Chapter 17 — The Shelter
The storm had not slowed down.
If anything, it had grown worse.
Wind tore across the Sahara like a raging beast, throwing sand everywhere. The fire in the center of the camp had long been swallowed by the storm.
The group stood in chaos around Care's unmoving body.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Cole was the first to move.
He bent down and carefully lifted Care into his arms. Sand covered her hair and clothes. Her head rested against his shoulder, completely still.
Lyra's voice trembled.
"Cole… we need to stop the bleeding."
Cole nodded but didn't say anything.
His jaw was clenched so tightly it almost hurt.
Ash wiped sand from Care's face quickly.
"We need a shelter. Now."
Another violent gust hit them.
WHOOOOOOOSH
The loose canvas from the collapsed tent whipped wildly in the wind.
Zein immediately turned to the group.
"We build a temporary tent."
Ren looked at the torn fabric.
"With this storm?"
Ace grabbed one end of the heavy canvas.
"We don't have a choice."
Matt nodded.
"If she stays exposed like this, the wind and sand will make it worse."
Thyme looked around.
"Poles. We still have the broken ones."
Alex immediately ran toward the scattered tent remains.
"I'll get them!"
Percy and Endrix followed him.
"Help him!"
Meanwhile the girls formed a circle around Care.
Lyra knelt beside her, shielding her head from the blowing sand.
Ash pulled her scarf off and covered Care's forehead gently.
"Her bleeding hasn't stopped completely."
JJ knelt beside them, her hands shaking.
"This is my fault…"
Lyra looked up sharply.
"No."
Ash added firmly,
"She saved you. Don't disrespect that by blaming yourself."
Another gust slammed into them.
The wind was getting colder.
Across the camp the boys were already working.
Cole still held Care while they prepared the shelter.
Zein pointed toward a small depression between two sand ridges.
"There. The wind will hit less there."
Ace and Race dragged one large pole across the sand.
Matt grabbed another broken support beam.
Alex came running back carrying ropes.
"I found the ropes!"
Thyme held the torn canvas while Ren and MJ tried to spread it.
But the wind ripped it from their hands again.
"DAMN IT!"
Kavin grabbed the edge before it flew away.
"Hold it tight!"
The boys struggled against the storm.
Sand scratched their skin.
Percy and Endrix pushed the poles into the ground while Keifer tied ropes around them.
Zein shouted over the wind.
"Lower! Lower! If it's too tall the wind will tear it!"
Ace nodded.
"Make it small and tight!"
Cole finally moved toward the half-built structure, still carrying Care.
Her head rested weakly against his arm.
Her breathing was shallow.
Lyra noticed and panicked.
"Ash… she's cold."
Ash placed her hand on Care's cheek.
"Cole… hurry."
The boys were fighting the wind just to keep the poles standing.
Ren and MJ held one pole each with all their strength.
Alex and Race hammered the base deeper into the sand.
The torn canvas was finally stretched across the poles.
But the wind kept pushing it down.
"Hold the sides!"
Thyme shouted.
Percy grabbed one rope.
Endrix grabbed another.
Keifer braced the front pole with his shoulder.
"Just a little more!"
Finally—
The canvas held.
A small, rough shelter formed.
It wasn't a proper tent.
Just torn fabric stretched tightly over low poles.
But it was enough.
Zein checked quickly.
"It will hold."
The boys immediately stood at the sides, gripping the poles so the wind wouldn't collapse it.
"Keep holding!"
Inside the small shelter Lyra quickly cleared the sand.
"Bring her in!"
Cole stepped forward and carefully lowered himself inside.
He gently laid Care down on the canvas floor.
Her head rolled slightly to the side.
JJ immediately crawled inside.
"Her head…"
Ash grabbed a bottle of water.
"Wash the sand first."
JJ carefully poured water over Care's hair.
The dirty water mixed with blood and sand.
Lyra wiped her forehead carefully with a cloth.
The small cut on her head was still bleeding slowly.
Ash quickly opened a small pouch.
"I have turmeric."
Lyra looked relieved.
"Good."
Ash mixed the turmeric powder with a little water in her palm.
The yellow paste formed quickly.
JJ held Care's head gently.
Ash applied the turmeric paste carefully over the wound.
The bleeding slowly began to stop.
Lyra exhaled softly.
"It's working."
Outside the tent the boys were still struggling to keep the structure stable.
The wind slammed against the canvas repeatedly.
WHOOOOOOOOSH
The poles shook.
Alex and Matt tightened the ropes again.
Ren and MJ still held the side supports.
Zein stood near the entrance watching everything carefully.
Inside the tent the girls stayed close around Care.
Freya sat beside Lyra.
Gorya helped Ash tie a cloth bandage around Care's head.
JJ sat quietly beside her.
Her eyes red.
Cole remained at Care's side, sitting against the pole.
He hadn't moved since placing her down.
Not even once.
His eyes stayed on her face.
Lyra noticed.
"You should rest for a minute."
Cole shook his head slightly.
"No."
Ash sighed softly but didn't argue.
Outside the storm continued to rage.
The boys' voices could still be heard over the wind.
"Hold that rope!"
"Don't let the pole move!"
"Push it deeper!"
Inside the shelter the girls stayed close together around Care.
Protecting her from the cold air and flying sand.
The turmeric paste had stopped the bleeding.
But she still hadn't woken up.
Lyra held Care's hand tightly.
"Come on Care…"
Ash sat quietly beside her.
JJ wiped her eyes.
Cole leaned slightly forward.
Watching every breath she took.
Outside the storm fought against the fragile shelter.
Inside—
Twenty-four students waited silently.
Hoping their strongest leader would open her eyes again.