Daniel spoke in a tone of opposition.
"Francis, that is not necessary. We can find another way to set the bait. Why should you risk your own life for the sake of others?"
The others nodded in agreement with what Daniel said.
"How else can we arrange bait in this situation? I am the one who made this plan, so I am the only one who can carry it out better than anyone else. Whatever anyone says, my decision will not change. Now, everyone can return to their tents. I have explained my plan."
Realizing that no one could change Francis' mind, the others slowly got up and went back to the tents assigned to them. After everyone left, Francis took a stick and poked at the campfire to put it out. Suddenly, someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind. It was Daniel, who had gone back to his tent earlier.
"It's me, Francis. Let me ask you something why are you suddenly behaving like this? Is there some sorrow weighing on your mind? If there is, you can tell me. I will listen to whatever troubles you."
"Hey… nothing like that. Didn't you ask me earlier how I managed to come up with such a good plan? That plan wasn't something I created myself. I had already used it back in my military life. But back then, it wasn't for the final breath of a beast… it was for the final breath of a man."
Hearing this, Daniel was slightly startled.
"But still, why must you sacrifice yourself for the sake of others? That's what I want to know."
Francis gave a faint smile.
"Oh… so that's what you think. That I'm going to sacrifice myself for everyone else? You're mistaken, Daniel. I live for myself. That's the truth.
They say I'm sacrificing for everyone. But that's their comfort, not mine. Every scar I carry, I chose it myself. I become the victim for my own sake. If I must kill, then I live… and if I must die, then I am freed. In both, I find release."
After letting out a deep sigh, he continued
"Am I selfish? Yes, completely. But being selfish is not a crime. If it were, then truth itself would be a criminal. Every animal kills for its own survival. Every body at some point belongs to someone else. No one is without sin. If you do not kill, you will die. If you do not eat, you will cease to exist. In this world, there is no place for saints. I kill for my own survival. They call it selfishness. I call it being myself."
Francis stopped speaking. Daniel could not say anything at all. After putting out the fire, both of them returned to the tent to sleep. The sea was rising and falling without a sound. The moonlight was casting beauty upon the ocean.
...
Morning.
The sun was doing its usual duty faithfully, spreading its light as far as the eye could see. Yet, in the minds of those standing on the shore, there was only darkness and fear.
When Francis woke up, he immediately took a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. Placing it neatly between two fingers, he began to smoke. At that moment, footsteps could be heard outside the tent. The sound stopped right in front of Francis's tent. Because the smoke he exhaled had already filled the space inside, he could not clearly see the face of the person standing outside.
It was Robert. With his right hand, he waved away the smoke, and with his left, he extended a cup of tea toward Francis. Francis stubbed his cigarette on the ground to put it out, then began to sip the hot black tea, blowing on it gently.
"Let me ask you something, Francis. Ordinary men, when they wake up in the morning, either wash their face, rinse their mouth, or brush their teeth. But for you, is the first step in your daily routine smoking a cigarette?" Robert asked, while glancing around inside Francis's tent.
It was a small space, but completely disorganized and untidy. Francis only smiled in response to the question.
"What do you intend to do when the cigarettes you have run out?"
Francis did not reply to this. He continued sipping the black tea in his hand after blowing on it. Once he had finished drinking, Francis washed the cup with the clean water he had and gave it to Robert. Robert took it and was about to leave when Francis called him back.
"I will now show you the answer to your question." After saying this, Francis opened the tops of the two suit cases he had in his hand and showed them. Both suit cases were full of cigarettes. There were enough cigarettes for Francis to smoke for several days. Seeing this, Robert was not surprised; instead, he frowned.
"You should go back... Today we have more work than usual to finish."
After Robert left, Francis lit another cigarette once again.
...
Time was 8:30. Everyone was having their breakfast while talking to one another. Even though they were smiling and speaking lightly outside, inside them there was only dread and fear of that beast. After finishing, Francis stood up in front of them and began to speak.
"Normally, when we go into the forest in search of food, four or five people are enough. But to prepare the trap and to overpower it, at least half of our group must go into the forest today. To tell you the truth, everyone is needed to do this. But when the rescuers arrive, there should be someone on the shore. The ones I mention now must get ready to come into the forest with me. Daniel, Juliet, Barry, Arthur, Daril, David, Robert, Charlie, Peter, and myself. Including me, that makes ten. The rest can stay on the shore. Robert, you must take the four sharpest and strongest knives you have. The ropes and vines for tying are with Daniel. Now, do exactly as I have said and prepare quickly. We must reach the waterfall as soon as possible. And one more thing I can promise you: none of you need to be afraid, not a single life among you will be lost because of that beast."
When Francis finished speaking, the others began to do exactly as he had instructed.
The Writer's Tent.
"I will not allow you to go, Charlie. You escaped that beast once only by luck. And now you want to risk your life again by going there?" Glenford said angrily to his son, Charlie.
"No matter what you say, Father, I must go. The only ones who have seen it directly were those who went to the waterfall that day. I was one of them. That is why I must go. Not only that, unless we kill it, none of us can rest safely on this shore. Because there is a chance that beast might even come to the shore."
"Then I will come with you."
"That cannot be, Father. Francis did not ask you to come. You don't have to be afraid. I will surely return."
Saying this, Charlie embraced his father. Then he walked toward the others. Glenford stood there, sorrowfully watching his son. The remaining nine were waiting for Charlie. As soon as Charlie came, he told the ones on the shore to stay safe. Then, the group of ten led by Francis walked into the forest. Francis and Daniel were the ones walking at the front.
To be continued...