CHAPTER 47: SHELTER

We moved quickly, keeping low as we pushed deeper into the forest. The last thing we needed was Class A trailing us back to wherever we set up camp.

After a few minutes of searching, I found a decent spot—a rocky outcrop with a shallow cave at its base. The thick bushes around it made it hard to see from a distance, and the entrance was just small enough to defend if needed.

"This’ll do," I said. "Mira, check inside."

Mira took the enchanted lantern from Wallace and stepped inside carefully. The soft glow of the lantern cast shifting shadows against the rocky walls, revealing jagged edges and a few scattered bones.

She moved deeper, her steps cautious. The air inside was stale but dry—no signs of recent habitation. After a few moments, she called out, "Nothing dangerous. Just some old bones and dust."

I nodded. "Good enough. We’ll clear it out."

Julien peeked in. "No monsters? No hidden treasure?"

Mira snorted. "Unless you consider a rat skeleton treasure, then no."

"Damn." He sighed.

I turned to the others. "Alright, get to work. Clear the ground, make space for us to rest. Felix, check if there’s any water source nearby. Julien, start gathering wood—we’ll need a fire for the night."

Felix groaned. "Why am I on water duty? And why can’t we use our previous camp instead of this creepy cave?"

I gave him a flat look. "Because our ’previous camp’ is compromised. Or did you want to invite other Classes and their Professors over for a friendly chat?"

Felix shut his mouth but still looked miserable as he trudged off.

Julien stretched. "Guess I’ll go find some wood then. Try not to miss me too much."

"No promises," Mira said dryly as she started clearing the cave floor with her boot.

Wallace and Leo joined in, pushing aside loose rocks and dirt while Garrick stood at the entrance, keeping watch while Cassandra sat on a corner looking at the sky. I moved to the side, checking the walls for any weak points. The cave wasn’t big, but it was enough to fit us without feeling cramped. More importantly, it was defensible.

After a few minutes, Wallace muttered, "We should set up some basic alarms. Tripwires or something."

I glanced at him. "Good idea. Got materials?"

He patted his bag. "I can put something together."

I nodded and let him handle it. While they worked, I took a moment to sit at the cave’s edge, scanning the darkening forest.

The air was cooling fast, the crisp night breeze carrying the scent of damp earth and distant foliage. The forest was still—for now. But that wouldn’t last.

Julien returned first, dropping a bundle of sticks and branches at the entrance. "Not the best firewood, but it’ll do." He dusted off his hands and glanced at Felix’s empty spot. "He still not back?"

I shook my head. "He better not be taking his sweet time. I don’t feel like dragging a half-dead idiot out of the woods tonight."

Mira snickered. "Give it ten more minutes. If he’s not back, I vote we pretend he never existed."

"Seconded," Wallace muttered as he tied a length of thin wire between two rocks, setting up one of his alarms.

I sighed and leaned back against the rock wall. "At least one of you has some survival instincts."

A few minutes later, rustling sounded from the trees. Everyone tensed, hands going to weapons. But it was just Felix, huffing and muttering as he stumbled into the clearing, a small waterskin in hand.

He scowled at all of us. "Oh, great. Love the welcoming expressions. Really makes a guy feel missed."

Julien smirked. "We were just about to start mourning. Shame you ruined it."

Felix flipped him off and tossed me the waterskin. "It’s from a slow-moving stream a little ways north. Didn’t see anything dangerous, but it’s dark as hell out there."

I took a sip, testing it. The water was clean enough. "It’ll do."

With everything set, we settled in. The fire flickered low, casting long shadows against the cave walls. I knew none of us would sleep easy tonight.

But at least, for now, we had shelter.

As the fire crackled softly, the weight of the day settled over us. No one spoke for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. The cave provided shelter, but it didn’t make us safe. Not out here.

I leaned back against the cool stone, eyes flicking to the entrance. Garrick was still on watch, his broad frame a reassuring presence. Cassandra hadn’t moved from her corner, her gaze still locked on the night sky, unreadable as ever.

Julien eventually broke the silence. "So, Professor, what’s the plan?"

"Stay put for now," I said. "We don’t know who else is out here or what they’re planning. If we move carelessly, we could end up running straight into another mess."

Felix groaned. "Great. Love the sound of that. Sitting in a dark cave waiting to get jumped."

I gave him a look. "Would you rather go out and take your chances?"

He shut up.

Mira poked at the fire with a stick. "We need to figure out how long we’re staying. The Academy’s not going to ignore a bunch of students going missing."

"They’ll send search parties," Wallace added. "Or worse, assume we failed the test and move on."

That was the real problem. The Academy had brutal standards. If we weren’t back on schedule, we wouldn’t be their priority anymore. We’d be written off as casualties of the field exam.

Julien smirked. "Guess that means we’re on our own. Again."

I closed my eyes for a moment, thinking. "We’ll wait until morning. See if anything changes. If the forest stays quiet, we’ll start scouting around."

The others nodded. There wasn’t much else to say.

One by one, they settled in for the night, some resting against the walls, others lying on the ground with whatever makeshift bedding they could manage. I stayed awake, staring into the fire.

I had a feeling tomorrow wouldn’t be any easier.