Chapter 13: Truth or Dare — Part 1
Night fell quietly over the endless dunes of the Sahara Desert.
The survival camp was finally calm after the long yoga and meditation sessions.
A small bonfire crackled in the center of the camp.
The sky above was unbelievably clear — thousands of stars scattered across the darkness.
Students sat in a messy circle around the fire.
Blankets.
Water bottles.
Some snacks they had managed to save from dinner.
And a lot of chaotic energy.
---
JJ clapped her hands loudly.
"Alright people!"
"Tonight we're playing Truth or Dare."
---
MJ immediately sat up.
"Oh this is going to ruin friendships."
---
Kavin grinned.
"Or create scandals."
---
Freya looked around the circle.
"No skipping questions."
---
Percy added dramatically,
"And no cowardice."
---
Cin raised a finger.
"I already regret agreeing to this."
---
The group laughed.
---
JJ picked up an empty bottle.
"Alright…"
She placed it in the sand.
"Let chaos begin."
---
She spun it.
The bottle spun wildly under the firelight.
Everyone leaned forward watching.
It slowly stopped.
Pointing at—
Alex.
---
The group erupted immediately.
"OHHHHH!"
---
JJ leaned forward like a villain.
"Alex."
"Truth or Dare?"
---
Alex leaned back casually.
"Truth."
---
Freya smirked.
"Coward."
---
JJ grinned.
"Fine."
She leaned closer.
"Do you like someone here?"
---
The group gasped dramatically.
---
Alex rubbed his forehead.
"Seriously?"
---
JJ crossed her arms.
"Answer."
---
Alex glanced sideways.
And unfortunately…
Lyra was sitting right beside him.
---
Lyra immediately looked at the fire.
Pretending she heard nothing.
---
Alex sighed.
"Yeah."
---
The group exploded.
"WHO?"
"NAME!"
---
Alex shook his head.
"That wasn't part of the question."
---
MJ pointed at Lyra.
"IT'S OBVIOUS."
---
Lyra looked up instantly.
"It is NOT obvious!"
---
Freya burst out laughing.
"You two are the worst liars."
---
Alex raised his hands.
"We're just friends."
---
Lyra nodded quickly.
"Exactly."
---
JJ smirked.
"Friends?"
---
Kavin leaned forward.
"Friends who stare at each other during lectures?"
---
Freya added,
"Friends who sit together every single time?"
---
Cin grinned.
"Friends who get jealous when someone else talks to them?"
---
Alex and Lyra spoke at the same time.
"WE DO NOT."
---
The group howled with laughter.
---
MJ wiped his eyes.
"You two are in denial mode."
---
Lyra pointed at him.
"Shut up."
---
Alex shook his head laughing.
"This game is stupid."
---
JJ spun the bottle again.
---
The bottle spun… slower this time.
Then stopped.
Pointing at—
Care.
---
The laughter slowly faded.
Some people straightened up.
---
JJ looked at her gently.
"Truth or Dare?"
---
Care answered quietly.
"Truth."
---
JJ thought for a moment.
Then spoke carefully.
"Tell us something about your family."
---
The fire crackled softly.
The wind moved through the dunes of the Sahara Desert.
---
For the first time that night…
Care didn't answer immediately.
---
Lyra looked at her.
Concern visible in her eyes.
---
Care stared into the fire for a few seconds.
Then spoke calmly.
---
"I don't really have a family."
---
The group became completely silent.
---
She continued quietly.
"My father died when I was ten."
---
Some students shifted uncomfortably.
---
"My mother…"
She paused.
"…left."
---
No one spoke.
---
Care continued slowly.
"My relatives… my cousins…"
"They were more interested in inheritance than me."
---
Her voice stayed calm.
But her eyes were beginning to glisten.
---
"They fought over property."
"They fought over money."
"No one fought for me."
---
Lyra lowered her head.
Ash clenched her fists slightly.
---
Care gave a small sad smile.
"So eventually…"
"I stopped expecting anything from them."
---
The firelight reflected in her eyes.
She blinked quickly.
---
"But then…"
Her voice softened slightly.
"I met Ash."
---
Ash looked at her quietly.
---
Care smiled faintly.
"And after some time… I met Lyra online."
---
Lyra looked up surprised.
---
Care laughed softly.
"While reading a book."
"I left a comment in the discussion section."
---
The group listened silently.
---
"She replied."
---
Lyra smiled gently.
---
Care shook her head softly.
"Honestly… commenting on that book was the best decision of my life."
---
Lyra's eyes became watery.
---
Care continued.
"Later we all somehow ended up getting admission in the same dream university."
---
She laughed quietly.
"Still feels unbelievable sometimes."
---
Her voice finally cracked slightly.
---
For a moment—
No one spoke.
---
Then suddenly—
JJ stood up.
---
She walked straight across the circle.
And hugged Care tightly.
---
"Idiot."
---
Care froze slightly.
---
JJ spoke softly.
"You're not alone."
---
Behind her—
Keifer and Zein nodded quietly.
---
Ace whispered softly,
"Yeah."
---
JJ squeezed her again.
"You're basically our little sister now."
---
Care blinked quickly.
Trying to stop the tears.
---
Lyra wiped her eyes.
Ash looked like she might cry too.
---
MJ cleared his throat awkwardly.
"This game got emotional real fast."
---
Freya sniffed slightly.
"Shut up MJ."
---
Care finally laughed softly.
"Okay… that was embarrassing."
---
JJ walked back to her spot.
"Nope."
---
She picked up the bottle again.
Eyes shining mischievously.
---
"Alright."
"Enough emotions."
---
She grinned.
"Who's ready for the next victim?"
---
The bottle spun again under the firelight.
As laughter slowly returned to the group sitting in the dunes of the Sahara Desert.
---
And somewhere beyond the circle…
Cole sat quietly.
Watching Care.
Thinking about everything she had just said.
For the first time since this camp began…
He looked… thoughtful.