Bonita and Daniels finally caught up with the group.
"Here, Daniels," Bonita said with a proud smile. "Everyone, meet Daniels."
"So you're the guy who stole my sister's heart?" Mandume asked, arms folded, eyes scanning Daniels like a customs officer.
"…and you must be Mandume," Daniels replied coolly. "Pleasure to finally meet my brother-in-law."
"You can't just forge family ties like that, you know," Mandume replied, his voice dry with suspicion.
"Daniels, Bonita talks a lot about you," Olivia chimed in. "She was worried you wouldn't show."
"I wouldn't miss this for anything," Daniels said, his eyes lingering on Bonita. "She means too much to me."
"You better stick to your words, dude," Mandume said, still not convinced.
"Seriously, brother, you're making him itch," Bonita muttered, nudging Mandume.
"Alright, let's split," Olivia declared. "I'm with Mandume. Daniels, you go with Bonita. Rudrof, you're solo—sorry, buddy."
Daniels leaned in to Bonita. "So this is the guy you paired up with? I'm jealous."
"He's like a brother to me," Bonita said, rolling her eyes.
"I'm a brother too," Daniels teased.
Bonita blinked. "What?"
"I mean…if cute guys can be brothers, then I qualify."
"Cuter. Okay, enough flirting—we're wasting time." She clapped. "Here's the challenge: make it to that mountain ridge in four minutes. Collect something—not a stick, not trash, not poop—but something meaningful that could help you and your partner win. Winner gets a prize from me."
"Challenge starts now!" Olivia shouted.
The groups scattered.
"Guys, go ahead—I forgot my phone in the tents!" Rudra called out and doubled back.
Back at the tents, Star lay unconscious. The masked man who had struck her was already deep in the forest, carrying her limp body. Rudra, unaware, saw a strange figure from afar but dismissed it. He grabbed his phone, but unease pulled at him.
"Star?" he called, checking each tent. No response.
Then, on the ground—her bracelet.
His heart dropped.
"Oh no… STAR!"
He ran, dialing Mandume. No signal.
"How do I reach them? Damn it, this isn't happening." His breath caught. He tightened his grip on the bracelet and dashed into the woods.
Meanwhile…
"Why's your brother so protective?" Daniels asked as they walked.
"We've always had each other's backs," Bonita replied. "You're the first male friend I've had in years."
"And Olivia? He's paired with her…"
"It's not like that."
"Mhm. You sure you're not jealous?"
"Daniels! Focus! We only have two minutes left."
Elsewhere…
"Mandume, all you talk about is Star," Olivia groaned.
"I've got a bad feeling. She's all alone out there, in the forest…"
"Relax, you're just being paranoid. Let's keep looking—we haven't even found anything yet."
"I just hope she's safe…"
Rudra followed the trail of boot prints like a bloodhound.
"Star… I'm coming. You're stronger than this. Just hang in there."
Up ahead, the masked man got a text:
"You're being followed. Finish the job—fast."
He broke into a sprint.
Rudra picked up the sounds and chased faster. Then, voices ahead—four masked men huddled around Star's unconscious body.
"I saw someone behind you!" one man whispered.
"Too late. We finish the job. I'm sure this is the girl—her bracelet had her name."
"Then where is it?" another asked. "Boss won't be happy without proof."
Suddenly, a voice behind them:
"Looking for this?"
Rudra stepped out, holding the bracelet.
The leader spun around and snarled. "Back off! One move and she dies."
"You won't want to do that," Rudra warned.
"Drop the girl!" he barked.
"Who the hell are you to give us orders?" one man growled.
"Forget him! Shoot her and grab the bracelet!"
"Wait… you want the bracelet?" Rudra baited, slowly lifting it higher.
"We're not negotiating—"
A gunshot rang out.
But it wasn't theirs.
Rudra had already pulled the trigger, hitting the leader in the hand. The gun clattered to the ground as Star's body fell—and struck a rock.
"STAR!"
Blood began to seep from her head, staining the earth.
"No…no, no, no—stay with me," Rudra whispered, dropping beside her. "Don't you dare leave now."
The rest of the men froze, startled, unsure whether to fight or flee.
But Rudra didn't care about them anymore.
All he could see… was her bleeding out in his arms.