"Sometimes,

I simply want to

curl up and

cry my heart out.....

But I fear;

someone will hear me."

- Aizan Rizvi

______________

"But who will go?" Becks asked thinking about a plan to kill the person who will go alone. Now you all are in my trap. He thought.

Ray bit his lip and took a deep breath before answering,"I."

*********

The Sun was shining brightly in the sky sending its warm sunlight to warm the tensed skins. Tall trees were standing high with their unreachable glory and birds were sleeping their nests having the pleasure of sunlight and shadow at the same time. But it will not always be like this. The Sun has to set; night has to pull over and darkness has to spread. But again! Nothing lasts forever.

"So lucky!" Ben chirped in breaking the silence.

"Who?" Lia asked still thinking about Ray. Is he okay? Will he do it? Why he decided to go when he knew that he might not reach the south Base at time?

"Um...birds?" He replied looking for something interesting or exciting.

"Hey Aiz! Do you think he will reach there?" Alrick asked Aiz who was busy thinking something.

"Mhm. I told him everything perfectly and I have faith that he will be back after doing things perfectly." Aiz replied still deep in his thoughts. It was like he was convincing himself that this is not his fault that everything is happening. But unfortunately, it is. He was the one to write this idea in his science project and he never knew that Kilby will take it so seriously.

"C'mon everyone! We need to reach a safe place before dusk falls. We can't trust this place since we have already met some of Kilby 's sons." Louis said making everyone stop dead at their tracks.

South. The South Base was only hope for them. They knew danger is here. Death will be here by anytime....but when?

**********

Ray pulled his bag on his shoulder and started descending the cliff. According to Aizan, Their secret lab is at the northern end of the island somewhere near where they were. He looked at the sun and found the north. Geography class helps, sometimes. He chuckled to himself and started whistling.

After a few steps, he stopped. He heard something far from him and decided not to whistle. It's better not to attract attention when you don't know who's paying it. He started quietly but felt paws hitting the ground. And the most uncool thing is, the sound is getting louder. F***! He cussed when he realised what it could be.

He turned back and saw a grey hound walking towards him. Scratch that, it's sprinting. At first, he thought to run but then decided against it as it's of no use. It will find him through his scent. I must have not used Axe this morning. I guess he likes it. Ray thought but then an idea popped up inside his brain and he slid his bag out of his arm. He unzipped the first zip and started searching for something. After searching for a few seconds, he took out a can.

"Old Spice? I had it in my bag. I thought I only had Axe. Cool! But I'm not finding you now. See ya later babe."

He placed it inside and continue his search until he took out a thin metal. He took it out and found a thin silver metal in his hand. Gotcha!

He quickly zipped it and placed his bag back to his previous position. But when he looked up, he saw the grey hound was leaping over him. It was in the air, ready to land at his chest and tear his ribs apart. But, Ray was smiling. He placed the metal hand in front of hound's chest and pressed the little button. Then a white light shone brightly and Ray turned his head as his eyes were not able to tolerate light of such an intensity.

When his eyes became acoumsted and light fazed a little, he turned back and saw a white laser piercing the grey fur of the devil large hound.

"Cool! It still works." He said and pressed the button again which made the laser to retreat and everything was back to normal.

"Yeah! I don't even repent at killing. Star War rocks! "

He turned, continued whistling and began walking.

*********

"Here are the woods." Becks said while dropping the dried woods he had collected.

"Wait. Let me check. I might have a lighter in my bag." Louis said and searched his bag for a lighter and then took it out." Here it is."

Then Aiz took it from Louis, arranged the woods and set it on fire. "Here! Your campfire is ready."

"Cool." Ben said and leaned over the trunk of a tree." I'm sleepy. Can't stay awake now." He said and drifted quickly in his sleep.

"Someone has to wake up to guard." Aiz asked no one in particular.

"Who will?" Louis wondered but then Becks acted on impulse and yelled," I won't."

Aiz rolled his eyes at him and said," I will."

Lia was sleeping peacefully, her back leaned over a thick trunk and face covered with her jacket. She shifted to her side and relaxed a bit. But then, she heard something. High pitch voices coming from every direction piercing through her ear drums. She threw the jacket on her face to a side and got up.

"What's it?" She asked shivering at the thought of something which is not really good.

"I don't know. Let's see what's this." Aiz said and got up. He was staring the sky, doing some calculations in his mind.

They got up and moved together to a side of the forest which they think is the source of the voice. But when they reached there, they found nothing. It was only pitch black. Not a soul dared to break the deafening silence and it was like they have met absolute rest.

"There's nothing here. Sound has also ceased. Let's go!" Aiz said looking at a tree catching something suspicious and Lia turned on her heels but stopped dead in her track.

"Crouch!" An unknown voice boomed all over the area and unknowingly Aiz and Lia crouched. The voice seemed commanding as well as soft at the same time. It belonged to a woman. But where is she?

Aiz looked over Lia's shoulder and saw thousand of black dots flying above his head creating eerie sounds.

"What are they?" Lia asked Aiz who shrugged as a reply. He didn't knew what they are.

"These are Vampire Bats. Favourite pet of Kilby." The voice said again and they turned to look at the owner of the voice.

There stood a figure of a woman in middle forties. She was in a white attire with hazel green eyes. Her dusty brown hair was arranged in long curls that were down her shoulders. Fair complexion with perfect appearance.

Under the moonlight, she stood looking at them as some sort of a diety. But then, she could be.

"Who are you?" Lia asked getting up and staring her intently.

"Amylia Watson." She said with a genuine smile which reached her eyes and spread warmth in the atmosphere.

"Mom?"

Everyone turned and saw Alrick standing there.