SURVIVORS
Chapters 22. Start the Fall of Hope
That morning, Dean, Indra and Alan walked through the fog. They had to gather food faster in order to leave immediately to check team 3. This morning they brought quite a lot of results, 14 fish and 2 rabbits. That was enough for everyone's breakfast.
"I miss eating rice and vegetables" Angel chanted, bowing listlessly at the grilled fish on her plate. Others were silent to hear it. "When we can go home, yeah.." Angel looked so sad.
"I think it's been a week since our plane crashed. Why isn't there any sign of a search team being spotted in space?" Dewi's complaint made the atmosphere of the morning more somber. "Are we never going home? Do they think we're all dead?" Unable to power, the Goddess finally cried.
Their eyes got wet remembering everything they had been through all this time. Seeing the victims killed with gaping wounds and buried themselves. Seeking food for each meal is often life threatening. Dean understands the situation. This is a critical time for everyone who has experienced a major accident or disaster anywhere. The optimism and hope of immediate aid and rescue will disappear as time goes on.
"We'll be out of here soon. That's why we're looking for a way to get out of the woods and down this mountain." Indra tried to encourage, lest the hope fall.
"When can we get out of here?" Tony looks emotional. "Can anyone confirm the time?" Indra could only shake and bow. The others looked desperate.
"Nobody of us knows which country it is in. So we can't be sure when we're gonna get out of here. But it's very clear, that we'll never get out of here if we stop trying." Answer Dean ketus.
Hearing Dean's words, they no longer dared to voice resentment. I can only complain in my heart. As the oldest of them all, Marianne understood that people who could not channel their emotions felt depressed. There must be a way to get negative emotions out of his friends.
After the breakfast was over, Dean set off for the forest with Toni and Sunil. They'll check the team 3 that morning. Lucky last night it didn't rain, so the snow wasn't getting high. They walked quickly following Dean's steps who looked very worried.
Shortly thereafter.
"Robert. we're coming." Dean's voice sounded even though the shelter was still about 10 meters away. The shelter was very quiet even though the door had already been opened. Dean ran to the door. His eyes wondered, as he saw Robert lying with a reddened face. Baras compresses Robert's forehead.
"Why him?" Ask Dean in wonder. Robert looked healthy yesterday when he left.
"Just yesterday Robert was looking for food. He fought with wolves. Although the wound had been cleaned by Chandra's doctor, it looked like it had an infection. He's had a fever since the morning." The barrel explains everything that happened.
"Has the wound been examined again?" ask Dean again.
"It has. It's been cleaned and replaced with a new pad." replied Laras.
"You enter. Warm yourself up first," invite Niken to Toni and Sunil who are dumbstruck at the door.
"Where's Dr Chandra?" Sunil asked as he entered to warm himself up.
"Go with Michael to check the rabbit trap after breakfast" replied Niken.
"And what about them?" tanya Toni pointed at Lena and Alex who were still sleeping.
"They haven't woken up yet either," This time Laras' voice sounded extremely worried. His forehead was slightly wrinkled as he spoke and his eyes looked sad.
Dean approaches and checks Alex's heartbeat by sticking his ear to Alex's chest. His heart rate didn't sound as late as yesterday. Although it is still not awake, but according to Dean it has been no progress although a little. "There's been a slight change to him" Dean pointed to Alex. "We just wait for what the doctor says later" concluded Dean.
"Sunil, come with me after Dr. Chandra. Toni, you're standing guard here." Dean then came out again followed by Sunil.
Toni feels awkward on her own. So he came out while carrying wood with burning embers. "I'll stay outside." Toni made another fireplace not far from the door. Break some pine branches for a seat, then warm yourself there while watching the surrounding. There are some old wood roofs that are still scattered beside the shelter. Toni dragged and gathered him closer to the door. He didn't have a saw to cut into firewood, so he was left to keep it that way.
From a distance, doctors Chandra and Dean return. Sunil and Michael followed behind while carrying the catch that day. Dean sits down and warms up with Toni outside. Doctor Chandra follows him, while Michael takes the rabbits inside. He returned with the pot and went to get snow to cook hot water. They are thirsty and cold.
"Dok, I guess today can move everyone near the lake. So just bring 2 people to help carry the items. Unexpectedly 2 people still did not wake up, plus Robert who was sick from being injured." Dean stared at the dancing tongues of fire. This afternoon the bright sun warms up.
"You can bring Laras and Niken first. Let's wait for developments until tomorrow." Doctor Chandra gave Dean an easier choice. He knows Dean's worried about them here. While he was also in charge of the larger team by the lake.
"alright. I'll take Laras and Niken with me. You guys stay here, I'll be back tomorrow." Dean set his sights on Sunil and Toni. "Tomorrow we'll have to move everyone out of here, no matter what." Breakup Dean.
"I haven't seen him myself. But we have to avoid it. This weapon won't kill a bear." Dean lifted his spear. "We only take our lives if we face it head-on."
"That's terrible," Michael shuddered in horror.
"That's why the three of them ran away until they fell in front of the shelter yesterday" Sunil smiled considering the three colleagues.
"If we are suddenly met with a bear and chased, not necessarily still able to run." Toni denied Sunil's words, which she felt belittled their three colleagues. Michael just nodded his head. Sunil chose silence not to offend anyone anymore. Dean stood up and walked in and asked Laras and Niken to get ready to leave.
"Are they gonna be okay?" Laras worries about Robert, Lena and Alex being left behind.
"It's better not to take them now" Dean pointed to Alex and Lena. But he still wants to take Robert away if he's conscious. "Is Robert conscious?" Dean approached and checked.
"So he was conscious, but I asked him to go back to sleep after giving him a drink and a little food." Laras explained.
"Roberts.. Did you hear me?" ask Dean. Robert opened his eyes. His face looks tired and smudged. "Hmmm." That's the response.
"I want to take you to the edge of the lake if you can move a little. How's it?" Dean asked for an opinion.
"When?" Robert's voice sounded weak. He is now trying to sit down. "My plan now, can you?" Dean is still hopeful.
Robert looked at Alex and Lena who were still chuckling asleep. Dean understood Robert's point of view.
"There's Sunil and Toni who help keep watch here. We just go with Laras and Niken. Then tomorrow I'll come back and pick it up." Obviously Dean was at length.
Robert thought hard. By staying there in a sick state, it will only burden team 3 in guarding. Now it's possible to move a little bit, whether he should go with Dean or stay there waiting until tomorrow.
There are all the plus and minus.
"I'll wait till tomorrow here." Robert was not the one who would abandon his partner if not betrayed.
"But.." Dean still objected.
"Go before the afternoon." Robert's decision can't be changed.
"alright. We're leaving now. You rest." said Dean at last.
"We're leaving," Niken waved from the door.
"You have to eat, so that your energy will recover soon" suggested Laras.
"Yes. I'm going to eat, "Truly Robert forced a smile on Laras which unfortunately looked like he was grimacing in pain. Baras looks very worried. Before he got close, Robert waved his hand driving them out. "I'm fine, you go."
"We went to the doctor" said Niken.
"Yes. Be careful on the road." Chandra's doctor looked towards Laras who was walking behind.
"Robert's already conscious doc. So I'm leaving now." Laras said as he passed.
"Oh, thank goodness. I'm going to check it out now" Chandra's doctor walks over to the shelter to check on Robert.
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