Day 18

Viola Stone was woken at the crack of dawn. The sky had only just started to get some light. The stars twinkled and the moon shone.

Captain Kumi whispered to her.

“You need to get up, you and Nikki can bath before everyone else gets up. Do not wake anyone else. Be quiet. Once you have bathed, I will wake the camp and we will get moving. We lost time yesterday, I want to make it up today.” He said.

“There is a fire and a basin of hot water behind my tent. If you get any trouble, call me.” He added.

“Thank you!” Viola said.

Nicolette Sintonarta was woken up by Viola. It was still dark.

“Come we need to bath before everyone else wakes up.” She said.

Nikki couldn’t argue with that. She went to bed cold the night before and a bath to start the day sounded great.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

However, Nikki was shy and didn’t want to bath with Viola who was not so shy.

“You bath first, I’ll keep watch.” Nikki said.

“No one is awake. If we both bath, we are less lightly to be disturbed.” Viola said.

“No, I’ll keep watch.” Nikki insisted.

Viola realized what was wrong.

“You bath first and keep watch for me once you are done.”

“Are you sure?” Nikki said.

“Yes, but be quick.” Viola insisted.

Nikki was quick. She didn’t want anyone to walk in on her. Seven minutes was all she took, including getting dressed.

Viola then bathed. She also was quick.

Once they were done Captain Kumi woke the camp. He banged two pots together.

“Get up! Get up!” he shouted banging the tin pots together.

The camp woke and a buzz of voices filled the air. The smell of wood fires and stew wafted into the air. It was busy.

Shane West ate his breakfast wondering about Jessica. He had come on the mission so he could distract himself and do something other than worry. But he found when he was alone, he did worry and he was sad. Pragya played on his mind and it was hard sometimes for him to focus.

The camp packed up and moved. They pushed hard and the pace was faster than Shane expected.

“Are you tired?” Shane asked Viola.

“No, glad me are making progress. I want to get this over with as soon as possible. I want to go home!” she said.

She also intended to hurt the people who tried to drown her sister. It was disgusting and she felt and equal response was demanded.

They stopped for lunch. It was a short break. Then they marched on. As the sun set, they set up camp at the bottom of the mountain.

“Well done! We are here.” Viola said to captain Kumi.

“Yes, tomorrow we can make the climb.” He said.

“You only need to get us here, and get us home. You do not need to climb.” Viola said.

“I was hired for protection, for safety.” He pointed out.

“To and from the mountain. Not on the mountain.” Viola replied.

“Don’t leave without us while we are up there.” Viola added.

“I am willing to go up with you, why would I leave you?” he asked.