David, Vicky, and Sweety reached the old house.
"Vicky, Sweety, you two check that side. I'll search here," David said, pointing left as he scanned the area.
"Sara… Sara… Saaraaa… Where are you?" Sweety screamed, her voice breaking.
"Don't worry, she'll be here," Vicky said, but his voice lacked conviction.
Sweety nodded, twisting her hands.
_
Near the campsite, Jake, Stella, and Security searched frantically.
"If something happens to her, how will I face the principal?" Jake muttered, panic edging his voice.
"If that spirit attacks her… what do we do?" the security guard whispered.
"Ghost?" Stella asked, confused. "What ghost?"
"There's a ghost in this forest, according to him," Jake said, jerking his thumb at Security.
Stella demanded the story. As Security recounted the tale of the dead lover, her face went pale.
Stunned.
Oh god! If it's true, then this happened because of me. I hope she's okay! Stella thought, guilt twisting in her stomach.
"Don't worry, Mr. Jake. Everything will be okay," Stella said, forcing hope into her voice.
Jake nodded.
_
David circled the old house but didn't find her.
"Rabbit, where are you? Where did you go?" he muttered to himself, fear clawing at his throat.
He spotted a flag on the ground. He stepped forward — and saw her. Sara lay in a pit, unconscious.
His chest tightened and whispered "No".
"Vicky! Sweety! I found her!" David yelled, relief and terror mixing in his voice.
Vicky and Sweety ran over and peered into the pit.
"Sara!" Sweety moved forward.
"Hey! Stop! Can't you see how deep it is?" Vicky grabbed her arm.
Sweety stared down. The pit was nearly 10 feet deep. If they fell in, they wouldn't get out alone.
"You two, get a ladder or rope," David ordered, eyes never leaving Sara.
"Then what are you gonna do?" Vicky started, but David had already jumped in.
Vicky and Sweety froze. "Mr. David! Why did you—" Sweety gasped.
"Don't waste time. Go get what I asked for," David cut her off, his tone sharp.
They sprinted back to camp.
David knelt beside Sara, his eyes wet.
"Rabbit, wake up… wake up… it's me, YOUR DAVID! Wake up. Look at me. Please," he begged, gently tapping her cheeks.
He lifted her head onto his lap. Blood matted her hair. A gash on her left side temple was still bleeding.
He tore a cloth from his pocket and pressed it to her head. He found her bag behind her, pulled out a water bottle, and sprinkled water on her face.
Sara's eyelids fluttered. Dizzy, she opened her eyes and saw David's terrified face. Without thinking, she threw her arms around him.
David hugged her back, holding her tight.
"Oh god… I love you… You scared me to death," he choked out. He pulled back slightly. "Are you okay? Does it hurt?" he asked softly.
Sara nodded, tears spilling. David hugged her again.
"I'm scared," she whispered.
"I'm here. Don't be scared. I'm with you now. Here, drink some water," David said, helping her sip.
_
Vicky and Sweety reached camp and explained everything. Jake, Stella, and Security rushed back with them. Students stared, stunned, when they heard about Sara.
"Vicky, wait. We'll come with you," Jake said.
Vicky nodded.
"Hurry, sir. We're already late," Vicky urged.
Jake, Stella, Vicky, and Sweety ran back to the old house.
_
David held Sara, trying to keep her warm. She was still dizzy, and the wound kept bleeding. He checked her bag again.
"Nothing in the bag except this water bottle, notes, and snacks," David muttered, frustrated.
"Who knew I'd end up like this," Sara said, her voice shaky.
"When will they get back?" David asked, looking up at the edge of the pit.
"Who?" Sara asked weakly.
"Vicky and Sweety," David replied.
"They know about me too?" she whispered.
David nodded.
After a moment, he cupped her face. "It's still bleeding." David looked into her eyes.
Their eyes locked. David's were full of love and raw fear.
"Rabbit," he whispered, leaning closer.
Sara said nothing. She just looked at him. As his lips neared hers, she closed her eyes. He kissed her - soft at first. She didn't pull away. That was all he needed to kiss her deeper.
