I don't know how long Kaylin stood behind that cliff, but she didn't come back until everyone started eating.
For lunch we only ate a few pieces of bread that we had in our backpacks and focused on climbing, so everyone was hungry tonight. The ribs are slightly burnt, the fire is too big, and the beef is not cooked yet, only the soup is just right and delicious. However, in the midst of hunger, people feel that as long as there is food, it is fine.
Soon, all the food was gone, we shared the fruit and slowly enjoyed it. Up in the mountains it felt like it was getting dark faster, and soon we saw bright stars twinkling in the night sky. It was colder, everyone also sat close to the fire and talked. It was as if there was no distance between us anymore, everyone didn't care if they liked this person or hated the other, they were all comfortable talking.
I glimpsed the cliff, right next to the edge of the forest towards the river flowing down from the top of the mountain. Kaylin hasn't returned yet. It was dark and without a flashlight it was very dangerous for anyone to get lost in it.
A while ago, Ms. Jenny informed us that tonight everyone is free to operate in Area D, definitely not to leave the area posted with safety signs. Then she went into the tent and slept soundly.
Originally, the academy intended to hold this student game in the Alan mountains, which was the game "Forest Exploration". However, because the weather was too cold and our health was not good after half a day of hard climbing, the event was cancelled.
Veronica was still very energetic, so she leaned on my shoulder and kept whining.
"Oh what a pity. I was so excited for 'Forest Exploration'. It is said that in the process of finding the flag at the finish line, we will just pick up equipment such as walkie-talkies, lighters, compasses... Wow, I'm excited just listening to it."
"Miss Jenny said that if we wake up early tomorrow, we can still participate in stages A, B, C, ..." I comforted Veronica.
"But exploring must go at night, going during the day is not interesting anymore." Veronica sighed.
“At least we still have the bonfire activity, just take this as an opportunity to get close to everyone.”
Hearing me say that, Veronica could only nod. By midnight, everyone started to get tired and went back to the tents to sleep. Because there is a small fireplace, I feel that the cold in this Alan mountain area is also reduced a lot.
While I was sleeping, I heard a loud noise outside. At first, I thought that some of you were still participating in campfire activities, so they were playing loudly. That's why I don't really care.
It wasn't until someone hit my tent hard that I woke up.
Turns out that person was Miss Jenny.
"Esther Joan, is Kaylin here with you?"
"No, ma'am." I rubbed my sleepy eyes.
"Damn it."
Miss Jenny seems to be very confused. She took out her phone to contact Principal Peter and the officer in charge of stage D, but the phone was lost.
The other practitioners were all awake, but many still didn't know why it was so noisy in the middle of the night. Everyone looked at each other dumbfounded.
Only then, Miss Jenny said somberly, her hands on her forehead as if she was very worried.
"Just now, I remembered that I hadn't counted you guys. I thought you were all present at the campfire. Unexpectedly, Kaylin wasn't here."
Hearing the news of Kaylin's disappearance, everyone was shocked. Garrick tightened his grip, his gaze drifting to the dark edge of the forest. Because of the antagonism from before, everyone didn't care about Kaylin, they thought Kaylin was sleeping in the tent and didn't want to talk to everyone. Unexpectedly, Kaylin suddenly disappeared like that.
Everyone understands that the academy has hired staff to guard the dangerous areas, putting up a lot of signs to warn students to only move in safe places. However, if someone deliberately left the safe area, there was no way for the academy to rescue them.
"Miss Jenny, if our phones can't contact each other due to loss of signal, what should we do?" A female student spoke in fear.
Fear is something that can kill life faster than anything. A scared student will drag the whole team into anxiety and panic.
"You guys be quiet." Miss Jenny shouted. "Early tomorrow morning someone will come to check on us. You will all be safe."
Hearing that, the students were also somewhat relieved. It was their first time going on a picnic in such a wild and mysterious place, they felt that danger was always near. But thinking about it, the academy ensures their safety very well, even installing cameras to monitor if there is any area where an unexpected situation occurs.
"Guys, listen. Right now I need a group of five of you to go with me into the forest looking for Kaylin." Miss Jenny looked at us with longing eyes.
Perhaps, she was really worried about Kaylin that she came up with this plan. If we wait until tomorrow morning, Kaylin's safety is not guaranteed. Then that they risked trying to find Kaylin, maybe they could save her.
"Don't worry, we will only search in areas with cameras and don't go out of the safe zone. If we can't find it, we will return immediately, how?" Miss Jenny tried to convince.
However, classmates seem to disagree with this idea. It's midnight, even if you go into the forest with a flashlight, it's not necessarily not dangerous. Although this area had been thoroughly checked and screened to ensure the safety of visitors and picnickers, they were only weak young masters and young ladies who had never taken risks. They didn't have the courage to go find Kaylin, and they really didn't want to do it either.
"Maybe Kaylin got on the cable car and went downstairs before us, Miss Jenny? With her personality, there's no way she would accept sleeping in a tent." Jade huddled in her thin coat, frowned, and made a comment.
"No, I checked the cable car. No one uses it."
"I think we'll just have to wait. The rescue team and staff will be up here early tomorrow morning. There's only a few hours left until then. Kaylin... probably won't be so unlucky."
"Guys, what if Kaylin is really in danger and waiting for us to save her? She's been gone for a long time, if she waits a few more hours she might freeze to death."
Jenny's voice trembled. It's true that she's worried about Kaylin, but she's more worried about her career. She is in charge of looking after the Royal group. If one member was to get into an accident here and couldn't ballet anymore, or worse, died, her life as a ballet teacher would be over.
"I'll help you." Garrick stepped forward, carrying a flashlight and seemingly ready to join the journey to find Kaylin.
"Thank God. Thank you, Garrick, I know you're a nice guy." Miss Jenny felt like every burden was lifted when someone accepted her request.
Following Garrick, a few big boys also accepted. Although they didn't actually volunteer to do this, they felt that if they were men, they would have to be as brave and strong as Garrick.
"Esther, let's go with them too."
"What?" I turned to look at Veronica in surprise. "What are you saying, we're just two girls, it won't help them even if we join."