Chapter 26

Atlas's words jolted the group back to reality.

Sophia, already starving, said, "There should be plenty of pheasants and rabbits in the woods. Let's go hunting."

"But it's getting dark. Hunting will be difficult now," Atlas replied.

"I wonder if there's any seafood on the beach? Should we try to gather some for now?" Lucian suggested, pointing to the beach.

"Exactly. If we can't catch any game, seafood will do," Sophia agreed.

Finnian, restraining his emotions, followed them, saying, "All right, we'll make do with seafood tonight and hunt tomorrow."

The four of them headed toward the beach. Upon arrival, as the sky began to darken, Sophia exclaimed, seeing the distant sunset, "I want to take a picture!"

"Sure, I'll take it for you," Atlas said, taking out his phone.

Lucian and Finnian removed their shoes. The water was crystal clear, but they saw no seabed creatures. They moved to deeper water, but found nothing.

"How come?" Lucian exclaimed, dumbfounded.

Finnian, equally surprised at their lack of success, looked up to see Sophia, in a strapless top, constantly posing and smiling as Atlas took pictures.

After a while, Atlas put away his phone. "Did you get anything?" he asked.

"What do you think?" Finnian retorted.

Atlas, inwardly annoyed that Finnian and Lucian hadn't managed such a simple task, dared not voice his complaint. Their every move was being live-streamed.

"Nothing? Don't fish and shrimp swim near the shore?" Atlas said, confused. He searched, but found nothing edible. He realized the seriousness of their situation. If they couldn't find food, a half-month in the woods could starve them. That would be a huge disgrace to the Bennett family.

Sophia, still scrolling through photos, heard him. "What now? What will we eat tonight?" she asked, walking over with immediate concern.

"Why don't we search the beach again? Maybe there are nocturnal animals. If not, we can look for fruit," Finnian suggested.

With no other options, they agreed.

Chapter 26 (continued)

Returning to the beach, they found no animals. Worse, as night fell, mosquitoes swarmed them. Sophia, in her halter top, was bitten repeatedly on her shoulders, itching intensely.

The livestream comments erupted:

[Everyone's foraging, and she's just showing off!] [Sophia's being a flirt, making Finnian work while she takes photos.] [Am I the only one who thinks Sophia and Atlas are here on a date? They've been lovey-dovey since joining.] [Ditto. Are they flirting or dating?] [Mind your language. Sophia is pure-hearted and innocent, unlike you scheming viewers!]

Meanwhile, Sophia's group walked back along the sea, surrounded by buzzing mosquitoes.

"It's so itchy! Why are there so many mosquitoes?" Sophia exclaimed, scratching frantically, leaving bloody scratches on her skin.

"Go back and change your clothes. Luckily, I brought some balm," Atlas said. They hadn't heeded Odalys's earlier advice to wear long sleeves, and now regretted it.

After treating the scratches, they returned to change. By the time they emerged, it was pitch dark. They heard a roaring sound and dared not venture out.

"What now? I'm starving," Sophia whispered.

Using only their flashlights, they sat in the uncleaned, messy cave.

"What's that smell?" Atlas suddenly caught a scent, his stomach rumbling. He stepped outside, flashlight in hand, and saw firelight.

"There's a fire over there. Group B is probably having dinner. Let's check it out," he suggested.

They found Odalys, Stellan, Freya, and Selah around a bonfire, eating and chatting. The aroma of their food was tantalizing. Piles of fish bones and scales littered the ground.

"You ate without us?" Atlas was taken aback.

Group B had not only caught fish, but also cooked them. The amount of bones suggested a feast, irritating Atlas.

Freya, turning around, responded, "Yeah. Why? You're not on our team. What's this? Are you questioning us?" She sneered. She wouldn't be kind to them after their treatment of Odalys.

"Excuse me? We just arrived and are unfamiliar with the terrain. We should have been looked after! You'll be implicated if we get into trouble," Atlas stated, as if it were self-evident, causing Stellan to laugh.

"Are you trying to guilt-trip us? Your members bullied Odalys, and now you're questioning us? We're on separate teams! You couldn't find food, so you came to latch onto us, right?" Stellan retorted.

Atlas felt embarrassed. He hadn't expected this.

"Don't misunderstand. We just came to see how you were doing, hoping to figure things out together," Sophia said, walking over.