shared his thoughts with Rizman.

"What? She came to you? So, what's your plan?" Rizman asked.

"Here's the plan. This might make the traitor show up quickly," Hakim said.

Hakim and Rizman huddled together, their voices low as they formulated their plan. The flickering fire cast shadows on their faces, reflecting the seriousness of their conversation.

Rizman nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds risky, but it's our best shot at finding out the truth. When do you want to start this trap?"

Hakim pointed towards a cluster of trees a little way from their camp. "Tomorrow, hope you are ready for your task."

"I am okay if it can make us survive this game." Rizman said.

As dawn approached, they gathered the remaining supplies, careful to make it look like they had more than they actually did. They placed a small stash in the designated spot, partially hidden but accessible enough to tempt a thief.

The next day, Hakim's group carried on with their routine, pretending everything was normal. They foraged for food and checked their traps, all the while keeping a discreet eye on the bait.

Hours passed, and as dusk began to settle, Hakim and Rizman took up their positions, hidden from view but with a clear line of sight to the stash. The tension was palpable, each rustle in the forest making their hearts race.

As Hakim observed the surroundings, he said to Rizman, "It's time already." Rizman quickly went to the stash. As soon as he got there, Ezat noticed him and accused him of stealing.

"I don't believe this! You're the traitor," Ezat said loudly, drawing Hakim and Sarah to the scene.

"What's wrong, Ezat? Why so loud?" Hakim asked.

"You should know that your friend is the one behind all of this," Ezat said. "I found him taking the stash. He probably wants to give it to another group."

"Are you sure?" Sarah asked.

"Sarah, let him cook," Hakim said.

"Do you have anything to say?" Ezat demanded.

"I do," Rizman replied.

Rizman took a deep breath, steadying himself before speaking. "Ezat, you have it all wrong. I wasn't stealing the stash. I was checking to see if it was still there. Hakim and I set up this stash as a test."

"A test?" Ezat's voice was laced with suspicion.

"Yes, a test," Hakim interjected, stepping forward. "We suspected that someone was stealing our supplies, so we planted this stash and kept watch."

Ezat's face turned red with embarrassment and anger. "So, you think I'm the thief?"

"We wanted to find out for sure," Hakim said calmly. "But it looks like you came here with the same suspicion."

"Why would I steal from my own team?" Ezat retorted, frustration evident in his voice.

Sarah, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Ezat, you need to understand that we've all been on edge. Trust is hard to come by in this situation."

Hakim nodded. "Exactly. We need to clear the air and start trusting each other. This test was to see if anyone would come for the supplies, and you did. But now, we know it wasn't with malicious intent."

Rizman stepped forward, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. "Let's agree that we've all been under a lot of pressure. From now on, we need to communicate better and work together."

Ezat looked between Hakim and Rizman, his anger slowly dissipating. "Fine. But let's not play games like this again. We need to be upfront with each other."

"Agreed," Hakim said, extending his hand. "Let's put this behind us and focus on surviving."

Ezat hesitated for a moment before shaking Hakim's hand. "Alright. Let's do this."

With the tension defused, the group returned to their camp. The night passed uneventfully, each of them keeping a vigilant eye on their surroundings, but with a renewed sense of unity.

As dawn broke the next day, they gathered their belongings and continued their journey through the dense forest. The air was filled with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves, creating an eerie yet beautiful ambiance. "It's day four, and our team still doesn't know about the mini objective," Hakim mused aloud as they navigated the forest's uneven terrain. "Does the objective need to be triggered or what?"

"I'm not sure about that," Sarah responded, brushing a branch out of her way. "Maybe we need to find a tomb or a cave to explore. There could be a puzzle there."

"Did you say puzzle?" Hakim's eyes lit up at the word, his curiosity piqued. "Hurry up, we need to find a puzzle to solve." He suddenly seemed more energetic, his earlier worry replaced by excitement.

Rizman chuckled at Hakim's enthusiasm. "Alright, let's keep our eyes peeled for anything unusual," he said. "A tomb or cave sounds like a good lead."

They pressed on, moving with renewed purpose. The dense canopy overhead allowed only slivers of sunlight to penetrate, creating a twilight effect. They stumbled over roots and pushed through undergrowth, driven by the hope of uncovering their next challenge.

After a couple of hours, they came across a moss-covered rock formation that looked out of place. The rocks seemed to form an entrance to a hidden cave, half-concealed by vines and foliage. "This looks promising," Rizman said.