220 To see the Flowers (1/2)

When we returned to the campsite, the others had returned as well. Mura, Muria, and Irina seemed to have enjoyed themselves as they chatted joyfully about what they had done today. As for the other group who went on that expedition off-road in the mountains, Noah and Zaksus seemed to be in high spirits whereas Erith and Alvelyn seemed to be exhausted. Loyd just seemed to be the same, with nothing different about him.

”We found someplace nice,” Zaksus announced to everyone with great excitement and enthusiasm in his voice. ”You guys must've never seen that flower field.”

”Flower field?” Mura looked at Zaksus as she was interested by what he had mentioned.

”Yeah,” Loyd answered. ”A field of flowers that glowed a faint blue light. I've never seen anything like that.”

”That sounds rather romantic,” Irina clasped her hands and commented.

”I bet it looks even better now that it's dark out,” Noah said.

”Is it really that spectacular?” I looked over at Alvelyn and muttered which she responded with a simple nod.

Seeing her response to my question, it made me somewhat intrigued. However, it was just a slight interest, not one to the point that I must see the flower field.

”After we eat,” Noah suggested, ”we should all go and check it out.”

”It's pretty late,” Muria frowned.

”It's fine,” Zaksus said. ”We know the way. We found another path in the forest, and taking that path will lead us to the field of flowers.”

”We just have to cross a bridge and then we'll be there,” Loyd added.

”That doesn't sound too bad,” Mura nodded as she is obviously interested by this idea. ”Let's do that.”

”You guys go if you want,” Erith let out a sigh of relief. ”I'm tired from all that walking.”

”So you want to be here alone by yourself?” Noah asked her in a provoking and teasing manner.

”No,” Erith smiled in a confident manner and shook her head. ”Luna would be with me.”

”I want to go check it out,” Luna's response caught Erith by surprise, probably because Erith wasn't expecting Luna to be suddenly in such a good mood.

”Luna!” Erith exclaimed. ”What's gotten into you?”

”It's nothing,” Luna smiled and shook her head. ”It's just...I got something off my mind.”

”So since Luna's going, that means everyone is going!” Noah concluded.

”Why did you include me?” I muttered and sighed as stopped with my resisting and gave up. I have a feeling that the energy I would expend arguing with him would be way more than if I just went with them.

With our plans for after dinner decided, we went on with the process of preparing food. Noah and Zaksus started up the campfire once again, Irina and I went to wash and clean the vegetables before bringing them back to Mura and Muria. The two then chopped whatever vegetables that was needed and then went on to preparing the meats.

After having a rather delicious dinner prepared by Alvelyn, we all decided without any verbal communication to just sit around the fire and rest for a bit before we head out for the flower fields. As humans, who doesn't want to sit around a warm fire and just fall into a trance as your eyes remain fixed on the crackling flame? Especially since the temperature has dropped for the night, sitting around the warm fire is like the best feeling in the world.

”We should get going,” Mura finally announced after a while. ”If we don't, we might just fall asleep.”

”Yeah,” Muria nodded her head in agreement.

”Everyone,” Mura then got up from her seat. ”Go and get something warm to wear. It gets cold at night.”

Really, Mura did not need to remind us. All of us could feel the dip in temperature when the sun had set earlier, so I believe we were all planning to go and grab some clothing that would keep us warm. I walked with the other boys to our tent, entering it and walked straight to my bag. After unzipping it, I decided to change into a pair of black pants and a grey hoodie as I am unsure how long exactly we would be out for the night. It probably won't be long, but I dislike being cold so it doesn't matter for me. I just enjoy being warm.

Around me, the other boys seemed to have also decided to change into something more warm but not too over the top with the sole exception being Zaksus who forgot to bring anything else other than the hoodie that he had worn the first day. He was still wearing shorts when we exited the tent. When outside, I saw that the girls had also changed into something more warm. I suppose everyone did prepare themselves for the mountain weather, that is with Zaksus being the only exception. But whatever. He'll be fine. He is an athlete after all.

”I'll lead the way,” Loyd announced to the rest of the group as he shined a flashlight in front of him. ”Follow close and don't stray too far behind. Zaksus, can you go at the back and mark the trees so that we know which way we came from?”

”Yeah,” Zaksus nodded as he shivered somewhat.

”You alright?” Erith frowned as she looked over at him and realized that he had his hands tucked in his pockets for warmth.

”I-I'm fine,” Zaksus responded.

”We're not going to get lost, are we?” Irina frowned.