Chapter 25 — The Frozen Morning
The Ladakh morning did not arrive gently.
It attacked.
The temperature had dropped well below freezing during the night.
Frost covered the ground like a thin sheet of glass.
Inside the tents…
Absolute chaos.
MJ was buried deep inside his sleeping bag like a cocoon.
"I'm not leaving this blanket," he groaned dramatically. "This is my new home. I live here now."
Percy suddenly burst out of his sleeping bag and stood up like a commander.
"WAKE UP SURVIVORS!"
His voice echoed across the entire camp.
Half the boys nearly fell off their beds.
Keifer threw a pillow at him.
"BRO IT'S 6 A.M. WHY ARE YOU SCREAMING?"
Percy placed his hands on his hips dramatically.
"This is mountain survival training. If we die, we die as warriors."
Ace didn't even open his eyes.
"If you don't shut up, you'll die first."
The boys' tent erupted into arguments, blankets flying, people trying to steal the warmest jackets.
Alex tried to stand up and immediately slipped on the cold floor.
"WHY IS THE FLOOR ICE?!"
Ash laughed from the corner.
"Because genius… we're in Ladakh."
Meanwhile…
The girls' side was surprisingly calm.
For one reason.
Hot water showers.
The girls had discovered that the camp had a limited hot water supply for the morning.
Zein came out of the shower wrapped in a towel.
"This place is brutal but at least they respect women."
Lyra stretched happily.
"That hot shower just saved my life."
Mia nodded.
"Same."
But one person…
Had not used it.
Care.
She walked out of the bathroom calmly, water still dripping from her hair.
Lyra immediately noticed.
"Care… did you take a cold shower?!"
Care simply shrugged.
"As always."
Everyone stared at her.
Zein looked horrified.
"You're insane."
Mia wrapped a blanket around Care's shoulders.
"You're freezing!"
Care's fingers were slightly cold, but her face stayed calm.
"It wakes the body."
Lyra shook her head.
"No normal human says that sentence."
---
Soon everyone gathered outside for breakfast.
The cold air bit into their skin immediately.
Students were rubbing their hands together trying to warm up.
But the moment they reached the dining tent…
A heavenly smell filled the air.
Hot breakfast.
Steaming food.
And large kettles releasing clouds of warm vapor.
The Indian students immediately recognized it.
Ash's eyes lit up.
"NO WAY."
Percy ran forward dramatically.
"IS THAT—"
Care looked up from the table calmly.
"Yes."
Hot Indian chai tea. ☕
Freshly brewed.
Spiced.
Steaming.
The smell of cardamom and ginger spread across the tent.
For a moment…
Even the freezing mountain air felt warmer.
Ash grabbed a cup instantly.
"Oh this is heaven."
Percy held the cup like it was sacred.
"I can feel my soul returning to my body."
Keifer took a sip and froze.
"…Okay that's actually amazing."
Many international students were confused.
Alex sniffed the cup cautiously.
"What is this?"
Ash grinned.
"Indian survival potion."
Lyra took a careful sip.
Her eyes widened.
"Oh my god."
MJ grabbed a cup next.
"Why have we never had this before?!"
The warmth spread through their bodies immediately.
Some students were drinking chai for the first time in their lives.
Even Ace took a quiet sip.
He didn't say anything.
But he poured another cup.
Cole noticed Care sitting quietly with her own cup.
For a moment…
The chaos faded.
She held the warm tea between her hands, letting the heat reach her fingers.
Her expression softened slightly.
Cole noticed.
"You like it."
Care looked at him.
"It relaxes the mind."
Cole smirked.
"Didn't know the terrifying Care had a comfort drink."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Everyone has something that brings peace."
Lyra leaned toward Alex and whispered.
"She looks so calm right now."
Alex nodded quietly.
"Different from usual."
For a moment…
Everyone sat together.
Laughing.
Drinking tea.
Warming up.
It felt like a small peaceful moment in the middle of a brutal survival camp.
But peace never lasted long.
The camp instructor suddenly walked in.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
"Breakfast finished?"
Everyone froze.
He smiled dangerously.
"Good."
He pointed toward the mountains outside.
"Today's training — Mountain Trekking."
Groans filled the entire tent.
Percy collapsed onto the table.
"I JUST FOUND HAPPINESS AGAIN."
The instructor ignored him.
"High altitude trekking. Rocky terrain. Unstable paths."
Everyone slowly stood up.
Care finished her tea quietly and stood.
The moment they stepped outside…
The mountains towered over them.
Massive.
Silent.
Dangerous.
Their trekking instructor pointed toward a distant narrow trail climbing up the mountain.
"That path."
Students looked at it in horror.
"WE'RE CLIMBING THAT?!"
The instructor nodded.
"Start moving."
Care stepped forward first.
Calm.
Steady.
Cole walked beside her immediately.
They hadn't even taken ten steps before arguing began.
"That route is inefficient," Cole said.
Care didn't even look at him.
"It's the safest."
"It's longer."
"It avoids loose rocks."
Cole scoffed.
"You're overthinking."
She stopped walking.
Turned.
"You're underestimating the terrain."
The rest of the group walked behind them watching the argument like a tennis match.
Lyra leaned toward Alex.
"They fight like an old married couple."
Alex smirked.
"Give it time."
Ahead…
Care had already started walking again.
Cole followed.
Still arguing.
Still stubborn.
But neither of them slowed down.
Behind them the group climbed the mountain together.
Laughing.
Complaining.
Almost slipping.
And somewhere in the middle of the freezing Ladakh mountains…
Their strange chaotic family continued moving forward.
Unaware that far bigger dangers…
Were slowly approaching.