Chapter 20 - Warning

Despite the abject twists and turns, our medicine collection is a success, with no injuries. However, the macabre spectacle we witnessed will remain etched in our minds. Just outside the village entrance, Hazel, Maïko, and Kona are waiting for us.

Maïko hugs Shailly joyfully, happy and relieved to see her friend safe and sound.

_ Maïko: “ I'm so glad you're okay! ”

_ Shailly: “ Me too! ”

Puffy cheeks appear.

_ Son: “ What about us? Are we just extras? ”

With a big smile, Maïko puts her arm around the boys' shoulders.

_ Maïko: “ Haha, you guys too, I'm glad you're doing well. ”

Brent raises his head and flashes a contemptuous smile.

_ Brent: “ Really? I never would have thought the tall twin would be here when we got back, given the fiasco you caused around the campfire. ”

_ Hazel: “ Think again. She was the most anxious of us all. She was really afraid something would happen to you. ”

Kona blushes and grimaces.

_ Kona: “ But! Oh, come on, so what? ”

Then he turns his head away, his voice low.

_ Kona: “ It's normal for me to be worried. ”

We all smile except Brent.

_ Shailly: “ Where are Jenna and Kaya? ”

_ Kona: “ Jenna went to help the tutor Gwen and Ay in the infirmary, and Kaya went

to bed. ”

_ Shailly: “ Okay. ”

_ Ayden: “ Given the time, we'd better go to bed too. We'll give the goods to Ay tomorrow. ”

_ Son: “ You're right, I'm tired too. ”

The night passes. A new day begins. I decide that we should tell the truth about the collection of medicines. Everyone agrees. So we go to the infirmary.

Shailly, Son, and I give the goods to Ay and the guardian Gwen. Then, we explain in detail what has happened.

_ Gwen: “ What did you do?? ” she said firmly.

I bowed my head.

_ Ayden: “ We are sorry for what we did. We just broke a rule and we take full responsibility for it. ”

Then I straighten her up.

_ Ayden: “ We just hope that this action will save lives. ”

The guardian Gwen stares at me, her face still impassive, without saying a word.

_ Ay: “ There aren't many bags, but I think I'll be fine with all this. ”

Arched eyebrows appear, mouth half-open with eyes filled with hope.

_ Shailly: “ Is that true? ”

Ay fixes her gaze on Gwen.

_ Ay: “ I'm in no position to talk, as I've only just arrived, but these kids have worked hard to collect all this. You can see it in their eyes. I hope you'll be kind to them. ”

Gwen approaches the three of us with an intimidating look. To everyone's surprise,

she gives us a big hug.

_ Gwen: “ As long as you're okay, that's enough for me. But please don't scare us like that again. ”

A sense of relief fills the air.

_ Ayden: “ Thank you. ”

_ Gwen: “ You showed great courage in helping the infected members of our tribe. I can't say anything to you. ”

A tear rolls down Shailly's cheek.

_ Shailly: “ Thanks! ”

_ Son: “ Hehe, cool. ”

_ Gwen: “ When the boss wakes up, I'll tell her where all these medicines came from. ”

_ Son: “ Justly! Would it be possible not to tell the boss? ” he said, begging with his hands.

_ Gwen: “ Why? ”

_ Ayden: “ Right after our first exploration with Maïko, she didn't want to see another orphan come out. So if she finds out we went out again a few days later… ”

_ Gwen: “ Hmm. ”

_ Ay: “ Come on, Gwen. We can do this for them. ”

She puts her index finger to her lips.

_ Ay: “ It will be our little secret. ”

Gwen closes her eyes and sighs.

_ Gwen: “ All right. I'll say I harvested them myself. ”

_ Shailly: “ Thank you so much! ” she says, jumping for joy.