Chapter 9: Morning After the Desert Night
The sunrise over the Sahara Desert was brutal.
The cold night vanished almost instantly, replaced by the harsh golden light of morning. The endless sand dunes glowed like waves of fire stretching across the horizon.
Inside the camp—
Some students were still sleeping like the dead.
Others were already awake.
---
Near the edge of the camp, a quiet scene was unfolding.
Care, Lyra, and Ash were already up.
Barefoot on the sand.
Stretching.
Their movements were slow but controlled.
Yoga.
Breathing exercises.
Training their balance and strength.
---
Lyra inhaled deeply.
"Desert air hits different."
Ash stretched her arms over her head.
"I still can't believe we slept in a tent in the middle of nowhere."
Care didn't reply.
She was doing controlled breathing exercises, eyes closed.
Focused.
---
Lyra glanced at her.
"You slept at all?"
Care opened one eye.
"Barely."
Ash smirked.
"Yeah… because you were planning three escape routes for our new friends."
Care shrugged.
"Just in case."
---
A few meters away—
The boys' tent suddenly exploded with noise.
---
"WHO KICKED ME?!"
Alex's voice echoed across the camp.
Inside the tent—
Chaos.
---
Percy groaned.
"Shut up…"
Cin rolled over.
"It's seven in the morning…"
Endrix buried his face in a pillow.
"I hate survival camps."
---
Keifer sat up slowly.
His hair looked like it had fought a storm.
"Why is everyone screaming?"
---
Alex pointed angrily.
"Someone kicked me in the ribs!"
---
Aries raised his hand lazily.
"That was probably me."
Alex stared at him.
"You admit it??"
Aries shrugged.
"You were snoring."
---
Across the tent—
Thyme was already awake.
"Get up everyone."
MJ groaned loudly.
"No."
Kavin threw a pillow at him.
"Yes."
Ren simply sat quietly, already awake.
---
Soon the camp started coming alive.
Groans.
Stretching.
Complaints.
People crawling out of tents.
---
JJ stepped out of the girls' tent and yawned dramatically.
"I hate mornings."
Freya walked out behind her.
"I hate deserts."
Rakhi added,
"I hate walking."
---
Gorya stretched calmly.
"You'll hate today's schedule even more."
---
A camp announcement speaker suddenly crackled.
A voice spoke.
"All students report to the administration cottage immediately."
"Distance: ten kilometers."
"Walking only."
---
Everyone froze.
---
JJ blinked.
"Ten kilometers?"
Alex stared at the speaker.
"You're joking."
---
Ash laughed.
"Nope."
Lyra added,
"Welcome to survival camp."
---
Soon everyone grabbed bags and water bottles.
The group began the long walk across the desert.
The sun was rising higher.
The sand felt hotter with every step.
---
The students slowly formed a huge moving cluster.
Some walking ahead.
Some dragging their feet.
Some arguing.
---
JJ walked beside Keifer.
"So…"
She lowered her voice.
"Bloody night?"
Keifer nodded slowly.
"Didn't expect that story."
---
Cin whistled.
"That university sounds insane."
Percy shook his head.
"Legal killing after sunset?"
"Who even created that place?"
---
Freya walked beside Mia.
"I'm still shocked."
Mia gave a tired smile.
"You get used to it."
Freya stared at her.
"That's not comforting."
---
Ahead of them—
Gorya was walking with Zein.
"You've been planning that escape for a while."
Zein nodded.
"Yes."
Gorya crossed her arms thoughtfully.
"Timing will matter."
"We'll help."
Zein looked slightly surprised.
"You will?"
Gorya nodded calmly.
"Of course."
---
Meanwhile—
A different battle was happening.
---
Care and Cole were walking side by side.
Both scanning the terrain.
Both analyzing everything.
Neither speaking.
---
Alex whispered to Lyra,
"They're doing it again."
Lyra nodded.
"Silent competition."
---
Cole suddenly spoke.
"Your walking pace is inefficient."
Care didn't even look at him.
"Your breathing rhythm is annoying."
Cole smirked.
---
Behind them—
Ash whispered,
"They're going to fight again."
Alex nodded.
"Give them five minutes."
---
After nearly two hours of walking—
A small cluster of buildings appeared in the distance.
The camp administration cottage.
Finally.
---
Everyone reached the place exhausted.
JJ collapsed on a wooden bench.
"I'm never walking again."
---
The administration staff greeted them.
"You may use the facilities here."
"Bathrooms and showers are available."
---
The students practically ran inside.
---
Soon the building split into two sections.
Girls on one side.
Boys on the other.
---
Girls' Room Chaos
The girls' changing room looked like a tornado hit it.
Clothes everywhere.
Backpacks open.
Towels flying.
---
JJ grabbed a towel.
"First shower is mine!"
Rakhi shouted,
"No it's not!"
Freya laughed.
"This is war."
---
Lyra tossed her hair tie to Ash.
"Hold this."
Ash caught it.
"You look like you fought the desert."
Lyra pointed at her.
"You look worse."
---
Meanwhile—
Care was already tying her hair again after showering.
Completely calm.
---
JJ looked at her.
"You're ready already??"
Care shrugged.
"Efficiency."
---
Gorya stood near the mirror brushing her hair.
"You wake up like a soldier."
Care replied simply,
"Habit."
---
Mia quietly dried her hair.
Allison sat beside her.
Zein leaned against the wall watching the chaotic room.
For the first time in a while—
She almost smiled.
---
Freya suddenly screamed.
"WHO TOOK MY SHAMPOO??"
Rakhi raised it.
"Mine now."
---
Boys' Room Disaster
If the girls' room was chaotic—
The boys' room was worse.
---
Alex walked out of the shower.
"Who stole my shirt?"
Percy pointed.
"Ask Cin."
Cin shrugged.
"It looked comfortable."
---
Keifer leaned against a locker laughing.
"This is a disaster."
---
MJ was arguing with Kavin.
"You used my towel!"
Kavin replied,
"You left it there!"
---
Thyme was already dressed.
"Can everyone calm down?"
---
Aries was sitting on a bench half asleep.
Endrix shook him.
"Wake up."
Aries mumbled,
"I am awake."
---
Ren stood quietly near the door watching the madness.
Matt walked past him shaking his head.
"Every group is chaotic."
Ace smirked.
"That's what makes it interesting."
Race added,
"Or dangerous."
---
Eventually—
Everyone finished getting ready.
Hair fixed.
Clothes clean.
Energy slightly restored.
---
Outside the cottage—
All twenty-five students gathered again.
Standing under the bright desert sun of the Sahara Desert.
The day had only just begun.
And the real challenges of the survival camp were still waiting.