Chapter 182

Odalys unpacked the herbs she had collected that day, carefully laying them out to dry. She spoke softly. "These herbs are all top-quality. The herbs from the mountains are wild and have been growing for many years. They're much better than artificially grown ones, which lack both age and potency," she explained, her tone carrying a quiet wisdom.

"By the way, Odalys," Selah interjected, her curiosity piqued, "when we were on the island, you mentioned cutting down lightning-struck wood. I read that it can ward off evil. Is that true?"

Stellan and Freya turned to Odalys, eager for her answer.

Odalys finished arranging the herbs, wiped her hands, and smiled. "Yes. Lightning-struck wood is excellent for warding off evil, though it's incredibly rare."

"Can you sell me some once you've processed it?" Selah asked eagerly.

Odalys chuckled. "Sure. Once I've processed it, I'll give you some."

"Me too!" Stellan and Freya exclaimed simultaneously.

Odalys smiled and nodded. "Alright, you'll all get some." The sky had grown dark, and a knowing look crossed her face. It seemed the moment had arrived.

She grabbed her backpack and turned to the others. "Want to go for a walk?"

Selah and Freya exchanged looks, sensing something was amiss, but followed.

"Sure, let's get some fresh air," Selah said, helping Freya to her feet.

As the group stepped outside, Francis joined them. Without a word, they silently walked down the familiar path. They began to hear a strange, haunting scream.

"Who's screaming?" Freya asked, confused.

The scream was shrill and agonizing.

"Sounds like Rafael," Selah whispered cautiously.

The mention of Rafael made Freya shiver, remembering the figure she'd seen hiding in the room earlier. The memory of his presence haunted her.

They walked in silence. As they passed Rafael's door, Odalys casually kicked a small stone against it. The sound echoed in the quiet night.

The door shuddered, the protective barrier vanished, and Rafael stumbled out, his clothes stained with blood. His face was pale and contorted with pain; his frail body crashed to the ground as he desperately tried to crawl away.

"Help me! Please, help!" he cried, his voice hoarse and desperate, his eyes wild with fear. He looked as if he'd barely escaped something terrible, scrambling towards the group like a desperate animal.

Francis and Stellan stepped forward, easily blocking his path. Rafael seemed small and helpless in comparison.

"What's going on? What happened to you?" Stellan asked coldly. He saw the bloodstains, the raw, untreated injuries, but felt no mercy. The image of Rafael trying to drag Sophia into his room earlier was more than enough. If they hadn't been surrounded by people, a defenseless girl might have become his victim. He didn't deserve sympathy; he was a beast.

"I'm injured! She hurt me!" Rafael struggled to straighten, his body trembling. He pointed at Freya. "This woman stabbed me! I don't know what she used, but she did it! She's the one who hurt me!"

Freya's heart sank. Disgust rose in her chest. To think this man had been fixated on her.

"You've got to be kidding," Freya said icily. "You're accusing me of stabbing you? I've been with everyone here all day. I haven't left their side for a moment."

The group nodded in agreement. "Exactly," Odalys added, her voice cool and cutting. "You think she had a chance to stab you?"

Rafael's face flushed with frustration, his words failing him. He glanced nervously at the group but couldn't meet Odalys's sharp gaze.

"Where exactly did she stab you?" Selah asked coldly.

Rafael hesitated, unable to answer. His bravado evaporated under their scrutiny.

"Never mind," Odalys muttered, resigned. "If the cameraman hadn't been there, we'd be drowning in accusations. It would be impossible to clear our names."

Odalys stretched and stepped forward, smiling. "Let's go for a walk, then we'll head back and rest."

Rafael's heart raced. His panic flared.

"No! You can't leave!" he shouted, rushing forward.

He planted himself in front of Odalys, his face ashen, his eyes wide with fear and fury. He glared at her, then shifted his gaze to Freya. "It's her! She stabbed me in your room!"

Silence fell. Everyone stared at him, suspicion and contempt in their eyes.

Odalys didn't flinch. She raised an eyebrow and gave a mocking laugh. "Oh really? Then how about you explain why you were in our room in the first place? We've had no dealings with you—what exactly were you doing hiding there?"

She stepped closer, her voice cold and biting. "And even if we take your ridiculous story at face value—if you were hiding in our room and she found you, it's called self-defense. Do you have a problem with that?"

Rafael felt like he'd stepped into a trap. They hadn't said anything yet, but they had already convicted him. The pain, however, made him lose his composure. He knew that if the bleeding didn't stop soon, he would die—and he didn't want to die.