They were lost in it. Sara suddenly pushed him back when she heard footsteps.
"Someone's coming," she whispered.
David looked up, still holding her. "Is anybody there? Vicky… Sweety… are you here?" he shouted.
"Yes, Mr. David, we're coming!" Jake's voice called back.
"Mr. Jake? Is that you?" David asked.
"Yes, Mr. David. Jake and I came with them," Stella answered.
"Ms. Witch," Sara murmured.
David heard her. "What? Ms. Witch? Who?"
"Stell—" Sara started, but the others reached the pit and looked down.
Stella's face twisted with jealousy seeing David holding Sara. Sweety noticed, but felt nothing in her heart except suspicion. Something's off about how he's holding her.
"Move aside, Mr. David. I'm lowering the ladder," Vicky called.
David shifted, and Vicky slowly dropped the ladder down.
David sent Sara up first. The second she climbed out, Sweety pulled her into a crushing hug.
"You scared me, Sara! Do you know how worried I was?" Sweety sobbed like a child.
"I'm okay. It's alright now," Sara replied, her voice weak.
"I'm not leaving you alone next time," Sweety cried again.
Everyone smiled at her words. Vicky took her hand. "Sweety, calm down. See, she's back now."
Later, David climbed out. Without a word to anyone, he went straight to Sara. "Come. Let's do first aid on your wound," he said, pulling her into his arms.
Sara nodded.
Stella had stepped forward to hug David, but stopped when he moved to Sara. Her heart burned watching them.
David glanced at Jake. "Oh, Jake. Her wound is still bleeding. We have to stop it," he said, deliberately changing the subject when he saw Jake studying him.
Jake nodded.
"This old house doesn't look as dangerous as Security said," Jake noted.
"What old house?" Sweety asked.
"This one," Jake said, gesturing to the dilapidated house.
"So…?" Sweety prompted.
"It's a long story. I'll tell you on the way. Let's go," Jake said.
Everyone headed back to camp. Stella lingered, watching them with anxious eyes. "David, why did you save her? Why were you holding her like that? Sara, I won't leave you next time", she thought.
_
At camp, everyone froze seeing David carry Sara. "She's lucky," a student whispered.
"Get the first-aid box. Quickly!" David ordered.
David helped Sara sit on a bench. A student ran over with the first-aid kit. Everyone stared.
"Students, lunch is ready. Go eat," Jake told the crowd. Everyone left except Vicky, Sweety, and Stella.
David opened the disinfectant. Sara glared at the bottle.
"I know it'll hurt, but bear with me. I'll be gentle," David said softly.
Sara nodded and squeezed her eyes shut. As he cleaned the wound, she hissed. His heart ached. He gently blew on the cut to ease the sting.
Sweety watched them. "So Mr. Handsome likes Sara," she thought.
Then she looked at Stella. Stella's eyes were full of fury. Seeing Stella's anger made Sweety smile. Ms. Witch, you can't have Mr. Handsome now, she thought.
David finished the first aid and looked into Sara's eyes. They were glassy with tears.
"Hey, it's done. Don't get water on the wound. You'll be okay. Get some rest," he said, wiping her tears.
Vicky and Sweety looked at each other, smiling, then quickly looked away, flustered.
"Sweety… Sweetty," David called. Sweety and Vicky snapped out of it.
"Yeah, Mr. Handsome?" Sweety asked, teasing.
David didn't hear her. "Take care of her. Vicky and I will bring food for you guys," he said.
Sweety nodded.
Then David turned to Stella. "Ms. Stella, haven't you had lunch? It's late."
"Yes, I was just waiting for you, Mr. David," Stella replied.
"It's okay, you guys eat. I'll eat later," Sara said weakly.
"No. We'll get lunch here. Just wait," David said.
"Sorry, Ms. Stella. You eat there. I'll eat with them. We'll bring food here," David told her.
Stella smiled tightly and left. Sara… Sara… Saraa, I won't leave you, she thought.